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My New Book Is Out!
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The 50/50 2021 Exhibition
This show was held at the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA on September 10, 2021 - October 10, 2021. This is an annual fundraiser for the Sanchez Art Center: 187 people applied to be in the show and 54 were accepted. The works were created during a fifty day period beginning June 28, 2021 and ending August 16, 2021. My contribution is a series entitled Zen Brush Works. You can see the entire series and purchase one or more of my available originals here.
I sketched this floating village located in the Southern District of Hong Kong. The harbor is known to contain 600 junks and is home to 6,000 people. Many films have included scenes from this floating village including films staring Bruce Lee, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
This painting is from a watercolor I did at this site in Mexico.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
In Cuba we always had live music everywhere we went. It was wonderful. I passed a flute player in Havana who was playing an ebony flute for tourist dollars. Ever since then I have wanted to own an ebony flute to play. If you know anyone who has one for sale, please have them contact me.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
Made from a photograph that I took from the top of the Great Pyramid in Egypt. It is no longer possible to climb the Great Pyramid.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
I worked in Trinidad for half a year as an architectural designer. One of my best memories of Port of Spain, is the music rising from the many steel drum pan yards in the city.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
Some years ago I took a group of architecture students from UC Berkeley on a three week drawing and watercolor tour of The Netherlands by bicycle.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
In Land Park in Sacramento there is an incredible pond containing a thousand lotus blossoms. Here is just one of them.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
The Cliffs of Moher have appeared in several films, including Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), and Leap Year (2010). I took a group to Ireland for a watercolor painting workshop.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
Many different architects and designers went into the building of St. Peters. But the finished dome itself is mainly the work of Michelangelo. I lived in Rome for almost three years, two as a fellow at the American Academy in Rome.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
The Architect, Antonio Gaudi, was the subject of my masters thesis. I spent a summer in Barcelona researching Gaudi and his works.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
I got special permission to visit Katsura while I was in Kyoto. It is closed to the public. To visit Katsura, permission from the Imperial Household Agency is required.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
The cliffs on the north shore of Molokai are the highest cliffs in the Pacific. At the bottom of this cliff is what is left of the leper colony that Fr. Damien founded. I do a watercolor workshop in Molokai every January.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
There are 88 ghats in this city on the banks of the River Ganges which is considered a holy river. Most of the ghats are for bathing and ceremony, two are used exclusively as cremation sites.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
This painting was made from a photo that I took looking up at these Pueblo ruins built into a cave in the canyon wall.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
Oregon was my home for 7 years while I was teaching at the University of Oregon. Crater Lake is one of the most famous sites in the state.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
When I visited Katmandu, Nepal, I took an all day trek–about 25 miles– up to Nagarkot where you can see Mt. Everest.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
When I go to Santorini, I usually stay at the King Thira Hotel. This is the view of Santorini about a 1 minute walk from the hotel. I have taken 11 watercolor painting groups to Greece and I have visited Santorini maybe 40 times.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
Istanbul is a large vibrant city with a large outdoor market. The church of Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque and then a museum and now it is a living mosque. It is one of the many mosques in Istanbul and the most famous.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
I traveled in China for three weeks with artist, Paul Pei Jen Hau. The Great Wall was just one of the memorable places and events of that beautiful visit.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
When I visited Angkor Wat, I bicycled around all the Temples and made many drawings. My favorite temple was this one, where they have let the jungle swallow the temple.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
Some years ago I led a wonderful watercolor/drawing workshop in Bali. This is one of the temples that we visited.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
Years ago I made a half hour documentary film about the life and architecture of Mykonos. Ano Mera is a small town in the center of the island that has a sizable monastery. A lovely quiet place that not many tourists visit.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
I have enjoyed hiking and painting in Pinnacles National Park many times. This unusual landscape has the drama that I like to paint.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
This is a painting of a surfer making a bottom turn on a big wave. I have done little surfing, but my two sons and their kids are all surfers.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
This is one of my favorite places to paint the California coast. Often the waves crash up on these coastal rocks on the south end of Gray Whale Cove beach. One has to descend 137 stair to get to the beach.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
Painted from Nick’s Seafood parking lot. This is the first painting I demonstrate for my California Coast Watercolor Workshop.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
Every September I do a workshop at this beautiful beach. There are pelicans perched on this bridge most days.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
One summer, after teaching at the University of Oregon for 7 years, Clive, an Englishman, and I worked as the two deck hands on this beautiful 97 foot sailing yacht. Also on the yacht was a German man who was the porter for the charter guests, the English Captain and his wife–who was the cook. It was a charter yacht sailing in the Greek Islands at that time, and was a very memorable experience. This painting was made from a photograph of Sintra under sail. Like the last painting, I introduced some pen line along with the brush work.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
Cinque Terra, Vernazza is one of the five towns on the northern Italian coast are connected with a hiking trail and by train. I have visited Cinque Terra three times. This view is taken from the hiking trail just southeast of the town. I introduced some pen line in this brush work.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
These monasteries were built atop high rock pinnacles by Greek Orthodox Monks. The building materials and the monks were pulled up in baskets. The site has been used in a number of films including a James Bond film. I have visited this site four times.
ZEN BRUSH WORKS
Fifty Sumi Ink brush works on watercolor paper mounted on 6 x 6 inch panels prepared with a gesso coating. The paintings are powerful expressions from my life and travels. They include dramatic landscape, architecture, seascapes, the human figure and other subjects.
This series was painted as part of the 50-50 2021 Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.
And Other Tips On Telling Topics
“Among the great things which are to be found among us, the being of nothingness is the greatest.” -Leonardo da Vinci
“What is nothing?” I ask.
To find the answer could be a task.
Webster’s defines it as nonexistent,
No volume or quality, insignificant;
In all these cases I read “that which is,
Before I find “that which it isn’t.”
It seems to me “that which is not”
Really, can’t matter a lot?
After all, if nothing doesn’t exist,
It can’t be something, is that a twist?
In addition to exploring nothing, this book is also about everything else, such as life, learning, play, overcoming fear, living with purpose, being creative, silence, sound, drawing, travel, animals, and much more.
Robert Regis Dvořák has delightfully illustrated his poetic insights on life’s situations so that people both young and old can enjoy, learn, share, and benefit one verse at a time.
So open this book. Meet and become a Smart Bird who expects:
To see through creative lenses,
To use all the senses;
To listen to intuition;
To assess any condition.
Smart birds act with imagination;
To feel inspiration,
To focus his or her attention,
To fly to any location,
To defy gravitation,
To see any situation.