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 after work today, and usually, it’s super windy and cold over by the bridge as the fog rolls in. But not tonight; instead, it was lovely, calm, and warm. The quality of light was exceptional. As far as Presidio painting sessions go, these conditions were as good as it gets. I worked on this one for about an hour until I lost my light, then finished it up at home.
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.
The boys and I were shaken to our feet this afternoon by a thunderous roar. We bolted onto the balcony just in time to see a very distinctive, white-topped Blackhawk helicopter with the words ‘United States of America’ gleaming on its hull. We dashed across the street as another Blackhawk and two Ospreys proudly floated down over the redwoods. The noise was deafening as they passed just over my favorite painting spot. Standing there with a few neighbors, we were in awe. Everything about Marine Helicopter Squadron One projected power. It was definitely impressive.
Eventually, they flew off and the excitement died down. I headed back to work, and the kids headed to the pool. After dinner, I went across the street with my paints to commemorate the moment with a quick sunset painting. It’s not every day the Marines land in your front yard. The neighbors say Biden will be in town tomorrow.
Drinks at Internos and then a nice walk around the neighborhood looking for something to paint. The trees just across Corte Madera creek we’re looking pretty good in the fading light, so I went with that.
Sunset painting from the Bon Air bridge looking north towards Ross.
Today I lost one of my closest friends to a long battle with cancer. I was introduced to Ralph Egglesston during the pandemic through a video chat by a friend and we instantly hit it off. We would call each other a couple times a week and just have the best conversations, trading story’s for hours about our lives and art. He was one of the few people I have ever known who I ever really felt in sync with. In a very short amount of time he grew to being one of my best and my closest friends. His parting leaves a massive hole in my life.
I last spoke to Ralph a few days ago. It was really hard. He was in a lot of pain and it was clear that he didn’t have much time left. We said our goodbyes and I told him how much I loved him and how I was going to miss him. And now he’s gone.
After the news of his passing I spent most of the day in a fog. Through tears I grabbed my painting kit and headed out the door to catch the sunset. Ralph would have wanted me to paint. This one was for him.
Post fathers day taco dinner painting. It’s amazing how long the light lasts in the summer. Also amazing how predictably windy it gets around sunset.
There are a lot of drawings, paintings and films I’ve made over the years which I find hard to enjoy because they remind me of whatever was going on at the time I made them. I guess I’ll file this one in that category.
I was just leaning into this painting when I got a call from my girlfriend who was en route to the emergency room. She broke a finger in a cycling accident. That was the end of the painting . Cleaned up as fast as I could, took a quick picture and then was on the road north. I cleaned the painting up a little after we got her all bandaged up and on the road to recovery.
When I set up my gear the overcast sky led me to believe that it was going to be a pleasant rose colored sunset, then the wind picked up and by the time I had the under painting down the veil parted. It was so bright. This view is probably etch onto the back of my eyeballs. I’d squint for a quick peak and then turn away to paint and that was too much. I was just guessing at the colors until the sun dropped behind Kentfield. note to self: always pack your sun glasses.
As I was cleaning up I met a friendly neighbor and we had a lovely conversation about art, philosophy and the joy of learning. It was a nice way to wrap up the day.
