Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Sharp and Pointed

 
 
​With a name like "Sharp and Pointed"
I am sure you were expecting a knife or a pair of scissors.
 But what is more 'cutting edge' than a pair of red high heels,
 new from the box - maybe Christian Louboutin
 if your lucky this new year.
The DPW challenge was something sharp that cuts - well...
maybe I stretched that description a bit. ;)
 
7" x 5" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
(see sidebar)

Monday, December 29, 2014

Lady in White Lace

 
​I was intrigued by this lady
 dressed in layers of white organza with lace trim 
and several colorful necklaces.  
She had a bandeau of white lace
 twisted around her dark hair
and tied into a 'flower'.
Couldn't resist painting her. 
 
6" x 6" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
(see sidebar)

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Rainbow

 
 
​In the PNW rain is a weather staple,
 but often with many sun breaks,
which send beautiful rainbows
arching across the cloudy skies.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
Painted for DPW skyscape challenge.
 
available on DPW auction (see sidebar)
 

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Winter Walk

 
 
Scruffy is up for a walk no matter the season.
 He especially loves the snow.
This was painted for DPW's pet challenge.
 
6" x 6" on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
(see side bar)
 

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Roscoe

 
 
This dog portrait was painted for DPW's pet challenge.
 
Roscoe is an Australian Shepherd,
 loving and loved, with a sweet nature. To say he is intelligent
does not begin to describe the ability he has to understand and perform.
 He is red and white with golden eyes. He is a rescued dog.
No particular nickname - he has been referred to as baby, little buddy,
 and a few other terms of endearment by various members of the household.
 
Gifted - NFS
 

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Three Quilts and an Old Barn

 
 
 
This is a redo of the "Barn Hex".
I added two quilts because I felt the painting called for them.
The one by itself just didn't work for me.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas board
 
SOLD

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Tree Lighting at the Square

 
 
This beautiful Christmas tree
which stands in what is called
Portland's front porch - the townsquare.
This year the lights are all blues. I love it.
 
6" x 6" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
(see sidebar)

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Winter Starry Sky

 
 
Science says that everything
 is made from the same stuff as stars.
 In that light, in painting this skyscape of the milky way,
I brought the starry sky down into the landscape
in a continuous connection.
 
6" x 8" oil on canvas
 
available on DPW auction
(see sidebar)

Monday, November 24, 2014

Sunset Feast

 
 
The setting sun reflects
 its orange and golden colors
 in the wet sand and shallow waves
 that lap the shore,
 as a white heron finds an evening feast.
 
 
6" x 8" oil on canvas
available on DPW auction
(see sidebar)

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Cardinal

 
​A beautiful red cardinal
sits in a star pine tree all fluffed out
to keep warm as the temperatures drop
 with the first snow fall.
 
 
6" x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
(see sidebar)
 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Nuts

 
 
An industrial painting of a pile of nuts
 reflecting the colors of the lights around them.  
It was the colors and shapes that drew me
 to paint this for DPW's "Industrial" challenge.
 
6 x 8"  oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
(see sidebar)

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Antiques in a Barn

 
In traveling the country back roads and farm lands,
I frequently would come across an old barn
which had been converted into an Antique shop.
They were wondrous places to poke through for hidden treasures,
 but for an artist, they most of all,
make wonderful painting subjects.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas
 
available on DPW auction
(see sidebar)
 

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Alpine Glow

 
 
As a first big winter storm approaches,
 the setting sun casts an amazing pink
 "Alpine Glow" over the snow topped foothills
 and scurrying clouds
against the darkening evening sky.
 
 

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Copper Bowl

 
 
 
A copper bowl is filled with pine cones
and pomegranates to be set on a side table
 near the evergreen sprigs
adding to the cheerful holiday ambience.
Painted for DPW copper challenge.
 
6" x 8" oil on canvas
 
available on DPW auction
(see sidebar)
 
 
 

Rainy Day in Fall

 
 
 
Here in the NW fall usually ushers in
 the 6 - 7 months of rainy season,
 often interspersed with sunshine though.
 The rain is what makes everything here so beautiful,
 so we don't mind.
 Besides its usually a gentle misty rain,
where most people don't even crack open an umbrella.
 
8" x 6" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
(see sidebar)
 
SOLD 
 

Monday, November 3, 2014

Hood River Barn

 
 
A fall scene of a red barn
 situated in the hills of Hood River below Mt. Hood.
I photographed this on a recent trip
 through the orchards and vineyards
of this lovely valley along the Columbia River.
This painting was done for the DPW Barn challenge.
 
