After returning from the coast, I drew these two 11 by 15 - inch wave closeups. They are framed in maple and I'm asking $900. each for them. A print version of the same size on rag paper will be available soon for $195. each, unframed.
More inspiration from the Humboldt Coast
I had an opportunity to visit the California north of Eureka, and did some serious wave-watching.
Of the many pictures I took over a three-day period last week, here are some favorites...
I'll work from the juiciest parts of these photos for a painting or a drawing. We'll see what will happen...
This 30" high by 80" long double acrylic-on-canvas is finished, and is on display in my studio in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
Double Painting is Complete
A wave diptych - each canvas is 30" by 40"
New double painting in progress...
This wave will be 80 inches wide when completed, but will be framed separately. I plan to finish the piece in time for the "Floating on Waves" exhibition this coming June to September at the Promega Center near Madison, Wisconsin.
New Drawing
I'm almost finished with the first drawing after my trip to coast. I show it here with the photos I used to create the image. I enjoy the challenge of making the wave "move".
"On the Edge of Safe Ground" 22" by 30" graphite - almost finished.
Help support a really cool art exhibition this coming June!
As part of a group of Wisconsin and Japanese artists I'd like to announce a major show this coming June at the Promega Center in Madison, WI. We are looking for funding to help pay for meals and lodging for our ten or so distinguished guests from the Tokyo area.
Soooo, please look at our Kickstarter Campaign (click this link) which closes in only a few days! For your help, you'll receive some really cool rewards!
L to R: Katherine Steichen Rosing, Pat FIlzen, Rita Yanny, Tori Tasch, Bonnie de Arteaga and Lee Mothes.
"Our long artful history together leaps forward with an exciting new collaborative exhibit, “Floating on Waves” to be held at the Artist’s Showcase at Promega BioTechnology Center, Madison, WI June 14 to September 13, 2016."
Back in my Studio
I have finally settled in to doing some new work after my trip. From the hundreds of photos I took on the coast, I've found a few that have that energy I'm looking for. Now I'm compiling parts of them into a 22" by 30" drawing...
From these 8 by 10 printouts, I'm taking the best parts and we will see what happens...
A Video of Great Waves on the Oregon Coast
A highlight of my trip up the west coast was to see huge waves hitting the cliffs at Shore Acres State Park in Oregon. I shot a couple of short videos and this is the best one. A half-hour side trip off Highway 101 will get you there!
From Kaukauna, WI to Todos Santos, Mexico To Portland OR, and back again
Started out on January 26, 2016 and returned March 17. What a trip. I'll be going through all the photos during the next week or so, then will do something, either drawings or paintings or both, from them.
This watercolor of Big Lagoon Beach will be in two shows in Humboldt County, CA. Some of my best ocean-surf paintings and drawings have come from Humboldt County beaches.
A Busy Weekend Coming up in Humboldt County, California
I'll be giving one-day shows on March 5th and on March 6th, in Arcata, California, a coastal town about six hours north of the Bay Area. My friend Nancy Stephenson has arranged the exhibitions, and has provided a press release, copied here. I'll be present at both shows.
If you're in the Humboldt County area, Check it out!
Artist Lee Mothes is returning to Arcata during a west coast tour featuring his ocean-inspired drawings and paintings at two different “pop-up” shows in Arcata, March 5th and 6th.
Mothes' paintings will fill the hallway that leads to Libation, Willow, Salt, and Arcata Main Street on March 5, during the Farmer’s Market, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 761 8th St. on the Plaza.
The second show will be Sunday, March 6 at The Sanctuary, 1301 J St. in Arcata. The Sanctuary, a creative arts venue and grassroots community center will be open from 5-8 p.m. with refreshments and a chance to learn more about Mothes’ artwork.
Lee Mothes works in watercolor, acrylic on canvas, and graphite pencil to create ocean-inspired works of art. He grew up in California, including a year on outside of Arcata. He returns regularly to the coast from his current home in Wisconsin to watch the surf, get new ideas, and show his work. On this trip he brought several of his newest pieces.
“I have been fascinated by beaches, waves, and the ocean’s energy as far back as I can remember. I grew up on the California coast and began drawing beaches, waves and imaginary places while still in grade school.”
In Southern California Now...
I made it back from Mexico, after another 3-day drive up from Todos Santos...
I'm showing my work informally in California for the next couple of weeks. Today some friends of mine, who live in this wonderful hand-made house near Ojai, hosted a showing and invited several friends. Their capable granddaughter, Solana, helped me get started!
Showing my work in Todos Santos, Baja California, Mexico
After three more days of driving from San Diego, California, I made it the Jill Logan Galeria, where I am showing several paintings and drawings, painting a new piece in the back patio, and getting out to the beach, usually in the late afternoon.
The drive seemed to take forever, but I'm glad I did it. The town is pretty, and looking good after a devastating hurricane came though in Sept. 2014.
I shot a photo of this wave, kind of on the fly, at the beach at Todos Santos the other evening. I'll use it tomorrow to do a demonstration painting for the gallery this weekend. There is nothing like being near the source!
Trip to West Coast is Under Way!
After driving four days from Wisconsin, I arrived at a friend's house near San Diego. Today I'll cross the border into Baja California and drive another couple of days to Todos Santos, where I'll show my work at the Jill Logan Galeria. I'm posting details at Oceans and Dreams page on Facebook. Check it out!
"Big Splash" 36" by 36" acrylic on canvas will be featured at the Jill Logan Galeria.
8 1/2 by 11 inches, 200 pages, full color, paperback, 100 copies availble.
An Artist's Journey to Nevermore is back in stock!
My recently published book, "Journey to Nevermore" is back in stock. I just received the book's second printing of 100 copies, and I will autograph your copy upon request. To purchase a copy, click on "Artwork" and then "Books, Maps and Posters".
Mothes on Video
My friend Scott Edwards shot a video of me working and talking about my art in my studio-gallery in Kaukauna WI.
Minor Squalls
This drawing comes from the Oregon Coast when the storms arrive in October and November. I used three photos I took near Cascade Head, Oregon, to capture a moody day of intermittent squalls.
Title: "Minor Squalls"
34" by 26" graphite pencil on Stonehenge Paper
$3500
New 16 by 20 inch acrylics on panel...
Just completed, a very bright shorebreak wave, all of foam, ready to crash onto the beach at Big Lagoon, in Humboldt County, CA. See this one and it's companion painting, "North of Westport" under Paintings.
A New Island Guidebook and Map for Christmas!
If you know someone who is a wanderer, in reality or in the realm of imagination, this is a great gift! The 200-page full color guidebook describes the island, its history, culture, landscape and people with many pictures and maps. The large detailed road map gives a graphic overview to accompany the book. (You gotta have both!)
New Island invites you to explore it via these tools, along with New Island online, and then take off wherever your imagination may lead you. Since the island doesn't exist in the real world, you are free to create your own take on it!
Book: $27.50 plus shipping. The map will be included free when you buy the book during the Holiday Season (until Jan 4, 2016). Click HERE to order it.
A drawing from the Oregon Coast
A drawing I began a few weeks ago is now completed. I wanted to capture the dramatic clouds that often build up on the Oregon Coast, and the light that is cast on the water and sand. This is from four different photos I took there last November.
Minor Squalls, 34" by 26" graphite pencil on Stonehenge paper
Starting a 26" by 34" pencil drawing
Back to drawings...this is the start of a 34" by 26" graphite. I'm cobbling together a composition from several photos - three different skies and one foreground. I've already made changes to the sky, and am now working on the horizon. So far so good...
