Plein air

This is the season for plein air paint outs and I've been busy out there in on good days this week.  Monday I went to the Columbia Gorge and revisited the Women's Forum with the view of Crown Point, then found a wonderful spot to paint near the Vista House parking area.  It was not windy and there were just enough curious and friendly tourists to be interesting but not distracting.  I painted one of the Gorge view on a 6" x 12" panel, then a quick sketch of the Vista House, but it looked like a muffin so I ate it!  Not really, it got painted over back at my studio.  

During the week I painted flowers from a Farmers Market bouquet and today I painted flowers at R. Blooms in Lake Oswego.  More flower paintings will follow! 

Plein Air

Down the trail and across the bridge over Johnson Creek, there is an old stone cabin built by John and Lilla Leach in the 1930's.  A delightful shady place to paint and enjoy the quiet sounds of the creek!  While I painted, deer ambled by.  To learn more about Leach Garden in SE Portland, see www.leachgarden.org

Creek

I've been to several locations on the Johnson Creek watershed lately, painting, sketching, taking photos, observing birds, dogs and people at play, enjoying the beauty in the heart of Portland.  At Leach Botanical Garden, the trail winds gently down and across a bridge.  This painting is from a photo taken close to the creek.  It's cool on a hot summer day!

Red, white, blue

OK, not much white and some other colors!  Crown Point seen from the Women's Forum is cool and blue.  I've painted this favorite view before and will again.  This one is from a photo reference.


Now that it is really summer, my car's air conditioning needed to be repaired.  While waiting in the waiting room, John found a box of art supplies (probably for kids, but I'm a kid at heart!) so I drew his portrait.  I liked the markers with patterned points like flowers, kisses, question marks.  He's wearing his USA tee shirt.


Stay cool!

Paint out

Another paint out at Sauvie Island, another visit to the pond near the "hunting lodge", another day in paradise!  The Pond is 11" x 14", the Sauvie Island View is 6" x 12".

Sauvie Island

On my last trip to Sauvie Island, there were three snowy mountains visible against the blue sky.  From where I set up my easel, I painted Mt. St. Helens, looking as usual like melting ice cream, in one direction, then turned around to view the marsh with herons and egrets, distant purple hills.  Came back with fresh strawberries and blueberries.  Ah!

Man Cave

For the "Art For the Man Cave" juried show at Art on Broadway, I submitted "Buffalo", along with "The Blacksmith". I was thinking of art for the cave man!  Both paintings were accepted and will be on view June 9 through June 30.  The Artists Reception is Saturday June 9, 6 to 9 pm.  Art on Broadway is at 12570 SW Broadway Street, Beaverton, Oregon.