California Harbor Scene

                                                   8"x10" Oil on linen panel
                                              Click here to buy this painting

A while back, I was with some artist friends doing small paintings of fishing boats in harbor.  This is one of the two I finished that day.  Painting wise, it was a  really  productive, fun day.  Unfortunately, just as we were sitting down to our lunch on the end of a wharf, I saw a blur out of the side of one of my eyes, and felt a slight impact on the front of my windbreaker.  I looked down and found I had been targeted successfully by a pelican with apparent intestinal problems!  What a mess!  And what a critic!  After the laughter (not mine) died down, I doffed the windbreaker and cleaned up the mess.  Luckily, I had a lot of paper towels.  Just one more of the problems plein air painters face.          Mike

Monterey Clipper in yard

                                                12"x16" Oil on linen                                                        
                                                           Sold
I really enjoy boatyard painting.   There is almost always a lot of clutter and interesting activity, and boats, of course.  This particular work was prompted by my admiration of the subject boat, a historic hull type of the California fishing fleet, called a "Monterey Clipper".  It is frequently seen in the paintings of the early west coast plein air painters;  it was much beloved for it's graceful bow and sheer line.  Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.  I attended a very large family reunion in Covington, La over the holiday, and a Thanksgiving dinner around New Orleans,is really a dieter's nightmare.  I'll be eating small portions of healthy (ugh!) food for the next month.                                     Mike

Morro Bay Fishing Fleet

                                                             16"x20" Oil on canvas     
                                                                       SOLD


The fishing industry in the USA is in dire straits, and the title of this painting, unfortunately, is no longer true. These two boats, once working full time, are gone, as are many others. One of the two above was junked, the other I have heard is being converted to a Sea Scout vessel, but is no longer in Morro Bay.  I painted the red,white and black one many times (it's the subject of my first post on this blog).   I have many photos of these boats, so I'll be doing them again, occasionally.  It was nicer doing them in plein air, though. 

Friends have told me they are unable to comment on my blog.  I am aware of that fact and have just not finished setting things up.  By next Monday the 13th, I'll have everything going, I hope.          Mike