Back in Wisconsin; New Surf Drawings

I left Arcata, California, exactly a month ago. Now I'm back in Wisconsin, and have just completed two drawings from my many beach walks on the Humboldt Coast.  

In the afternoons, the sun usually came out from behind the morning "marine layer" clouds, and the light became more enchanting as the sun moved over the ocean. This is when I took my best photos, especially when the waves had the energy I'm always looking for.  The two drawings here are the first results of my trip.

In the foggy-gray mornings, I usually worked on my "room project", a part-time studio space that I'm fixing up and will be able to use during future trips to that part of the coast. By the end of July, the room was usable as a work-and-sleep space. On my next visit, I'll add some plumbing for a sink and a shower, and install a composting toilet, perhaps after a bit more research...

Backstory: My grand-dad Jesse and I built the room in 1964 as a bedroom that I stayed in during my junior year in high school. I learned a lot about building that year! The current owners are letting me remodel it to use part time, in trade for my labor. Wonderful people!

"Advance" , 22" by 30" pencil on rag paper (from Big Lagoon Beach, Humboldt County) 

"Retreat" , 22" by 30" pencil on rag paper (from Mad River Beach, Humboldt County) 

Announcement: These drawings and several more are to be exhibited at the James May Gallery in Algoma, WI from September 1st through the 30th, and at The Hardy Gallery in Ephraim, WI from September 1st through October 15.

Cheers!

Lee

Coast Trip

After being on the Northern California coast for about two months, I've realized that places I have once lived in (Like Arcata in 1964-5) are at once familiar and strange. I've met some great people here in Humboldt County, and will come back again. The ocean energy is intense here, and I have begun to learn to see the workings of waves on sand, and how they break offshore, and how they catch the light.

I have a long way to go, yet the process is deeply rewarding.

In two days I'll begin my drive back to Wisconsin, my home for the last 30 years. There is no ocean there, but it has been the place where my family has supported my artwork for all that time. I deeply appreciate it!

I'll bring this ocean energy with me, and I'll need it - I have two shows coming up in September (announcement soon) and I need to start some new work!

Cheers!

Ocean Surf for the Soul

This is the reason for my trip to California - to see Pacific Ocean surf in this afternoon light. This energy seems to fill my soul, and it gives me a sense of purpose when I express it in my work. Besides doing watercolor sketches, I'm taking photos of whatever the ocean presents to me while I'm here.  

Last week I saw this roaring surf on the Lost Coast, in southern Humboldt County, California.  The beaches are accessed by hiking in from the end of the road. New ideas for artwork will emerge from this...

Painting on the Humboldt Coast

I've had good luck with the weather here in far-northern California. It's often foggy on summer mornings, but then it usually burns off to reveal the bright sun in the afternoons. In the painting above, the morning fog was just lifting as I started painting, so I left the background foggy - I like the mystery of it!

Rough surf at Fleener Creek, on the Lost Coast, in southern Humboldt County.

The sun was out all day when I took a day hike on the Lost Coast. This is a rugged stretch of the southern Humboldt Coast where there are no roads; one must hike to the beaches. This sketch is only a rude approximation of the rough, windblown and gorgeous surf in that bright light. I couldn't stop watching that energy!

Art show in Long Beach, then traveling North

I'm in Long Beach, California, for a few days, and on Saturday, May 27th from 2-5 pm, my work will be on display at 393 Haines Ave. Long Beach, 90814. (Apologies for the short notice!)

I'll have this 30" by 40" acrylic on canvas titled "Rampant" at an informal show in Long Beach, California. I'll also display several drawings, prints and watercolors.

Trip to West Coast

It's time to head out to the coast once again...

On May 22, I'll have the Elantra packed and ready for my road trip to California. My destination is Long Beach, near Los Angeles, to show my artwork for an afternoon on Saturday, May 27th. Here are the details:

ART SHOW ON THE COLORADO LAGOON IN LONG BEACH

 On Saturday afternoon, May 27,  from 2-5 pm, Lagoon House Press is hosting a reception for artist Lee Mothes. The event will take place at the Lagoon House, 393 Haines Ave., Long Beach 90814.  There will be an exhibit of Lee’s paintings, which will be for sale.

