Barton Springs Pool is filled by natural spring water and is home to an endangered blind salamander. The grass-covered lawn and shade of pecan trees make it a wonderful slice of nature amid downtown Austin’s ever-climbing skyscrapers.
On Sundays you can find free yoga and a drum circle. On the full moon you can hear crowds strumming guitars and howling. It’s a community in the heart of the city.
After turning toward my city and painting the iconic train bridge, it was only fitting that I capture the magic of Barton Springs Pool. So, I set out on bicycle to photograph the pool mid-summer.
To simplify the scene, I opted to omit many of the swimmers.
The final painting:
Detail showing the bright colors and simplified forms:
Working on this painting was a blast and really got me in a summer state of mind.
COMING UP
You can see the Barton Springs and Austin paintings in person at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar during their May Market, where they will be available for purchase.
And, for one weekend only, you can see my Big Bend inspired paintings at a pop-up exhibition in South Austin. The surrounding art studios will be open to the public as part of the Art04 Studio Tour, with lots to explore!
Saturday & Sunday, May 3 & 4, 11am-5pm 2311 Thornton Road, Austin, TX 78704 Free and Open To The Public
We wanted to give a nod to Austin’s history and unique charm, so I hopped on my bike and photographed the graffiti-covered train bridge that sits just south of downtown.
One of many photos I took of Austin’s graffiti-covered train bridge.
The marks that decorate the bridge are more like messages, sending hope and playfulness out over the city. I have long loved the meditative “Focus One Point And Breathe”, and “Never Give Up” with accompanying Pac-Man being chased by ghosts.
Sketching the rough outlines of the photograph.
I had to simplify the messages a bit, to make everything small enough to decorate a beer can, and I kept the colors bright and lively to communicate the playful attitude.
The illustration I created for (512) Brewing’s 16th Anniversary Beer.
The can design looks great and I’m so grateful to have my artwork on such a tasty beer! It won’t be around long though, since it was a one-off batch made solely for the anniversary.
But the joy I got from exploring Austin’s playfulness stayed with me and before I knew it, I’d begun painting the same scene (with a few changes and more details).
Austin, Texas, acrylic on canvas, 18″x36″
Working on a summer scene during the winter months has been a wonderful way to keep my spirits up.
Next up: Barton Springs Pool!
ART SHOWS
My large, gold painting of a “Spiny Star Cactus” was part of the Renew group show at The Muse Gallery and my experimental painting of a sea monster named “Nessie” is currently at ArtUs Co Gallery, on display until April 12th!
Me and my painting “Spiny Star Cactus” as part of the Renew Group Show at the Muse Gallery.
My painting “Nessie” depicting a sea monster (upper left), as part of the Mythos Group Show at ArtUs Co Gallery.
COMMISSIONS
Over the holiday season I created two small paintings commissioned for gifts. The subject matter is a little different from what I usually focus on and it was a nice way to stretch myself creatively.
Old Fashioned, acrylic on wood panel, 6″x6″
Rosa The Eel, acrylic on wood panel, 6″x6″
In working on this painting of Rosa the eel, I learned a lot about American freshwater eels. These creatures are fascinating! They spend the first part of their lives as tiny transparent creatures in the ocean before each mysteriously finds its way up rivers and dams to a spot where it will spend years, even decades, living alone. Then one day the eel transforms again and returns to the ocean, where it breeds and dies in the depths of the Sargasso Sea.
Their long lifespan and mysterious ways make breeding eels in captivity impossible, and they have been over-fished across the world (often to be served as “unagi” sushi rolls). The United States is lacking in protections for these creatures, so I’m vowing to never order unagi again and am spreading the word so that people can make informed decisions about what they’re eating.
THINGS I’M LIKING
Watching the Gamelatron sonic kinetic sculptures in action. So relaxing!
Listening to this short podcast about the artist who painted the graffiti on Austin’s train bridge.
Hiking along the Hot Springs Trail in Big Bend National Park, you spend some time walking beside the Rio Grande. As the trail rises and falls with the cliffs, you get to appreciate the river from different perspectives and find little surprises.
