Late Night in the Funk Zone May 18, 2011

I found this image showing the beginning stages of a painting I still happen to own.

I showed up one late afternoon, set up my easel and put brush to canvas; lining in what shapes I could see of Santa Barbara's notorious "Funk Zone".

The seedy, dingy, sometimes quirky neighborhood of galleries, surf stores, and beatnik coffee shops catering to the sleepless nocturnals. This is Avaunt Gard Central.

It's got character; especially after hours when the creatures of the night meander and lurk through the darken passageways off the main streets of the city.

Things happen there unexpectedly for this silent witness to observe, but it gets rather lonesome and desolate after the groove wears away, and only those who are invisible remain to play.



Late Night in the Funk Zone
Santa Barbara

24x30 oil/canvas/ 2004
Collection of the Artist

Late One Night in a Pumpkin Patch May 16, 2011

Carpinteria has a Pumpkin Patch called, "Happy Jack's Pumpkin Patch".

In 1995, around October 31, I stopped by the patch on a night when it was eerily desolate, and I saw this scene. The trailer's long shadows cast across the musty field of pumpkins and sunflowers. The lights in the trailer were on, and the shadow of Happy Jack, the scarecrow, showed in the window, giving the appearance of a human presence that may ward off lurkers or thiefs.

Cool blue light came from beyond the trees in the distance. I painted the lights emanating from the trees, and the next day when I viewed the painting it gave the impression of a jack-o-lantern. It truly is one of the parts of the painting untouched from that night.

In 1997 when interviewing my future adviser for my Master's Degree, Bruce Everett, and Cal State Univ., Northridge, He saw this painting in my portfolio, and suggested I paint this content for the following two years; paintings he deemed as, "Unsellable".

For two years, I was to paint one painting every two weeks: Drive down to C.S.U.N., from Carpinteria, 2-3 times per week, attend classes, drive back up to Carpinteria, at night, and paint subjects toward my thesis, in places most people would never go at night, mostly out of fear.

Add Teaching at Santa Barbara City College, producing artwork for gallery exhibitions, a stay at home wife, and new-born child to the mix, and there you have one maxed-out system .

Late One Night in a Pumpkin Patch
18x24 oil 1995

Private Collection

The Ghost Yard June 1, 2011

This building is an example of Art Deco Architecture. It is owned and operated by the Sunkist Produce, in Santa Paula, California.

While working on obtaining my Master's degree, I would travel two or three times a week down to Cal State Univ. Northridge and back. While driving back to Carpinteria, at night, I would seek my painting motifs. in the desolate neighborhoods of the southland.

I was required to produce and finish one painting every two weeks, and subject each painting to critical review by my piers. by the end of the two years I would produce 30 images toward my Master's Degree. 15 of these were accepted, and exhibited.

I spent two nights on location painting this painting; four hours each sitting.

On the first night, I was alone while painting. It was the first and only time I would climb inside my van to avoid attracting four seemingly aggressive youths who were out carousing their hood, looking for someone to harass.

The second night which I went down to finish the painting, I convinced my buddy, Ian, to come along with me, to hang out and keep me company. As I grew close to finishing, he agreed to model for me; (you can see him walking across the rail yard in the distance).

Ian, is the the Ghost.

The Ghost Yard
22x44 oil/canvas 1999
Collection of the Artist

Low Sunlight, Santa Barbara. May 15, 2011

Only a small window of time to sketch the Sunset on Butterfly Beach, Santa Barbara.

I try to not spend more than 20 minutes per sketch in order to stay true to the light; to indicate, rather than explainate.

Spring sunset, Butterfly Beach
5x7, oil/board, 2011

Artist's collection

Back Alley, Study of the Night May 13, 2011

Plein Air Painting isn't always about seeking the most pristine locations or subject matter.

This painting was the first painting created toward my Master's thesis, painted back in 1997. I was just beginning to search for the variations and subtlety's of the nocturnal world, seeking out the strange and unexplored locations near my home. I would spend two years seeking out similar, and sometimes more dramatic motifs. I learned to refine my ideas, and become more economical in my paint applications; and for two years, have the goal of producing unsellable artwork.

I eventually became overdrawn in my sleep bank account.

Back Alley
12x16 Oil/canvas 1997
Private collection

Home Sweet Home May 12, 2011

Home Sweet Home
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/14619483


Mi Casa
18x14 Oil/board 2007
Artist's Collection

Coit Tower: May 11, 2011

Camille Pissaro use to say, "Only when you paint a place do you actually own it".

When traveling with Robert Eringer up to San Francisco in Early April, investigating Jack Kerouac for our Surreal Bounce T.V. Show, we stayed at the Hyatt near Union Square.

They have an incredible view from the 82nd floor with commanding views of the city and bay.


This is just a small sketch, but I had fun capturing the light, and feeling for the place.

Coit Tower, at Sunrise
6x8 oil/board 2011
Collection of the Artist