"Coriander Camper"

 

After lunch with some old friends, I noticed this colorful scene outside the restaurant. 

Thought it'd make a nice painting. 

"Caniff & Campeau Bank" Hamtramck

 

I've been photographing all the old bank buildings in the Detroit area. I think i've finally documented them all. Someday I'll get around to painting them all, but this is one more in the series. 

Such a beautiful structure! This one is n the heart of the old Polish neighborhood surrounded by Detroit. 

"Main Shed-Travel Town Museum"

 

While visiting my daughter in LA this spring, we toured the Travel Town Train Museum. It's this funky little museum in the heart of the city. Sort of like Greenfield Village but with trains instead of homes of famous people. And the trains aren't exactly in great condition. That's what makes it so interesting. This is a watercolor I did of the main shed. 

"Liz #1 & 2"

 

One of my major weaknesses in art is my terrible rendering. I'm horrible at drawing. So I recently signed up for a free drawing class at out local library. It's helped a bit, but I've also tried to commit to do at least one drawing a day. Here are a couple sketches I did of my sweetheart, Lizzie! I may turn the bottom one into a painting 

"A Grand Church on Grand Blvd."

Two things there's no shortage of here in Detroit: Old bank buildings and churches. I've slowly been documenting both of these noble and notable subjects over the past several years. Here's another beautiful one. Sadly, I think it's longer in use. 

 

"Sunrise 6/27/24"

 

Another dramatic sunrise over Lake St. Clair!

"Comfort Zone"

While touring Detroit's Masonic Temple a couple weeks ago, I came across this cozy little nook. What a perfect place to spend a few hours with a good book! The temple was absolutely fascinating. We explored several of the over 1,000 rooms. It's actually the largest Masonic Temple in the world!

"Coneflower Power"

 

I decided to try out some new watercolor paints I bought. They're A. Gallo from Italy and are these colors ever intense. Of course, this photo of the painting doesn't do it justice, even after playing around with it on PhotoShop. 

"Aqua, man"

 

When I was almost done with this painting I thought it needed a couple silhouettes in it. Well, I'm terrible at drawing figures and they ended up looking like a 5-year old painted them. So I asked for help in a forum and someone posed a link to a great little YouTube tutorial. I used the prescribed technique to add some people and I think it really helped the composition. 

"Just Joshin'"

 

I love the weird shadow created by the weird Joshua Tree. 

"The Age of Aquarium"

 

This is the beautiful ceiling of the historic Belle Isle Aquarium, first opened in 1904. 

I'm a volunteer at the aquarium and love spending time in this glorious building!

"Travel Town Train"

 

While visiting L.A., we checked out this funky little outdoor museum--the Travel Town Museum. It mainly featured these old, beat-up trains. This is a quick watercolor sketch of one of the trains. 

"Rocky Smiles"

 

Another painting from Joshua Tree. When it was done I had no idea what to title it. So I placed it where I could look at it while working out. From a distance it looked like a smiling face. Hence, the title.

"In Harm's Way"

 

The was a scene from a movie. I thought it had a dreamy, fairytale look to it 

and I felt it wold be most effective in watercolors. This proves once again, 

you just never know where you'll find inspiration for a painting!

"Rose with an 'E'"

 

I thought I'd try doing some roses in a looser style. This painting was inspired by "E", 

a fellow painter who shall remain anonymous. 

"Rock Steady"

 

Another dramatic rock formation from Joshua Tree. This time I painted it in acrylics. 

I like the boldness of the colors. 

"Josh's Shadow"

 

Joshua Trees are some of the oddest vegetation I've ever seen. They definitely have a prehistoric look to them and you can imagine a dinosaur roaming around them and nibbling their leaves. Here's a painting I did that has a bit of a zen-like quality to it. Look for more in the series.