Verdant View

I started this 10" x 10" painting a few weeks ago after a walk through a densely forested trail at Rooster Rock park. It was one of those "can't see the forest for the trees" situations. Suddenly, light was revealed through the "V" of an old tree covered with moss, and luckily my camera was with me. I used different acrylic media to accentuate the textures of moss and bark.

Next month I have several shows! Two of my plein air paintings will be on display at the Hillsboro Plein Air Exhibition August 2-31 at the Walters Cultural Arts Center main gallery. The opening is Tuesday August 2 at 6:00 pm, with music and refreshments!

Next First Thursday August 4, I'll have two paintings as part of "According to Northwest Light" at the Albina Bank in the Pearl District. The reception is 6:00-9:00 pm, and Albina Bank is located at 430 NW 10th Avenue, Portland 97209. Come on by!

Sunset, sunrise

The view of Mt. Hood from Mt. Tabor is one of my favorites, and I go there often to sketch, paint or just view the mountain. Saturday I painted plein air during the sunset on a warm, cloudless night. There was a brilliant moment when the hills caught the last bright gleam from the west, then all the colors faded.

The next morning I woke up early and saw that it was already getting light so I returned and later painted this 6" x 6" canvas from memory. The mountain was in sillhouette and everything was in shades of blue except the warm glow in the few clouds.

Thought about returning this morning but woke to rain, thunder and lightening! Everything changes...

Radishes and Gold Jacket

On Sunday I completed two small paintings. First, a 6" x 6"still life of radishes, too beautiful to consume before painting their vibrant redness in a green bowl. Later, Nancy posed in a flashy gold jacket at the Candlelight Studio. She seemed to be channeling her inner rock star, maybe 80's era judging by the big shoulders. I painted on a 6" x 12" canvas panel. What do these two have in common: warm colors! After plein air trips to see mostly green foliage and gray skies, it was great to rediscover red!

Hillsboro Plein Air

Spent two days plein air painting in Hillsboro. Yesterday I went to the Jackson Bottom Wetlands with vast views of meadows spotted with poles with attached birdhouses for all types and sizes of birds and bats. I did not notice many birds but did spot a deer in the middle of the field! The weather was perfect, then got a bit hot, then hotter. I had to takes shade breaks. There is always something with plein air, bugs, weather, my easel falls over, I get hungry, etc! But that is just part of the challenge, and incidental to why we do it. It just is the best way to experience reality and nature and really be there. I thought about all that this morning as I drove back to Hillsboro looking at the very cloudy sky and wondering how we were going to paint costumed models in the rain. There were tents, and the drizzle was not an issue!

Above are my two paintings of Birdhouses at Jackson Bottom Wetlands, and Two Girls in the Park. Ok, one of the girls is missing her head but I liked what the shape did for the composition.

Flowers in Yellow Vase

Started a small 6" x 6" simple still life last night around 11:00 and it was anything but simple! Flowers are complex! Next time I'll paint just one flower.

Farmers Market

Went to the local Sunday Farmers Market for shopping and sketching. There were no musicians, my favorite subject, so I sketched a bit, munched on a croissant and took photos. Painted this one later of a pensive produce vendor with a pile of artichokes on a sunny day.

Lavender at Stonegate

Went to West Linn in search of more blooming lavender and found the charming and aromatic Lavender at Stonegate. Besides the fields, I painted some potted lavender with other plants and the cat peeking from behind the barrel. Both are 10"x10" on gallery wrapped canvas.

Lavender at Blue Heron Herbary

Absolutely clear blue skies and a gentle breeze surrounded me on Sauvie Island yesterday. The sounds of chickens and a playful small dog kept me company as I attempted to do the lavender garden justice. The blue herons are metal sculptures, does the painting need a bird on it?

Sun at Sauvie Island

There was sunshine and a lake overflowing trees on Sauvie Island last week. I went to meet friends who were farther down the very bumpy road but this is as far as I got, and it was a lovely place to enjoy sunshine and tranquillity. Now I'm off to find some blooming lavender for the lavender festival in Yamhill to be held July 9-10.