With Pallette and Brush

One Red Hibiscus

2012-01-09T16:23:00.000-08:00

I painted a red hibiscus flower on my friend Eddie's guitar while I was on Molokai last summer. He's a very talented musician and uses this guitar quite frequently when he's performing, so it (the painting) will get lots of exposure around the Islands. I had to do it in layers because of the black color of the guitar. Using an actual fresh blossom for reference and adding liquin to my painting medium to speed up the drying process I was able to do it in about 3 hours...start to finish. Then after letting it cure for 4 days, I coated it with liquin again to seal it up and give the pigments some protection. It's painted with oil pigments mixed with walnut oil, thinner & Liquin so it has some texture, but he's very pleased with the results.

The Finished Portrait of Eddie & Vina Tanaka

2011-12-28T08:52:00.000-08:00

I finally finished this portrait of my friends Eddie & Vina Tanaka who live at Honouliwai, Molokai in the Hawaiian Island chain. Many hours of painting, but I'm happy with the results. Mahalo ke Akua! Aloha!

Waialua Beach Coconuts

2011-12-24T16:50:00.000-08:00

Aloha Ohana, It's been awhile since I posted something on here so I thought it was time to check in.

I went to Molokai recently to finish a large double portrait and that was accomplished, but the weather prevented me from doing any plein air painting so I was only able to finish up this small panel that I started on the last visit here. It was done on the beach near the mouth of the Waialua Stream. This painting titled "Waialua Beach Coconuts" measures 16"x12", is oil on archival canvas/wood panel, Copyrights - Timothy David Dixon - 2011.

Beginning Anew..

2011-11-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

Well...I began a new double dog portrait yesterday.
I toned the 20" x 16" stretched canvas with a blend of raw sienna & burnt sienna by brushing the pigments on with a small amount of a medium made from 80% thinner and 20% stand oil. Then I rubbed off the excess with a soft cloth and did the rough sketch with the same colors using a #10 long handled hog bristle brush. After I had a fairly good rendering I went back in with a clean brush and just a touch of the medium and wet the areas that I wanted light and patted that up with my soft cloth to reveal the original white of the gesso on the canvas.
So ended the first session on this one.
Mahalo for stopping by. Aloha

Continuing the process

2011-11-09T11:23:00.000-08:00

The new painting (Sonoma Mountain Autumn #5) has progressed a bit more and is becoming a very different picture than any of the others, owing to the dramatic mood change developing in the sky area. Compare this to the other smaller pieces done from the same reference photo, that preceded it (in the older posts).
It's fun to be working larger again. I'm going to have to build some more bigger canvases right away...The ideas are already accumulating for some new works, but I don't think I'm done exploring the possibilities in this series of Sonoma Mountain. There will be another larger version of it after this one is finished. Mahalo for stopping by.
Aloha

Progress on S.M.A. #5

2011-11-06T10:22:00.000-08:00

Another painting session on Sonoma Mountain Autumn #5 has produced these changes.
This canvas measures 38"x 52"

Another Sonoma Mountain

2011-11-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

I began paintingthe 5th of the Sonoma Mountain Autumn series that started with a very small (6"x 7") painting on an oakwood panel in May or June. Then 2 more slightly larger happened in rapid succession not very long after the first one. About 2 months ago I finished a fourth in the series that was larger still, but retained somewhat the freshness of the first small things that were all done fairly quickly. The last one measured 26"x 38" it was #4 in the series and like #1 it sold within days of it's completion.

This new canvas measures 38"x 52". The photos were taken after the first session of painting. It's mostly what I call underpainting. Colors that will alter & enhance the next layers that will follow. It also seals the canvas a bit so it's not quite so thirsty.

