...at work.

At work is meant to be the title of this series and also describe my time in the art studio. Nose to the grindstone, making hay while the sun shines and burning the midnight oil. Just as in the painting, I like to peel as much away as much as possible and get at the essence of what's there. What's there is work. This series is painted on plywood I found outside a store in the Sunset district that went out of business. In some oblique way I feel as if I'm honoring the legacy of that lost enterprise.

...studio interior.

...in the window box.

These two paintings have been in and out of the window box alternating with the jumbo flaming marshmallow. Apparently I can't help myself. Baseballs and donuts seem to always find there way on to a canvas or panel in my studio.

...a summer icon.

One of my favorite enduring summer icon treats is the toasted marshmallow on a stick. So yesterday I painted one. It is a symbol for the youthful simplicity of the season. It's still on fire and hanging proudly in my west window. It measures 28" x 52" and is acrylic/oil on canvas. In fact my studio still has the aroma of flaming sugar.

...some things are simply must see!

After seeng the current Richard Diebenkorn exhibit at the de Young Museum I've come to the conclusion that I need more paint! He painted big and reworked the canvas endlessly it seems until he found what he wanted. The resulting creations are rich compositions born from exhaustive workouts with paint and brush. They feel honest and authentic and true because they are exactly that to me. Like a music conductor using a baton his brush must have been a living thing filled with electricity. I stood in front of each masterwork with busy eyes letting his brushwork blaze a trail and take me on a journey of discovery. It's the kind of exhibit that will make you want to paint if you don't paint. And if you do paint, it'll make you want to paint more!
The exhibit will be up until September 29:
http://diebenkorn.famsf.org/