Francis Scott Key Monument & Vasona Lake Park

I have been teaching a color workshop this semester for some of the students in the Animation/Illustration program at San Jose State University. Below are two demonstrations of plein air painting in oils, painted on Sunday, April 15th and 22nd. The first painting is of the Francis Scott Key monument situated in the Music Concourse of Golden Gate Park. The second color study was done at Vasona Lake Park in Los Gatos. 

Japanese Tea Garden, SF

The entrance to the Japanese tea garden in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

Fall Color at Stow Lake

More Fall color in Golden Gate Park. This tree is between the Chinese pavilion and the man made waterfall at Stow Lake.

Speedway Meadows, Golden Gate Park.

Speedway meadows in Golden Gate Park.

Fall Color at Stow Lake

Fall color at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park with the Sutro tower in the background.

A Centuty of Landscapes: Selections from the California Art Club

A Centuty of Landscapes: Selections from the California Art Club, San Francisco chapter has it's openning reception with the artist on July 14th. A small plein air painting of mine the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park was accepted to the show. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the reception as I am on a family vacation in Hawai'i. I did bring my gouache kit with me, so I hope to have some paintings of Oahu to post when I get back to the Bay Area.

Saplings & Cala Lilies

Saplings and Cala Lilies from Thursday. Painted on Stow Lake drive in Golden Gate Park.

Pioneer Mother Monument, Golden Gate Park

Pioneer Mother Monument, Golden Gate Park

The Pioneer Mother Monument in Golden Gate Park is located near the entrance of Stow Lake Drive. It is sculpted by American Charles Grafly, 1915. On the base of the monument there is a plaque that reads...

"Over rude paths beset with hunger and risk she pressed onward toward the vision of a better country. To an assemblage of men busied with the perishable rewards of the day she brought the three-fold leaven of enduring society - faith, gentleness, and home with the nurture of children". _ _ Benjamin Ide Wheeler

Stow Lake, Seagulls & Paddle Boats

Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park complete with paddle boats and seagulls.

Conservatory Drive East

Tuesday's painting from the car studio on Conservatory Drive East in Golden Gate Park.

Stow Lake Drive

Today's gouache painting in Golden Gate Park on Stow Lake Drive.

Conservatory of Flowers & Ocean Beach

Two more gouache paintings from Thursday & today. First painting is the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. Second painting of Ocean Beach in San Francisco.

A New Watercolor Moleskine

Gouache paintings in the new watercolor Moleskine from Friday & Saturday. Both are painted from the car studio in Golden Gate Park. The first one is near Elk Glen Lake at Middle Drive West & Transverse Drive. Second color sketch is across from Mallard Lake on MLK Jr. Drive.

Finished 1st Watercolor Moleskine

Yeah! I finally finished the last two pages of my watercolor Moleskine today and it only took me 2 years & 9 months. The first of two gouache paintings is on JFK drive near the tennis courts in Golden Gate Park. The Second is on Presidio drive in San Francisco's Presidio.

Cherry Blossoms, Golden Gate Park

Yesterday's plein air painting of a cherry blossom tree in Golden Gate park across from the Bison paddock. Hurray! I'm happy that Spring is here but could do without the bad allergies- sniff, sniff.

JFK Drive & Stow Lake

Gouache study from Friday afternoon in Golden Gate Park. JFK Drive near entrance of Stow Lake.

North Lake, Golden Gate Park

This morning's painting at North Lake in Golden Gate Park.

Lloyd Lake, Golden Gate Park

Today's painting of Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park just off JFK Drive. I have driven by this lake many times and it never really peaked my interest because of the small manmade stream and a ionic columns structure. It seems to be a popular place for couples to take a snap shot. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm Winter day in the park. I hope there will be a few more days like this over the winter. What more could a plein air painter ask for.

South Lake, Golden Gate Park

Monday's painting of South Lake in Golden Gate Park on a very cold afternoon.

Spreckels Lake, Golden Gate Park

First plein air painting of 2011 at Spreckels Lake in Golden Gate. Perhaps not my favorite lake to paint in Golden Gate Park due to it's obvious man-made construction. You will typically see model yachts sailing and people jogging on the pathways. There are several benches around the lake so I think this would be a good place to sit and sketch.