Lee Mothes is an artist who grew up in Sunset Beach/Seal Beach and attended Cal State Long Beach. His passion is painting coastal scenes, beaches and waves. 

Lee’s painting of the Los Angeles River watershed was the basis for the Aquarium of the Pacific’s watershed exhibit and the cover of the novel, “When Water Was Everywhere.”

Lee is traveling from Wisconsin to spend the months of June and July fixing up a studio near the ocean in Northern California, funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign. He is stopping in Long Beach to see his brother and the beaches where he grew up.

If you think you’ll be able to drop by for wine, snacks, conversation and art, please let me know. I’ll send a reminder on my Facebook page closer to the date.

I hope we’ll see you on May 27, or later in Northern California.

Also, see my Facebook Page for frequent updates!

Upcoming Gallery and Museum Shows...

Through April, I'll have several new paintings, drawings and three new prints at the Mud and Print Gallery, Appleton, WI.  A meet-and-greet reception will be from 6 to 8 pm Friday April 7th.

Also, two large drawings have been accepted into the Neville Public Museum's Art Annual in Green Bay, WI. The opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday, April 11, and the show runs until early June.

Beginning in May, I will have several pieces at the Arts of Daycholah Gallery in Green Lake, Wisconsin. The exhibition will run through this coming summer.

"Rampant", 30" by 40" acrylic on canvas, 2017, framed.  (At Mud & Print Gallery through April)

"Sky and Surf", 30" by 22" graphite on rag paper - currently at Mud & Print Gallery

New paintings, and thanks for the help!

I'm very grateful that my 100 Waves Kickstarter campaign was successful - more so than I could have predicted.  Thanks to all of you who helped!

Meanwhile, I've been working on new paintings...Here is one just finished, a 14" by 18" acrylic on panel titled "Whip Tide". This one is a study of a wave hitting another coming at it from the left - partly from reality, and partly from imagination.

"Whip Tide", 14" by 18", acrylic on panel, 2017, framed.

New drawing... "Crash and Flow"

This is another wild winter wave breaking on the beach at Big Lagoon in northern California. The surging tumbling craziness is fascinating to observe and to try to capture.

100 Waves Campaign Now on Kickstarter

I have the opportunity to fix up a one-time bedroom into a studio base-camp this coming summer on the coast of northern California. The owners, in trade for my remodeling labor, have invited me to use the room a few weeks every year.  With a place to stay, future visits out there for more painting ideas will be be much more affordable!  I plan to start working on it in June. 

See the whole story here on Kickstarter/100 Waves.

Several new prints and these new watercolors are now available on my Kickstarter campaign...

Check out my 100 Waves campaign here - and make a pledge for one of these original one- of-a-kind rewards of my artwork.

Thanks!

Lee

This new drawing is about one-third completed. The way that waves break is fascinating, especially when all the apparent confusion starts to make sense!

Two new paintings

Jill Logan, in Todos Santos, Baja California, asked for more work to show in her gallery!  I shipped these two last Monday...

The one above I call "Sand Grinder", a shorebreak wave convulsing into the sand at Big Lagoon Beach, Northern California last winter. The day was windy and cloudy, but the sun came out briefly to brighten the wave.  Acrylic on canvas, 24" by 36".

Below...the wind was rough at Cape Kiwanda on the Oregon, coast where this wave was breaking. The surging foreground was challenging, especially getting that movement.  Title: "Windblown", 24 " by 36" acrylic on canvas.

Watercolor painting demonstration - free!

In November I'll give a free watercolor painting demonstration at the upcoming "Take Me to the River" art exhibition in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.  I'll also display some of my work when I do the demo - Wednesday Evening November 9th, from 5 to 8 pm. The show runs from November 4 to December 2, 2016 at the venerable Grand Kakalin building, the old Thilmany Mill.

Here is the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1817974458483649/

Hope to see you there!

New Sky-and-Surf Drawing is Emerging

Last week I began another 22" by 30" drawing, this time of an evening sky just after some rainy weather. The surf is low and will be lit up by a late patch of sunlight. I'm working from four photos I took on the Oregon Coast last winter to create the composition. The magic, to me, is in the subtle grays within the cloud layers, contrasted by the brilliant brightness of the sun-scorched edges.  I'll post another update on this one soon!

Two New Drawings

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...

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."