Sketchbook: Mountain Lion Skull.

Mountain Lion Skull (Gouache in Moleskine sketchbook.  4.5x4").

Discovering My City: Otay Lakes

I’ve spent time in San Jose and Denver, and while these great cities each contain neighborhoods with names, their flat landscapes cause these neighborhoods to blend together. I never feel like I’m in a unique place, just a different block with different style storefronts. Aside from signs, there are few visual clues to determine where one neighborhood ends and another begins.

One thing I love about San Diego is that due to its dramatic topography and diverse residents, each neighborhood possesses its own distinct personality -- a world onto itself. Hills, valleys, ocean, and deserts envelop communities and create clear lines of delineation. And despite the city’s large size, the efficient highway system makes it seem compact. I can get anywhere to anywhere in fifteen minutes. It’s cozy.

I have lived in San Diego for ten years and while part of me feels like I have investigated every nook, I certainly know better. There are many places yet to be discovered and explored.

A few weeks ago I read an article about a nursery in the town of Jamul that was closing down. Pictures accompanied the article and I found myself intrigued. I had never ventured southeast.  A mini-road trip was in order. Saturday morning, Jules and I began a trip that took us from our North Park home (A), through Jamul (B), to a quick peek at Dulzura (C), and over to Otay Lakes (D).

Along the switchback road from Dulzura to Jamul, we spotted a coyote.

I feel conflicted about graffiti. I hate the act, but can appreciate the art. I found the graffiti on this wall visually engaging, perhaps due to its juxtaposition with nature and the clean lines of the concrete wall.

I adored Otay Lakes. The area provided a wealth of visual sensations. I can’t wait to bring my easel here.

I loved this tree and its background.

It reminded me of a Schiele painting...

Egon Schiele, Four Trees (Galerie Belvedere).

We visited the Olympic Training Center and wandered around its extensive and empty grounds. We watched Olympic rowers in the distance from our high vantage point.

To get a better view, we descended to the lake’s shoreline. While there, we were approached by a slow moving cavalcade of zombie ducks.

Sketchbook: Grant's Gazelle Skull.

Grant's Gazelle Skull (Pencil in Moleskine sketchbook, 3x6").

Sketchbook: Raven Skull.

Raven Skull (Ink in Moleskine sketchbook, 6x3").

Sketchbook: Flamingo Skull.

On a rainy Saturday afternoon in San Diego, Juliana and I had a fantastic time meandering around the San Diego Museum of Natural History.  There was a floor designed for each of us.  The entire third floor displayed over 200 skulls while the lower level held an exhibit dedicated to gems.

Flamingo Skull (Ink in Moleskine sketchbook applied with Winsor&Newton Series 7 #2 brush, 5x4").

Art: Oogie.

Oogie (Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb watercolor paper, 5x8").

The original pencil sketch....

Art School: Winter Term, Long Pose Portrait Painting.

The winter term at Watts is well under way.  Here is a portait I painted in Lucas Graciano's Long Pose Portrait Painting class.  Painted from a combination of life and photo.

Jeff (Oil on canvas panel, 9x12").

Too Many Levels Of Awesome To Count.

Wow.  I just found out about an amazing new exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Natural History.  I can't wait to see it....
 

Please be prepared for many future skull drawings.

Sketchbook: Rlei

Rlei (Watercolor and pencil in Moleskine sketchbook, 5x5").

Sketchbook: Sidewalk Light.

Where I work, there's an extensive central courtyard landscaped like a Japanese garden.  Short lamps line the paths that wind through this garden.  This past Friday, at lunch, I sat down on a bench and sketched one.

Path Lamp (Ball-point pen in Moleskine sketchbook, 3.5 x 6").

Art: Tamara on Oatmeal Paper.

Tamara on Oatmeal Paper (Pencil and white charcoal on oatmeal paper, 7 x 4.5").

Solana Beach.

Located between the more well-known towns of Del Mar and Encinitas, sits the enchanting community of Solana Beach.

I began my Sunday morning on its beach….

At the same time, only a few blocks away, my wife dropped off her handmade Number 9 Jewelry at the store, Form and Function, located along Solana Beach’s wonderful Cedros Avenue Design District.

It was a good day (although I wish my painting would have gone a little better).

Study: Tamara in Charcoal.

Tamara (Conte 1710B on newsprint.5 x 8").

Art School: Drawings From Last Term.

Here are a few drawings from my previous term at Watts, conducted under the very helpful eyes of my instructors, Lucas Graciano and Ben Young.  All drawings are conte on newsprint, 18x24", drawn with a live model in around 2 hours.  The upcoming term begins next week and I'm really excited about it.  I'm taking two painting classes -- one long-pose portait, and for the first time ever, a plein air.  Expect to see lots of happy trees in future posts.