Crimson Clover, oil 14" x 18" on canvas 

I went out to the Washington County near Hillsboro to paint the crimson clover fields about a month ago on a sunny Spring day.  White and yellow wildflowers mixed in with the red flowers and green leaves.  Since clover is a cover crop, it does not last long, so I'm glad I was able to paint plein air to capture all this color!

Plein air

Hartman Pond, oil 9" x 12"

Painting plein air at Benson Lake Recreation Area in the Columbia Gorge, I set up my easel next to Hartman Pond.  The day was partly sunny, not hot, with a cool breeze that riffled the water and blew off my hat. Logs across the pond make good fish habitat, and there were several people fishing off the pier.  The pond is between the railroad tracks and nearby highway, yet it was peaceful.  

Creekside Trees, oil 9" x 12"

After a quick lunch, I turned around and painted the trees between the pond and the creek that comes from Wahkeena Falls, a gentle trickle on its way to the river.  Cottonwood pieces of white fluff were tossed by the breeze.