Deep Dive Into My Art Files

Found a series of pastels today, like finding a treasure trove.

San Onofre Series (2012)

I had the pleasure of finding this group of pastels, 19x25”, wrapped in glassine and tucked away in my large art file drawers (92x30x14”). I drew them at the San Onofre beach in 2012, not far from the nuclear power plant, off the old Pacific Coast Highway, about halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles.¹

One of the greatest experiences I have had is plein air drawing or painting. Being out in the sunshine, heat or cold, feeling the wind, and hearing sounds. I pick something that has interesting light, set up my temporary drawing station, set the timer, and then unleash drawing as fast as I fucking can. I squint intensely, squinting isolates the light vibrations without getting confused my millions of details. Squinting is the most magical, and natural tool for the visual artist, bar none. Squinting at both the landscape and paper, and when they come into alignment it is a delight that rivals an orgasm.

These drawings were one of the projects, eight years before developing the Newberry Color Theory, that lead towards the Wave Series (2020).²

I have spent decades drawing and painting from direct observation. More with a focus of getting the light and color vibrations on the paper matching the light and color vibrations I saw in real life. It would take me years to take all those direct perceptions and begin to formulate the theories based on that. The opposite of beginning with theory and then deducting results, which usually ends with lifeless art.

But when the theory works, because it was based on truthful observation, it is like a shot of adrenalin, helping to infuse artworks with energy. Anyway, I took a lot of pleasure seeing the works that led to my color theory breakthrough.

1. I just added the San Onofre Series to The Newberry Art Files: Available Artworks.

2. One of my most important contributions to real world art knowledge. Newberry Color Theory. I just went to the link and saw it has 22 reviews, 4.2 star rating. Some great 5-star reviews plus a hilarious 1-star!