Waialua Beach. Moloka'i

2011-10-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

This was the fifth plein air oil painting I did on the last trip. Done the day before I left to come back to the mainland, it was still too wet to travel so I left it there with a friend to hold for me. I'm returning to finish a double portrait and do some more plein air painting at the end of November. Aloha

Flame Ginger & Heliconia

2011-10-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

This was the 4th oil painting that happened on the last trip to Moloka'i in August of this year. These huge blossoms were in a vase on the table at the Waialua Beachhouse and I just couldn't resist trying to capture some of that incredible color. The background went through some changes and I'm still planning to paint on it some more, believe it or not. I'll show that when it happens.
Mahalo for stopping by. Aloha, Timo

"Martin's Plumeria"

2011-09-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Aloha Kakahiaka 'ohana, Here's number three plein air painting from this last Moloka'i adventure. It's called "Martin's Plumeria" oil on archival canvas/board laminate panel, 12" x 16" -2011. I did this from the back porch at my friend's house on Waialua Beach. I'll be doing a couple of workshops there during the first two weeks of December. There's a sale on right now for flights from Oakland to Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines for certain days during that period. Check them out online. Connecting flights are booked online at Island Air. For more information about the Plein Air Oil Painting Workshop on Moloka'i in December 2011 - email me directly at: tddixon@mcn.org

Mahalo for stopping by. Have a great day! Aloha oe, Timo

"8 miles to Maui"

2011-09-21T15:46:00.000-07:00

Aloha 'ohana, This is the second plein air oil painting that I did on the Summer trip to Moloka'i with my friend Martin. It's called " 8 miles to Maui ". Done in oil on archival canvas/wood panel 9" x 12" 2011.

Waialua Coconuts

2011-09-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

Aloha 'ohana, I'm back(finally) at my computer after spending 2 weeks drawing and painting on the Hawai'ian island of Moloka'i. This was the first painting I did to bring home. It's an oil on an archival canvas panel. Painted plein air in about 2 hours.

Art for Life 2011 Donation

2011-07-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

This small (9" x 18") painting is on a canvas I built out of leftovers, but I like it alot for the amount of detail it has and the memories from the Island of Moloka'i it evokes in me. Beautiful turquoise waves rolling in perfect lines to a golden sand beach next to a fairway on the only golf course on the Island. I'm not sure if it's open currently, but I'll find out for sure in about a week.

I've decided to make this my donation painting to Face to Face (f2f.org) for the Art for Life benefit auction this year. Some "Island Kine" people will want it for their Aloha room, yeah? Anyway it's up for grabs at the event that is scheduled to happen on Saturday, September 17th, 2011 at the Mary Agatha Furth Center on Old Redwood Highway in Windsor, California.

' Kepuhi Beach, Moloka'i ' oil on canvas 2005 - starting bid will be $300.

Mahalo for stopping by!

Aloha, Timo

New 9'6" Mike Doyle Longboard

2011-07-25T17:47:00.000-07:00

I decided that every day is precious and that life is to be enjoyed. Then..I decided to quit procrastinating about getting back into good physical shape. I decided that I want to surf again. I'm starting to work out on an excersize bench and I'm going to start paddling around around flat water for awhile before I take it out into the surf. I need to regain about 10 or 12 lbs of muscle, mass, but the longest journey must begin with the first step. I'll keep you informed as to my progress in this regard.

Mahalo for stopping by, Aloha, Timo

Hereford Bull painting

2011-07-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

This large painting of a Hereford bull was one of two large (40" x 60") canvases that I painted for the Sonoma Cattlewomen's Association to use in their installation at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. The other one was the cows with their calves. A friend just gave me a hardcopy of the photograph so I scanned it in..and Waa Laaa! A bit of history revealed. I'm not sure of the date of this picture...somewhere in the nineties. I'll look for the photo of the companion piece.

Aloha, Timo

Finished: "Abalone Shell #9"

2011-07-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

Well I finally finished "Abalone Shell #9" today and signed it in red on the front lower left corner of the canvas. I'll sign it again on the back in pencil or pen when I title and date it.
The dimentions are 30" x 40" Oils on a stretched canvas I built. I prefer to build my own canvases most of the time, because I don't like the way most commercial canvases are made.
Mahalo for stopping by...Have a fantastic life experience TODAY!
Aloha oe, Timo

Rockpile #1468

2011-07-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

I just did another rockpile near where I'd done the last one and it's still standing as I write this. It's kind of fun...try it!

Rockpile # 1467

2011-07-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

I did this rockpile a few days ago to practice my hand/eye coordination and achieve a feeling of balance for the day. I do seven rocks at a time usually, although I've done more. This one lasted about an hour before I knocked it over with the gardenhose.

Crazy Horse

2011-06-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

I just worked a bit more on the portrait of Crazy Horse that I call "Earth Man".
I think it's done now. We'll see where this one ends up...

