"Antojitos"

The following paintings are from a series that I call "Antojitos" or "Little Appetizers" to my English speaking friends. The majority are 5 x 7, 6 x 8, with the largest being an 8 x 10. I decided that I wanted to create a smaller, more affordably priced painting, with a universal appeal that would show the beauty and the musicality of my culture. The Aztec Dancer has been accepted by the Latino Museum of History, Culture and Art in Los Angeles and is now a part of their permanent collection. You can view it when you go on their site and look me up on the Virtual Tour of the Museum. I will post more paintings later. Enjoy!

Always at the Ready

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 was a day for me to try something really challenging! As if getting out of my comfort zone by driving from the heat in the Inland Empire to the perceived cold of the far, far away San Pedro harbor was not enough.

My painting buddy, Ada m. passaro and I arrived around 9 ish and scouted around for the best possible locations in this murky, gray, drizzly day. We decided the best place was away from the crowds so we opted for the area near the fire station. I spied the fire boats and immediately fell in love. There were four lined up in a row waiting for the crew to come on board and waiting for me to paint them. Of course I had to do all four. Their names were "Scout," "Admiral," "Leader," and I could not see the fourth since it was way in back. Perhaps I will see it when I review the photos that I took for reference material. Plein Air Artists of Riverside (PAAR) plans on doing an exhibit with our small plein air paintings next to a studio painting of the same same subject. That of course will be a new post.

This painting is quite different in application from what I normally do. It is quite loose and impressionistic. I kept seeing the crew coming on board getting ready to move out so I knew that if I was going to capture them that I had to work very fast. The crew waved and was appreciative when I raised my painting up for them to see. I really like this painting. I hope you do too.

In the next few days, look for a series of small Folklorico paintings that I am painting for an exhibit in September.

"Mischief in the Garden"

No longer need a title for my latest painting! It is called "Mischief in the Garden" named by the new owner of this painting. It is a 12 x 16, oil on canvas board.

This painting is from a photo I took way back in 2004 during a visit to the flower fields by the beach. I saw the little girl standing there and just knew it would be a painting. Of course I added the birds and the little dog. My challenge was that she was standing on the other side (to the right of the picture frame and that would have carried the viewer out of the painting. Also, the fence was closed. Here she is holding the leash cuz the little dog has run away to chase the birds. Naughty little dog! Painting is no longer available. Yey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mission Inn Dome

Hello Everyone!
Testing the waters to see if I still know how to publish my photos. Recent activity has been the Plein Air Artists of Riverside 9-day Paint Out! Yes, you are reading it correctly-NINE (9) days of painting. We had been told by the weather men that rain was predicted during that week so we prayed real hard and God sent the rain only at night. He washed the world just about every night so we could paint the next day. The only day that it really rained was the 8th day-I guess he had to take a break too so we had to reschedule our Quick Draw to the last day. So, here is a photo of my painting which is in the exhibit and one of me attempting a bridge painting. You won't see that one for a while-I have to go back and finish it. By the way, I have a new page on Facebook where you can join me as a fan. I would love to have you in my "Fanny Pack"