Arboretum

Dogwood, Pink 9" x 12" oil $135

Dogwood, White 9" x 12" oil $135

Yesterday was a warm sunny day at the Portland Arboretum in Forest Park.  The sky was a cloudless blue at least for awhile, and I painted flowering dogwoods en plein air.  Why are they called dogwood?

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irises

Iris, Montavilla, oil on canvas board 11" x 14" $190.00

Iris in Yellow Vase, oil on canvas board 9" x 12" $135

Irises are blooming in my neighborhood!  On my walk a few blocks away I admired and photographed a large group or early bloomers, swaying slightly in the breeze.  That photo was used for the painting on top.

Meanwhile, our backyard irises started their own blooms and I put a single stalk in a vase for a still life, the lower painting, completed last night.  More irises to come while they're in season, rain or shine!

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Plein Air Elk Rock Island

 Painting plein air at Elk Rock Island, near Spring Park, Milwaukie, Oregon.

 Light and Shade on the River, 9" x 12"

View through Trees, 12" x 12"

Spent a lovely, sunny day on the Willamette River, exploring and painting at Elk Rock Island park.  It's really a peninsula when the water level is low.  Spotted an eagle nest, but no eagles, just an occasional Canada goose, plus people with babies, dogs, and radio controlled miniature off road vehicles.  I expect to do at least one more painting from photos, and hope to go back soon.

Plein Air at Crystal Springs

It's not the peak of the rhodie season, but Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is beautiful at this time of year.  On a recent sunny day I painted plein air at the pond, where ducks and geese splashed through reflections of pinks and greens.  I'll be back when the irises are blooming along with more rhodies in every color, and in a few weeks the baby ducks and geese will be introduced to the world.  Spring Pond at Crystal Springs is 9" x 12"