For me, the biggest surprise was finding horses grazing in the grassy river banks. This area feels so desolate, it’s hard to imagine any animal that size surviving out here. But it seems that the Rio Grande provides all that is needed, and the horses seemed quite content.
As we hiked toward the hot spring, we could almost make out the outlines of the palm trees which mark the spot where an old bathhouse was built (a hint that we were getting closer!).
One of the many gorgeous views of the river from the trail.
Drawing the outlines of what would become my sixth large painting inspired by Big Bend National Park (and my second inspired by this trail!)
Rio Grande, acrylic on canvas, 24″x36″
Close-up showing the brushstrokes and detail of the palm trees.
Big Bend is such a large park, and I can’t wait to explore more of it…but I think I might return to this spot on my next trip. The Hot Springs Trail feels special to me.
COMING UP
You can see the Rio Grande painting as well as the Inside Santa Elena Canyon painting at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar, open November 15 – December 24, 2024 (10am-10pm daily!). Blue Genie is packed with arts and crafts from hundreds of local makers and it’s my favorite place to get gifts for the holidays. Visit the market at 6100 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752 or shop online anytime!
Keep an eye out for the new 16oz can from (512) Brewing Company featuring my artwork! The can celebrates Austin with a colorful illustration of the skyline and iconic graffiti-covered train bridge.
(512) Brewing Company’s 16th Anniversary DDH Hazy IPA, available at HEB, Central Market, Wheatsville, and more!
I had so much fun working on this illustration, I’ve decided it’s time to make a few paintings of Austin. Barton Springs Pool and the view of downtown from the pedestrian bridge are already in the works!
A couple summers ago, while visiting North Carolina, I became totally enamored with the huge white flowers that seemed to cover every magnolia tree.
I couldn’t help myself, and snapped about a hundred photos of the flowers, leaves, and whole trees. I knew that I would have to paint these beauties!
My favorite photo, which became the inspiration for the painting.
Creating the artwork in my studio. I almost always start with a magenta or red base.
You can see the bright pink undercoat showing through small gaps in the top colors.
The final 12″x12″ painting, “Magnolia.”
It was a joy to work on this sweet little painting and remember the fun I had on that trip. But immediately after I finished Magnolia, I started working on another painting of Big Bend. I can’t seem to get enough of the desert and its cacti.
COMING UP!
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS: This year, you can find my art prints, stickers, bandanas, and t-shirts at the Austin City Limits music festival. Look for the Clover + Maven booth in the ACL Market, where they have a wonderful selection of jewelry, art, and more by local makers.
ART GALLERY PARTY: I’m thrilled to have my painting “Inside Santa Elena Canyon” included in the Texas Top 20 juried group exhibition at Ao5 Gallery. Come celebrate with me at the reception on October 9th, 2024 from 7-9pm.
BEER ART: Look for my art on the 16th anniversary release by (512) Brewing Company! This is a dream-come-true for me, as I’m a long-time fan of their Pecan Porter. Join them as they celebrate their anniversary at the brewery on November 2nd.
Illustration for (512) Brewing Company’s 16th anniversary, toasting Austin at the iconic train bridge over the Colorado River. Cheers!
If you visit this Texas State Park sometime late April through early May, you can catch the cacti in bloom. The wildflowers are always beautiful, but this year was spectacular!
I’m so happy to finally be sharing my favorite photos from the camping trip (among the flowers, we also spotted some critters enjoying the beautiful weather and butterflies).
After seeing all these beautiful blooms, I feel inspired to make a new cactus painting…the only problem is picking a favorite photo to work from (so many good options!)
Inspired by the famous hike in Big Bend National Park, this painting is a colorful take on the epic sense of awe one gets while walking between the Rio Grande’s canyon walls.
Inside Santa Elena Canyon, acrylic on canvas, 24″x36″
Hiking into the canyon.
We sat and watched hikers cross the trickling river while listening to the warbling song of canyon wrens. It was so peaceful! This photo became my reference for the painting.
Tracing the photograph and simplifying the outlines.
Painting in the outlines after they’ve been transferred to canvas.
Almost finished!
Detail of the people crossing the river.
