Manzanita [&the Flecktones]

Manzanita tree from an original digital photograph taken by the artist near Avilla Beach in coastal Central California. Presently my works are painterly realistic landscape images based on my original photographs. I call this particular aspect of my creative works "California Landscape Art."

Two things attracted me to this subject. The first is the Manzanita's compositional strength: variable-weight white, grey and red line [branches] all moving to/from a central trunk. The other is the interplay of light, shadow and color. These natural components all create an interesting visual rhythm and counterpoint in the image.

The subtitle, & the Flecktones, refers to the musical group, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, extraordinary musicians who make very interesting eclectic improvisational music based on classical, traditional bluegrass and jazz. One of the fundamental structures of musical improvisation is variations on a theme. This image of a central trunk with multiple limbs reminded me of this musical treat in general, and the Flecktones in particular. Take a listen and see if it works for you.

The subset of this particular style is watercolor. Others include Japanese style prints, oil painting, dry brush, pointillism and serigraphic.

This matted images is 12.5 x 17.5 inches, one of an edition of only 5 prints, on Museo paper, MIS Archival inks, printed, signed and numbered by the artist.

This image is the subject of my June 2007 promotional postcard. If you'd like one, they are available at my website in the CARDS section. If you would like, I'll send you one, just send me an email request with your mailing address.

Columbine

I shot Columbine last week on a sunny afternoon in my driveway. The plant lives in a flower box, and has been happily flowering recently. This set up was lit only with bright sunlight and a white bounce card. Camera was a Canon 300D with a Pentax 100mm lens. The background area is strictly natural shadow, shot in RAW mode.

This is one of a few images presented as a photograph as opposed to my general desire to use photographs as a basis for a painterly image.

It resides in the GALLERY here, where you can see a larger version of it.

Added This Blog

I've taken the What's New format and transferred it to this blog format, which I hope will be easier to manage. Certainly the archiving will be easier.

There are places for your comments, if you like.

Felton, California

I've started adding older images to the Gallery removed when I revised the website. In many cases I've revisited these older images with some newer developmental skills. This is an interesting exercise as it's possible to get stuck in a cul de sac of reworking instead of moving forward.

I'll continue to add images, older and newer, at a more rapid pace than in the past. Over the next few weeks, I expect to have 60 to 70 active images; most with supporting text: descriptions and editions availability.

I'm spending a considerable amount of time printing as well. I've been working with Museo fine art paper recently, and feel very comfortable with it. I intend to evaluate Red River papers. I've used their photo paper with good results.

Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz image is a copy of my new card. If you'd like one, let me know. The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History has contacted me to request one of the 5 limited prints for their gift shop.

I've added Charles Sheeler to my new influences pages - master nav link at the top of the page.

Serene Lakes CA

For many years I had a section of artists I like on my website. When I started dealing with more complex php coding, which was supposed to let me do less work overall, I removed these artists' images hoping to get back to them at some point. Well, that point is now.

My plan is to add artists' images I enjoy, or have some relevancy to my work, as I have time. Initial access is through my Contact page, but will grow into more of a gallery process as I go along....I hope. Howard Pyle's images from Otto of the Silver Hand are the first to be available, today.

Felton, California

I've added 3 new artist proof images to my ebay store, and 3 art/photography books. I recommend the River of Shadows highly for anyone interested in photography, landscapes, Yosemite or California history!