seemed familiar

Came upon this tree today that confused me - thought I knew what it was, then doubted myself, so I took photos & leaves & double-checked with Rob & found out I knew what it was, mostly. I thought it was a hackberry, just didn't know what sort, now I know it's a European hackberry.

Growth habit.

Trunk & bark.

oak works

A couple of the oak tree images I have available right now, they make a great set as they were printed and painted to match each other:



"Oak near Palmerson Drive 2/5"
(You can click on this image to see it larger.)
The second of five darkroom prints in this size, painted individually so it's a unique work of art. The image is about 12x15", matted to 20x24" and retails for $750.




"Birdsong Oak 2/5"
(You can click on this image to see it larger.)
The second of five darkroom prints in this size, painted individually so it's a unique work of art. The image is about 12x15", matted to 20x24" and retails for $750.

cool bugs

Sometimes while I'm looking at trees, I see other things - like this praying mantis that had been on a leaf at the tip of the branch that I scared into running under the leaves - it surprised me at first, too, then I got out my camera.

And this cool moth color-coordinating with the redwood bark.

sac postcard design

I've put together a postcard design for the Sacramento Art Complex (SAC) with images from several of the resident artists - this is not necessarily the final version, but it communicates the idea. (Click on the image to see it bigger.)

If you haven't been down to the SAC yet, come check it out - this coming Saturday is 2nd Saturday, so not only will several artists have their studio open for the afternoon - the place will really be hopping from 6 to 9 p.m. -

midtown alley project

There's a new mural project in midtown Sacramento that I was invited to take part in, painting a piece of a wall along an alley parking lot. So I decided to try this crazy thing - painting like a muralist - sort of.

Recently I transferred a giclee photographic print onto canvas with acrylic gel medium (more on that at a later date) and now I've put a couple on a brick wall. I actually started this with friends yesterday but failed to bring my camera, so I'm posting what we've got now. This was how the today went:



My painting buddy, Allison Carlos setting up - you can click on this image to see it larger - her piece of the wall is the one with the VW Bug in it, I've got the long skinny one with tiny tree images in it to the right.

Allison's "Doodle Bug" at the beginning of our painting day (really afternoon, but we're artists, remember!)

My trees & the color square I got in the deal -

Michelle MacKenzie's work in progress; she started with us yesterday but is at an art festival this weekend in the Bay area.

I was too busy painting to take more photos in progress but Allison took this shot of me as I prepare to sign my piece & add my web address. (This is called marketing ;)

Close up of the artist at work.



My final work in all it's glory - and dappled lighting - I'll have to come back when the light is better. (Click on it to see it bigger.)

Allison's piece at the end of my day - she's staying to work awhile - check out how her city buildings have changed from the beginning of the day.

And Galynn down at the other end of the wall, still hard at work as well...

golden flames

Out hugging trees today, found one blooming - yes blooming in October, this is California, remember?

Commonly known as Golden Flame Tree, botanical name Koelreuteria bipinnata - close up of flowers.

Overall growth habit.

Trunk & bark.

Large, bi-pinnate leaves.

on the work table

The beginnings of the latest mixed media work - I'm thinking this is how I'll be working for awhile - this is a 18 x 24" canvas with about a 9 x 12" silver gelatin print - and on the wall you can see my most recent, waiting for the final decision on whether it's done or not -

sycamore park

Finished mapping Sycamore Park in Davis today, caught this lovely sight - sun coming through the trees -

lafayette art & wine festival

Spent the weekend at another art & wine festival - this one in Lafayette, not too far away - Saturday was cool & overcast, Sunday sunny & warm & perfect for photos -

Plenty of great art, but being on the job, I can't speak for the wine myself - folks seemed to be having a good time -

My booth was a long skinny affair this time, with great neighbors on both sides & across the way. It really makes a show to be doing it alongside friendly people!

My friend Kristen Hoard was sort of a ways away from me, but I got a chance once or twice to pop over to say hello -

Got a decent shot of her new jellyfish pieces - even more fun when they're lit up in the dark -

My friend Michelle MacKenzie was there, too, of course but I didn't get a shot of her this time.

faith

(Click on the image to see it larger.)

Finished the new piece, titled "Faith." That's what alot of this is all about - having the faith to do what I've been called to do & do it regardless of what it looks like in winter. Looking very close at what I've got growing so that I can see the tiny tight buds of promise, and having the faith that they'll grow into flourishing vines...

north star park

Back to tree hugging (which I really do when I'm measuring the DBH.) And another couple trees that made me wonder exactly what kind of ash it is - I still don't really know, maybe a flowering ash -

And a cool little surprise on the trunk of a smaller valley oak - I think katydids must be pretty mellow bugs - I've found others before, always easy to catch for drawing or posing nicely for a photo like this guy.

A parting shot of North Star Park, where I've been mapping for over a week - and now I'm done - next time I'll be back for real fun.

studio work

I've been working on another canvas piece, this time two black & white prints in one collage. I'm feeling pretty good about it & getting more excited about where my work is going.

more mystery

Another day of tree hugging & mapping, another day of trees that I needed help with...

Blackwood acacia:

Unknown Eucalyptus - maybe "small leaved eucalyptus:"

And a young Incense Cedar:

mystery trees

Out at North Star Park today mapping trees - found a few mysteries, then solved them with help -

Arizona Cypress:

Scotch Pine:

foggy beach

Sept 7
morning
Sunset Beach Rd
cool, foggy

Heading for our favorite beach takes us right into a fog bank. Huge old cypress line the road next to a field of brussel sprouts - no doubt here long before the farmers - maybe Spaniards planted them here or maybe they're the last ones allowed to stand from an otherwise clear cut grove...

Pine tree near the campground where we've stayed many times.
Birds sing a little, voices from campers carry -

A little too foggy for our taste right now - we'll look elsewhere & try again later.

We spend some time at Seacliff Beach - until it starts to get too crowded and has developed a high fog as well. We return to Sunset, a little clearer now.

Scott flies his glider off the cliff and I climb down it to do some beachcombing - my way - we'll meet up again later and head home, catch dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant on the way...