Before starting the final painting, I made a smaller 12″x12″ version as a way to test the bright colors before committing to them. This was a slightly different way of working for me and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed creating the same scene in different sizes and shapes. It was a challenging but also freeing, so I plan to continue this process with my next painting.
Inside Santa Elena Canyon, acrylic on wood panel, 12″x12″
Because the small version was finished first, I was able to exhibit it at the Austin Studio Tour’s Group Show, then the Neill-Cochran House Museum (where it won an Honorable Mention award!). Shortly afterwards, it was purchased by a collector in South Austin. I’m thrilled by the reception this painting got as it’s personally one of my favorites – the brightness of the red canyon walls makes my eyes happy!
I’m incredibly grateful for the continued support of the community and can’t wait to see what I create next! Thank you to everyone who has purchased a painting or print, come out to art openings, followed me online, and showed up at the art markets – I couldn’t do this without you!
After a restful January spent lounging at home, I emerged from hibernation with renewed creativity. I started cooking more and even baked some bread, then I began to play around with some art ideas that have been on the back-burner since November: a bandana to celebrate the upcoming solar eclipse and a simple desert scene made up of line art.
The simple desert scene depicting a saguaro cactus, which I used to make a fun, glittery sticker.
I was also honored by Tacoma-based band Prickly Paranoia when they asked me to design a T-shirt.
Such a fun project!
In February I was suddenly inundated with opportunities to share my creations: I participated in an emergency art show / fundraiser to help Big Medium recover from a fire that broke out in their new gallery, popped-up at the Galentines Market hosted by Clover + Maven, and delivered one of my largest paintings to the Visions Unbound group show at ArtUs Co (on exhibition thru March 16, 2024).
My painting “Taco Raptors” at Big Medium’s Fire Recovery Exhibition.
A group of art lovers appreciating the wall where my painting “Topographic Map Of Barton Creek Greenbelt” hangs at ArtUs Co.
It’s been great to be so busy and full of energy, but I’ve missed painting. I cleaned out my studio and made a larger space for my easel, but there always seems to be something more pressing to attend to. I wonder if I’m finding reasons not to work on my painting.
Every so often this kind of fear-based procrastination creeps in. Painting can feel SO BIG, so vulnerable, because I love it so much, and because I’m putting it out there.
But I know just how to solve this problem. All I need to do is start, after that, everything else will flow. Starting is the hardest part. And so, I begin…
COMING UP You can find me and my art at these events and exhibitions:
Saturday, March 9, 2024 Art In ATX Babes Market with live music from DJ Dámino serving Nu Funk/ Tropical House & Ecstatic Dance Sets. Shop from local businesses and artists ranging from baked goods, to fine art paintings, jewelry & much more! Batch, 3220 Manor Rd, 12-4pm, FREE
Saturday, March 9, 2024 Salon-style group art show with on-site artist studios to explore, a photo booth for guests to commemorate their experience, and a drink making cocktail machine debut by Mixim. Drinks are free for guests 21+. Nonalcoholic beverages provided by Liquid Death will also be available free to all guests. Highland Collective Gallery, 6401 Airport Blvd, 6-11pm, $10
April 26 – May 27, 2024 May Market with 100+ regional artists and artisans under one roof! (open weekly Friday-Sunday + Memorial Day) Blue Genie Art Bazaar, FREE
Hope to see you there! (ask me how my painting is coming)
As promised, I’m going to backtrack a bit and share some of last year’s adventures.
I said “YES!” to every opportunity and ended up traveling much more than I’d expected to. I got burned-out from it all, but it was well worth it. And after getting some serious rest after the holidays, I’m feeling fulfilled and motivated – a great way to start 2024!
Here’s a quick tour of some of the new things I explored in 2023:
A surreal section of Old Military Road or “The Trail Of Tears” at Village Creek State Park, Arkansas.
Sandy hiking trails at Warren Dunes State Park, Michigan.
Lake Michigan at Warren Dunes State Park.
Huge crowds at Electric Forest in Michigan.
The beautiful, art-filled forest.
New music, performed among the trees.
A wonderful group of adventurous friends.
Breathtaking art at an enormous scale.
Colorful street art around Richmond, Virginia.
