PARKing Day

Here's an oldie....back in September I painted with another watercolor artist during a Park(ing) Day event held in downtown Sausalito.
PARK(ing) Day is an annual, one-day, global event where artists, activists, and citizens independently but simultaneously temporarily transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public parks.

Here we have 3 additional tables and 18 chairs spilling into what usually is a 15 minute parking zone.
Anyone can participate in PARK(ing) Day, though it is strictly a non-commercial project, intended to promote creativity, civic engagement, critical thinking, unscripted social interactions, generosity and play.

For more info on the origin of Park(ing) Day: Click here

I wish we could have been out here all day, but Park(ing) day was only approved for a max of 2-hours. Mostly spent my time meeting and chatting with passerby's. I'd have to say I spend just under an hour blocking in shapes and colors.

Not very happy with the results I decided to try and save the painting by reworking it at home whenever the opportunity arose. It's one of those things where I might have been better off starting from scratch again. But I'll be sure to scan the updated painting and share in the next post.

Highway 37 - Sonoma, Ca

(gouache on 2" x 3" watercolor paper)

Here's a closer look....

This miniature painting of Sonoma started off as

a sunset painting, but because the person who
purchased it is an avid cyclist, I thought it was
fitting to include someone bicycling in
the foreground.

San Francisco Inner Sunset Neighborhood

(gouache on 2" x 3" watercolor paper)

"Staying local" This miniature painting of 7th and
Irving in San Francisco has found a new home in
Fairfield, Ca.

San Francisco Chinatown

(gouache on 2" x 3" watercolor paper)

"From the Bay to L.A." This miniature painting of
Portsmouth Park in San Francisco Chinatown has
found a new home in Burbank.

New Handmade Sketchbooks

Only $5 each

New 4" x 6" handmade sketchbooks by Olivia are now available on the Etsy store.

Iron Giant Project

(final touches with digital blur effect)

This is a tribute art show by artists from around the world that are also fans of this fantastic animated film. This illustration was inspired by one of my favorite scenes when the Iron Giant cradled Hogart just before they hit the snow.

If you're in the Ontario, Canada area check out the in-store display of tribute art on November 7th. Then on November 8th, the Iron Giant website will post all the submissions.

Iron Giant Project - gouache

(gouache on 5" x 7" watercolor paper)

Iron Giant Project - Pencil Rough & Inks

Purcasso 2009

Just finished framing my latest studio painting. It's my submission for this year's Purrcasso Arts and Craft Gala, and benefiting the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society.

(gouach on 5" x 7" watercolor paper)

Saturday, November 7th 7-9:30 pm and
Sunday, November 8th 12-4 pm
Location: 1809 4th Street, Berkeley CA

The 4th Annual Purrcasso Art and Craft Sale and Gala will be held on November 7th and 8th, 2009 to help benefit the shelter animals at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. A wide variety of artwork and crafts from local and international artists will be on display for sale.

To see more artist contributions, visit the Purcasso blog.

Berkeley East Bay Humane Society Donation

Adding the final touches.....

Hiking

After all the plein air sessions and convention preparations, I decided to take a well deserved break and get some fresh air. Friends and I visited the Marin Headlands and hiked to Pirate's Cove to discovered a beautiful and peaceful view. It was a perfect day! I took a couple stones as a souvenir from our hike and later painted on them. Here's a close up of a flat rock from the cove and painted with gouache. It's not sealed, so any liquid could easily wash this away. So I'll have to research on some type of sealant to add....probably with a matte finish. The picture above is a combo of the view we saw that day and the miniature rock painting. These might pop up on the etsy store closer to the holidays.

Handmade mini-sketchbooks available

Olive has been selling handmade mini-sketchbooks for the artist "on the go" (All original photos). A bunch was sold at Ape-Con and more are in production (especially Godzilla!). Sizes: 4" x 6" or 2" x 3".

Olive has 5 of them up for grabs and are now featured on my Etsy store!

Ape-Con 2009 - Plein Air with a Twist

Update: All 5 have been scooped up! More miniature paintings will be available on my Etsy store soon.

First 5 customers will receive a FREE 2" x 3"
original miniature painting!

I had a chance to exhibit at this year's Alternative Press Expo (APE-Con) in San Francisco and shared a table with Kevin Woods (Flash Animator), Olivia Bonifacio (Graphic Designer) and Daria (custom jewelry maker). It was all our first time selling and we had no problem filling up our booth with goodies.