Jenna complete

2011-06-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

I finished the portrait of Jenna today. It's good to be painting again, but I have a lot of catching up to do.
I'll be glad when it stops raining again. I miss the SUN! This is strange weather for June to say the least.

New Iris Blooms

2011-05-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

None of these Irises bloomed for me last year, but I fed them and mulched with good home-made compost and I got a spectacular show from them this season. Flowers are such a beautiful expression of The Great Spirit's tapestry. You just can't help being inspired by their amazing colors and designs.

Mahalo Akua!

Cymbidium Flowers

2011-05-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

My Cymbidium orchid finally flowered. After 3 years and the same number of moves, it is in an environment that it likes and is really putting on a show. Each blossom is the size of a teacup and there are 10 of them on 2 stems. Gorgeous!

Progress on portrait of Jenna

2011-05-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

I made some progress yesterday on this portrait of my friend's niece that chose to end her own life last year...Tragic thing to have to live with for the people who loved her.
I began this painting at the beginning of December(2010) and am just now feeling well enough to paint in short sessions. Progress is good! I'll see how much I can get done today.

3rd in the Series

2011-04-11T11:49:00.000-07:00

The latest version of Sonoma Mountain Vineyards is on canvas...still small (10" x 16") but a bit more area to consider...slightly different shape and more the proportion I'll probably use for the larger versions yet to come. I think I'm getting closer to what I want now.

Another little oil...

2011-04-08T21:32:00.000-07:00

Another little oil sketch on an oak panel measuring: 7 1/8" x 17 1/8". This one took about 3 hours to advance it to this stage...it will undoudtedly get touched a bit more before I'm happy with the colors. Practicing my licks to get me back into working on the commissions in progress. Working on an idea for a large format painting to come. Mahalo for checking in.

Aloha

Miniature oil sketch

2011-04-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

My first painting since I've recovered my strength and stability. It was done on a small oak panel (6 1/4" x 7 1/2") in about 2 hours from a photo I took last September of some of the vineyards at the foot of Sonoma Mountain. I like the photo so I'm going to work a few more trial compositions and then do some larger versions using it as reference.

Back to Painting on Earth

2011-04-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

I've began to paint again. My first strokes of color went onto this painting of Crazy Horse that I call "Earth Man". I haven't had the energy to paint since the middle of December 2010. This is a good sign! Mahalo Akua! This painting is now declared officially done. "Earth Man" oil on canvas 20" x 16" 2010-2011

Benefit Poster & Raffle Prize

2011-03-07T20:50:00.000-08:00

'Seaside Monarch' - oil on canvas - 2008 - 14" x 24"
Value - $750.00

Aloha e Ohana, Some of my musician friends are going to do a benefit concert for me on the Spring Equinox - Sunday afternoon - March 20th - from 1:00 to 5:pm - @ Murphy's Irish Pub on the Plaza in Sonoma and they did this sweet little poster for the event. Better get there early to get a good seat for this spectacular all acoustic presentation. There will also be a raffle for a gorgeous original oil painting ("Seaside Monarch" 14"x 24" 2008) by yours truly, and other donated prizes which include a massage and a case of wine from Kenwood so far.

The Kittys

2011-02-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

Aloha, Sorry for taking so long to get back to my blog...I just haven't had much energy for the last month or so. I still haven't began painting again yet, but I did take some pictures of my new kittys. They look like wild jungle cats...meet Billy & Bob.

Scarlet Macaws in Brazil

2011-01-16T20:57:00.000-08:00

Last week on our way back from my radiation treatment I had my driver stop by the old building that used to belong to my chiropractor from brazil so that I could take a photo of this painting that I did for him in the eighties of these two scarlet macaws in their natural habitat in the Brazilian rainforest. Because of it's position high up on the wall of the waiting room I couldn't get a great shot of it, but after going up to the second level of the room I was able to get this photo of it. The painting measures 60" x 60" oil on canvas.

A Good Excuse

2011-01-15T17:09:00.001-08:00

Sorry for going so long without posting something akin to progress on this blog, but I'm just not up to par these days.

That human under the blanket is me getting ready to receive my dose of radiation for the day. They made a mask over my face to keep me positioned for the rays that are being sent to my cancer that is in the base of my tongue. I get this treatment every weekday morning until the last dose on the 1st of February. Chemotherapy takes a lot more time to accomplish(5 hours), but it's only once a week on Fridays. Only twice more for that one.

