"The Watchers"

 The Watchers (24x32) o/c SOLD

This is a new piece that will be included in my upcoming solo show opening this August at Maxwell Alexander Gallery in Los Angeles. Most ideas like this one start as a thumbnail doodle in my sketchbook where I jot down ideas from imagination, or from something inspired by real life (as was this one from my last trip to the desert earlier this year)...

(Original sketchbook thumbnail)

In this case it was a scene I imagined of trackers, bounty hunters revolutionaries...or? The main idea was whatever these guys are doing, it is punctuated by the rising moon and diminishing daylight -- contemplation of a trail gone cold perhaps...

 (colour sketch 8x10)

After I settled on the composition, I had a friend dress up and model for both figures, and I used reference from several plein air paintings I had done on site in the Anza Borrego desert not far from the Mexican border. I also like the element of mystery, not just from the early evening atmosphere, but from the figures facing away from us (and ones head being cropped off) that keep them anonymous and perhaps a little more vague as to their intentions.

 (detail)

 The paintings I like by other artists (and what I hope to achieve in my own) are the ones that give you a start to a narrative that the viewer has to complete; this gets the viewer involved on a more personal level even if they know nothing of the people in the picture.

(Another sketchbook thumbnail)

If a painting can be effective as not just a nice visual, but as a story telling (or "story starting" device) then you've accomplished something that makes the art twice as interesting...and I think people enjoy that a little bit more~

New Work...

"They Will Pay" (16x16) oil on linen SOLD

This is a new piece going into my solo show at Maxwell Alexander Gallery -- this show will consist of western figures (Cowboys, Bandits, Smugglers, etc.) opening in L. A. august 19th, 2017. 

Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

"Spanish Guitar" (16x12 cropped)

Another work-in-progress going toward my solo show in Los Angeles at Maxwell Alexander Gallery... Exhibition opens august 19th!

 

Jack in the Thicket

study for "Jack in the Thicket" (9x12) SOLD

Working on a number of new paintings for my solo show that will open at Maxwell Alexander Gallery in Los Angeles, CA. This "study" above was done in preparation for a larger 24x30 canvas which is now complete but not yet photographed... 

Several more canvases are finished with more in the works: Mexican soldiers, peasant farmers, bandits, smugglers and some western landscapes. 

Show opens August 19th.

More small sketches from my recent California trip...

 Irvine Sycamores (8x10) o/c

 Irvine Hills (8x10) o/l

 Indian Head at Sunset (12x16) o/l

Cleft in the Rock (12x16) o/l

Due Diligence in the Desert

 "The Santa Rosa's & Coyote Mountain" (8x10)

I just returned from spending a few days in the Anza Borrego Desert in Southern California. Thanks to some friends who lent me their vacation home and SUV,  I was able to get to places a two-wheel drive car couldn't, and the weather was perfect; sunshine and 85 degrees!

 "Desert Rock Design" (8x10)

Ever since I was a little kid when my grandparents kept a trailer out in Palm Springs, I have had an affinity for the desert; from the sunshine and sand to the colour and expanse. It was not just a trip to collect reference sketches for paintings, but to recharge myself after a long, grey Northwest winter and reconnect with my past...

"Coyote Mountain Sunset" (8x10)

Studying your subject from life is essential, especially when one lives so far from it. I never paint landscapes from photographs, but from life (or from my field studies done from life). It's the only true and accurate way to capture colour, value, perspective and the other sensual aspects of temperature, sound and the whole experience of being there...

 "Desert Mountain Colour" (8x10)

The colour of the desert is the most appealing aspect of painting there -- it is so intense on the mountains at sunrise and sunset, and when coupled with the silence and warmth, it really has an impressing effect! 

 

  "Fish Creek Passage" (8x10)

 

I hope to get back there before too long where I can relax from the stress of everyday life and appreciate the beauty of this wonderful & mysterious place!

"Indian Head Mountain" (8x10)

Magazine Feature!

Thanks to Allan Duerr & Tom Tierney for featuring me in the new March/April 2017 issue of ART OF THE WEST magazine! I also got the back cover with Bonner David Galleries -- on sale now!

