Desert in Bloom

I wanted to paint something for my daughter Lara who has the southwestern decor in her home and wanted a painting that fit that theme. She requested that it be colorful - so what better to paint than the gorgeous cactus flowers of the south western deserts.

Tropical Pool

I painted this for Studio Atelier June challenge from a photo provided. It is a tropical scene, which at first I wasn't sure how to approach, but as I started painting I just went into that automatic mode where the muse takes over and before I knew it I had finished - this being the result. I really like it a lot more than I thought I would, as I wasn't too keen on the original photo. The odd thing is that the painting turned out to look very much like the photo - and I am pleased with it.

Chrystee's Flowers

These two paintings are for my daughter Chrystee. The tropical flowers and colors were what she wanted - something bright, with oranges, reds and blues. These bird's of paradise are entitled:
Fire and Rain. The flowers in both paintings are somewhat modern and abstract - which is more to her taste than a bouquet on a table or in a garden, painted in realism.

The second painting is bougainvilleas reflected in water, entitled: The Blue Pool - again bringing in the brilliant cobalt blue and red/orange shades she loves. Considering they were my first attempt at something like this, I think they turned out wonderful, and I am happy that she likes them.

Desert Sunset

When traveling through Arizona to Colorado, after visiting the Grand Canyon, my rear view mirror began to reflect the orange and pink sunset sky. So I pulled over and got out of my car and watched the sky and clouds turn and reflect off the landscape as the sun set. I painted this from memory, so it is more likely my impressions and feelings, than reality. But that is why started painting - because photos don't always reveal what is felt and 'seen'.

Evening Glow

I watched this Great Blue Heron fishing for his supper on the Siuslaw River. The setting sun turned everything golden. It was one of those incredible images that you never forget. It truly was the golden hour.

Wind at Cape Lookout Beach

I spent a week at the coast, camping with my grandson. Took lots of pictures while he played on the beach making forts out of drift wood, running after seagulls and through the waves. I loved the way the tree limbs reached with the wind, while fog shrouded the distant point and waves practically tumbled over each other. A scene to be painted someday when summer was over and just a memory. And that is what I did on a snowy winter day. This painting was featured on Painter's Keys, by Robert Genn along with some comments  that I wrote.

'33 Chevy Flatbed

While traveling down a country backroad through Montana, I came upon some old , rusting relics for sale, lining the road hubcap deep in grass. I particularly liked this old mustard colored truck - not sure what it's original color was - so I painted it. (Then researched on the internet to discover it's year, make and model.) The person who set up this unlikely car lot, named his business - I am sure with tongue in cheek - "Enterprise Motors".

Hearts and Flowers

I live in the country where Lynn has a kitchen garden with a stand of tall sunflowers along the road. I passed them everyday when I went for a walk. One day I noticed that these gorgeous flowers had heart shaped leaves. The next day I photographed them. This painting is somewhat abstract as I wanted to emphesize the characteristics of the leaves and flower heads.

Red, White and Blue

Near John day, the red Painted Hills are spectacular for photographing and painting. The day I was there, there were ice clouds forming diagonal cobalt blue and white striations in the sky behind the hills, which made for an even more dramatic scene.

The Sentinals

Near Estacada, there is a park along the Clackamas River, where I saw these two great old sentinals leaning towards the river. They were enough to make me want to capture the image, but the bright blue green color of the water added a surreal quality to the scene.

Tidal Caves

Near Depot Bay there are these fascinating caves that come and go with the tides. I painted this from a photo (below) that I took of them, when camping on the Oregon coast.
I simplified the house and trees, but other than that everything is the same.

Ali's Cats

P and Nermal are my daughter's two cats, she treats them like her babies - and I guess they are. Painting them gave me a chance to practice painting cats.