Now To add to the mix, they've started me on another course of antibiotics to arrest this bronchitis that has been hanging on and an antivirul to knock out tht shingles that have started as a result of all the rest of what's been going on with me. And as of today...I've started having diarhea to make my life more completely miserable.

I was taking it one day at a time anyway, but now it seems to be more like one hour at a time.

I'll live through it, but I will be SOOOOOOOOOO glad when I can just be healthy again.

Mahalo nui loa for all your prayers.

Aloha, Timo

Doing the Best I can!

2010-12-31T12:59:00.000-08:00

I got a little bit more done on Jenna's portrait, but I'm just not doing very well physically lately. This cancer treatment almost everyday really has started to get me down. My throat is so sore now that I can hardly stand to swallow anything cold or acidic at all. I feel bad about taking so long to get thie portrait done, but I want to do the best work I can still. So I wait until I feel at least able to stand and focus on the reference photos that I'm using to do this.
I'm glad that my client is a good friend who understands what's going on in my life right now and has the patience to wait for me to finish it.

Bringing it home

2010-12-24T08:53:00.000-08:00

I'm still working on the portait of Jenna. It's going to be mostly be about the background today. I've decided to do something a bit different than what's in the reference photo that I'm using. I'm going to do some sky and ocean water behind her because it will bring it into harmony with the other elements of the composition. The original backdrop was too dark except for the palm leaves directly behind her.

More on Jenna

2010-12-19T20:46:00.000-08:00

Another 4 hours at the easle has brought Jenna more into focus and likeness. Subtle changes can make really big differences in the accuracy of a depiction of a specific personality.
The next phase will be a bit looser in the application of pigments to create the scene and her garment and lei.

Starting a portrait of Jenna

2010-12-19T20:34:00.000-08:00

This stage is actually the first 2 sessions of painting on this before I took the photo. About 7 hours of work so far. Off to a good start anyway.

PAINTING MISSING!

2010-12-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

Aloha Ohana, I recently discovered that this important painting done by me in 2006 is missing. I'm asking my friends to help get the word out about it's disappearance.
Title: "Lilly Pond Rendezvous" signed on lower left front & upper left rear.
It measures: 36" x 36"- Oil on canvas - value $5000.
I'm offering a reward for information leading to it's return. My e-address is tddixon@mcn.org
Mahalo nui loa! Aloha, Timothy David Dixon

Making Progress

2010-11-26T19:17:00.000-08:00

Progress on the double portrait of my friend Martin's parents that I'm doing from an old B&W photobooth print that he had.

Colorizing a black & white

2010-11-19T19:17:00.000-08:00

I made some more progress on this double portrait of a good friend's parents that I'm doing from an old photograph that measures about 1 1/2" x 1". Taken in the forties in one of those little booths that you sit down in and pay a quarter to get 4 or 5 pictures taken and processed in about 3 minutes. I scanned it and blew it up to 8 x 10 so I had some chance of seeing the details. It is a black & white print so I'm just making up the color. Fun project - 14" x 18" oil on canvas.

Abalone Shell #9

2010-11-17T18:44:00.000-08:00

I almost finished the big Abalone shell painting I started in July this afternoon. The shell is done, but I want to do a little bit more to the background. This oil painting measures 30" x 40" on stretched canvas. Mahalo for checking in.
Aloha, Timo

Posthumous Portrait

2010-11-03T16:35:00.001-07:00

I just started a double portrait of a good friend's parents using an old wallet photo from the forties that I scanned and enlarged to 8x10 so I could see it better.

For the toning, I began by brushing a thin coat of English Red Light on the gessoed canvas and then wiping it off with a rag. Then I sketched in the forms using, Raw umber, Burnt Sienna and Raw Sienna. then I added Cadmium Red Light, Naples Yellow, Naples Yellow Light, Naples yellow Warm, Dioxazine Purple and Titanium white to my palette and kept at it for a couple hours. What you see is where I stopped painting last night.

"Enterprise Vines"

2010-11-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

I worked on this little (12" x 16")painting again today..it's almost finished..I signed it and took this photo of it..then decided to update the blog. Then after I started I realized ,looking at the picture, that there was a bit more to do. Put some shine on the grapeleaves. The difference will be subtle, but you'll notice the difference. So more on this one later.