 "Interlopers" (24x36) o/c

(crop)

Land of My Nativity...

 To quote Thomas Wolfe & Ella Winter (or, The Shangri-La's) "You can never go home again" is apropos to where my mind is at these days.  'Middle-age' is (for me) a time of living in two camps; the here and now & the fond memories of my past... I know not everyone has fond memories of their adolescence, but I sure do...

"The Land of My Nativity" (24x30) oil on canvas

 I grew up in southern Orange County, California when it still had an abundance of citrus groves -- now there are but a scant few. In fact, the neighborhood where we lived in the 70's was built in an orange grove. Today the grove is long gone (as is the bareness of the hills that surrounded that small valley in San Juan Capistrano) but the memories remain; hide n' seek in the grove, building forts in the eucalyptus trees and coming home with our clothes wreaking of orange juice. 

"The Scarlet Conclusion" (9x12) oil on linen SOLD

In recent years when I've gone back to visit as a painter, the anticipation in my mind's eye never matches up with the reality that exists there now. The barren hills & vistas of the early California Impressionists (or even of my youth) have long since been plowed under in the name of urban sprawl. Those images of undeveloped Southern California are only to be found in history books now, or among the paintings of William Wendt, Edgar Payne and Hanson Puthuff from a century ago...

So although 'I can never go home again' literally, I can still revisit those idyllic places of my youth in my minds eye, and on canvas...  AND (as the Shangri-La's would sing) that's called, "Glad" ~

PEACE.

 "Trespass" (30x22) oil on panel SOLD

For my last blog post of 2016 I'd like to wish everyone a healthy, prosperous & PEACEFUL New Year... This past year has been one of ups & downs, encouragement & chaos, and so I am choosing to look forward with optimism and opportunity to contribute where I can to make the world a better place; trust you will too, and hope to see you all in 2017!

"Trespass" (detail)

This allegorical painting, "Trespass" will be available at the L A Art Show thru Maxwell Alexander Gallery, opening January 12, 2017. 

CHINA!

 First painting after a 2.5 hour bus ride and a 15 hour plane flight! (10x12) oil on linen

I've just returned from a 10-Day painting trip to southern China -- what an experience! I traveled there with several well-known American & Chinese-American painters. We all stayed together at a hotel in Kaiping, and took daily van trips to out-lying villages and rivers to paint...

 View from bridge in the village of Chikan...

The weather was warm and humid up to the last couple of days when we had a little rain; not bad for November! It was quite smoggy though, with a permanent haze that hung near the horizon and made for beautiful sunrises!

House Boats (10x12) oil on linen

The population of course is huge, even in the smaller towns where we barely squeezed down tight streets filled with market shoppers...

 Residents in the village of Chikan...

It was cultural overload for sure, but pleasant and comfortable as our hosts and drivers made everything accessible and supplied our every need. With all the crowds, driving was chaotic and it was best to not watch as we headed down the 2-lane roads with 3 to 4 lanes of traffic! Cars and even scooters with whole families aboard were a common site...

 Painting in an abandoned village where most all of the residents have moved to the city for jobs, but maintain their village fields for gardening... 

I was mostly fascinated by the quaint house boats that dotted the riversides; a very distinct look to these homes on the water that are unfortunately slated to be done away with if the government has it's way with it's gentrification program...

 Night scene on the river in Kaiping (10x12) oil on linen

We were treated to many fabulous meals with local artists and our hosts from the Kaiping Art Museum. Every day was divided between eating, painting and eating again in various restaurant locales...

 A wonderful lunch and dinner was put on by the owner of an art school out in the countryside...

while we were the only white westerners in sight, the locals were always friendly and curious toward us; these people seem to smile all the time! 

 A visit to a local middle school and all the beautiful faces!

 We were thronged for autographs even though we we nobodies!

 "The Chicken Whisperer" (12x10) oil on linen

Like any place, there were both city dwellers and country locals that made up the population; and though poverty was present, they all seemed to be contented and busy just living life -- no cardboard signs at the off ramps or pan-handlers begging for pocket change, and tipping was a no-no...

