Pt. Molate, Richmond Ca

Miniature painting from Pt. Molate, Richmond Ca. These houses are currently fenced off...I'm hoping they restore them, they have so much character. The rumor is this former Naval Fuel Depot might become a Casino?!

(2" x 3" gouach on watercolor paper)

Happy Holidays - Half Moon Bay

Made a couple pit-stops along Hwy-1 and busted out the easel to paint the beautiful coast.

One more for the road, but this time a miniature.

Have a happy and safe holiday!

Benicia Plein Air Gallery - Still Life

Over the weekend, I painted live at the Benicia Plein Air Gallery. Check out more framed paintings and newly added miniature paintings at 307 First Street, Benicia CA (until Dec. 30th).


Gallery Hours:
Wed - Sun 11am - 5pm
Thurs - Sat 11am - 6pm

Benicia Plein Air Gallery

Earlier this month I got together with 9 other East Bay artists and rented out a small cottage in the heart of downtown Benicia.
It was a tiny cottage, but we had no problems filling up the walls.
We had a slow start, but lucky for us....paintings did not stick around very long. Local visitors scooped up original framed art as holiday gifts or for their own homes.

Every day, neighbors walking their dogs, local vendors and even joggers stopped by to say "Hi". It has been such a wonderful experience and we were welcomed with opened arms!

Both of my recent paintings (seen in previous post) will be on display at the Benicia Plein Air Gallery until this Thursday. Hours: 11am - 5pm, 307 First Street.

Group Art Show in So-Cal this Saturday

Update: 88 out of 99 art pieces sold and the charity raised just under $4000 so far (waiting for a few more payments)


Just a quick reminder...if you're in the area, upcoming group show this Saturday - Charity Art Show and Auction for Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.

Date:	Saturday, December 19, 2009
Time:	5:00pm - 10:00pm
Location:	CCAA Museum of Art
Street:	12467 Baseline Rd
City/Town:	Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Click here for map/directions
Facebook: Event info

"Gifted Artist" Charity - Loma Linda Univ. Children's Hospital

With Christmas around the corner, fighting off the cold and nasty flu...it's really nice of artist to still take the time to help some of the less fortunate families and children out there. Recently, I donated an original painting for the "Gifted Artist" charity art auction. The donation will be benefiting the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.
I originally anticipated making a miniature plein air painting or maybe donate a robot poster, but it didn't quite fit the theme of the charity. Instead, I brainstormed on a more whimsical idea and decided to experiment painting on a different surface that I came across... an unfinished birch plaque. Crossed my fingers that it would hold some water colors and gouache.

This one is titled "Flight of the Fireflies", it measures about 5" x 7" and is a mixture of paints, colored pencils and brush pens. It's not in my normal plein air style, but it's more of a throwback to what I also love to do.....draw and animate cartoons!

The art auction will take place:

Date:	Saturday, December 19, 2009
Time:	5:00pm - 10:00pm
Location:	CCAA Museum of Art
Street:	12467 Baseline Rd
City/Town:	Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Click here for map/directions
Facebook: Event info

The night will consist of art, music and a special presentation by Chris Ayers discussing his battle with cancer and the use of art to help him overcome it. Big thanks to Thomas for coordinating such a big charity event!

Some other great ways to lend a helping hand is to donate a new toy for the Toys for Tots program, food at your local Food Bank, a warm coat for the One Warm Coat Program or the Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Coat Drive.

Next up - Miniature Exhibit

It's been awhile since my last post, but I've been tied up at the moment preparing for a small gallery and cranking out a handful of mini-paintings.

Here's another work in progress for an upcoming Miniatures Exhibit. This one measures 2" x 3" and will be framed. I'll be sure to scan the painting when it's complete.

Plein Air - Petaluma, Ca

Last weekend I spent the afternoon painting along the Petaluma Marina. Nice long trails, but not so nice weather conditions. Wearing extra layers, a beenie & some warm gloves were necessary for the first half of the day. As for the natural elements, my main concern were the constant changes in cloud formations... causing lighting along the hills to swiftly move. After about half an hour I decided to paint the view underneath the freeway. Below was a smaller bridge and fueling station.

The first hour was spent applying washes and blocking in the main shapes. But by that time... the sun decided to burst out of the clouds. Not so gloomy anymore?! Personally, this was a challenging paint out and I have to admit I was not happy with the results. I may scan later to post, but I'd really like to make a second attempt at this location.

(photos provided by artist: Janice L-H)

PARK(ing) Day results

(gouache on 7" x 10" watercolor board)

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.

Purrcasso 2009

Artist and Purcasso Co-Chair, Bill Robinson provided this nicely printed poster for all the participating artists to sign & doodle. It would later go up for auction at the end of the night.
Here's a closer look at some of the early signatures and sketches by me, Ikumi Moriya-Presing (graphic designer) and Bill Presing (Pixar).Auction ended sharply at 9:00pm, and a lot of art were purchased that night!!!

SOLD! This little kitty has found a new home in Oakland, CA. Thank you Karen for your support :)

Titled "Morning Stretch"
(Gouache on watercolor paper)

At the end of the night this poster was filled to the brim with signatures from local Bay Area illustrators, WonderHill Studios (Game Co.), Ghostbot Studios (Esurance commercials) and Pixar Animation. It was auctioned off for over $300! I sure wish I had that hanging in my living room.
A big thank you to Bill, Cindy, the volunteers, the participating artists and to all the wonderful people that purchased a painting to help benefit the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society.

Purcasso 2009

Just finished framing my latest studio painting donation. 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.....

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

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.

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.