Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Lucy Moon with her Painting


Hey everyone, here is one that I am proud to display. It's Lucy Moon Papini holding her first portrit. It took a while to get this painting to her but it eventually made it. I am glad it has found a good home. Isn't she cute. I'm keeping busy with open studios so I have not had a chance to upload the photos of my most recent paintings. I will upload them soon....thanks for checking in.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Unauthorized Cows

Unauthorized Cows
April 20, 2008
11" by 13"


It was very windy. This was painted near the Benicia Bridge. I was kicked out of the land, "hence the Name".

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Bay Bridge #2

Bay Bridge #2

I painted this in the same spot as yesterday. I've tried painting the same photograph twice and it has never worked out( With exception to the Chicken series). Painting from life is a different story. I think I could paint from this spot a hundred times and not get bored. Painting from life allows you took take your painting in any direction you choose. Because you can see so much detail you have to choose an approach that will allow you to capture what is important to you. One day you may be inspired by color and the next day shape or shadow. Today I played it safe. I went in very light and described only one piece of the painting at a time.

Bay Bridge #1

The Bay Bridge # 1
8" by 10"
April 6, 2008.
This is my first attempt at the Bay Bridge. It painted from a large parking lot that goes out into the Bay. I've been taking my lunch break here from time to time. On this particular day it was warm and sunny. For the most part nobody bugged me and I was free to do my work. At times I felt I went in a little to thick with this painting but I worked through it. In retrospect I think I went in thick but with the right colors and this let me keep control of the painting. I was very loose in the saddle on this one. After the painting was over I had a pleasant bike ride home along the harbor by The Giants Ball Park.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Turning Point

PHOTOS OF MOST RECENT WORK TO COME

Turning Point
April 15, 2008
8" by 10"

Half way through this painting I asked myself, "why am I up here?" It was so cold and the worst part was I could see my house. It looked so warm and cosy. As it was getting dark I could see inside the house and see that somebody had the TV on. I pictured in my head somebody heating up tea warm and comfy. As it got darker it got colder and the wind blew harder. I remember at one point when I was trying to paint a fine line the wind blew my brush across the canvas. My fingers were numb and shaking so it was hard to draw a controlled stroke. I stuck it out until it was to dark to see my canvas. It was cold but now that I am in my warm cosy house, watching Dancing With the Stars, I am glad that I was up there earlier. In fact I wish I was back up there right now.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Oakland Views

Oakland Views
8" by 10"
4/14/2008

It was another cold windy evening. The wind was so strong I had to repaint the sky because so much pollen was blown on to the canvas it changed color and had tiny spots all over it. This was an ambitious painting for me. There was a lot to explain visually . I really liked the spot and I will try another painting from this spot soon.

As the fog rolls in

Photo to come
As the fog Rolls In
8" by 10"
April 13, 2008

This one was painted at the end of a warm day. On Sunday evening I watched the fog roll in quite fast. When I started this painting the tower was very visible. After only twenty minutes the tower was covered in fog. It was a challenging day to paint for two reasons. One I was looking right into the sun, and to the colors changed drastically as the sun vanished behind the fog. I've never tried painting into the sun. I can see some benefit in painting into the sun. The bright sun can simplifies shapes creating extreme lights and darks. I want to try it again but with sun glasses. I remember falling pretty hard while trying to hike up the hill. I did not get hurt but people asked if I was OK.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Wish Wash

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Wish Wash
8" by 10"
Painted on April 8, 2008.

It was a windy day. I rode my bike around everywhere looking for a spot to paint. I could not find anywhere ideal. Finally I decided on this spot. Just a couple hundred feet from my house. It was a perfect spot because the wind did not hit me there. I remember a group of three joggers. They were running up and down a hil. One of them asked me keep an eye on a rose and an envelope for
one of the other joggers birthday. I gave it to the jogger when she was done working out. It was a night of giving because a dog left his ball with me. Then another dog traded his old slobbery ball for my new clean ball. A nice day on the hill.