So what in the world is "Plein Air with a Twist"?! I decided to take 3 of my previous plein air paintings and added a twist of bizarre story telling. Here's what's included in the combo pack:

• 11" x 17" poster of a curious robot playing
  with cranes in an abandoned shipyard.
  Packaged in a clear bag with backing
  board (Frame not included).

• Art Booklet featuring 6 different paintings.

• 2" x 3" sticker (mini version of poster)

• 1" button - bottle cap design reflecting the logo of the front cover of the art booklet.

• Postcard with the front cover design of the art booklet.

Purchase can be made at my new Etsy store, thanks!

Shipping: Each package is shipped to you in a stiff envelope.

1st Annual Sacramento Capitol Plein Air Festival - painting 2

I was driving around the California State Capitol area to scout my next location to paint for another day and noticed the pink and purple skies! So I decided to park near the State Capitol fountain and see how much I could capture the Tower Bridge off in the distance.

This painting started of a lot lighter in areas of the trees. But with the sun practically setting I kept going darker and darker....and everything eventually became a silhouette.

Both paintings will be on display and available for purchase at the Capitol Art Center, 1200 South St. (corner of S and 12th St.) in downtown Sacramento.

1st Annual Sacramento Capitol Plein Air Festival - painting 1

My first painting took place on K Street in front the Crest Theater, which has gone by several names in the past and has been refurbished to what we see today. The good news is the auditorium has been kept untouched and still has that 1940's feel.

I don't draw enough urban landscapes so this was quite a challenge. Trying to capture three main landmarks in one sitting seemed far fetched. But I managed to add the Crest Theater Marquee, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Church (top left) and what seems to be a building along the Esquire Plaza (right side).

I was offered by different passerby's free food and a soda during my whole time painting! I've got nothing but love for folks in Sacramento...Thank you.

Sacramento Capitol Plein Air Festival - Quick Draw Results

This was a 3 hours competition that took place between 1:00pm-4:00pm. The Quick Draw event started at the intersection of 10th and J Streets and artists could paint within a five block radius in any direction.

I checked into the Gallery and immediately got a handful of watercolor paper stamped and initialed by the coordinator. My choice of location was the City Plaza Park. After strolling around the park a couple times, I spotted 4 other artists and decided to set up quickly behind the Steven's Monument. With the time constraint I decided to paint on 2" x 3" pieces of watercolor paper.

After spending an hour and a half on the first painting, I had to add change to my parking meter. That gave me about 45 minutes to crank out one more miniature painting.


My next subject was the clock tower facing the opposite side of the park. I wish I had an extra 30 minutes to create some better shadows and contrast, but I needed to get my pieces displayed by 4:30pm for judging. Being the odd ball size of the bunch, I don't think my paintings translated too well against the larger sized canvases.

The theme of the quick draw paintings was "Treasures of the Town" and were displayed for one night during the Gala at the Capitol Art Center and can now be seen at the Sterling Hotel (1300 H Street) in downtown Sacramento until November 21st.

Proceeds will benefit the "LifeSteps Life Skills Training and Educational Programs, Inc", a homeless prevention program serving over 10,000 individuals at 18 sites throughout the county of Sacramento.

Sacramento Press Interview

Last week I had the privilege to be interviewed by Anthony Bento of the Sacramento Press about my plein air experience during Friday's "Quick Draw" competition.

Click photo for article

Back to Back Events

Apologies for the M.I.A., just wrapped up a week long plein air event in Sacramento and directly went to the Alternative Press Expo (Ape-Con) in San Francisco.

Be sure to stop by table #247, I'm sharing a table with Kevin Woods (flash animator), Olivia Bonifacio (Graphic Designer) and Daria (custom jewelry maker).

My postcards, buttons, stickers, art booklet and 11" x 17"posters were ready for pick-up at the printers Friday evening....talk about cutting it close! All items will also be available for purchase after the convention :)

Thanks to everyone that stopped by the table on Saturday, Photos will be posted shortly!

Streets of San Francisco

I've tried watercolors sketches on smaller sized paper, but I wanted to see how gouache would do.
It held up pretty well...some paint seeped through my masking tape, but other than that, it's ready to frame. One of my friends already made an offer on this one, but if there's more interest I may produce more.

Sandy Beach, Vallejo Ca.

(gouache on 7" x 10" watercolor board)

I was looking forward to painting out on the jetty, which offers a closer view of the Carquinez Bridge and waterfront homes but upon my arrival it was fenced off.


Looking across the San Pablo Bay, here's a view of several munition storage bunkers along Mare Island's Heritage Preserve.

