2013 Winter Paintings

I have been painting this winter, as well as doing the mural.  These aren't the best photos, unfortunately.  The line on the right side on some is the crease in the archival bag used to protect the work.  The first and second photos are collage watercolors.  They are two of my favorite pieces so far this winter.  Collage is so much fun and gives a new dimension to the work.  I love color and here in Baja, color is everywhere!  In February Mike Koehn, my brother-in-law, and I participated in the Artists Studio Tour here in Los Barriles.  Mike is a great photographer and had a fine selection of his work to display.  I had paintings and photos of the murals I have done here.  We had lots of visitors and felt it was quite a success.  I am sure we will do it again next year, even if we were nervous wrecks before hand!  I hope you are doing what you love - it makes like so worthwhile... Happy Trails....

Catching Up

 I received a commission to do a 24ft mural for a friend in Los Barriles in December, 2012.  These first 2 photos show each side of the wall with the post  in between.  The moon sculpture is on the left side; the lounge chair wall is to the right.  The fringe hanging down under each  arch is from the palapa roof above.  The wall to be  painted is about 2 1/2 ft. behind the arches.  It is probably about 9 ft tall.  What a challenge!  I did a couple of drawing from the ideas we came up with and Jon selected the one he liked best.  Then I made up paper patterns for placement and visual effect.  The photo below shows this process.  The kites in the air are paper patterns.  The windsurfer board in the water is outline of a pattern.  The rocks and pelicans have been started with the paint process.

The following photo is the finished results of work on the left hand side of the wall.  The painting continues behind the post to the right side, so it is one continuous work.  The next two photos show the same process on the right hand side.  Jon wanted his beach cabana and his quad included on the wall.  You can see the work is done in layers, adding definition and detail.  Jon added the finishing touch by adding coral and sand to the ground below the painting, so it blends right into the whole view.  This project was done over several weeks.  It truly represents the view he sees when he goes down to the beach.  Kiterboarders and windsurfers love this area for the sea and wind.  The Sea of Cortez and Los Barriles combine to make a wonderful place to be.  I am very grateful for the opportunity to do the mural and had a  wonderful time doing it.  Jon's a great friend and boss!!  I finished it middle of January, 2013.     Happy trails.....