 Announcement signage at the Kaiping Art Museum...

Our trip culminated with an evening show of our paintings at the Kaiping Art Museum where I sold one and donated another... gifts were presented to us from the Chinese artists and every one was interviewed by local newspapers and television!

House Boats at the Sunset (10x12) oil on linen

I am still processing all that I experienced there, but I do know I would go back again for sure; it was one of the best trips I've ever taken and one that I will treasure for a lifetime!

A typical scene in a rural village of southern China...

 Nightingale (12x16) oil on linen

A couple more headed to the Coors Western Exhibition & Sale, opening in Denver January 2017...

 

Terra Cotta Dancer (14x11) oil SOLD!

Out Door Colour Sketching...

 

 Yamhill Valley (8x10) oil on linen

Even though I enjoy studio painting, my greatest exercise & teacher is getting outside to paint from nature. When I do larger, "finished" landscape paintings, they are usually started outside (if not completed there) but never begun from photographs -- I only reference a photograph if  I've actually started the work from life (or from a smaller plein air sketch).  There are just too many pitfalls working entirely from a photograph; most of which is the convenience of time to overwork and "render" a subject to death...

Evening Trees (6x8) oil on linen

Although time can be a task master it keeps us on track, and I often find the outdoor paintings I rush to complete usually retain that fresh spontaneity I'm hoping for.  If I can accept the raw energy of imperfect brush strokes, but get at least the approximate value and colour right, then I'm doing okay... Of course it can be much more challenging than it sounds, but it sure is worth the effort when it works out.

Showcase at Maxwell Alexander Gallery

 Serenata (8x10) oil on panel SOLD

This week my Showcase feature opened at the Maxwell Alexander Gallery in Culver City, CA...here's the link:

http://www.maxwellalexandergallery.com/exhibition/eric-bowman-ray-roberts-small-works-showcase/

 Desert Sentinel (16x20) oil on panel SOLD

I have 5 new paintings in the show along with fellow painter, Ray Roberts. Two pieces sold before the show opened, so please stop by if you're in the L.A. area before they're gone!

 Where I Am Going, You Cannot Follow 

(12x12) oil on panel SOLD

 Morning Rider (12x16) oil on linen SOLD

You Look Lost, Gringo (16x20) oil on linen SOLD

Desert Perspective (12x16) oil on linen

None Shall Pass...

"None Shall Pass" (16x20) oil on linen SOLD

This painting is heading to a show in Santa Fe, NM via the Maxwell Alexander Gallery in Culver City, CA... Very excited to be continuing this series and working with Beau Alexander --

Back to Coors

The Skeptic (10x8) oil on linen SOLD!

I am honored and excited to be invited back to the Coors Western Art Exhibition & Sale, opening in Denver in January 2017... I did well there last time, selling 4 of my 5 paintings on opening night -- I may try to be there for the opener as well. This piece will be one of the small works I will show along with a couple of more, plus some larger pieces for the main show.

 Mt Carmel Moonrise (9x12) SOLD

Had a wonderful time at the Maynard Dixon Country Camp Out in southern Utah!  The weather was near 100 degrees every day, but the scenery was spectacular and the camaraderie with the other painters was great fun -- thank you Paul & Susan Bingham!

Butter Knife Bluffs (9x12) oil on linen

The organizers (Paul & Susan) treated us very well, and everyone produced fantastic works. I had been to Zion National Park years ago, but the rest of the area was completely new to me -- beautiful potential painting spots everywhere...

 Barracks Wash (12x16) SOLD

The Dixon grounds, including his homestead and studio were very inspiring, and was the location for several dinners and workshops... 

Bunking with Dixon (8x10) SOLD

I did this little "mockturn" (a nocturn scene painted during daylight) of the bunkhouse on the last day when we were to hand in the weeks paintings for the Wet Paint Sale; I left it on the car seat until someone suggested I put it in the show, and Susan had to have it! All in all, it was a great pleasure to be there for the week, and I hope to go back next year...