Final Painting for the Upcoming Show: Waiting Forever

Sometimes, we’ve been spurned. Or, we’re stuck in an existential funk as in Bunuel’s film “No Exit”.  Why do we feel that we have to stay for the ending? My show of studio work is coming up on April 4th.  I will also be showing a few of the coffee house paintings. If you are […]

The Difference Between Painting and Drawing

People ask me if I sketch in with pencil or charcoal before I begin.   No, I don’t.  So much of painting requires restatement in the process, why start out fumbling from the beginning?  I try to say what I mean from the very beginning. Think about the process of painting as opposed to drawing.  Rendering […]

A Second Smattering on Painting Technique

The Beginning I was painting at Halcyon Coffee here in Austin on Monday.  The barristra was very interested, and asked me if I did an underpainting.  This made me stop and think about the actual process of the oil sketch.  I said, “well, no, not really”. I fumbled around for an explanation since I am […]

A Smattering on Painting Technique and Questions

This post was originally one of my first, in a series on technique.  The post, “The Difference Between Drawing and Painting” has had over 1100 views since I posted it.  I’m a slow learner, but I think maybe some of you out there would like to see more of my thoughts on technique.  Please, please […]

I Painted John Erik Metcalf at Conjunctured

I painted John Erik Metcalf while he was at work at Conjunctured.  Now is a good time to repost his portrait, since he is very involved with SXSWi.  If it weren’t for the “Conjunctured Boys”, I wouldn’t have a blog.   They are helpful, smart, and will help Austin maintain it’s tech-savy edge.  I don’t understand […]

Have You Experienced the Bruising Sun of Texas

I painted this portrait for my upcoming show.  After April 4th, I will be back in the coffee houses painting people “live”. The sun can be brutal here in Texas – I used to try and force my portraits into the false, ambient lighting that you can only get in the North.  Then, I had […]

A Quick Oil Sketch of Two Girls Gossiping at Epoch Coffee

I Painted Her on a Beautiful Spring Day at Epoch Coffee

I painted her last spring at Epoch, and never posted it, for two reasons.  Technically, it’s not my best, and secondly, this painting makes me sad.  She is schizophrenic.  But, if I am going to be an honest documenter of Austin, she needs to be portrayed.  Anyone who has worked for Mobile Loaves and Fishes, […]