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

Carmel Mission

A couple of weeks ago, Elke and I enjoyed a nice anniversary (29) getaway to one of our favorite escapes, Carmel, CA.  We snapped a few early morning photos, and were rewarded with some nice weather.  We hadn't been by the Carmel Mission for many years - in fact the last time was when Elke's brother and wife (Steve and Lisa) were married in the church.  Thought I would do something a little different and paint a piece of the mission.  Here you go...thanks for checking in...cheers, Mark

North Berwick, Scotland

I wrapped up my first painting for 2012.  North Berwick, Scotland.  If you haven't been, the next time you are in Edinburgh, drive 25 miles due east and you'll be glad you did.  A peaceful, quaint, wonderful Scottish town located on the Firth of Forth.  If you happen to have your golf clubs with you, play the course.  This painting was photographed from the putting green adjacent to the first hole.  Wonderful memory!  Thanks for checking in, Mark

Scottish Landscape

I took a photo from a golf course in Scotland looking back at the the town's little harbor and breakwater.  The town is North Berwick.  Located on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, and about 25 miles east of Edinburgh.  What I like about the photo and this painting is the simplicity of content.  As you can see, or will see better when I'm further along is that the sea and sky kind of blend together.  The Island rock known as Bass Rock on the left of the painting, is a noticeable landmark for this town, and a nice balance for the weight of the buildings on the right hand side. 

The foreground will be mostly green grass of the golf course.  I should be onto that in about a week.  Thanks for checking in.  Cheers,  Mark

2012...here we go!

I hope everyone had fantastic holidays, and are refreshed and getting back in the swing of things.  I took a couple of weeks off from my brushes, but am now back at it.  In the mean time - since my previous post - I did complete the Stanford Hills - Hoover Tower painting.  It is back from photography and you can see the result below.  I will be uploading this painting to my website later today.  It will be for sale (it's being framed as we speak).  And prints are also available.  Those details can be found on my website.  markgarnerfineart.com   I have started a painting of a photo I took in Scotland last year.  It's a landscape / beachscape from the town of North Berwick.  I'll post an update on this painting in a week or so, when there is something to see.  Until then...Happy New Year!  Mark

Slowly but surely...

It doesn't not look like much has happened in the last week or so, but I've been hard at it.  Anyhow, hope to wrap this up in 2 weeks.  17 shopping days left...Season's Greetings!  Mark

Stanford foothills and Hoover Tower

Hello, and a slightly belated Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  I've been inactive on this blog for a little over a month now because I was doing a painting I'm not able to publish.  It's a Christmas present I was asked to do and can't spoil the surprise by posting it.  It's at the framer now, so after Christmas I'll put it on.  In the mean time I'm painting a local scene.  Hoover Tower at Stanford, photographed from the "Dish" trail.
Back shortly with progress report.  Happy shopping!  Mark