Sauvie Island Farm

"Sauvie Island Farm Barn", oil 11" x 14"

"Peach Trees", oil 11" x 14"

Plein Air is full of changes, teaching one to "go with the flow".  On a recent visit to Sauvie Island Farm. the day was cloudy, then breezy, then sunny and hot.  I started out facing some flowering sage with dill and other greenery in front of the barn and distant hills.  After awhile, the sun came out with such glare on the painting and palette that I could barely see.  I left that one unfinished and started another in the shade of the peach orchard.  I don't bring an umbrella because they tend to get blown over by the wind, and it's just another item along with essentials, like painting supplies, camera and lunch.  The sage flowers were finished later in my studio.

Smith Rock

"Desert Dawn" 11" x 14", oil

Preparing for the Smith Rock Paint Out in a few weeks, I painted this from a reference photo by Steve Giardini, Bend photographer. His website has other beautiful views of Smith Rock and central Oregon:  www.giardiniphotography.com.  I love the golden colors at dawn reflecting off the rocks, which would be difficult to capture painting plein air.

Cat & Dog

"Calico Cat" 6" x 6", oil

"Knuckles" 6" x 6", oil

One of the pleasures of my (almost) daily walks around the Montavilla/Mount Tabor neighborhood are the cats and dogs I see and sometimes meet.  Knuckles' owner had brought him to visit another neighbor with two pugs, it was a pug party!  Knuckles may look sad and grumpy but I think he's really a happy and well loved little guy.

River, Rocks and Duck

"Feeling Ducky", 12" x 12" oil

Another painting started en plein air at George Rogers Park, Lake Oswego, finished in my studio.  There were ducks and geese, some with babies in tow.  This handsome mallard posed for my on the rocks.

River

"River Rocky Shore" 9" x 12", oil

George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego was full of plein air artists at every vantage point with all their gear, getting ready for the Lake Oswego Plein Air, part of the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts.  Alas, I had not registered to be part of this event, but that did not prevent me from exploring and painting at this lovely park on the Willamette River.  Rocks were small to large enough for a picnic table.  Boats and ducks passed by on the river.  This small plein air painting captured the sunny freshness of the scene.

Rainy Day

Two Red Roses, 6" x 6" oil on board

Irises, Violet and Yellow, 8" x 10" oil on board 

Sunday was warm and sunny, and anticipating the rainy days ahead, I picked flowers from my yard and took

floral photos around the neighborhood, with so much in bloom.  Sure enough, yesterday was a rainy Monday so I painted a small still life of each bouquet, to keep the memories of the flowers alive.

If you are interested in purchasing any of my paintings, please contact me at stephanie.cissna@comcast.net.

Riverside Reading

Riverside Reading 12" x 12" oil on board $175.00

Taking a break from a pleasant drive around Tumalo, I spotted this gal reading in a sunny spot by the Deschutes River.  All was quiet and serene.  Serenity is good wherever you can find it.

To inquire about purchasing this painting, please email me at stephanie.cissna@comcast.net.