THE MISTS of BIG SUR

 

THE MISTS of BIG SUR by Barry Allen Howard

9”x12” oil on canvas. $160

I was standing on the cliff-edge at my trusty, paint-splattered easel.  It was one of those mornings where the fog moves like some living, breathing mist-creature. The winter weather has brought some pretty stunning cloudscapes. I got most of the composition and the lights and darks established before the fog finally made up its mind and obliterated the view entirely. I packed up the easel and drove back to my tiny caravan. Built a cozy fire, made a cup of tea and continued work on the painting for the rest of the day. I always love watching the dance that the coastal mists do along the cliffs. This was really a fun painting to do. 

For inquiries about this painting please email me at barryhowardstudio@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook. 

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RUSTIC ELEGANCE , DEETJEN's BIG SUR INN

CHATEAU FIASCO. by Barry Allen Howard 

9”x12” oil on canvas. SOLD

For a long time I have wanted to begin a series of paintings of the historic Deetjens Big Sur Inn. My history with this unique inn goes back to the early 1980’s when I stopped in for breakfast on a road trip and ended up being hired on as a breakfast waiter. Deetjens is a place you have to experience to really understand. More than anywhere else it embodies the magic and mystique that is Big Sur. The guest cabin pictured below was staff housing when I worked there and after briefly living upstairs in  the restaurant in a tiny closet of a space known as the Piano Room, I moved into the Castro Canyon cabin painted below. I had a large piece of marble outside the cabin that I would chip away at when I wasn’t serving pancakes to the guests. These are the first two paintings of the Deetjens series. 

 CASTRO CANYON by Barry Allen Howard 

9”x12” oil on canvas

$150

For inquiries about this painting please email me at barryhowardstudio@yahoo.com

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THE PATH OF THE HEART and other questionable life choices...

Somebody's gotta do it...

The long dry summer finally gave way to winter rains. I am taking refuge in my tiny gypsy caravan.  It is perched on a ledge high above the vast Pacific Ocean. The wood stove is burning cheerily, making it warm and cozy. New paintings are taking shape on the easel. I have coffee, food, beer, firewood, and lots of art supplies. I feel wealthy. The highway is very quiet due to the rains and scattered rockslides and road closures. Peaceful, but not especially good for my bank balance as I sell much of my work to the visitors passing through.  I was warned about choosing this lifestyle. Didn't listen. Still don't. Romance of the artist's life and all that.  But I know I am not alone as I have other artist friends who have to pull some magic out of a hat to make it through the winter.  Somehow we survive to paint another day.

     When there is a break in the storms and the sun comes out I pack the French easel into my trusty van, "Pacifico" and head down to the cliffs to do some painting "en plein air".  On this particular morning, (see photo above) the world seemed washed clean by the recent rains and the sun felt especially good on my face.  I soaked up as much of it as I could for I know more rains are coming. The painting below is the result of that morning on the cliffs. 

A MORNING IN THE SUN by Barry Allen Howard

16"x20" oil on canvas

$300

For inquiries about this painting please email me at barryhowardstudio@yahoo.com

For the remainder of the year I am offering free shipping within the mainland U.S.

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