New painting:

Shinto Lantern in Bamboo Forest

Gray stones lead around the Kanju-ji Lantern in the bamboo grove at Hakone Japanese Gardens (in Saratoga, California). Dawn light streams through the bamboo, in shades of lime green deepening to emerald. This zen visionary landscape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in green acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermark does not appear on the actual painting. Size: 14" x 11"

Offered at $500 and prints and pendants are available.

We went to Pinnacles National Monument today. It's not as far as I thought it was (we made it in about 2 hours). It's a bit more strenuous a hike than the usual gentle walk we do but worth it.

Finished the gothic mermaid painting:

The Gift of a Red Rose

A raven brings a red rose to a dark-haired mermaid with a red tail. Cypress trees stand on a bluff on a stormy day. Seagulls fly through the shafts of light breaking through the clouds. The rocky shore was inspired by Monterey Bay. This California fantasy seascape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in gray acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.

Offered at $800 and prints and pendants are available.

Took a little trip to Santa Cruz yesterday. It was pouring here so we knew we were taking a chance but it was just fine there. Perfect for my purposes (stormy, dramatic skies but not raining). It did rain right near the end of our walk and it was a bit cold for someone coming down with a cold (like me) but worth it :-). We parked in Lighthouse Field:

Then saw a seal on the rocks:

Walking back, we took the other side of the street and passed Darling House, a Bed & Breakfast (which is up for sale). Beautiful garden blooming in the front, including these black tulips:

Started the gothic mermaid painting. I thought I'd start with a thin layer of red oxide, which I'm hoping will warm up the grays. I roughed in the sky, water and sand. Then I thought I should let this layer thoroughly dry (this one is in acrylics and it tends to lift up).

Stayed up late to get the new pendants online:

Today, we went to a little known park in San Jose, Rancho Canada del Oro. It's a nice park with a great loop that's around 3.5 miles (first half is uphill, leading to spectacular views).

As you get near the top, you pass through a cattle gate and we came eye to eye with a small herd.

This California Condor (OK...vulture) circled us up at the top, although I assured it I was doing just fine ;-).

On the way down this time of year, you can see many surprisingly little waterfalls.

The trail finishes with this phenomenal display of flowers. Poppies cascading down hillsides, lupines, buttercups and all sorts of ones I can't name.

Went to Pacific Grove (California) today for my yearly trek to see the pink/purple flowers blooming. I can't imagine a nicer day. It was beautiful!

Finished the new painting:

Balinese Cat at Hakone

Lady Sky, a gorgeous Balinese cat with a little white spot at the end of her tail, sits on a rock, watching the koi fish swim by. Behind Moon Bridge, the cherry blossoms and brightly colored foliage of Spring, a wisteria branch in the foreground. A turtle rests on a distant rock. This landscape, from Hakone Japanese Garden (in Saratoga, California), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in brown acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermark does not appear on the actual painting.

I've decided to keep this one, since it's the first portrait I've done of Lady Sky, but prints and pendants are available.

.99 ACEO auction :-)

Bent Pine Tree at Moonrise pendant, from my original art:

Click Here

A bent pine tree on a mountain top, illuminated by the full moon. Clouds drift across the blue night sky. This feng shui landscape, part of the Zen Mandala modern art series, is offered as a pendant, hand crafted by the artist from my original painting. Made from polymer clay with the print fired onto it, then sealed for protection.

An adjustable knotted cord is included so the piece is ready to wear and will fit most sizes (these are adjusted by sliding the knots and don't have a metal clasp). As they go over the head, these tend to hang long, although you can sometimes double them up once they're on. If you would prefer a cord of a particular length with a clasp instead, let me know at the time of the sale (no additional charge).