I’ve painted outdoors and I’ve painted indoors… on location and in studios all over the world. People often ask me: Which do I prefer? Is one more authentic? Is the other easier? Over the years I’m thinking it is all up to the individual, what gets you stoked as a painter, what inspires your process.
MFA Studio: Oakland, CA
I suppose that when it comes to art studios, I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked in some amazing spaces in the world. Some were corners in a room, others covered patios, basements, cantinas, spare rooms, garages and shared spaces with other artists. Some spaces I have lived and slept in, some had great surf and snowboarding right outside the door. Some studios have been the backdrop for tea parties, holiday parties, and art shows…others transformed into movie sets for numerous film projects. From the ancient olive mill in Tuscany to the the old Del Monte Cannery in San Francisco, all these spaces impart their energy into my work and inspire in their own unique ways.
In this, my 30th year as a professional artist, I’m looking back at those places with many fond recollections. The hundreds if not thousands (!) of paintings I have created over those years!
Click on any of the images below to view the slideshow.. and please check back to read more blog posts about each location, what kind of inspiration it brought to me and how it affected my work.
The studio, that space with all the energy it brings to me is a silent collaborator in my creative process, looking back at these images there is no doubt in my mind about that. My special thanks to the best studio mates ever: John Charles Jopson, Sandra Jones Campbell, Ratso, Renzo, Murphy…and of course, the first of my many Muses, Bird.
First oil painting, Anaheim California
On Location: Stuttgart, Germany with cousin Michael
Stokesbary Studios, South Laguna CA
Stokesbary Studios, South Laguna CA
South Laguna, illustration studio
“Bird in My Studio”oil painting 24″x36”
Bird as Muse
The view from the studio, El Salvador
“Breakfast in El Salvador” 16″x20″ oil painting. My career as a painter begins with this piece.
Where I got my painting habits
Studio: The World
On Location: Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines
Studio: The Cannery, China Basin
San Francisco
On Location: The Wild Coast, Transkei
Creating “SuperTubes” for the Surfer’s Journal
On Location: San Francisco
MFA Studio: Oakland, CA
On Location: Maldives
On Location: The Italian Years…
Absorbing inspiration
Somewhere in Tuscany
Studio: Terry Road, Laguna Beach
Studio: Laguna Beach
My first Tuscan Studio
Il Borro, Tuscany
Painting al aperto with the village priest looking over my shoulder
Studio: Il Borro
On Location: Il Borro
oil painting on panel
Studio: Il Borro
On Location: Il Borro
Studio: Loro Ciuffenna, Tuscany
The Crow finds good company c:
16th century olive pressing room
moving in…
somehow I collected chairs..
Dream Studio
had no heat but good friends kept me warm c:
Studio transforms to film set
filming for the short “I Bevitori di Assenzio”
The Green Hour
behind the scenes
the “Green Hour” continues
Eddie and Ratso c:
Eduardo Gautier in his study
“Eduardo Gautier”
during filming the temperature in the studio rises….
Ratso is spent…
Live action painting with actor Pasquale Esposito
a collection of antique frames
One of the many commissions completed
and in front of a Fiat 500 in Loro Ciuffenna
Photo shoot with actress Stefania Stefanin
“Alma Bliss”
Photo Shoot with actor Gaetano Guarino
“The Orientalist”
The first of many poppy landscapes
On Location: Somewhere in Tuscany
A 1920’s beach cottage
Studio/Home: Mammoth Lakes, California
Neighbors peeking into my studio window
It was a bit chilly in winters…
Have a space, will fill it…
Ratso in his element
only a little powder..
Shovelling snow in front of my studio to let the light in
Only slightly distracted from work…
Studio: with Sandra Jones Campbell, Laguna Beach
Studio: Piccolo Molino del Corvo
Crow finds a home…
View from my studio
On Location: home
Studio: Piccolo Molino
On Location: Laguna Beach
Studio: with Sandra Jones Campbell in Laguna Canyon StudioPhoto: Robb Havassy
with Mickey Munoz
Festival of Arts Facade, Laguna Beach
With Renzo, Laguna Canyon
Studio: Mammoth Lakes
With Renzo and my first Wave Painting
On Location: Turquoise Coast
On Location: Turkey
The first of my Water Paintings
Show with Sandra Jones Campbell, Laguna Canyon
Water painting for Lahaina Galleries
With Renzo, Wanda, Azul and Salvatore Ferragamo
Setting up London Studio
Cricket Pitch commission, London
Graham Fine Art
On Location: Graham Fine Art
Studio: London
Studio: Oxford
Oxford studio garden & Murphy
Studio view with Murphy
Studio: Laguna Canyon
Studio: Laguna Canyon
Studio: Piccolo Molino
Finishing commission Laguna Canyon
Studio: Piccolo Molino
Finishing commission for Graham Fine Art in Molino