It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s the USS Macon! – The Sunnyvale Historical Mural at Goodwill

Sunnyvale Historical Mural – All Done!

This month I completed the third historical Goodwill mural on the exterior of their building in Sunnyvale. The final panel is a mid-century aerial view. It features the USS Macon, a “flying aircraft carrier” that was built in 1933 for the US Navy. Even though it sank into the Pacific Ocean in 1935, just two years after being built, it was an iconic piece of Sunnyvale history. I felt like a bird in the sky while painting this.

Click here to watch a time lapse of the creation of this mural.

Eugene Was Right!

Remember the nonagenarian who enlightened me that watering trucks were only used on roads, not crops? He was right! I came back and repainted a road through the wheat field, so that the mural would be accurate. I learn something new every day!

That Doesn’t Look Like a Train

When I am out painting in public, people say the darndest things. I had one guy who would come by every day to enlighten me on all the things I was doing badly. Charming fellow. When I painted the base coat for the train, he was up in arms: “That doesn’t look like a train! That just looks like a black blob! Is that supposed to be a train?” He mellowed out, and actually bordered on approval by the end of the project.

Tunitas Mini-Series

My dear friends Eske and Camilla have been regaling me with stories of the beautiful views they see on their long bike rides “over the hill”. They bike up hills that make me tired just driving over them, and then they bike back again. So when twe planned a field trip to look at views for the mini series they commissioned, I decided we should drive. We left at 6 am with Eske’s home made, freshly baked sourdough rolls filling the van. (I hate to ask what time he had to get up!) We toured a few of the most beautiful vistas I have seen in the area, all new to me. I was so inspired I created three paintings from our morning together.

Lobitas Creek View, 4′ x 6′ Acrylic on canvas

The Morning Climb, Tunitas, 3′ x 5′ Acrylic on canvas

Cabrillo Highway, 3′ x 5′ Acrylic on canvas

Eske and Camilla are going to be taking two of the paintings back to Denmark with them in June. They decided they don’t have room in their suitcase for all of three paintings, so Cabrillo Highway (above), is available for purchase! Please let me know if you are interested.

Enjoy the sun! Blessings to you!