Rodeo Beach

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Rodeo Beach
11" by 14"
April 11, 2008

When I see this painting I think of the great day we had. I was in good company Girlfriend Jill, Linsey, and Neil. We got up early and it was a pain getting out of bed . Rising early proved to be a great decision because when we got to the beach the conditions were perfect. Three foot rolling waves and sunshine. The day consisted of two surf sessions, one painting and a nap.
the surf was small but fun. The painting was quick and easy. While painting I met a man who knew one of my old teachers Hannah. He showed me a picture of his work Via Cell phone. The nap was nice but it hurts now. I missed a few spots with the sun block. When I look back at this painting years from now I hope it brings me back to this pleasant day.

To Rodeo Beach


To Rodeo Beach.
Painted on April 12, 2008.
24" by 24"


This is a studio painting done from a photograph that I took on the way to breaker Beach. It's different painting from photograph. I find myself having to invent color instead of pulling it out of the air. I had a lot of fun with the 12" pallet Knife on this one. I love those windy roads that vanish into a curve. The roads on the way to Rodeo beach just over the Golden Gate Bridge are beautiful but should be drove with caution. One road was closed do to an accident. The painting took 5 hours.

Rite Way Market


The Rite Way Market
Painted on April 11, 2008.
8"by10"

Painted down the street form my house near the Rite Way Market, a place I pass everyday to and from work. I was first attracted to the blue and red pepsi sign. While I was there people were very curious as to what I was doing behind my box. I had conversations with many nice people that day. One Gentleman offered to pay me to paint his house. ( I am still willing to do this so let me know if you are still interested.)
After painting here for an hour and a half I discovered that 3 hours before there was a shooting. There was a white van with a bullet hole in the passenger side. It's a nice neighbor hood but it reminded me that violence exist everywhere.

Solitude


Solitude
Painted April 10, 2008
8" by 10"


This one was painted a block away from my studio next to a construction site. This painting is called solitude because I felt very connected to my painting. It flowed very easy. This is one of those paintings that painted itself. I remember a man in a suit told me looking good.

Tea House

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Tea House
Painted on April 9, 2008
8"by10"

Another Urban painting, created two blocks from my art studio in the Inner Mission. It's called Tea House because it was a really cold day and a nice girl named "Chris" gave me a cup of warm tea. (Thank you it was just what I needed) It was a cold evening but people were very exited to see somebody painting there neighborhood. It's good to know I have a place to paint so close to my studio.

Burning Hill

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Burning Hill
April 7, 2008.
8"by 10"

Why is it called Burning Hill. Because half way through this painting I had to go to the bathroom really bad. I learned another lesson in Painting outside. Bathrooms are not always close, so it's good to go before you leave. I also learned how to finish a painting quickly. When I see this painting I remember how quick I got out of there. It was painted on the back side of Bernal Hill.

21st Strret


21ST Street
Aril 6, 2008.
11"by 14"
Painted in front of Amber and Guillermo's house who live on the East side of Santa Cruz. It was a pleasant setting. Again my box's design payed off because of the wind. I spent about three hours on this painting. It was windy but sunny and not to cold. Guillermo's neighbors were working on the house next door doing their sunday chores. I remember a kite surfer who was doing 360 airs of the 3 foot wind waves. I almost put him in the painting but I am not that Brave yet.

Blow Hole



Blow Hole
8'by10"
Painted April 6, 2008

Blow Hole was Painted in Santa Cruz. My first real Plein Air painting. By this I mean I was serious about the process. My new paint box proved to be designed well because I was able to shut the box when curious dogs strolled by. This was painted on the beach at about 8:30 Am. When I got there no dogs were on the beach. Half way through the painting dogs were everywhere and attempting to sniff my painting. It was a challenge but it gave me a good understanding of the challenges of painting outside. I remember hearing the locals complain to each other how it was a bad spot to paint.

Friday, April 11, 2008

New Paintings.

For everyone who has seen me painting in the street, don't worry I will post these paintings soon. I have been very busy painting but I will post these paintings by sunday. Cheers...Tony