Pacific Sunset

I did this painting for my granddaughter, who loves dolphins.  I have always been a big fan of Bob Wyland.  He seems to be able to put a few splashes of paint on a canvas, and then add a dash of white for the reflection of light off the eye, and "boom," you have a whale, or a dolphin, or a mermaid--in perfect perspective, and underwater lighting.  He is amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California, A Poem

 

      CALIFORNIA

FAST AND PRETTY

SHINY AND NEW

 

ANCIENT REDWOODS

PACIFIC BLUE

 

HER LONG TAN LEGS

AND GOLDEN HAIR

 

WARM SUNNY SKIES

AND DAYS SO FAIR

 

DOLPHINS SWIMMING

THE SURFING GREAT

 

MAJESTIC BRIDGE

THE GOLDEN GATE

 

OFF NEWPORT COAST

THE SUN SETS LOW

 

IN THE DESERT

THE CACTUS GROW

 

SIERRAS RISE

TO GRANITE PEAKS

 

IF YOU CLIMB IT

IT’S QUITE A FEAT.

 

VERDANT VALLEYS

AND RUSHING STREAMS

 

AN ARTISTS’ REALM

A SPORTSMAN’S DREAM

 

THE SAN JOAQUIN

CROPS GROW SO TALL

 

THE RICH FARM LAND

IT FEEDS US ALL

 

OLD JEANS, LOOSE TOP

AND FLOPPY HAT

 

SHE COULD BE RICH

HOW ABOUT THAT

 

CASTLES AND KINGS

ONLY THEY’RE REAL

 

CASUAL DRESS

IS NO BIG DEAL

 

THE YOUNG AND OLD

CREATE THE DREAM

 

CALIFORNIA

ALL THAT IT SEEMS

 

The Creek Fire

 

This is a watercolor of The Creek Fire in California.  I used a dramatic photo from the Associated Press as my model.   As I post this, the fire is still burning.  I dedicate it to Cal Fire and all the people working to put out the many fires in California right now.

Wine Making

35 lbs. of grapes from our vines.

Pressing the juice from the grapes.

 Must starting second fermentation.

The final product.

Franco Harris

My father and I were watching the Steeler-Raider game on TV.  In it,  Franco Harris made the Immaculate Reception.  It was amazing.

Wakinyan--Thunder Spirit

This is a watercolor of a Wakinyan, which is a Thunder Spirit to the Lakota people.  My model was a drawing called "Dream of a Wakinyan" by Black Hawk.  He describes the picture as the Thunder Spirit riding a buffalo.  The buffalo's tail forms a rainbow.  The white spots represent hail.  If a Wakinyan visits a person in a dream, they might become a Heyoka, which is a kind of sacred clown to the Lakota.

Fence Post Sculpture

I made this, but I am not sure what it should be called.  Maybe it is a "Fence Post Sculpture" or a "Spirit Pole."  Anyway, it is just a bunch of old stuff from around the yard that I hung on a fence post.

Dave--Santa Rosa Plateau Nature Preserve

Dave, my wife's friend's husband, riding his horse at the Santa Rosa Nature Preserve.

Winchester '73--Case Colored

Original sketch.

Partially painted.  My gun-expert friend said the colors were too "psychedelic." I muted the oranges to browns in the final version.

This is what a real Winchester '73 looks like with case-coloring.

Dairy Milk Can

We have an old, antique milk can sitting on our patio.  The rusted patina was so interesting that I decided to try to capture it in a watercolor painting.  I used a very wet paper so the colors would bleed into each other.  As I worked on this painting, I thought about all the people who work on farms and orchards.  I appreciate so much all their hard work that puts food on our table.  I especially appreciate my farming cousins, Amy and her husband, Jesse; and Jennifer and her husband, Dan.

Our Lady of Guadalupe--Leather Carving in Barnwood Frame

George Floyd

I used a beautiful and dramatic painting of George Floyd by Brian Carlson as a model for this watercolor painting.  I know there are good cops out there and I support them 100% in their difficult job.  However, as in ANY profession, when someone does something wrong, there needs to be accountability.  BLM

I Am Gone from Here

I AM GONE FROM HERE

Standing at my grave,

Please don’t shed a tear.