American Cheesburger

There's nothing more classic and more American than a good ol' fashioned cheeseburger. Here's my art submission for the Aaron Brothers "Show us your America" contest.

Here's a link to rate, Thanks!

(gouache on 7" x 10" watercolor board)

Presidio Door

The temperatures have dropped a bit, leaving San Francisco gloomy, windy and chilly.....which is quite normal Bay Area weather. When it's this brisk outside, it takes a little longer for my paper to dry. After laying down the first layer I immediately ran back to my car and defrosted my hands for a good 15 minutes. I wish I stayed another half hour to work out more details, but according to the increased winds... it was time to pack it up & retreat!

(gouache on watercolor board)

Here's a painting of one of the two doors to the Presidio Film Centre. Great cafe inside (only open M-F), large ballroom for weddings and events, and private screening room in the basement level.

Point Richmond, Ca

I began walking around the Miller-Knox Regional Park to find a spot to paint. The shoreline views were great....The Richmond bridge to the right and the Ferry Point & Angel island to the left. But the morning was so chilly I decided to find another location to hide from the cold winds. I remembered passing this RED tunnel on my way into the park.
So I set up on the sidewalk and against a chain link fence. It was just enough room to allow pedestrians and bikers to pass. Just when I began applying my first layers of paint....the sun comes out! The winds stop, the sky is clear and the temperature...much warmer.

(gouache on 7" x 10" watercolor board)

History: "Ferry Point Tunnel". It leads to the Miller-Knox Park and into the Brickyard Cove (Marina, Condos, waterfront property). The tunnel was constructed in 1899 and is one of the oldest such structures in California. The mural (2 pelicans and typography) was created by artist: John Wehrle (commissioned by the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council in 1996).

Paint Burlingame

Attended the "Paint Burlingame" event over the weekend....I actually planned on painting an old historical house or maybe a Market corner, but continued driving around and came across the Burlingame Library. Found a cozy spot across the street and spent a couple hours painting. Had 30 minutes left to frame my work and submit for judging.

(gouach on 7" x 10" watercolor board)

The bad news is, I don't have a scan of my painting...the good news is, I was able to sell my painting! I can't say too much of the buyer because they bought it as a surprise gift for a fellow Burlingame resident :)


I'll have to revisit this story when the coast is clear. Much thanks to the event coordinators: Joe Gurkoff and Russ Cohen for making this such a successful event. 10% of my sale was donated to the Burlingame Historical Society to help keep this a yearly event.

Scribblenauts - part 4 of 4

My submission for the Super Punch Blog Contest,

August Art Theme: Scribblenauts.

Scribblenauts - part 3 of 4

Decided to ink characters with Micron Pens.

Scribblenauts - part 2 of 4

(gouache on watercolor board - 7" x 10")

Scribblenauts - part 1 of 4

A cool art contest is going on right now at the "Super Punch" blog (deadline end of August). The theme is "Scribblenauts", a new NDS game hitting store shelves next month. As long as you include Maxwell (the main character) in your illustration or custom figure then you're good to go.
The sketch is really rough, but I decided to include:

• 3 samurais
  
• 1 vampire
• 1 frankenstein look'in zombie
• 1 ghost
• 1 dinosaur
• 1 werewolf

....all on Maxwell's tail.

Lunch break

I thought it'd be a great exercise to try and paint during lunch. This one was clocked at 40 minutes.

(gouache on watercolor board)

This felt more like the end of a pop quiz in high school....."TIME! Pencils down!". There's so much more I wanted to change and colors I wanted add, but the point was to capture a scene in the least amount of strokes & time. Really fun exercise.

150th Anniversary

This past weekend also celebrated the "Mare Island Naval Cemetery 150th Anniversary Commemoration ". I decided to paint something small to submit for the silent auction. Not sure if my painting found a home by the end of the day? But all proceeds will benefit next year's Mare Faire.

(gouach on watercolor postcard 4" x 6")

Mare Island

Last weekend I participated in the "Mare Faire Plein Air Paintout" with several other artist. Took place at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, Ca.

The 2-day competition ended mid Sunday afternoon and I managed to take home 3rd place :)

(gouach on watercolor board 7" x 10")

While driving around the area...this old house really caught my attention. It was huge, beat up, on 3 large sets of wheels with a sign reading "Quarters M4". I tried digging up some info on the building and here's what I was able to find.

