Close up, back from Hart Park.

I don't usually post anything with my daughter, but I love the way these pics came out. I am always looking for examples of flesh tones for future reference and I love the colors on Sienna. She had just came out of a hot tub last weekend and her skin was so dewy and fresh-skin tones were so beautiful, she appeared to be made from something else.

This is the painting I finished for Black History Month for Hart Park. It will only be up one more day.

The rest are quick pics I have been taking from my cell phone. They are taken with abstract compositions in mind. A few years ago, I was taken back by some of the abstract work I saw in Dorota's house. I have never been interested in abstract work before, but I loved what she has painted in her home. I have been since taking small snapshots just for color and composition, thinking in a way I never have.

Union station, my dear Lilliana's kitchen counter top, William S. Hart's mansion (dinner table) and a wonderful chicken meal that Greg prepared.

These were done near the Canyon Theatre. We did not have models but these musicians played for us and I set up. I'm not used to "sketching" with the colors; I mean I am really quick, but it was unnerving at first to paint people moving around alot with acrylics. Great exercise, tho. I was channeling John Quinn, who is used to drawing a lot of people moving around in his meetings or when he is traveling.

The first one I did is the woman, then I painted Manak, the guitar player, and he turned out much better since I was "warmed up" by the time I got to him. Actually, I kinda painted them together, since the singer would get up, then I would switch to Manak, he would get up and then I would switch back to her when she got back...I used to do this with watercolor in Bob Kato's class at Disney. I would bring 2-3 drawing pads, and while one watercolor was drying, throw it down on the floor, grab another pad, work that one, throw that one down and let it dry, grab the pad that was dry and on and on. I would end up with several filled pads of figures very quickly and get lots of practice in.

Working on:

I've been asked to do an original painting for a local show coming up. It will be for Black History Month. This is 11 3/4" x 24" on canvas. I actually gessoed this twice and sanded it in between gesso coats, thanks for the instructional, John Quinn. Not quite finished yet, need a few more tweaks. Not used to working on such a smooth surface-and it's acrylic, which lends itself to such a hard and graphic look. Can't blend or smooth. This one will actually be done before the Chinese warrior horse (see below)

Acrylic painting on canvas in progress. Underpainting. Taken from my cell phone.