My spirit’s left this place,

And I am gone from here.

I’m in my childrens’ veins,

And in their memories dear.

I’m in my artwork done,

For friends both far and near.

My spirit’s in the ground I’ve worked,

And plants I’ve nurtured there.

And in the grapes and wine we’ve made,

And toasts that we have shared.

And at the high school games,

On cold November nights,

I’m in the mist that swirls,

Beneath the stadium lights.

So do not cry and do not weep,

My spirit’s all around you see.

And all I’ve done and all I’ve made…

—is me.

Inspired by:  Mary Elizabeth Frye

Just Go-- In the Authors Hall Collection at Cal Poly Humboldt

In 2025, this book was included in the Authors Hall collection at Cal Poly Humboldt.

This is my first attempt at writing a short novel.  It was not so much the story I had to tell, but I wanted to go through the thought process of creating a novel. 

This story follows a naïve young man through his freshman year of college and his first time living away from home.  Searching for one’s destiny is mentioned several times and emerges as the students’ greater goal—more so than the goal of just passing classes and working towards a diploma.  Several of them have serious issues to deal with during the school year including, racial issues, long-term commitments, dealing with guilt and forgiveness.  This romantic comedy-drama is loosely based on my college experiences. AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

New Orleans Trolley--Garden District

I have always wanted to do a painting of some part of New Orleans.  I did one of St. Louis Cathedral awhile ago, but that was more of the building itself.  I decided on doing a Trolley in the Garden District.  The most challenging part was doing the windows.

Coronavirus Project: USNS Mercy--Hospital Ship

I was looking for a Coronavirus/stay-at-home project.  I decided to make a toy ship for my grandchildren.  Originally, I thought of doing a battleship, but a hospital ship seemed more appropriate.  I only used material I had on-hand in my garage. (except for the dowel for the smokestack) I completed the project in about two weeks.  I was in no hurry and tried to do a little each day.  This is the Hospital Ship Mercy.  You can tell by the forward-facing Red Cross, which is off-centered.  This was the ship that was sent to Los Angeles during the pandemic.  On the Hospital Ship Comfort, the forward-facing Red Cross is centered.

This is the real USNS Mercy out at sea.  It is a beautiful sight.  It must be very emotional for people in need to see it arriving on the scene to help.

This is my project with the unpainted pieces assembled.

Boo

Debbie, a good friend of my wife, had a horse named Boo for many years.  Recently, Boo passed away.  This painting is from a photo of Debbie and Boo in a Barrel Race competition at a rodeo.

Ocean View Seahawk Runningback

I painted this one in 1986 when I was the Head Coach at Ocean View H. S.  CLAW stands for Class, Loyalty, Aggressiveness and Work. 

Serengeti Sunset

This is my Coronavirus-Stay-At-Home painting.  I took a photo from a PBS Wildlife show on our TV last night (See below) and used it for my model.  For all the scrubbing I do on paintings like this, I think I need to use heavier paper.

The Trinidad Coast

A photo of the Trinidad Coast in Northern California.

The Carson Mansion

A photo of the Carson Mansion in Eureka, California

Poetry Collection

I have always enjoyed the poetry of Carl Sandburg and Pablo Neruda.  Over the past many years, I have written a few poems.  Most are pretty sappy.  The last one was inspired by reading Edgar Allan Poe.  Here are two of them...

I SELDOM SAY I LOVE YOU

I seldom say I love you

It’s such an easy thing to say.

Especially when we’re warm and tender

And the world’s so far away.

Three short and simple words

That people say so fast.

No, I’d rather show my love

In ways that‘ll always last.

I’ll tell you that I love you

By the way I hold your hand

And the way I hold you close to me

As we walk along the sand.

And you’ll always know I love you

By the way I treat you

The way I hold you

And the way I care for you.

So when we’re sitting quietly

And those words you’d wish I’d say,

Remember that I’ve said them to you

In a thousand different ways.

 I HATE YOU CLOCK...

I hate you clock

quiet and slow

It's as if you know

the time I must go

You seem to know

when I must die

You hold the knowledge

I wish had I

Yet how can a clock

made of springs and gears

Know something

that won't happen for years.

 

I hate you clo.....................