Enterprise Vineyard

2010-10-27T22:04:00.000-07:00

I made some progress on this little vineyard painting today, but didn't have time to finish it.

Enterprise Road Vineyard

2010-10-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

I began a new oil painting of a vineyard up on Enterprise Road yesterday. The view is toward Mount Veeder in the Mayacamas Mountains that separate Napa Valley from Sonoma Valley.
It's a small size canvas : 12" x 16". I'll try to finish it today and show another update later.

"Landmark Vines"

2010-10-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

I finished this small painting of some Spring Vines out at the back edge of Landmark Vineyards in Kenwood, California today. Dimentions are 13 3/4" x 26" oil on canvas 2010.

"Bastoni Vines"

2010-10-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

I finished this large canvas of the old vineyard on Riebli Road near Santa Rosa, California today. I was working from a couple of photos that I took about 15 years ago. I'm not sure if those old vines are still intact or not, but it made good reference for this oil painting on canvas that I call "Bastoni Vines" after the man who planted the vineyard back in the twenties, Enrique Bastoni. 28" x 52" 2010

Changes in Attitude...

2010-10-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well...You just never know what's going to happen next! Tommy brought his painting back this morning and asked me to paint out the female image with more landscape. So...I started doing that this afternoon. Whatever the client wants is possible and I'm willing to do it.
I'm adaptable.
Aloha, Timo

Finished Painting of Tommy Thomsen

2010-09-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

I finished the painting of my friend Tommy Thomsen yesterday. The photo isn't quite in focus, but you get the idea. This is an oil on canvas, 24" x 16".

Munoz Ranch Pine

2010-09-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

I went out to the coast plein air painting with an old friend this morning. This is the result of that effort. About 3 hours of painting on location at the top of Munoz Ranch just north of the village of Jenner at the mouth of the Russian River.
The hilltop behind was the focus of this painting until the old pine caught my attention and then became more of the subject. It's very loose...I'm not sure it's a saleable painting, but I had fun doing it.

More on the Spring Vineyard

2010-09-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

Made some definite progress on this small(13 3/4" x 26") oil on canvas painting of a late spring vineyard near Kenwood, California today.

Starting a Spring Vineyard ala prima

2010-09-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

No toning or underpainting in this ala prima beginning of a spring vineyard in Kenwood, California. A lot of white gessoed canvas showing still, but it makes for brigher yellows and greens at the onset.
I like the mood I'm seeing in this painting already. Big contrast from front to back. It'll work good.
Mahalo for stopping by. Aloha, Timo

Just a Few

2010-09-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

I was trying to put a group of paintings together to do a new show with so I had taken a lot of them outside and quite a group assembled in front of the studio so I decided to take some photos of the array. Then one of the display on the west wall of the studio.

Just to add a little interest to this bittyblog.

Mahalo for stopping in. Aloha, Timo

Evolution of a painting.

2010-09-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

The painting of Tommy Thomsen that I began a few weeks ago has gotten a tad bit more attention lately and is evolving toward it's completion at a steady rate. There are still some areas that need refinement, but I believe it will all work together well when it's done.
Mahalo for stopping by...Aloha, Timo

The Golden Eagle

2010-09-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

I'm adding a Golden Eagle to an old landscape painting that I did in 1998. It isn't quite finished, but there's not much left to do. The masonite support measures 36" x 60".

Fred & Snuffy Thomsen

2010-08-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

I finished the portrait of Fred Thomsen & his Cairn Terrier Snuffy today. I like the overall composition and it does them justice I think. Mahalo for checking in. Aloha, Timo

The Amended Snuffy

2010-08-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

Well...I thought it was done, but I had made his tail too long when I painted it the first time...So now it's done...I hope. Aloha, Timo

"Snuffy"

2010-08-26T18:40:00.000-07:00

It's not the clearest photo for some unknown reason, but here's the final of "Snuffy Thomsen". This little oil painting on stretched canvas measures 12"x 16" completed 8/26/2010.
Mahalo for checking in. Aloha Ohana, Timo

Getting Better

2010-08-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

The latest work done yesterday on this portrait of a man and his dog has brought us to this stage of completion. More still to do on it, but it's shaping up very well. Snuffy is almost done.

