Ruben in paris.

I know that it's been awhile...I have been painting - just haven't had the time to post. I have a few that I am working on, just finished this one of Oregon. I ordered a frame for it and plan to give it as a gift. I like the movement that it seems to have. I will try and keep up with this and continue to post.

I did manage to finish one painting of my two dogs - Baxter as a puppy. It has been hard keeping up with my training at my other job. Three more days and I can get back to painting.

Painting of our dog Bailey, a bad  photo - I can do the paintings, but sometimes I have trouble photographing them - to show them at there best. Oh well, you get the idea. Anyone want a painting of their pet?

Study of the catacombs in Paris,buried dead, bones that have been stacked to create macabre structures under ground. Also a street scene I have been working on for awhile. I have about three or four additional paintings in various stages. I am trying to remain consistant in my style, but, at the same time show a range of subject matter. I have just been hired for a full time (non art related, boohoo) job...hoping that It will not interfear too much with the pace that I have been painting. I think, in order to grow (and I feel I have been growing) I need to continue to paint dailey to refine my talent.

This is a departure for me, just wanted to get an opinion  on it. I did this today - 4'x4', it's big - I am not sure if I can call it done. I like it - something wants me to add more dimension - what do you think?

I finished another painting...I wrote earlier that I took this photo in England around 1985...couldn't figure out how to do it...not enough confidence I suppose. I always have the inkling to want to keep adding...I have found out that I can refine the image more, but then it doesn't look like my style - so I am trying to leave them alone when they reach a point that I like them.

Well. I am off to my studio. I have been trying to finish some work. I need to get my web sight up and running.

This morning I finished a painting that I originally started a few years ago, then put away. It is from a photo I took in San Diego. It was a difficult subject for me - the photo was over exposed, and (although I loved the subject) I somehow needed to paint how I saw the subject, and make it come alive. The rocks and water
were very bland and basically the same color. I am happy with the results. I feel relieved that I was able to finally see on canvas what was in my head. I am starting another painting today from a photo I had originally took as a painting subject - year ago in England. I never felt like I knew how to paint it. Lately, I have become infused with a new vitality and passion for my painting - I guess that it why  I am revisiting some of my old photo studies. I feel that there is nothing that  I can't do.

I have been doing well on my projects today. Finishing the two I am furthest along on - then I get a call from an interview I had last week and I have to take care of that. I wish that I was independently wealthy and could paint all day, every day. Oh well, there is always tomorrow....

and...I did finish this small mural for a client - painted on one wall of their kitchen - measures about 24 X 36....

wow, I got very far on a painting that I started about a year ago, then put away - couldn't figure out where to go with it. I guess a little distance helped (These are not new paintings I've posted ). I guess I will get back to work and try and get further along...Oh! and I primed 5 canvas's for additions to my two series I am trying to get together. one more sitting on it), this is something I did last year - Kind of the direction

Mural Project for the city of Long Beach, California - Down town rejuvenation project. A temporary installation that took up two full sides of a building.
And a project for the veterans hospital, daycare center.

Well, today I painted in my studio and tried to get further on two paintings I have been working on - one is the first in a series, painted from reference photos I took in Paris this last year - the other is the first in another series I am trying, very large scale (hard to do in the size studio I have), and of explosions. Both are fairly close to being finished so I should be able to show them here soon.
I am asking for anyone who can help me on this next thing - I have been wanting to design and have fabric made. I am not sure where to go. I saw that the cast of Project Runway created there own fabric using some computer program last season. Is there an online company that offers this service. Let me know if anyone knows - thanks in advance.

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Painting in oils - the life and times of an artist

I decided to create this Blog to record the efforts, progress, and day to day experiences as a painter. To give you an idea of my history - I am a graduate of Long Beach State University with a degree in painting, I have been an artist for over 20 years, I moved from San Diego

California to South Carolina about 7 years ago (I am currently planning a move back to the west coast), I paint daily in my studio here and am working on several projects currently. Recently I have concentrated on landscapes, but I am now working on a series of city scape's from photos I have taken in a recent trip to Paris. There are few forms of media that I have not created in, I just prefer oil paint because of the effects that I can get. I am also a muralist and have been hired for many projects - I have worked as a muralist for private individuals as well as larger companies.

My hope is that this Blog will help me to grow as an artist and give people some incite about the creative process. It won't be all serious though - I have a way of looking at life in a slightly humorous way and hopefully that will come through as well. Enjoy reading along - I look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions.