Smith Rock

Smith Rock, Crooked River, 18" x 24"

One of my favorite subjects, the magnificent jumble of Smith Rock (should be rocks) in Terrebonne, with the Crooked River deep below.  I've painted there plein air and from photos.  Two acrylic paintings done from this photo were sold and I miss them, so I wanted to paint it again in oil, larger than usual.  Painting large is different from painting small, it's not just about using a bigger brush!  I took my time on this canvas, adding layers, making changes, moving rocks...Someday a super zealous hiker may tell me that I missed a rock, but it's a painting, not a map!

June Plein Air

Gorge at Crown Point 9" x 12"

Spent a wonderful day in June plein air painting at Crown Point looking out at the Columbia River Gorge.  The clouds looked ominous, but the rain waited until the following day.  It's been that kind of June, some clouds, rain, then 90 degrees, even 100!  I don't paint outside in the rain or hot sun, I do like to enjoy myself!  And that day was lovely, lots of friendly tourists asking questions and taking photos of themselves in front of the fabulous view.  A gentleman from Austria was of the opinion that the Danube might be more beautiful than the Columbia, but to me, the Columbia Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I never get tired of painting there.

April Plein Air

 Chinook Landing, Columbia River

 Chinook Landing in progress

 Sauvie Island Serenity

Sauvie Island April

A couple of trips to paint plein air on the Columbia River, between rain drops!