Acrylic Paintings on Canvas or Gesso Board
Way back when I first began painting with acrylic I found the medium distressing for the lack of time to blend well before it dries, as well as it typically drying a few shades darker, making it hard to go back in and rework areas.
Well into my painting career, in 2012 while painting a mural in a backyard in the winter when the moist air kept the paint “open” for a really long time… I finally found myself no longer afraid of paint.
I have a fondness for all sorts of styles and subject matter; my recent favorite is scenes of nature with fantastic light-filled skies as well as spiritual icons and images.
Credits and Image References
Red Poppies - 2023 - photo reference by Robert Watson used with permission
Vanishing Grasses - mock-up for painting was digitally altered from my own photo of drive along Hwy 20 from Grass Valley, 2019
Fabulous Sunset Hill - Initial photo of ground - Brad Beldner use with permission, digitally blended with a stock photo beach sunset.
Cyndi’s Beach - repainted from my own oil painting and photo reference with her selected feathered sky added
Stanford Dish Walk - my photo as reference, of a local paved trail I used to walk daily. This is a painting I propped by my computer as visual relief while on zoom in classes and meetings a lot through so many isolated days.
Phil’s Spring Sunrise - a reproduction of a section of a bathroom panoramic mural I designed and painted.
Carleen’s Customized California beach Scene - commission – reference photos were mine, hers and improvised details to create the scene.
Mermaid boarder detail section - completely from my imagination (the rest of the painting not shown)
WolfWave Sorcerer – Commission 2014. Designed and created intricately with clients preferences and check ins along the way. A few internet photo references - and verbally communicated ideas concepts and feelings.
Marin Headlands Wave - Photo reference was my dad’s; Robert J O’Donnell, an avid photographer of Marin.
Iris - photo reference was my own of my garden
Art of Love & Fear – original image design from my own sketch
Joe’s Trout - painted for my brother cause he loves fishing - my composition and design - stock photo of fish
Palette Knife Grases - spontaneous freeform original image
Naga Buddha - Custom designed commission for clients particular request of setting it in California themed image with Rattlesnakes instead of Cobras and California flowers and landscapes and no clouds