Double Deuce

Beale Street, in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, breathes Blues and Rock. Double Deuce, on the eastern end of Beale, breathes Country and Western, which makes it sort of unique. It all adds to the diversity, and we all win.
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India Ink with watercolor wash, 5 x 7"

Yosemite National Park

It is very hard to describe the overwhelming natural beauty of the Yosemite Valley in central California. It has to be seen in person. The next best thing may be looking at the fantastic Black-and-White photographs of Ansel Adams. His superb talent and infinite care in setting up his camera, time, and place was complemented by his skills to manipulate the image in the Dark Room to increase contrasts in strategic areas. All this resulted in the arresting images we admire to this day.

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Watercolor 12 x 16", Arches Paper

The Alamo

With all due respect to other Texas cities...San Antonio is special. Whether or not you are having a bad day, the River Walk will lift your spirits. And a visit to the Alamo will make you think...highly... of all the sacrifices people have made well before we were born.
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Watercolor, 9x12", Strathmore Paper

Germantown Commissary

Where I first enjoyed Southern Barbecue many years ago... and I continue the tradition to this day.
It is a very popular spot located in the heart of Germantown, Tennessee.
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Watercolor, 8 x 11", on Fabriano cold-pressed paper

Road to Jersey II

This is another one of the tranquil farm scenes you might see when driving along Interstate 40 in Tennessee.

Happy Holidays!

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Princeton University

We traveled to New Jersey over Thanksgiving holiday, and were fortunate enough to visit the campus of Princeton University. I was fascinated by the history of the place and by the beautiful architecture in the campus. The fall colors added to the show.
We had lunch at Lahiere's, a great restaurant where Albert Einstein used to hang out, and we sat next to his favorite table, under his portrait. Ok, I felt about one-inch tall, but still, it was a great experience. My thanks to my brother and my sister-in-law, the hosts.
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Watercolor, 8x11", on Fabriano Hot Press paper

Rum Boogie Cafe

The name says it all. This is a classic spot for great food and great music in the heart of Beale Street, Memphis. One among many.

The original ink sketch is shown, along with the final version which includes a light watercolor wash.

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Ink and Watercolor Wash, 5"x5"

Lucaya Beach, Bahamas

This unassuming bar is in the Island of Grand Bahama. Right after our beer, we had to run for it, because a tropical storm came out of nowhere and broke up the party.
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Watercolor, 11x15" on Arches cold pressed paper

Sandy Hook Lighthouse, New Jersey

I lived in New Jersey for many years and I have a lot of great memories from that time and place. Many people think of New Jersey as over populated and filled with refineries. Actually, most of the state is rural. The northwestern quarter of the state is especially beautiful with its rolling hills, old barns, covered bridges and victorian architecture.
It also has lots of good beaches. Sandy Hook was the closest one to my house, so I kept showing up there...and the locals seemed to tolerate it.
The Sandy Hook Lighthouse has been there since 1764. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the country.
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Watercolor, 5 x 7", Fabriano Paper

Old Memphis

As you descend the Mississippi River in a Paddle Boat cruise, you might see these old buildings dating from the golden age of the cotton trade.

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Watercolor, 11x15", Arches cold pressed paper

Memphis Music

In my native country of Portugal, painting on ceramic tiles is a very old tradition, originating from the times of the Arab ocupation of the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages. In this painting, I tried to emulate this art form on watercolor paper. Some people have said it looks like tiles...some others have said it looks like I was painting through a window. In any event, this painting shows one of the most popular spots in Memphis. Lots of live Blues Music and Barbecue!
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Watercolor, 12x16", Arches paper

Eads Pottery

I first drove by this place about twelve years ago and I thought then, the building was about five minutes away from total collapse. I am glad to report that it is still there. Hopefully it will be there for a long time (Eads, Route 205, Tennessee).
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Watercolor, 9 x 12 ", Fabriano Paper, cold-pressed.

Beale Street, Memphis

Last Sunday we went downtown, enjoyed the great weather and a great blues band playing outdoors. I used one of the photos I took to remind me of the details for this painting.
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Watercolor, 9x12", Fabriano paper hot pressed.

Hunt Phelan House, Memphis

This was painted yesterday after a painful visit to the dentist and after the anesthesia wore off...actually, come to think of it, I think its lingering effects may still be seen in this watercolor... it limited the amount of detail, which I think is a good thing.
The Hunt Phelan house was built in the 1820's and served as Ulysses Grant's headquarters during the Civil War. After being closed to the public for a while, it was tastefully renovated as a great Inn, and four-star restaurant. We are now fortunate to again have access to this historic place.

Watercolor, 5x7", Fabriano paper, rough texture.

Alcatraz

This is a tiny sketch from a trip to the beautiful city of San Francisco. The old maximum security prison is now a museum.

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Watercolor, 1.5 x 3.5 inches on a cold pressed sketchbook surface

Wisteria

For three years straight, its blooms were killed by late frosts. When it does bloom, my backyard gets a facelift.

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Watercolor, 5x7" Fabriano Paper, cold pressed

Sun Studio, Memphis

Speaking of Sun Studio, here is how I saw it in 1995. A lot of Rock-and-Roll history here.
A big THANKS to the late Sam Phillips; We owe you, Mr. Phillips.

Blues City General Store

Memphis is the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock-and-Roll. Let's see...Jerry Lee Lewis, Johny Cash, Roy Orbison, B.B. King, Carl Perkins, Rufus Thomas among others...and of course...Elvis Presley. They all recorded their work at Sun Studio (originally, Memphis Recording Service) on Union Avenue.

This watercolor shows yet another hint-to be found on Beale Street. It was painted for the WKNO Art and Antiques Auction to take place in early November.

Party's over (Beale St. Memphis)

This image is part of a mural in the lobby of Fedex Forum in Memphis. The works on this mural celebrate the long and enduring musical tradition in the city of Memphis, Tennessee.