A winter zen piece with metallic silver, "Branches in Silver Frost":

Item 7361928326

Violet leaves in shades of reddish purple swirl around a luminous full moon. The winter sky is in shades of metallic silver and gray. This feng shui mandala, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are painted) and can be hung with just a nail—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.

"Early Spring" uses a palette I liked from an earlier piece:

Item 7361719599

Branches of bright spring-green leaves around a luminous full moon. The night sky is in gentle shades of purple. This feng shui mandala, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in purple) and can be hung with just a nail—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.

Another 8" x 10" of maple leaves:

Item 7361496793

A tree branch of red Japanese maple leaves beneath the setting sun. One of the leaves is dancing in the air. This feng shui mandala, part of the Golden Glow modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in burgundy acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail—no need to frame. It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermark does not appear on the actual painting.

I can't believe October is almost over.

My auctions are slowing up a bit so I thought I'd try a larger size, "Crow and Moss in Amethyst Moonlight":

Item 7361011122

A black crow among the lacy sage-green moss hanging on branches around a luminous full moon. The night sky is in gentle shades of yellow, lavender, lilac, violet and purple. This feng shui mandala, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in purple) and can be hung with just a nail—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.

This is the first in a new series, "Two Oak Trees on a Hill," based on California landscapes, but with a nod toward zen:

Item 7360103746

Two live oak trees on a beautiful autumn day. The white, fluffy clouds roll across the blue sky, over the golden hill. This 11" x 14" California landscape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in brown acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail—no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. Note that the copyright watermark does not appear on the original painting.

And another in the zen moonlight series, "Gold Leaves in Magenta Moonlight":

Item 7360670624

Metallic gold leaves on dark tree branches in swirl around a luminous full moon. The night sky is in shades of yellow, magenta, violet and purple. Some of the leaves are dancing in the air. This feng shui mandala, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in purple acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail—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 listed a crow ACEO for the Nibblefest Art Contest (Art trading card). According to the rules, this auction starts at only .99 and I threw in free shipping:

eBay Item
7359745161

For this one, I added clouds and stars, giving the piece a less abstract feeling:

Item 7359351593

Bright autumn maple leaves in shades of orange and red swirl through the clouds around a luminous full moon. The night sky, studded with stars, is in shades of deepening blue to indigo. Some of the leaves are dancing in the air. This piece, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (surreal abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are painted) and can be hung with just a nail—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 am a little early but I have been in wintry mood:

Item 7359180192

Teal leaves in shades of greenish blue swirl around a luminous full moon. The twilight sky is in shades of gray with a touch of metallic silver. This feng shui mandala, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in teal acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail--no need to frame. It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors.

Another in the zen moonlight series:

Item 7358912480

Bright magenta leaves swirl around a luminous full moon. The night sky is in gentle shades of yellow, lavender, lilac, violet and purple. This feng shui mandala, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in purple acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail—no need to frame. It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors.

For this piece in the zen series, I used moss instead of autumn leaves:

Item 7358647086

A dragonfly flits among the lacy sage-green moss hanging on branches around a luminous full moon. The night sky is in velvet shades of deepening purple. This feng shui mandala, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in purple acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail--no need to frame. It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermark does not appear on the actual painting.

I haven't had too much chance to paint this week. I listed this new one:

Item 7357460719

Bright autumn leaves swirl around a luminous full moon. The night sky is in gentle shades of yellow, lavender, lilac, violet and purple. This feng shui mandala, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in purple acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail—no need to frame. It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors.

I have several new listings today:

This is an 8" x 10" in a new palette:

eBay Item
7357134408

Red autumn leaves in shades of crimson and dark green swirl around a luminous full moon. The twilight sky is in shades of gray with a touch of burgundy at the corners. This feng shui mandala, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in burgundy acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail—no need to frame. It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors.

This is 9" x 12" is an older oil painting that I am listing with a 50% donation to help rescued horses:

eBay Item
7357129543

Bright autumn leaves in shades of yellow, orange and magenta swirl around a full moon, which illuminates the moss on the branch and the singing nightingale. The night sky is in shades of deepening purple. Some of the leaves are dancing in the air. This piece, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original oil painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in purple acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail—no need to frame.

An original art trading card (miniature 2.5" x 3.5"):

eBay Item
7357144430

Here is my latest in the zen series, Turquoise Leaves Curving Around the Sun:

Item
7356442093

Branches of turquoise leaves frame a brilliant sunset in shades of yellow, orange, red and purple. Some of the leaves are dancing in the air. This piece with a southwestern palette, part of the Zen Sunset modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original 9" x 12" acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in black acrylic). It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors.

I bought some 6" x 12" canvases, which inspired me to try a triptych:

Topaz Sunset Triptych
Item
7355439461

Branches of red autumn leaves hold the setting sun. Some of the leaves are dancing in the air. This feng shui mandala, part of the Golden Glow modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on three 6" x 12" gallery-wrapped stretched canvases (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in burgundy acrylic). It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The left-hand piece is signed on the front. All three are signed on the back.

I did another landscape in acrylics, "Peaceful Sunset at Fremont Older." Fremont Older is an open space preserve in Cupertino, California. We don't walk there a lot. The parking lot is very small and it's been full a number of times when we've attempted to go there. Plus, it is a little more strenuous than some of the others. I added some fog and a deer:

Item 7354891903
Ends 10/11

The Best of California 2006 Wall Calendar is now available:

Here is the first of the new blue zen pieces. I used a composition where the branch curves around the sun:

Item
7354454407

Bright autumn leaves in shades of yellow, orange and magenta swirl around a luminous full moon. The night sky is in shades of deepening blue. Some of the leaves are dancing in the air. This piece, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in indigo acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail—no need to frame. It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors.

South Carolina Awareness and Rescue for Equines set up a page for the prints I offer through FinerWorks: http://www.scequinerescue.org/iverson.htm

I have been working with them recently and plan on painting one of their rescued horses, Kachina. I offered to donate 20% of my paint horse print for any sales from their website and they set up this nice page. I have worked with a lot of charities over the past couple years. It really helps when they are proactive.

I finally got some painting done today. Two new blue moon zen ones. Stay tuned for pics.

For this one, "Heron at Sunset", I returned to a more traditional landscape:

Item 7353706669

Under a sunset sky in delicate shades of yellow, pink and blue with fluffy clouds, a lone heron rests on an island on a peaceful lake at Los Gatos Creek Park. This Northern California landscape is is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in blue acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail—no need to frame. It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors.

I enjoyed trying a more delicate sky using acrylics. For the zen series, I work in bold colors. This gave me a chance to try some subtlety. I feel this sort of piece would have been easier in oils because of the blending quality.

I only have a minute tonight (desperate housewives premiere). I have one new one to post:

Item 7353497698

Bright leaves of metallic gold on turquoise branches swirl around a full moon. The night sky is in shades of orange and magenta, deepening to a rich purple. Some of the leaves are dancing in the air. This feng shui piece, part of the Zen Moonlight modern art series (botanical abstract landscapes in a contemporary Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in purple acrylic) and can be hung with just a nail—no need to frame. It has been varnished with a light spray to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors.

This is a new palette. I like the turquoise and gold metallic against the rich purple. Metallics are new for me, having come from oil paint. It's one thing I am enjoying about acrylics.

It is hard to convey the richness of the purple with a digital photo.

I watched a documentary on Frida Kahlo tonight. Very inspiring.