The Milky Way from Cranberry Island, Maine

This is a watercolor of the Milky Way from Little Cranberry Island off the coast of Maine.  I used a beautiful painting by Jennifer Lawson as a model.  Twice in my life, I have seen beautiful views of the Milky Way--once at an evening lab session for an Astronomy class at Humboldt State University; and the other time was when I was camping with my wife and children at the Grand Canyon.  Both times, the view was awe-inspiring.  This painting could not be used in an Astronomy class, but I hope it captures some of the beauty of the Milky Way.

China Lake Petroglyphs

This is a pencil drawing of a Native American Petroglyph found on the grounds of the China Lake Naval Air Station in California.

Steel Mill Interior

As I mentioned in my painting, "Pittsburgh Steel Mill," I had wanted to do a painting of the fiery interior of a steel mill but could not find a good subject for a watercolor painting.  Recently I came across a great artist named Henry E. Jones (henryejones.com) whose watercolor painting I thought I could use.  His is much more dramatic and his use of a wet paper is excellent.  

I dedicate this one to my Uncle George Klipa who passed away on September 21, 2019.  He worked for many years for U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh--spending many years at the Edgar Thompson Plant.  When I was in 2nd Grade, he gave my father and me a tour of his steel mill.  No painting can capture the feel of being there in person.  The deafeningly loud sounds of the huge machines; the acrid smell of the fire, coal and steel searing your nostrils; and the burning hot temperature on your skin while you look at white hot steel--all combine to overwhelm the senses.

Angel of Bridge Street (Franklin, Tennessee)

Sitting next to a driveway on Bridge Street in Franklin, Tennessee is a statue of an angel. The weather, taking its toll on it, just seems to enhance its beauty.

Redwood Forest

This is a watercolor of a Redwood forest similar to the ones near Humboldt State University where I attended school.  I have found that it is extremely difficult to capture the size and majesty of the Redwoods while painting or photographing them.   While reading a children's book, "You are Home" by Evan Turk, I came across a painting of Redwoods that was very beautiful.  I used it as a model for my painting. The top portion of the painting is supposed to be washed out as it is trying to show the tops of the trees lost in the mist.

Almost Home

This is the first painting I have ever done for someone who requested it.  A friend of my wife asked her son, "When do you feel like you are almost home?"  He said, "When I see the barn."  She asked me to paint a picture from a photo that she had taken of that barn.  The barn is located near Joseph, Oregon.

This is another attempt of the same barn.  I wanted to try a looser version of the subject.

Dio de los Muertos Skull

This is my attempt at a Dio de los Muertos Skull.  This is a very simplified version.  I had always wanted to try to paint this subject.  The difficulty is that they are supposed to be perfectly symmetrical.  Mine, as you can see, is not.

Yavapai County Safe

On a recent visit to Prescott, Arizona, I was inside the Yavapai County Courthouse.  They had a historic exhibit and this old safe was on display.  It was such an interesting subject that it inspired me to do this.

Cliff Dwelling

2019--50th Anniversary of Fountain Valley-Edison Football Game

FIFTY YEARS AGO

THE FOUNTAIN VALLEY-EDISON FOOTBALL RIVALRY WAS BORN

            Rivalries are born of perceived injustices in sporting events.  The Fountain Valley-Edison rivalry was born for exactly that reason.  While most rivalries revolve strictly around two opponents, the story of this rivalry involves a third school—the Loara Saxons.

            In the spring of 1969, Fountain Valley’s football coach, Bruce Pickford, divided the freshmen in his athletic P.E. class into two groups.  One group of players, the ones that would be staying at Fountain Valley, stayed in the P.E. class.  The other freshmen, the ones who would be moving to the new high school, were removed from the class.  This left a bad taste in their mouth and they never forgot it.

            In the fall of 1969, the still relatively new Fountain Valley was on its way to having the best football team in its young history.  The second to last game of the season was against the Irvine League football power and defending CIF Champion, Loara Saxons.  They entered the game with a 20-game winning streak, and were tied with Fountain Valley for first place.  Whoever won the game would remain in contention for the CIF play-offs.  (This was in the era when only one team from each league went to the play-offs.)

