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)

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)

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)

 

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)

 

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

 

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

 

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)

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)

 

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.

 

 

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 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Steller's Jay in Autumn

 

watercolor on 140lb paper

 

Sold

 

 

 

Golden Fall

 

Painted for the DPW  Fall challenge.

 

8" x 8" oil on canvas

 

available on DPW auction

 

 

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

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 

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

 

 

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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