Category Archives: Urban Landscapes

Rapp Saloon, Santa Monica Painting

Rapp Saloon, Santa Monica California Painting

I liked the way this old brick building (from 1875) was dwarfed by taller, newer structures around it. I was also intrigued by the atmospheric effects of the buildings in late afternoon light so close to the ocean.

This painting started as a drawing when we lost the car in Santa Monica. We’d parked on the fourth or fifth level of the garage- what we didn’t realize is there are several garages “near a J. Crew” which was my only point of reference. So after going all the way up and down two incorrect garages, we wound up in front of this building and I insisted I had to draw it. Mike went to find the car and left me to work on a sketch.

Time passed and I couldn’t get happy with the painting, so I abandoned it and forgot about it. More time passed, and my truck got broken into. While my GPS was stolen, this incomplete painting was not. I decided a square format would work better, so I started over and I wrapped it up today.

This painting is for sale.

Embassy Hotel, San Diego

San Diego Urban Landscape Painting

I’ve wanted to do a painting of the Embassy Hotel in Hillcrest for a long time, but I had a hard time deciding which facade would make the best painting.

I finally decided on this one, because I liked the simple, functional look of the brick, contrasted with the elaborate Italian/Spanish/Moorish fantasy palace style architecture of the street facades.

I like those facades too… maybe another day I’ll paint them!

San Diego Urban Painting is for sale.

Eucalyptus Morning

San Diego Landscape Painting, Eucalyptus Trees in Balboa Park

I love the soaring, graceful lines and cathedral-like vaults made by mature eucalyptus trees.

Like the iconic Washingtonia palm, eucalyptus isn’t a native species to the California coast. Because of that, there’s been a backlash in recent years about planting both these beautiful trees along streets and in parks and neighborhoods.

I can see the logic, though I wouldn’t say I agree with it… because I love these trees!

This stand of eucalyptus is on the edge of Balboa Park, and leads into a Hillcrest neighborhood of gracious old homes.

For sale

Star Builders Supply Building, Little Italy

Star Builders Supply Building, San Diego, California Landscape Painting

Do you love the industrial quality of this circa 1911 building as much as I do?

It’s currently vacant. There are so many great potential uses- restaurants, art studios and galleries, wine bar, boutique hotel. It’s right by the trolley stop too. Pretty great location.

When I was researching this building, wondering what it was, I discovered an evil plot to tear it down and put in a parking lot! What a travesty.

We could easily build the parking structure over top of Star Builders Supply with gigantic stilts, or perhaps incorporate the historic structure into a new construction. I hope it will be saved.

Click here to learn more about Star Builders Supply and the effort to preserve this historic structure.

Buy this painting here

Little Italy Streetscape, San Diego

San Diego California Landscape Little Italy Downtown Urban Painting

A street corner in Little Italy, San Diego. I think this is Kettner, but I’m not sure. That’s the famous Wyland mural on the building to the left. I spent a couple of hours walking around this neighborhood while I was getting my car worked on, and started this painting and a couple of others.

I like Little Italy. It’s a mix of Victorian and ultramodern, which I find very appealing… with great pizza and terrible parking.

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