            Late in the fourth quarter, Loara had a 21-13 lead and seemed to have the game won.  But Fountain Valley drove down to the Saxon’s goalline.  With 26 seconds left, quarterback John Svoboda threw a pass to Rick Power for the TD to slice the lead to 21-19.  The stage was set for the most important play of the season. Going for two, Svoboda fired a pass to Brady Moore.  The game ended in a tie, keeping Fountain Valley in a tie for first place in the league standings.  After the game ended, Loara walked off the field with their heads down—their 20-game winning streak ended.  The Barons left the field exuberant.  The only thing standing between Fountain Valley and the league championship and a CIF play-off berth was a struggling, senior-less team from a new school down the road.  The two teams would meet the following week.

            The Sophomore football game between Fountain Valley and Edison was played the afternoon before the first ever varsity game.  The participants on both sides in this game had been freshmen teammates the previous year at FVHS.   In the heated competition of the game, Fountain Valley Head Sophomore Coach, Wayne Michaelian turned to his assistant coach, Ken Friess and said, “This is going to be some kind of rivalry.”  He couldn’t have been more prophetic.  Several hours later at the conclusion of the varsity game the final score was…

EDISON 21

FVHS      20

            The injustice of a young, upstart Edison team defeating the best team in Fountain Valley history was too much to comprehend.  And the long nightmare would continue for three more years.

            Finally, in 1973, Fountain Valley was leading 28-24 late in the fourth quarter in front of a sell-out crowd at Orange Coast College.  (The Costa Mesa Fire Department had closed the gates to the stadium an hour before game time because the stadium was packed with fans and people were sitting in the ivy that surrounded the game field)  Edison had the ball and was moving methodically down the field for the go-ahead touchdown to steal another victory from the Barons.  Fountain Valley cheerleaders were actually crying in anticipation of another heartbreaking loss.  With the Chargers on the Baron’s goalline, their quarterback handed off to runningback Bill Rutherford, who fumbled and Baron linebacker, Dave Mackley pounced on the loose ball to preserve the victory.  Bedlam erupted and the Fountain Valley fans poured onto the field to celebrate with their team.

            Finally, vengeance was won and the greatest rivalry in Orange County was galvanized into sports history.  The Rivalry or the Bell Game (The victor claims the Bell Trophy presented to the winner of the game) proved too much for almost any venue in the county and for many years the game was played at Anaheim Stadium.

            For both schools, no victory is sweeter and no defeat is more heartbreaking.  But no matter the outcome, the Fountain Valley-Edison game touches players from both sides as no other game.

By Guy A. Carrozzo (FVHS ’72)

Go Barons!  Beat Edison!

Saddleback Mountain from San Juan Capistrano

This is another watercolor of Saddleback Mountain looking at it from San Juan Capistrano.  The photo below was taken from the back deck of my old coach and life mentor, Ken.

        In Marcy and Maurice Bandy's book, Saddleback Ancestors the authors write...

        "Old Saddleback, the name given to the twin peaks of Santiago and Modjeska, has stood as guardian, landmark, and provider for Orange County since California was thrust from the Pacific millions of years ago.  She is surely the mother of the adjoining valleys and canyons.  Her crumbling rocks transported grain by grain down the stream beds by the gentle rains and infrequent snows, gradually built the fertile plain beneath her slopes.

       "Here, after countless suns and moons rose behind her peaks, the first Indians arrived and established camps on the tableland to the west.  Birds and small game were abundant, the seas was full of food, seeds and plants were plentiful.  With a moderate climate, the Indians found life in the shadow of Saddleback bountifully simple."

The Porrazzo Inn

I painted this one for my sister who loves Christmas.  I tried to make it look a little like a Thomas Kinkade painting.

Derek Jeter

This is a pen and watercolor of Derek Jeter that I did for one of my nephews.  I tried to capture the power of his swing.

Alex Rodriguez

This is a pen and watercolor of Alex Rodriguez that I did for one of my nephews. I tried to give the picture some movement with some blurred lines and wet streaks.

Bart Starr 1934-2019

This was a drawing of Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers.  I did it in when I was in school many years ago.  He was one of the greatest quarterbacks of his time.  I post it today (May 26, 2019) to honor him because he passed away today.