Yesterday was a visit to Zilker Park with the WildCat painters Nina and Deborah. It was my first trip to Zilker. Funny my first trip and I had to share it with atleast 100 young kids. Yes, there were bus loads of them. They were running all around screaming, laughing and just being kids. In my studio it is very quite with some soft music in the background. Don't get me wrong my house does not stay quite for long, I do have kids. Anyway, I used my brush at first, it just wasn't working, so I switched to my palette knife. It worked for a while then is was getting to the point where it was not working so I switched back to the brush. Ahhh, it was to late. I finallly decided that I was not going to get anywhere with my painting. They say that a great artist knows when to stop and wipe down your canvas and start all over. Well, that is what I did. After about 3 hours of struggling with this painting it was time to make the famouse wipe the canvas decision, and I did. At first it was painful, then I found it very liberating. So, there is no photo of my painting today. I have however been working on two additional paintings for a competition that I am entering within the next week. So, pray for me that I not only win entry but come home the winner. I will keep you posted on that. Also, Jill Carver, an Austin artist, is having solo showing at Wally Workman Gallery http://www.wallyworkman.com/jill_carver.lasso . If you are in the area she is a fabulous Plein air painter so go check it out. If you are out of the area you can check her website at http://www.jillcarver.com/ . Well that is all I have for today, I will keep you posted.

Upper Crust Bakery Austin Texas

Just to keep you all abreast of what is going on... Two of my paintings are currently be shown at the Upper Crust Cafe/Bakery in Austin, Tx. at 4508 Burnet Road. This WildCat showing has about 10 up and coming artists. The paintings were hung this past Sunday and will stay up for approx. one month. If you missed our last exhibit at 300 W. 6th Street. You won't want to miss this one. There are always new paintings being displayed. So come out grab some coffee and a dessert, and enjoy the wonderful art. Who know there may be one that you just can't live without; remember all art is for sale, so feel free to purchase more than one. :)

Victory Garden - Eastside Cafe Austin Texas

Victory Garden-Eastside Cafe-Austin Oil 11 x 11 Canvas on Birch

Today some of the group went to Eastside Cafe in the Austin area to do some plein air painting. They have a wonderful garden in the back of all sorts of vegetables and flowers. I was truely amazed at this victory garden. It has inspired me to rework my own garden to make it more efficent. It was great fun painting there and I hope we will go there again. Most of it was with the palette knife but there were some things I just needed a brush for. I thought you might enjoy the painting done on location.

#2 Port Aransas painting

Birding Center Port Aransas 11 x 11 Canvas on birch - Oil - done with palette knife (a little sand included)

This painting was done at the "Birding Center" at Port Aransas. It was started with a brush and once I got started it was apparent to me that I needed to start over, and use my palette knife. I think it really worked well for this painting, I hope you agree.

Port Aransas Marina

Port Aransas Marina - Red Sail Boat 11 x 11 Canvas on Birch Some Sand included :)

As I promised One of the first ones that I was able to complete was at the Port A. Marina. At that time I could not move much because of my knee so I was limited to where I could go. This sweet spot was fun and I had lots of people stopping by. So let me know how you like the palette knife style I am working on. I even had Leonard L. stop by and take a photo of me and my painting. Thanks Leonard it's a great photo.