Carmel General Store

Last month on the same trip to Carmel that I photographed the Mission, I drove down Highway 1 just past Point Lobos, and there sits a quaint General Store - Gas Station.  I took an early morning photo, and this is the subject of today's painting.  I'm wrapping up the background, and trying to not overpaint it.  The size of this painting is 21" x 36", on masonite panel.  Check back late next week, and I should be close to done.  Thanks for checking in.   Mark

Thought I'd give an update...

Stanford Theater

Finished and off to the framer.  This was fun.  I really enjoyed laying down the vibrant colors, and shadows that are cast by the neon lights and night background.  I was also pleased that at the time I took my photo, Gone With The Wind was playing.  An all time classic for a classic theater.

My next painting is going to be the largest painting I've ever done.  A 24x36 inch painting on watercolor - masonite panel.  The subject is a Country Store - Gas Station located on highway one south of Carmel, near Point Lobos.  I should have something to look at in about a week - so please check back.  In the mean time...here's Stanford Theater, Palo Alto.   Thanks, Mark

Somthing New and Different

I've been wanting to paint a local (Palo Alto) scene, maybe a landmark.   So, I thought how about our Stanford Theater in downtown Palo Alto.  For those not familiar with this theater it opened in 1925.  In 1987 the David and Lucile Packard Foundation purchased the theater and restored it to its original splendor.  It plays classic movies year round, and at reduced prices both for tickets and popcorn!  Thank you Packard Foundation.  I've been taking my daughter Megan on dates to see movies here for about 20 years - and yes, we still do that...Casablanca for the 2nd time a couple of weeks ago.

 When I decided to paint the Theater, I also decided to try a night photograph and thus a night painting.  This has been fun!  Neon lights, night shadows, etc.  Very cool material...hope you will agree...

Check back in a week, I should be done.  Thanks for checking in, Mark