6" x 6" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Cherries, Crystal and Silver


 
 
Imported cherries and hot house flowers
 set on a sideboard while sleety rain falls against the window.
 Painted for DPW's Fill the Bowl challenge.
 
available on DPW auction

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Canyonland Ranch

 
 
Painted this from a couple of reference photos,
 that I took this summer while traveling
 through Oregon's north central canyons.
This depicts a ranch on the John Day river,
that has become a state park called appropriately, Canyonland St. Park.
  It still has many of the old ranch buildings,
 including this old red barn.
It is a beautiful place to visit and paint.
 
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Foot Bridge

 
 
This is a little foot bridge
 that crosses a creek in a park near my home.
I walk/hike the trails here often.
 Had to truck through the soft ground to a place
where I could paint the bridge from a good vantage point.
The little creek was flowing more heavily because of recent fall rains.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Falls in Fall

 
 
Hiking the local trails
 with my "en plein air" kit in a backpack,
 I came across these ​waterfalls
cascading down the mountain side filled from the recent fall rains.
 I loved the pops of autumn gold from the maple trees
that dot the landscape
 and are just beginning to turn their rich fall colors.
 
available on DPW auction

Monday, October 13, 2014

Meadow in Autumn

 
 
​The last of the Queens Anne's Lace
stands among the dry grasses and red leaves of autumn,
while a bird perches on a bare limb
contemplating the threatening storm. 
 
 
6 x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
 
available on DPW auction

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Early Fall

 
 
When fall comes to the northwest,
it brings the turning leaves
and the return of the rainy season.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Golden Fall


 
Painted for the DPW  Fall challenge.
 
8" x 8" oil on canvas
 
available on DPW auction
 
 
 
 

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Jays in the Sunflower Patch

 
 
​As fall approaches, the sunflowers in the garden
begin to set their seeds, a virtual banquet
 for the bright blue Steller's Jays that can't resist the feast.
And I couldn't resist painting them.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction

Her Secret Garden

 
A little girl and her cute little dog
watch a blue butterfly as it flits around
the flowers she has collected for a bouquet.
 
8" x 6" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction

Friday, September 26, 2014

Columbia River

 
 
The clouds over the Columbia River Gorge
cause the river to reflect the silvery sheen of the sky,
and the low lying mist softens the distant bluffs.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas
 
available on DPW aucton

Old Log Barn Near Mt. Moran

 
 
This century old log barn is a popular scenic spot
in the Teton NP near Mt. Moran.
The day I began painting it this summer en plein air,
the weather turned very stormy with rain, thunder and lightening.
 I grabbed a quick few pictures before the deluge,
 and finished it later in my studio.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Nevada

 
I painted this scene from a photo I took
along the "Longest Loneliest Road" (and it truly is)
that runs across Nevada.
 But the scenery is so spectacular
 that I felt it was well worth the long drive.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
 
 

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Rocks in a Stream

 
 
Bright green mosses, golden dry leaves,
and emerald green water,
make for a fanciful landscape vignette.
 
6" x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
 
available on DPW auction

Monday, September 22, 2014

Ebony and Ivory

 
 
A sweet little ebony jar
keeps company with pretty ivory tea roses
in a clear glass vase.
(FYI, this photo doesn't reveal how lush the colors really are)
 
6" x 6" oil on canvas
 
available on DPW auction
 
 
 
 

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Storm Moving In


 
 
Painted for DPW's Stormy" weather challenge.
I love painting dramatic skies.
This challenge photo has it all: rain, wind, blowing clouds,
 even a smattering of sunlight reflected in the water and on the clouds.
I later added the lighthouse because I felt the little island
was telling me it wanted one.
 
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
 
 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Columbia River Gorge

 
 
The Columbia Gorge is a scenic corridor
 that goes from heavily forested to reddish sandstone bluffs
that follow the mighty Columbia river,
where the vegetation is shaped by the extreme windy conditions.
Another plein air painting from my summer roadtrips.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction

Monday, September 8, 2014

Early Mountain Snowstorm

 
 
A late summer snowstorm in the rocky mountains,
leaves a layer of white on the purple peaks,
which overlook the changing color of the fall season
in the valley below.
 