It's full name is the "Marine Officer's Quarters Building M4" and according to Mare Island's Catalogue of Historic Resource Quarters M4 history is as follows:

Area: 4
Resource Number: M
Resource Name: Officer's Quarters
Classification: City Landmark
Date: 1900
Type: A-Single-family residential

All painting were judged by artist, Edwin Bertolet. Both my fellow North Bay Plein Air painters took home awards as well. Iris Sabre took "Best in Show", Sergio Lopez took 1st and 2nd place. Congratulations to the both of them!

So Seattle has our summer weather, reaching record breaking temperatures. While the Bay Area stayed a consistent 60 - 70's all week. In the mornings I see the fog slowly rolling in over the hills and by the afternoon I can't help but think it might rain. I guess that's what inspired this painting....looks like a storm is brewing over those hills?

(gouache on 5" x 7" watercolor paper)

Inverness

Sorry for the MIA, I've been working on a couple side projects involving digital paintings. But I did manage to paint over the weekend at Inverness, Ca. The day started out with clear blue skies and a mild breeze. But by the time 1 o'clock rolled around, the winds were ridiculous... causing my easel to continuously sway. Here's the Point Reyes boat located behind the Inverness General Store.

(gouache on watercolor board)

Metamorphica

Tonight was another session at Metamorphica. The evening started off with a lecture and demo by creature design artist Jason Felix. And tons of costumed poses by Bad Unkl Sista. No tables were set up this time so I couldn't set up my paints. So I grabbed a seat on a comfy couch in the back and dusted off my heavily neglected sketchbook.

Zip Line

I'm still playing catch up with the blog and I'm mentally still on vacation. But here's a couple images from my trip to Costa Rica. This photo was taken during a canopy (zip line) tour starting at the foot of the mountain range where Arenal Volcano is located. With 12 platforms to zip down from, we were cruising over 150 feet of humid forest and spectacular views.
Being the first of the group to jump off platform # 1....I won't lie - I was terrified! The second I got onto platform # 2, all I heard was "Ready? (Click) Go!"

One of the longest zip lines measured 1200 ft. and lead you through a hole between these large branches filled with leaves.... no clear site when and where you will end?!

So after flying passed large tree trunks, screaming through large branches, we ended the afternoon (last platform) cruising over a beautiful river. But I couldn't end the trip without a quick thumbnail painting.

(gouache in sketchbook)

Red Torch Ginger

It took awhile...but I sent a postcard to my parents from Costa Rica. Instead of writing, I decided to share a painting of a flower I saw every morning. It's name is the "Red Torch Ginger" flower. This firery-red flower blossoms into a shape of a torch! Here I masked off the Costa Rican stamp and started painting.

Here's the final painting.(gouache on postcard)

Plein Air

Spent the day at China Camp Village and painted on the small dock down the hill from the main parking lot. It was great to meet so many other painters from both, the Benicia and North Bay Plein Air groups. We ended the evening with a bbq cookout and critiques.

I really enjoyed painting out into the water. The dock didn't shake, but the winds really picked up around 1pm...and my easel began to shake. When packing up, I really thought I'd drop a couple gouache tubes into the water...luckily I didn't.

Here's a closer look at the painting

(gouache on water board 9" x 12")

As for a personal critique: First, the chain linked fence was a challenge. It was the last part I painted...so I may have rushed it. I probably should have started with a lighter color instead of white? Second, the sky was bright & clear....I couldn't figure out how to make it more interesting?! But after I scanned the illustration, I tried adding a low opacity haze near the hills. That seemed to have done the trick.

Take a look below.

weekend hike

Managed to do some hiking and sketching over the weekend. As much as I wanted to bring my gouache and brushes, I went with lighter supplies: 4" x 6" Fabriano Artist's Journal, watercolors, water brush pen, and white acrylic. One of the trails tapered off and lead me to a cove. I unpacked my gear and just soaked in the amazing views. During my first thumbnail sketches, I was visited by a friendly lady-bug. It just stayed at the bottom of the page while I finished up.

Here's a closer look at the first thumbnails.

Thanks to the lil' lady-bug that kept me company, but I decided to move to the opposite side of the cove and crank out 2 more thumbnails.

And here's the last one before hiking back to the car.

Colors in the Sky

Trying to capture the low lighting during a night flight to Houston, TX.
Click HERE to watch how this was painted(Nintendo DS using "Colors" app)

Here's more of my previous animated drawings

Post-it

I wanted to share an idea to promote your art at work. It's just a simple Post-it dispenser with a clear plastic cover. Once you print your latest or favorite illustration, use the free template included to cut out the necessary holes....Wah lah! These can be purchased at any of your favorite office supply stores. Details and measurements listed below.