Working on Fred & Snuffy

2010-08-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

I took this photo with the camera on "close up" mode so it really distorted the shape of the canvas, but it shows the beginning of the portrait of Fred being roughed in over the English Red underpainting. This changed quite a bit in the painting process today. I took this photo after about 2 hours of painting this morning. I worked on it another 5 hours after this was taken. I still need to take a new photo of my progress this afternoon. Next post! Aloha, Timo

Beginning Fred & Snuffy

2010-08-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

I began the underpainting for the portrait of Fred Thomsen and his Cairn Terrier Snuffy today.

Snuffy's Pool

2010-08-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

I worked on the portrait of Snuffy again yesterday after I got back from picking up my entrees at the Napa Town & Country Fair. It's coming along very nicely. Fred's idea of using the pool as a background was a good one. I like painting water and the contrast of colors and textures is excellent. Mahalo for checking in. Aloha, Timo

More on Snuffy

2010-08-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

The portrait of the Cairn Terrier Snuffy took up my painting time yesterday. We're lookin' good! Wow...I can see blue sky already this morning(8:10am), maybe we'll get the Sun a little sooner today. We've been experiencing overcast(high fog) until almost noon for weeks now. I like it sunny. I have to go to Napa today to pick up my paintings that I had entered in the Napa Town & Country Fair. I won some awards so I have some premiums and rosettes coming. Yeee Haa! Aloha for now, Timo

Tommy T painting

2010-08-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

Some more progress on the painting I'm doing for Tommy Thomsen. This one will probably become an album cover for him. It's not done yet, but It's getting there.

Sketch of Snuffy with 2 pigments

2010-08-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

Starting this portrait with just burnt sienna and raw umber using a mix of walnut oil & thinner and an almost worn out #6 Langnickle long-handled natural bristle flat brush. I wiped off the pigment where it got too dark and daubed at the edges a bit with the corner of a small cloth dipped in the medium. I was working outside on the big easle because it's been such nice weather. That's probably why the white gesso on the canvas appears so blue. I shot out there in the shade so it picked up the blue light from the sky. Such a cute little dog is fun to paint. Fred(His owner) wants me to put the swimming pool behind him so stay tuned! I'll try to update every day til it's done. Aloha for now, Timo

The Middle Ground

2010-08-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

I brought the wooded hills in this autumn vineyard painting into focus today. Good progress!

More Contrast Added

2010-08-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

I decided to work on the new Tommy T poster a bit more since he hadn't come to pick it up yet. Added more contrast so it has a bolder look.

Tommy Thomsen Concert/Dance Poster #3

2010-08-06T18:50:00.000-07:00

I just finished the new poster for Tommy Thomsen's next Dance/Concert at Little Switzerland in El Verano, California on Saturday night the 25th of September. $10. at the door. The price is right that's for sure! I went to the last two shows...Fantastic music! Catch it if you can. Mahalo for checking in, Timo

"River Pastoral"

2010-08-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

Someone asked the owner of the gallery that I'm in in Napa to make a giclee print of this painting called "River Pastoral" that I did about 10 years ago. So I scanned the 35mm print photo that I took of the painting and now here it is for you all to see! The original oil on canvas painting of some sheep grazing down by the Russian River at Duncan's Mills in beautiful Sonoma County measures 28"x 56". Have a Great Day! Aloha, Timo

Painting of Tommy T

2010-08-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

I started doing a painting of my friend Tommy Thomsen over an old painting called "Cousins" and decided to keep part of the old painting and incorporate it into the new composition. It's got a ways to go still, but I like the beginning. The reference photo I'm using was taken in Milan, Italy by Nadz Cicontti when Tommy was over there a while back.

Eddie T's Face

2010-08-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

I worked on the Eddie & Vina Tanaka portrait again recently and dialed Eddie's face fairly well. I'm still not happy with Vina's though. So there's still more to do on this one.

!st Place in Oils at The Napa Town & Country Fair 2010

2010-08-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

My painting "Deja View" took the 1st place award in Oils and brought me a good premium at the Napa Town & Country Fair going on currently in the town of Napa, California. Yahoo!

"Progress"

2010-08-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

I entered this painting "Progress" in the Napa Town and Country Fair that is opening this week at the urging of my friend Charlie who seemed to really like this departure from my usual realistic painting style. I mean I do paint abstractly fairly often, but I don't show them and actually most of them get painted over or modified into recognizable forms. This is perhaps one of those that is on the border between realistic portrayal and abstraction. Anyway the judges liked it and gave it 4th place in the oils division. Yippee!

