Been super lucky to be able to get out and paint this spring and especially lucky to be painting with my friends. Most expeditions have been in the Berkeley Hills with old friend, painting stalwart extraordinaire and trail guide Will Yackulic. We riff on philosophy, mushrooms, tonalism and art nerd methodologies and theory as we get down with the local flora and fauna.
Pt. Richmond
Pt Richmond 16 x 20, acrylic, plein aire, ala prima. Will and I headed up to Richmond on a lovely sunny day. Hiked up the hillside trail. Many possible POV’s. I tend to not want any man made structures in my work which can be hard in certain places like this. There is a mega development and marina just south of where we were which rules out an otherwise great view of the East Bay as it juts in eastwards along I80 before jutting back west at the Port of Oakland and Alameda. Looking northeast you see the oil refinery, source of much pain, suffering and illness so that’s out. Also, I’m not a fan of bridges in my paintings. Not only could you see the Richmond/San Rafael bridge, but you could hear the constant din of traffic. Not exactly cha’an. All that said, you can make out my dodgy attempt to paint a drawbridge, pier and structure near the tip of the point. As I was just saying, I try and not add man made structures to my work, however, I am ok with ruins or subjects that are going back to nature (hauntology, folks). Another challenge was the looking downward perspective which kind of works (now I mentioned it). This POV is looking west towards Marin Co. On the far right horizon is Mt Tam.
Wildcat Creek, Berkeley Hills
Wild Cat Creek, 11 x 14 acrylic plein aire ala prima. Headed back to the woods of the Berekely foothills again with friends and plein aire enthusiasts Will and Chad Lyles. Got down to this creek setting. A lot of foreground, not my forte. There’s a lot of light chasing happening. I find it really hard to capture sunlight through the trees. Quite a skill. It’s a little on the abstract side which is good, since that’s where I began as a painter years ago.
Devil's Slide, Pacifica/Montara
San Pedro Pt., 11 x 14, acrylic, ala prima Headed down to Devil’s Slide with my friend and artist Phil Bonner this week. It’s an area I call our Baby Big Sur though there is a hint/precursor of the Mendocino Coast here too. Walked down the old Highway One, jumped over the barricade and set up on the top of the cliff for this POV.