This is a plein air painting done on my summer roadtrip.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
 
 
 

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Pastel Sky

 
​When taking an evening walk, I crossed this river
and was stunned by the beautiful pastel colors in the sky
and reflected in the water. I stood there on the bridge
and absorbed the beauty committing to memory
every detail that I could.
I quickly painted in the basic colors and then spent
 the next few days with details.
I know this painting looks almost like a fantasy scene,
but it is very close to the reality.
 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
 
Available on DPW auction
 
 
 

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Tire Swing

 
 
Where I live there are very tall fir and pine trees,
 but scattered among them are giant old oaks and maples.
These old twin oaks have grown in a neighbors side yard
and been the playground for several generations of children,
who have climbed into their branches and swung from a tire swing.
I began this painting as a plein air because I love the ancient oak trees
and the lovely lights and shadows, 
but felt the tire swing needed a child so I added him in my studio.
 
6" x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Orchard Ladder

 
 
Grandpa's old wooden orchard ladder
comes in handy for harvesting the fruit higher up in the tree,  
that can't be picked easily from the ground.
​Another 'backyard' plein air painting.
 
8" x 6" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction 

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Wild Oregano

 
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
 
 
In the south pasture behind the garden and fruit trees,
 is a riot of wild oregano and interlaced with small white field daisies.
 It is so pretty I couldn't resist painting it.
This is another of my 'backyard' plein air paintings.
 
available on DPW auction
 
 
 

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Red Wheelbarrow

 
 
This is a backyard plein air painting of our apple tree.
While we were harvesting the golden Tranparency apples
I was intrigued by the scene, especially the red wheelbarrow; 
and took a break and got out my little pochade box and oils.
 
8" x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW aucttion

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Waterfall

 
​Plein air painting done of a lovely creek near Sisters, Oregon
that I did on my summer roadtrip this year.
The little waterfall was pretty, but I particularly liked the three old trees
 which seemed to stand guard over this gorgeous location.
Not sure of the exact spot, but this may be the Metolius River.
 
8" x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Blooms in a Green Vase

 
 
​I received a lovely flower arrangement as a gift
and placed them in a pretty light green vase.
 A few of the flowers were spent before I got around to painting them,
 but these pretty blooms were still fresh.
 
8" x 6" oil on canvas panel
 
 
available on DPW auction

Monday, July 14, 2014

Smith Rock 2

 
​This is the second plein air painting of Smith Rock
with the Crooked River which runs through the rocks,
 that I did during my summer roadtrip.
 
6" x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
 

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Country Morning

 
Plein air painting I did on my roadtrip
of Central Oregon's high desert farm lands.
I particularly liked the misty hills and wonderful light
of the early morning on the landscape.
 
6" x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
 
 

Friday, July 11, 2014

Smith Rock

 
​Smith Rock in Central Oregon is a climbing destination
for people from all over the world.
Although I don't climb, I love hiking and the scenery here is worth the trek.
This is one of a three plein air painting I did this summer of this beautiful place.
 
 
 (If you aren't familiar with 'plein air' painting,
it is a quick study done on location, where the artist tries to get impressions,
color, light and atmosphere down as quickly as possible,
 as they can change rapidly.)
 
8" x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
 
 
This is a photo I took of the scene, which I usually do,
for later reference for creating a larger more detailed
 painting in studio.
 

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Sailing the Strait

 
 
Another ​plein air painting from my summer roadtrip,
 this time on the Olympic Penn.
 I was enchanted by the lovely purples and blues of this scene,
and the placid waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait,
where a  sailboat and its reflection 
silently moved into the mists off Vancouver Island, Canada.
 
6" x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
 
Below is a photo of the scene painted. My computer tends to
over do the blues so the purples and bluegreens aren't as obvious
in the photo.
 
 
 

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

High Desert Morning

 
​Another plein air painting of the high desert of Central Oregon
where I began my roadtrip this year.
 I was particularly fascinated with the pastel colors
produced by the morning atmosphere, flowers,
and natural coloring of the landscape.
 
6" x 8" oil on canvas panel
 
available on DPW auction
 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Fairholme Campground

 
This is a plein air watercolor sketch I did of a campground
where I stayed in the Olympic NP during my summer roadtrip this year.
This is a rainforest and it was misty and damp this day,
so rather than venture out,  I painted this scene
 which was visible from my campsite.
The colors, clothes strung between two trees, the campfire smoke
all intrigued me.
 
6" x 8" watercolor sketch on 140# paper
 
available on DPW auction
 
 
 

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Morning Glory


This is a "story" painting that tells a tale.
 They often take days to paint, and the scene often evolves creatively.
In this "story" work
In this 'story' work, the ​morning breaks in a golden orange glow 
behind the mountains which frame the valley and river 
where an old red mill stands. 
It's wheel turning slowly in the flow of a peaceful stream as it runs by. 
The miller has a fire burning against the early chill, 
as an eagle soars overhead looking for its own breakfast. 

8" x 10" oil on canvas panel

available on DPW auction