"Beach Buddies" by Edward Burton

This is my last submission to the Flying Moleskins. This is for Sheila Tajima whose moleskin's theme was "What you love". When I'm at the beach I love watching dogs have a good ol time playing in the surf. I hope you like it, Sheila, your book is heading home.

Dean-Guitar Reverie for Edward

Close ups

Acrylic, Pitt Pen, and a skosh of colored pencil. Approx. 8 1/2 x 6 3/4 on paper.

This is my entry in Edward Burton's sketch book.

Edward's theme was "Music". I used to play guitar in country rock bands many beers...err..years ago.
My favorite guitar was a Fender Stratocaster...which I still own. This painting is an attempt to show the musician playing in a reverie. Practically seeing the notes drift through the air...Very much like you artists when you get caught up in the flow, and magical things happen from out of nowhere upon your canvas.

I don't know how successful my attempt was, but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Hope ya like it Edward!

The Duet

This is my contribution to Edward Burton's Sketchbook. His theme is music.
I decided to use these two players who I had been longing to paint for a quite a while.




I can't remember the origin of the music but I remember sketching a man on the tube and then I got talking to him and he invited me to an art exhibition where music was played alongside. This is quite a while back but I still remember the happy, colourful feeling and the buzzing sounds, I have tried to capture this in "Duet" which is a mixed media piece on Gessoed Museum mount-board with oil, coloured pencil, Liquin and oil pastel,. It was more of an experiment as I haven't tried this mix before. I was happy with the result. Hope you like it Edward.

"Goin' Home" by Edward Burton

oil

5 3/4"x8"

This is for Dana Cooper's book. I have been on a roll painting beach scenes, so here is one for Dana. This is my last posting for The Flying Moleskins.

Testing the Water by Edward Burton

oil

This is for Irit Bourla's book. A father a bit cautious about entering the water and his son who can't wait to have some fun!

Your book is finally heading home to you after it's long journey, Irit.

Gondolas by Edward Burton

oil

This is for Michelle Burnett whose moleskin theme is "Postcards and Snapshots". I decided to do a painting of one of my favaorite places - Venice. The long gondolas seemed to be a perfect choice for the format of her book.

Capistrano Courtyard by Edward Burton

oil

This is for Dominique whose moleskin's theme is landscapes, trees, roads, shadows and light. This is a small courtyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano - I consider it to be one of the most beautiful missions in California.

"Visiting Monet" by Edward Burton

oil

This is for Camille Olsen. This fellow is checking out the Monet collection at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. I love these kinds of scenes and love painting them.

DO-SI-DO for Edward

8x11 oil on moleskine sketchbook

Until I read Edward's introduction in his book, I had no idea what I was going to paint for his music theme. When I read "people dancing", I knew immediately I would attempt this painting.

At my school, after studying Pioneer times, 2nd grade has a day where they celebrate the Pioneer life of long ago. The children are dressed in period costumes and have fun experiencing Pioneer times. One of our grandmothers dresses the part and tells "stories" of her travels West. After her stories, she plays her autoharp and the children dance. This is Jules dancing with one of our parent volunteers. I don't have favorite students, instead I have a whole school (250 students) of favorites. Jules is special, she loves art and I love her!

Here is a short video of my school, click here, you can see a real quick shot of Jules drinking milk in the dining hall and then later eating a sandwich. As sad I as I am for my summer vacation to end, after watching this video again, I cannot wait to see my students!

"The Good Life on Santorini" Edward Burton

oil

This for Angela whose theme is places. I thought I'd keep with the same theme as Vern had for Angela's book (dogs in other countries), so I used a photo I took when my wife and I were on the island of Santorini, Greece - it seemed like even the dogs enjoyed the beauty that surrounded them.

Joe & Friends - Michelle Burnett

Joe & Friends

oil on gessoed paper

Here is my contribution to Edward Burton's sketchbook for his "music" theme. I choose a favorite local jazz musician, Joe McQueen, who just celebrated his 91st birthday and is still performing.  I would have like to have spent more time working on this, but it's deadline time!

To learn more about Joe McQueen and hear him tell his story click here. To see and hear him play click here.

Two for James from Edward Burton

oil

These are for James Parker whose moleskin subject matter is wildlife. The dog at the beach is from a photo that I've been wanting to paint and the night heron if from a photo I took when my wife and I were in the beautiful city of San Antonio, Texas last year to pick up our dog, Beau. Sure would love to return to San Antonio someday.

"The Venetian" by Edward Burton

oil 9.5"x7.5"

This is for Liz Holm whose moleskin subject matter is portraits. This elegant looking woman was spotted on a vaporetto (water bus) in Venice and her features were so striking I just had to take a photo of her.

The Unseen - Edward Burton

For Adebanji Alade whose moleskin is about the homeless and poverty. I thought the juxtaposition of the two different existences made a compelling contrast.

Next voyage - April 9

Everyones work is so varied and beautiful it's exciting to be able to see each person's  artwork before you.
Thank you all for making this project so special.

BTW -  Liz you win the most creative dare devil post this time.

Edward Burton - For Dean

This is my contribution to Dean Haven's moleskin. He left his subject matter open and since I know he is a big animal lover, I thought I'd do a painting of a cute little dog that was in my dog's training class.

Edward Burton

Lisbon, Portugal

Acrylic 7.5"x10"

This is my contribution to Vern Schwarz's book. When I first came across Vern's blog and became aware of his wonderful work, he was in the process of painting a large scene of Lisbon - actually just the other side of the large archway looking out through it, and since we love Lisbon, I thought I'd do a painting of it as well.

Israel Kamakawiwo 'Ole for Ed Burton by Sheila

click to enlarge

I enjoyed contributing to Edward Burton's theme on music. Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole is a Hawaiian Icon. He was always popular in Hawaii but only gained National attention with his rendition of "Over the Rainbow". Go to my blog if you'd like to listen to a more traditional Hawaiian song. This is watercolor.

Edward Burton

Acrylic
For my theme I chose music, I have it playing all the time in my studio and since jazz is my favorite form of music I did this piece... though I have to admit I'm not terribly adept with acrylic.