Art For Life Donation

2010-07-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

My donation painting this year at Art For Life, Sonoma Counties gala fund raiser for Face to Face the local AIDS hospice, will be this 14" x 20" oil on linen piece titled "Fall Oak". It's a view of Mount Saint Helena in Napa County from a vantage point on River Road in Fulton, California with an old Valley Oak in it's autumn color and the vineyards in between. Starting bid will be $400. for those of you who like this and will be attending the event.

3 more hours

2010-07-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

If you compare this photo of Bastoni Vines with the last one I posted you'll notice subtle differences that are starting to bring these vines into focus. Every stroke counts! Taking one color at a time on a brush it gets built up slowly, but with patient intent. Happy Painting! Mahalo for checking in. Aloha, Timo

Back to Bastoni Vines

2010-07-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

I suppose that it's because I have too many unfinished paintings in the works and I'm trying to keep them all advancing towards completion, that this one has stayed in the group gathered against the wall for so long. So anyway it came out a few days back and got some rigorous attention for a couple of hours anyway. The canvas almost has all the gesso covered at this point, but I've made a new promise to myself to be more generous with the pigments in bringing it up to the finished piece. It is a fairly large canvas at 28"x 52" so there's lots of room to play with colors. Mahalo nui for stopping by. Aloha, Timo

Non-Objective panarama

2010-07-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

This painting has continued to distract me from my other projects as it gathers more daubs and strokes of whatever pigment I have left on my brush from working on a portrait or landscape that is more what is expected of me at this stage in my career. It has taken on a life of it's own! I find myself just sitting and looking at it as if there were a message of some kind hidden within all that color. Interesting!

Slow Portrait Progress

2010-07-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

I lost my good print of the reference photo that I'm using for this portrait of My friends Eddie & Vina Tanaka on Moloka'i, Hawai'i. I have it on digital file so I can use it as wallpaper on my desktop, but I can't run a good print of it because I'm out of inks. I have to figure out a way keep my desktop up longer before it goes to my screensaver pictures. Or something...

Changed Ana's tail...

2010-07-11T21:48:00.000-07:00

My friend Gary brought back the portrait that I did of his dog Ana Maria to have me change the position of the tail to this because he thought it was more what the judges look for in that aspect of the conformation to the ideals of the breed. So I complied and then worked on the vineyard here and there some more and I think it is better now. She wasn't full grown in the reference photo so there are differences in her proportion between then and the current photo that I used for the new tail position. It's interesting to see the changes that come with maturity.

Painting Opalescence

2010-07-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Patience is the one of the qualities needed to sort out all the colors that play on the inner surface of an Abalone shell. Courage to begin the project in the first place. Trust in your skills and vision to carry it through to completion. Love of the freedom to play at your work.

Working Outdoors at the Big Easle

2010-07-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

I moved my big easle outside about a week ago to take advantage of the light. Four different painting projects have been occupying my time lately; this large portrait of an Abalone shell has gotten most of the attention in the last couple of days. The colors are so illusive in this changing natural light, but it's fun trying to catch them as I can. Doing this one makes me want to do another very large format piece of a different Abalone shell that is really spectacular. I like painting outside except for the wind.

Pencil sketch from Life

2010-07-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

I got a good start on this quick pencil sketch of the lead singer in the band that my friend Tommy was playing with at a billionaire's birthday party a few weeks ago. Then I was asked to move from where I was working because I wasn't part of the bought and payed for entertainment of the evening and moneybags was afraid I was going to steal some of his thunder. I moved and wasn't able to finish this one. I did enjoy the music though. I was just there as Tommy's guest and to carry his amplifier to and from the stage.

Making it shine!

2010-06-30T22:05:00.000-07:00

I made some good progress on the Abalone Shell painting today. It's definitely starting to come into focus and feel more solid and shiny.

Color Magic!

