A Virtual Tour

For those of you who missed East Bay Open Studios these last two weekends, here is a small virtual tour. Many, many thanks to Cynthia for coming out to visit, AND for taking photos. PLUS she remembered to email them to me so that I could share them. Huzzah!

The original plates for my field guide (which you can still purchase here).

A horn shark from the poetry book I am illustrating. I hope to have all the illustrations done and the book out by the fall.

Several years ago, Cynthia photographed me at Open Studios half way through  painting this Pacific Octopus. Here it is completed. I had it out in the yard as the first thing folks saw when they made it to the end of the driveway.

The west wall of the studio. The lower six illustrations will also be in the  book of ocean-themed poetry.

A nice shot of the pew that Alice snagged for me. It has kneelers and everything!

This one was done in pencil and recently re-framed.

And what tour would be complete without a cheesy photo of me?
 Is there really any other kind?

One last day left..

Today was the second-to-last day of East Bay Open Studios 2012. I had the most people visit in one day (so far) . The weather was lovely for wandering; the visitors just wonderful. I even sold a few things - a winner all around! If you do not yet have your copy of Golden Gate Beach Wrack, come on Sunday. I'll be here from 11-6. 

Re-purposing Ugly Art

Now don't get me wrong - Ugly Art is necessary. Ugly Art is what I make when I am learning something new. I took a portrait painting class where we had to keep every painting, so as to have a "retrospective" at the end. Unfortunately for my grade, I had never really done people before, nor had I painted in oils, so most of my product was Double Ugly. 

As I prepare for East Bay Open Studios, cleaning up (and trying to throw out, but not succeeding), I moved the stack of Ugly Art portraits twice before hitting on an idea to re-purpose them......

Leaf it all to me

Had a lovely art day this week that included some art viewing and nature time, as well as drawing. And too, I got more cleaning done in my studio in preparation for East Bay Open Studios in June. My studio will be open both weekends. I'll have copies of The Field Guide available and hopefully some other goodies. I hope you'll be able to come check it out!

Spring News

The field guide is here!

Order your copy today! http://hotfromthetoaster.com/fieldguide.html

Also, for those of your in the Northern CA area, the spring show I curate at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History will open on April 7th and run through June 3, 2012. Three of my pieces will be in the show - one from the field guide and two from the upcoming illustrated ocean-mythology poetry collection Leviathon. Check it out! http://www.santacruzmuseums.org/ I will be doing the Live Art Demo on Friday, May 4, 2012 from 5-8pm. My turtle, Cheesebox, will be there to model for us all.

I will also be participating in East Bay Open Studios again this year, June 2-3 & 9-10. Come by if you can. I'll have field guides and hopefully poetry books to sell and sign.  Last year's directory link (all the info is the same, except the dates) http://db.proartsgallery.org/ebosGallery_11.php?iconNumber=321