Rigoberto’s – buy now
Rigoberto’s taco shop in North Park, San Diego. I don’t normally paint cars for various reasons aesthetic and philosophical, but in this case it seemed weird to paint a Drive Thru without including a car.
Victorian in U Heights- buy now
Now a yoga studio, next door to my trusty laundromat.
Orange and blue termite tent- buy now
I thought the colors of this termite tent were especially nice.
HVACs in Kearny Mesa- for sale
Due to falling sky junk/ pebbles thrown by the wheels of a semi/ or something, my windshield had a giant crack in it. This seemed to me like a safety issue. So I drove up to an area called Kearny Mesa to get it fixed, or rather replaced because there was too much damage.
Kearny Mesa is one of those sprawling suburban places but it has a few things going for it:
1. Korean and Japanese supermarkets.
2. Mid Century Modern commercial buildings everywhere.
After dropping off the truck at the repair place, I wandered off in search of something to paint and found this roof studded with about a dozen HVAC units. I thought it was really cool looking.
North Park Theatre on University – buy now
The side of the Birch North Park Theatre, in North Park, San Diego.
Normal Street in Hillcrest – buy now
I was standing in the tree-planted median early in the morning while I painted this. I love the name Normal Street.
Pencil drawing of Hillcrest- buy now
I drew this over breakfast this AM on the patio tables at Einstein’s Bagels in Hillcrest. This is the Pinkberry. Halfway through the drawing someone came and parked a gigantic pickup truck right in front of me. I had to keep standing up and peering over its enormity to finish the drawing.
I’d intended to do a watercolor painting this morning, but the cap had come off my pen inside my bag and it dried out. And though the art store is just across the street, it stubbornly did not open in time to buy a new pen. So I worked in graphite.
Highways & High Rises- for sale
A plein air painting of Mission Valley in San Diego. I guess technically speaking, the closest “highway” is actually the Trolley tracks.
Hillcrest Watercolor- buy now
Painted over breakfast on an overcast Sunday in Hillcrest- at Whole Foods Market.
Spring Forward at the Kensington Cafe- for sale
Painted over morning coffee on the patio at Starbucks in the San Diego neighborhood of Kensington. It’s a really nice area.
There were great views in all directions, including a stunning Sixties Functional gas station and a Modernist library with trees growing through the architecture. I didn’t paint the library though; I got too discombobulated from Spring Forward. I’ll have to go back.
While I am primarily an oil painter, I love the immediacy of completing a loose pen and ink sketch highlighted with watercolor.
At this point, I think I’m going to have to call this a series: Sunday at Starbucks.
Liquor store on the corner- buy now
Just painted this one at breakfast. One slight snafu when a very pregnant woman illegally parked in the red zone, blocking my view with her Prius. But she got her coffee and left quickly!
Archways- for sale
A plein air painting of the Museum of Man, from the Laurel Street (a.k.a. Cabrillo) Bridge. This was one of those where the light was going and it was getting cold- almost 60 degrees in February, which is practically impossible to deal with and I had to zip up my sweatshirt- but I tried to get one more painting out of the afternoon and I’m glad I did. Who does not love these buildings? I left off some of the Baroque twiddles because there just wasn’t time, but I love the archways.
Oh, and there were street singers while I was painting this as well as another piece which I haven’t photographed yet, but hope to post soon. It was original, nice, tenor singing, a guy and a girl playing together. All in all, a great afternoon.
Ah yes, and one more thing. If you’re in San Diego Sunday night, I have a painting in this juried exhibition- En Plein Air International Exhibition. The reception is from 6-9 PM at L Street Fine Art in Downtown San Diego. It’s a convenient spot right off the Trolley line and with ample parking. Hope to see you there!
Houses in Mission Hills- Buy Now
A steep street curves up out of a canyon in the San Diego neighborhood of Mission Hills. I wound up here by accident because I took the wrong street; I’m glad I did.
Craftsman House on Florida Ave
I love this old, beautifully restored Craftsman. It’s on Florida Ave, a couple of streets away from my house.
This painting is part of my upcoming show at the Lyceum Gallery, opening Saturday, January 12th.
Reception Friday, January 18 from 6-8 PM
We’ll have a reception with wine and refreshments Friday, January 18 from 6-8 PM, at the Lyceum at 79 Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego. (Click here for more info and driving directions). If you are in San Diego, I’d love to see you!
San Diego Skyline from Spanish Landing Park- For Sale
A small plein air watercolor of the San Diego skyline seen behind the Harbor Island Marina.
I’ve mostly posted oil paintings here, and I continue to paint in oil every day. But I’m eager for the freedom of pen and ink, highlighted with watercolor, so I’m increasingly turning to watercolor for quick studies. Normally I use pastel for those, but I feel like a change. So watercolor it is! I thought you might like to see some of them.
I painted this yesterday- a perfect sunny day- over lunch at Spanish Landing Park.
What was the lunch? Pesto pasta.
