Banner for my retiring boss

For Dean, I painted a banner that served as a photo backdrop and farewell keepsake to allow his colleagues to leave a parting note.

Adding a date to the last retirement wish

One final photo for the team

Art Jam Challenge, December 2015

The next AJ Challenge is also a fundraiser for the Frank Bette Center for the Arts. The fundraiser is called the "Secret Art Sale" and the members of AJ are participating as part of our challenge. I'm not sure how we will judge our own works, but we hope to raise some money for the Center.

Here is my contribution.

Franklin and 12th Oakland, 5 x 7, Acrylic and color pencil on paper

More Mini-Masterpieces for December 11th Reception

Will be adding more works tomorrow...

Fruitvale sunset

Alameda sentinels

10th Street sunset

Ratto's and Cafe 817

Moonrise over Parkway Drive-In

"Sunset over Port of Oakland" on exhibit

Yesterday, there was a reception for new art at the EBMUD Gallery in Oakland. I was fortunate to have a good exhibit location for my triptych.

Describing my process to gallery visitors.

"Thank you, I'll add more cranes in the next painting..."

Victorian Details in Oakland

There are many wonderful details in Old Oakland...

Nicholl Block Building on 9th Street

More Scenes of Oakland...

My good friend Alice said my corner in the Mini-Masterpieces show was looking a little sparse. To remedy that, I created a few more works for Saturday's reception for Maria Muldaur. Here are a few samples:

Morning at 9th and Washington, Oakland (Sold)

Tag zone Oakland Chinatown Webster

Farmers Market Oakland 9th Street

Final Mini-Masterpieces

After a busy weekend, I've finished my 12 works for the Mini-Masterpieces show at Rhythmix Gallery in Alameda. Hope you can make the opening on November 13. Here are a few samples.

Used to be Salvation Army alley

Branches at Paramount

Up late at Traveler's 11th and Franklin

Early on 12th Street

Brass hydrant at 11th and Webster

Mini-Masterpieces Show starts November 13, 2015

Here a few works in progress for the show...

Lake Merritt at 18th

Night at the Trib

Sunset over Port of Oakland

New completed painting:

Acrylic on canvas, triptych, 96" x 24"

Pop-up Studio

For larger works, it's easier to setup an outdoors studio, on-the-fly, with available tools. This was my work space last weekend for a triptych I'm painting. It was all good, even with squirrels providing unsolicited critique, until the gardeners came to mow-and-blow...
    

Works with kid chair seating, painting facing North. 

Made with ladders and clamps.

Sitting at the Cafe, minding my business...

when I noticed the guy at the next table pulled out a sketchbook and was drawing me. It turns out he was an architect named Ed, owns his architecture firm, and does this for fun.

Thanks Ed for a nice sketch and keep it up. 

Rehearsal night at Paramount Theater

Our violin instructor got us into the Paramount Theater to watch the Oakland Orchestra rehearse for their next performance. We were lucky to watch Kenneth Renshaw play his heart out...

Dinner at Mua

For my birthday, we went to Mua in Uptown Oakland. I'm really happy that such a cool, hip place is thriving in Oakland.

DJ entertaining the dinner guests at Mua

Night of a Thousand Sketches

The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco held its fundraiser, "Night of a Thousand Sketches", on Thursday, September 10, 2015. The Museum is moving from its space on Mission Street in San Francisco. Several dozen artists were on hand to provide sketches to guests who attended the event. Although I wasn't on the list of official artists, I performed my own sketch of the band performing at the event. Overall, we had a great time and hope the Museum finds a new space soon.

Jeremiah Jethro performing at the event.

Artists working on sketches for attendees.

Natalie and Wesley getting caricatures.

Pacific Grass and Electric at the Jingletown Jazz Room

The August Artist showcase was lively with Pacific Grass and Electric playing a bluegrass set. I had fun and even sold this sketch to an admirer. 

The rest of 2nd Friday was pretty interesting, especially at Gray Loft Gallery, where I participated in a Butoh-inspired performance art.

Fog City Java Show, August 2015

I'm showing recent and past works at the Fog City Java Cafe, Pacifica CA. The show is inspired by my interests in construction, surfing, and the commonality of land and sea. Please drop by during the month of August if you are in town.

Sunday at the Beach...

Triceratops ran around, looking for good spots to head out to the waves...

CowaBunGA Dinosaur!

New works in Progress...

On a recent visit to Jack London Square, we came upon a beautiful sunset that framed the Port of Oakland so well that I decided to make a painting of the scene. It's in progress, but I hope to finish soon. Here is a brief glimpse.

Jingletown Jazz Room, July 2015 Artist Showcase

This was a fun event for Jingletown, hosted by Ale Industries on East 10th Street Jingletown Jazz Room location. Every month, they invite local artists to participate in an art show for the Jazz Room. For the opening, Ale Industries throws a party with music, food, and great beer. What more can you want?

After installing my Jellyfish series of paintings, I dropped by later for the music and beer...

I showed the Jellyfish series for this event.

The crowds starting to build...

The band was "Big Sticky Mess"

I traded a Jellyfish for a Mermaid...

SciFi Motorcycle Sheriff from the Past/Future

And now, for something completely different...

I ran into this motorbike in Venice Beach over the weekend. It was parked in front of Deus Ex Machina, a custom motorcycle/surfboard/clothing/cafe store. This bike appears to be a prop from a science fiction western/war movie. But, as I found out later, there was a real Aussie sheriff who showed up and roared away on it.

Cooool...

Check out the rifle holster and jet pack....

Check out the laser machine gun...

AJ Hawaiian Shirt Challenge

July 20, 2015 Update:
Well, the auction ended and the shirt is now on its way to the new owner. Congratulations Ron and I hope you enjoy it for many years.

July 8, 2015 Update:
Woo Hoo - I listed the shirt on EBay too and it's got a bid. So, most likely, the shirt will be sold by next week. Congratulations to the bidder. Here's the listing on Ebay: Motorcycle Hawaiian Shirt on EBay

I'm leaving the description on Etsy in case anyone wants one similar.
Thanks everyone!

June 27, 2015 Update:

Since the shirt does not fit me, I'm offering it for sale on Etsy here: Motorcycle Hawaiian Shirt
Hope it finds a new owner to make happy.

The latest Art Jam Challenge was to create a Hawaiian shirt design, either in 2D, 3D, or wearable. For my entry, I chose to deconstruct a Harley Davidson Sportster engine and use the exploded diagrams as patterns on my shirt. I hand drew each diagram onto the shirt from my Sportster mechanics manual.

I like how it turned out and wished I used a medium sized shirt instead of large... I'm too small to fit the shirt.

Phil modeling the shirt - front

Back of shirt

Detail of back

Detail of shoulder

Working on the lettering