2010-06-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

I should of had someone videotaping this painting process of the Abalone Shell over the Nob-Objective that lived on this canvas before I had "The Abalone Vision" and began the transformation. I had some bad news this afternoon concerning a commission that I thought was coming right up and now it's been postponed for"a few months"so hopefully this Painting will be something somebody wants. Great Spirit guide me to do my best this day and all days yet to come! Aloha, Timo

Abstract becoming Abalone Shell

2010-06-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

I Put some more paint on the Ab Shell painting today. There's an interesting transition happening here. Stay tuned...!

Abalone Shell Vision

2010-06-22T22:04:00.000-07:00

I was looking at this Non-Objective painting today while I was working on the portrait project of the prior posting, and had a vision of an Abalone shell painted using the non-ob stuff for the background. So I sketched in the outline of a nice shell that I had on the table where I was working outside and then had to stop and contemplate the shell before really getting started on the meat of the painting. I did about 7 or 8 paintings of Ab shells in the 80s, culminating with a large (48" x 66") format oil on canvas that took 3 years to complete. This one isn't that big, but it is substantial at 30" x 40". I'll keep you informed of it's progress.

A Better Likeness

2010-06-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

Aloha Ohana, I made some good progress on this double portrait today. It's definitely looking more like both of them. More later. Mahalo for stopping by. Aloha, Timo

Back to the Tanaka portrait

2010-06-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well...I started working on the portrait of Eddie & Vina Tanaka of Moloka'i again yesterday. It's a good feeling of progress that comes from getting back to a project that has been shelved for some time because of other commitments. It's beginning to really look like them now. It's my project for today, so I'll give you another update tonight. Have a great day! Aloha, Timo

Pencil Sketch of Claudette

2010-06-13T18:19:00.000-07:00

I went to a music gig with my friend Tommy Thomsen at the Atwood Ranch to help him carry his equipment and to photograph the members of the band he was playing with that night. At some time after they began playing I had the chance to sketch this quick portrait of my friend Claudette that works at Atwood. I did another sketch of the gal that was singing with the band, but I'll put that into a different post. Aloha, Timo

New Tommy Thomsen Poster

2010-06-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

I finished this new Tommy Thomsen poster yesterday. It has a little different flavor than the first one. More retro or something. Taking me back to my old poster designing days in the sixtys. He's not printing many of these so they will probably become collector's items at some point.

"The Treeman's Daughter"

2010-06-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

I finished this little full figure portrait today. This lovely young girl in this beautiful, natural setting was really a joy to paint.

Almost There!

2010-06-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

I was able to work on this painting some more at the end of the day yesterday. It's getting there. Maybe I'll be able to finish it today. Such a beautiful subject, it's easy to work on. Aloha Ohana. Timo

The New Non-Objective Progress

2010-05-31T21:57:00.000-07:00

I've been painting on this Non-Objective painting on the side while I work on the current portrait on the main easle. The bottom image is how it has been sitting while the paint was being applied. The upper image has been rotated 180 degrees. Interesting... Comments anyone?

Slow progress

2010-05-31T21:51:00.000-07:00

A little bit more progress on the new portrait. I haven't been able to really concentrate on it for a couple of days so it doesn't show too much change from last time. A bit.

Focusing Strokes

2010-05-29T15:11:00.000-07:00

Another hour's labor(of love) has made small differences that all contribute to what is needed to bring this little portrait to life. Every stroke counts! Aloha, Timo

Better Photo

2010-05-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a better photo of this stage of the little (12" x 9") portrait of my friend's daughter. The preceding shot was somewhat out of focus. It seems to be coming along fairly well, I think.

A few more strokes

2010-05-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

For some reason my camera can't choose between the two images it was seeing on my easle so it didn't get into focus on either one. Any way here's a few more strokes on the new one.

The New One

2010-05-27T20:15:00.000-07:00

Progress on the new portrait.

Starting a new Portrait

2010-05-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

I started a new portrait painting of a friend of mine's daughter yesterday. This is about 2 hours work. More later. Aloha, Timo

A little bit more progress

2010-05-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't had much time (energy?) lately to work on this vineyard painting I started last week, but I did spend about an hour on it yesterday. Mahalo for checking in! Have a GREAT day! Aloha, Timo

Starting a New Tommy T Poster

2010-05-20T19:52:00.000-07:00

I started a new poster for Tommy Thomsen today. Here's what I got accomplished. I couldn't find a heavy line black pen to fill in so I used a dark purple. Interesting.

Another Session

2010-05-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

Another 2 hours of painting covered this much more canvas.