Painting19: Eaton Canyon

I forgot to take a picture of where I was painting at Eaton Canyon.  It was a pretty hot day, so my friend and I decided to paint in the shade.  The scene is a bunch of grouped trees and dried weeds in the foreground.  It was a pretty small painting for oil, 5x7. 

Painting18: Young's Market

I painted in my neighborhood that I grew up. I decide I would paint with watercolor this time around because the setup is so much more simple than oils. Sometimes I like to be more discreet when I'm painting, and when I have my whole oil paint setup it calls for more attention.  I need to get over it.  Anywho, the area is called Glassell Park.  We use to go to this market as kids.  Back in the day it was called Young's Market.  Now it's called Verdugo Rancho Market.  About a year ago or so the market was caught in a fire.  The whole backside of the building is pretty much destroyed.  I saw people in the back, but I'm not sure if they are planning to fix it.  I decided I wanted to paint this scene because the neighborhood is slowly changing, and I'm not sure if this market will be around in the near future. 

Painting17: Aboretum

I went painting with a friend at the aboretum in Arcadia. It was a pretty hot day.  There were a lot of beautiful peacocks roaming around.  It was actually the first time I've been there.  I decided I wanted to paint a forest scene.  I like how I started my painting this time. Though I need to work on my values and pushing back the trees so that they appear further back.  Anywho, it was fun!

Painting16: Backyard

I'm back in L.A.  This is my backyard at my mom's house.  I thought it was pretty interesting that there was a "welcome" mat hanging on the porch.  Maybe I'll make it as a symbol for my return home.  The back figure is a statue of Mary.  I wonder if it was subconscious or coincidence that I decided to paint the gate separating the statue.  Hmmm...

Moving Forward

My time in the bay area is coming to an end... For now... I'm sure I will be back.  I started painting again when the project I was working on for vfx company was on hold.  I was freaking out.  I updated my website and applied almost everywhere!  With no response.  I truly believe that this was a blessing in disguise.  I finally got back to my roots and first passion again.  That is to create my own art.  For so long I didn't feel like an artist.  But now I can honestly say I am. It feels awesome.  In just over a month I painted more than I have in years.  With no control Z!  Just moving forward.  I'M A FUCKEN ARTIST! I'm owning it. One painting at a time...

painting 15: Maverick's Beach 02

Here is the second week I went to Maverick's Beach in Half Moon Bay.  It was a hot sunny day.  I got sunburn!  I painted larger than usual, 11x14. I like painting larger, I feel like I have more space.  Once again the mountains are challenging, but I shall persevere! 

painting14: Bernal Hill

I love Bernal Heights.  This was my last week here. I'll be moving back to L.A.  Anywho, for the passed couple months I loved walking up Bernal Hill.  The people are so chill and awesome.  As I started painting, so many people passed by and started chatting with me.  I met a 94 yr. old man named Cesar.  He was like, I never see young people into painting landscapes. "It's more of an old people thing.  I told him that I am an old soul trapped in a young's person's body. hehe.  Another man passed by and asked if I sell my paintings.  That was very flattering.  In my mind, I was like, I wish.  But I'm starting to feel that I can make this happen. I just need to own it and dedicate some time.   More importantly, I'm doing this for myself.  I'm really happy.