A slower pace of life in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
A giant mushroom at Lakes Of Fire in Michigan.
Illuminated dance floors.
Unusual water floats that were more challenging than relaxing.
Unforgettable metal sculptures.
The charm of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Ridiculous, climbable art at City Museum in St Louis.
Untouched wilderness in the Ozarks.
Slightly-spooky old buildings in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
A beautiful wedding in Vermont.
Funky, freaky, wonderful dancing at the Light Club Lamp Shop in Burlington, Vermont.
Rides and games as far as the eye can see at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
Giant pretzels and huge beers.
Silly games.
Nightlife in Berlin, Germany.
So, it was a jam-packed year and I’m relishing these chill, post-holiday days when I can finally take stock of it all and make my plans for this year.
I’m excited about the eclipse in April and getting to spend time with my family. I’m excited about my artwork and getting back on a routine in the studio. I’m excited about the friends I made and the inspiring things I’ve seen. But mostly, right now, I’m excited to be home and have time to relax.
Here’s to a restful, relaxing, and peaceful new year for us all!
November is the biggest time of year for the Austin art scene. It’s a great time for it, the weather is finally cooler and people want to get out and enjoy it together. And there’s plenty of chances with fun activities happening throughout the month.
The Austin Studio Tour fills three weekends with free events all over the city as Artists and Galleries open their doors to the public.
Here’s a list of all the places where you can find me and my art:
Nov 1, 8-10pm Austin Studio Tour Kickoff Party & Fundraiser George Washington Carver Museum Tickets and details
Nov 4-5, 12-6pm, Free Visit with me at my art studio, with special guest JFR Glass refreshments provided by Topo Chico, Desert Door, and Treaty Oak Austin Studio Tour Stop #140
Nov 4 – Dec 2, Free View artwork by Austin Studio Tour participants at the Group Art Show in the George Washington Carver Museum
Nov 11-12, 12-6pm, Free Visit with me at my art studio and watch as I make a new painting Austin Studio Tour Stop #140
Nov 17 – Dec 24, 10am-10pm, Free Shop at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar to see hundreds of local artists under one roof! 6100 Airport Blvd
Nov 19, 2:30-5pm, Free Watch me paint outside at Dear Diary’s popup art market with live music 1212 Chicon St #103
My latest painting “Inside Santa Elena Canyon” will be on display Nov 4- Dec 2, at the George Washington Carver Museum, as part of the Austin Studio Tour’s Group Show. You can get a sneak peek at the art and party with the artists at the Kickoff Party and Fundraiser on Nov 1, click here for tickets and details.
MORE FUN STUFF
I’m excited to add some new grackle stickers to my shop. I’m so happy to finally have a little flock of these hellions! Apparently, a group of grackles is actually called a “plague”!
I’ve partnered with The Shabby Wick to bring art prints to their Dripping Springs candle shop!
Somehow I made time to visit Munich for Oktoberfest for a friend’s birthday. After my adventurous summer, this is probably the most I’ve traveled in one year (except for that time I lived in an RV for 5 months) and I’m having trouble keeping up with blog posts about it all, but I definitely want to share some more pictures soon!
I’m loving the creative skeletons that I keep seeing all over Austin.
I’m back in Austin after taking the summer off to road trip around the Midwest and Eastern US. I visited friends and family and crossed two big festivals off my bucket list (Electric Forest and Lakes Of Fire). It was my longest road trip to date (that wasn’t in an RV) and it was awesome and exhausting and everything in between.
I’m still debating how I’ll write about it all (too much for one blog post!), but in the meantime, I’m shifting my focus to my home, my art, and some big art events that are coming this Fall.
I’ve settled into my art studio and started experimenting with simple compositions and bold colors.
I made a new colorful Austin sticker, available at Dear Diary Coffee.
THINGS I’M LOVING
Swimming at Barton Springs Pool – finally!
Adding sautéed leeks to my mashed potatoes for more flavor and texture.
Supporting Austin Wildlife Rescue, a local nonprofit that rescues orphaned, injured, and sick wild animals. I donated my “Twilight In The Heart Of Texas” painting for their upcoming Caring For Critters Brunch silent auction – you can still grab a ticket!
