There is something very satisfying about painting over your old work. The paint just goes down easier. You have the added confidence of knowing things can’t be worse than the first time around.
Hanging with the cyclographicult hommies at the statue, aka James A. Garfield, in Golden Gate Park. Looking west towards a lovely late summer sunset over the conservatory of flowers lawn. Good times
I was painting in the Main Post of the Presidio at lunch today on Graham Street. It was a beautiful day here, with really nice light, and I couldn’t have asked for better conditions. The oils didn’t give me any trouble, The wind didn’t pick up like it usually does, I didn’t forget any supplies or drop the painting in the dirt, and the notifications on my phone said Trump was guilty on all all thirty four felony counts. It was a lovely afternoon.
I’m not sure what this little brick building off of McDowell Ave was, but I always thought it would make a great cafe or art studio. It was probably some military maintenance shed or electrical building. Anyways, I painted it after work today.
Quick lunchtime painting on the hill above Lucasfilm, looking east.
I’ve been slacking on posting my paintings lately. Just moved into a new place and still haven’t gotten around to setting up my studio properly – no lights, no easel, not even blinds for the windows yet. So many things to do, but hey, at least I’ve been keeping busy with the paintbrush, even if I’m not sharing much online.
I had to take my son to a cross country race in Golden Gate Park this morning, the Lowell Invitational. He needed to be there two hours early to help set up, which gave me just enough time to paint. My compliments to cross country event planners for consistently choosing beautiful locations and start times that almost always guarantee stunning lighting. Today was no exception; there was a lingering hint of lavender fog in the atmosphere as I finished up.
I began and finished this painting with no one in the lower frame, but the race course ran parallel through the grass. By the time I was done, a large crowd of nervous-looking teenagers in their school colors were warming up just behind me. I was tempted to paint in some runners, but before I knew it, it was time to cheer for Redwood High School!
Today, the crowd was much chattier than my usual onlookers, prompting me to give many “you can paint too, just don’t be afraid to fail…” pep talks. I had a wonderful time, and the event was fantastic. I’m sure many personal bests were achieved today.
My son had cross country practice this morning in Tennessee Valley. While he ran with his friends I painted and chatted with campers coming down off the hill. It was a classic foggy Marin Headlands landscape. All the runners passing down the trail added a splash of color to the otherwise monochromatic hills.
This is the view just south of the parking lot, looking north from the Haypress Camp Trail fork.
Looking south-east towards Corte Madera from the College of Marin gravel parking lot. There is a tall thicket of dead grass there that caught my eye as the sun went down.
Well, I tried to paint the main post twice. Two lunch breaks in a row, both days I didn’t have much success. Trying to paint the straight lines of buildings in the wind proved way too challenging. It doesn’t help that my brushes are as frayed as a cat struck by lightning. I definitely need to invest in some new sharp-edged brights if I’m going to start painting the buildings around here. The second afternoon, I returned with a more appropriately formatted canvas, which at least helped the composition, but the painting was still a mess as I had to hold onto it with one hand to keep it from flying off. Technical challenges aside, both attempts have too much detail and not enough depth. I can’t find the happy medium. I’m forcing it, and that lack of traction is coming through on the canvas. Time to move on.
Lunchtime paintings in the presidio will start being a regular thing again now that Lucasfilm wants me in office twice a week. My plan is to ride my bike in one day, scouting for locations, and then paint them at lunch the other. This place has so many layered vistas and shifting weather patterns, there will be no shortage of scenes to paint for years to come.
Today I set up on the Tennessee Hollow trail / Presidio Promenade Trail. Not sure which trail this is as the map says both names, which is a little odd. I regret not looking at the trailhead sign I was standing next to while I painted. Unofficially, I guess this is the view looking south across the Tennessee Hollow watershed from the bus stop next to the YMCA fitness center.
