Early Bird gets to watch at Heron's Head Park

Last weekend I was up extra early to get some reference photos of my new favorite subject, the Third St bridge aka Lefty O'Doul Bridge. The Giants were in Philly and the light would be perfect in the morning. I got some great shots and after grabbing breakfast at Just For You I found myself with an hour on my hands before I could go visit some friends at their Open Studios. I noticed that there was this newish building at the end of Cargo Way. So I decided this would be a perfect time to go check it out this Heron's Head Park. It was just great. The Ecocenter was closed, but walking down the old Pier 98 now a grassy penninsula with a lush salt marsh along the right side was way more interesting. There were a ton of birds- egrets, pelicans, gulls and sandpipers. If you are an early bird, I highly recommend checking out this great park. Watching brown pelicans diving into the bay for fish right across the water from my shipyard studio was fabulous.
Directions to the park.

Progress on Week One's painting

Hi, I wanted to show what I've started with Week 1. Still need to add a little detail in the figures and work on the transition between today and the future me.

One Week down

Wow, the week just flew by. I was busy tying up loose ends and getting ready for Open Studios. Thanks so much to those of you who made it out this time. I know it was tough for some with the Bay Bridge out of commission. I had a good week with exercise and eating, losing 2 pounds; a great start. During some downtime this weekend I've sketched out my first painting. In many ways, I'm excited and nervous but glad that I've gotten started. Typically I'd be spending time over the weekend working on the painting for the week, but this time I was busy with visitors, so you'll have to wait a little longer to see the results.

New Year-long Project

I was coming home from a trip to Toronto a month or so ago and got to thinking about ways that I might have better success achieving my personal goals. Specifically I want to exercise and paint more consistently. I seem to be very good at doing one or the other with some intensity, but it never quite lasts. I guess I'm a bit of a binger by nature. So, the idea came to me that I should find a way to combine them and focus my energy. A few friends thought that setting up an easel on a treadmill was the way to go. However, I can only imagine the mess and not the success. Instead I will be embarking on a new project. For the next 52 weeks, I will exercise and otherwise maintain healthy eating habits. At the end of each week, I'll complete a painting reflecting my thoughts and feelings from that week. So on Monday Oct 26th I'll be getting started. Come back every week, if you want to keep up on my activities.

still working

It's been a busy week. I have been super busy at the office so I haven't gotten much time in at the studio. I've finished another painting and started on one last one. I still need to leave time to varnish and clean up before next weekend.

more painting updates

I have been mostly absorbed with painting and getting ready for open studios. Since it's only a few weeks away, I'm happy to say that I have 4 pieces finished, one halfway there, and another still in the starting blocks. I'm feeling good about having some smaller (and cheaper) work to show. I'm still enjoying my San Francisco Close Up series. To see the work I did for last Spring, you'll have to go to my website. Here are some sneak peeks that I will post to the website next weekend or so. First up is the completed Askew painting. 127 lightbulbs in that A, I'll have you know. Next to it is the just started, yet almost done A Grey day, still missing some lightbulb detailing.

Under that are two smaller clock detail paintings. First is Almost Eleven and next is Half Past Six. The two clocks are my first completed acrylic paintings.

Fall 2008 Update

Well I'm happy to report that I've been painting, since I haven't been here updating the blog. I'm still painting things I see around San Francisco too. Things that are new are some new work in acrylic on wood panel and stretching watercolor paper over wood stretcher bars. The latest work is a little smaller in size but it seems bigger without the glass to hide behind. You can't tell by the photos, so you'll really need to come by and see it for yourself. Everyone is worried about the market. While I can't speak for everyone, it does seem like I've been painting more.