The Pond at Sunset

Painted for Gary Keimeg's Wilderness Art Challenge for April, from a photo he provided.

6"x6" acrylic on linen


$50.

Red Wing Blackbird

Submitted to Lela Stankovic's  Paint and Draw Together  challenge.

6"x6" acrylic on linen


$50.

The Red Dot

Devil's Tower rock climber appears as a tiny red dot as he ascends the basalt columns of this well known mountain. Sacred to many Native Americans and an awesome travel destination.

Click on image for a better view.

Texting in the Wind

Submitted to Daily Paint Works "NYC Lady" challenge.


6"x6" acrylic on linen


$50.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! I ended up painting this little scene from the Gospel of Matthew 28, about the resurrection. The one where an angel rolls back the stone and announces to His disciples, that Jesus has risen. It was much less intimidating than trying to paint the face of Jesus, which I still may do someday.

Windsurfers

Wind surfing is a popular sport on the Columbia River. The winds can blow upwards of 30 to 40 MPH and higher. The surfers tack from bank to bank. The day I took this picture, I had come across the Bridge of the Gods, from Oregon to Washington to do some plein air painting along the river, and photography. The winds were so strong this day that I only was able to take some photos. I particularly love the shining silvery water.


Note: Traveling west along the Columbia on the Washington side of the river, I rounded a curve and the winds hit with such force that the roof box on the top of my car began to vibrate badly and then was lifted off and landed in the road behind me. The hinges on one side pulled loose and broke the others free. I was grateful that no one was closely following - but a shariff did come along almost immediately and helped me load the box into the back of my car. It has a hatchback, and the box just fit. He said that he had seen trailers overturned and cargo lifted out of pickup beds. There ought to be warning signs along the roadway.

The Swallows Return

This little fellow is called a Violet Greenback. He and many of his friends have returned to our area. The males are stunning in their colors of bright green shoulders and grayish violet and white bodies. The females are less brilliant. This little guy has his mate trapped inside the birdhouse, hoping that once she gets a good look at his terrific digs, she will decide to stay with him. Not sure if she did, as a few minutes after I took this picture, he looked away momentarily and she zipped out past him.

The Risen Jesus

This is a pencil sketch I did for cards that I want to send to family and friends for Easter. I am going to try and make a painted copy. If it turns out, then that is what I will use; if not, then I will stick with the pencil drawing.  It is pretty intimidating and humbling to try and paint the face of our Lord. I used an Iraqi artist here where I live, as a model. He has a wonderful middle eastern face that I thought was perfect. No matter how hard I tried to make this drawing look older and more life worn, it kept coming out looking fresh and young. Then I realized that is probably how Jesus looked at the resurrection and was subconsciously making him look that way.

I Will Stand By You

This painting was submitted to Alice Thompson's Calypso Moon Artist Movement, April challenge.  This blooming cherry tree (Sakura in Japanese) is in the yard of an elementary school in Japan. It is old and venerable, often pruned, and with its branches shaped by the wind making it a perfect symbol of wisdom and strength. Along with Mt. Fuji in the background, they are signs of hope for the children, and all the people of Japan in the light of the recent disaster.

The painting's title is from the words of a song by Rascal Flatts. This song gives another layer of meaning to this painting.   Ever since I first heard this song, it has moved me in many ways. In this instance, it is how I think the people of America, and we as artists, feel about the people of Japan. Listen to it and see if you don't agree.  "I won't let go! .  Thank you to Alice Thompson for a most meaningful and interesting challenge.

7"x5" acrylic on canvas panel

$50.

Into the Morning Light

Another painting done for Carol Marine's Daily Paintworks weekly challenge. This is second of the two wonderful road scenes from her visit to Germany.


6"x6" acrylic on linen paper


$125.

Just Around the Bend

Painted for Daily Paintworks weekly challenge from a photo provided by Carol Marine from her trip to Germany.

6"x6" acrylic on linen paper

$125.

The Blue Boat

This painting was done for Bill Guffey's Virtual Paintout in Japan. Using Google street view we are asked to tour a city or country and paint a scene we like. It must have been close to sunset on an overcast day when this photo was taken. It created the silvery reflection on the water, and the misty effect in the background that I liked.


6"x6" acrylic on linen paper




$50.

Peace Cranes

It is cherry blossom time in Japan (and elsewhere in the world where it is spring time and cherry trees are blooming): a visual symbol of new life and beauty. The white crane is a symbol of peace and tranquility. Both of these symbols are portrayed here as a visual greeting of well wishes for the people of Japan. This painting was done in very thin acrylics to achieve a pastel watercolor feel of lightness and a gentle nature; and because cherry blossoms are such a delicate color.  It has been submitted to Daily Paint Works Japan benefit challenge. Starting bid is $50.

8"x10" acrylic on canvas panel