July plein air Columbia Gorge

A gathering of Alla Prima artists painting plein air at the Womens Forum at Chanticleer Point, with views of Crown Point and the Vista House on a bright, hot day July 12.  I painted one horizontal 11" x 14" and a second vertical formal 9" x 12".  Fresh raspberries from the Corbett Market on the way home.  Beautiful drive, beautiful day!

July plein air at Kat's

Lovely day painting plein air at Kat Sowa's "Windy Creek" on the Nehalem River near Vernonia.  Lots of artists there, plenty of inspiring sights for future paintings, horses, barns, relaxing lunch on the patio...It was tempting to grab a kayak and float away but I stuck to my easel!

September paint out

 Powell Butte, 11" x 14"

Last Thursday was sunny at Powell Butte Nature Park, with a large gathering of Alla Prima Portland painters fanned out around the park.  Mt. Hood was barely visible, a pale blue snowless triangle against the slightly hazy sky.  I chose to compose my plein air painting around the contrasting dark firs and light walnut trees, the dried grasses glowing gold in the sun.

September plein air

On sunny afternoons, I've been setting up my easel at Mt. Tabor, near an off leash dog park and playground.  The low angle of the sun in the west back lights the trees and creates dappled shadows on the grass.  I've been painting daily for the Strada Easel challenge.  A lucky winner will receive a Strada Easel, which would probably be a big improvement over my battered gear.  I intend to return to this place at different times of day, and later there will be more Fall color.

September Big Paint out

 Sauvie Island Dike, 11" x 14"

The first Thursday in September was the Alla Prima "Big Paint out", where we brought larger than usual canvases or supports.  Mine was 14" x 18" instead of the usual 11" x 14", but I had no trouble filling in the space and completing in a few hours.  (I intentionally left some of the orange toned background unfinished).  The morning started out gray, cold and windy, then partly cloudy for a moment, then boom, clear and sunny! It was also a big paint out in terms of attendance, over 30 artists on the dike on Sauvie Island, close enough to the dog kennel to hear the barking chorus.

Summer Plein Air

 Summer Meadow, Powell Butte

 Sauvie Island Wetland

 Columbia Gorge at Rooster Rock

Villa Catalana Pond

This summer I have not been able to paint plein air as much as I'd like for a variety of reasons, although it is always such a pleasure and challenge!  These are a few that were completed this summer.

In May I painted at Powell Butte Nature Park, beautiful at all times of year even when views of mountains are obscured by clouds. 

I've also painted at Sauvie Island and the Columbia Gorge at Rooster Rock State Park.  The painting of the Gorge is currently on view at Oregon Society of Artists, then will move to Rose Schnitzer Manor at Cedar Sinai Park after September 9.  

In August I painted at Villa Catalana as part of their annual Art in the Garden.  I completed a painting of the stone villa started the previous year from the same location, then turned my attention to the pond with water lilies and lotus flowers.  It was like a vacation in Europe in Oregon City!

May in McMinnville

 Rebecca's Flowers

painting in progress

I was invited to paint plein air in front of the RJ Art Gallery in McMinnville as part of the regular "3rd on 3rd" art walk/wine tasting event.  However, the annual UFO Festival sponsored by McMenimin's Hotel Oregon was also taking place, so there was a spooky, fun, alien feeling atmosphere, with lots of people, some with green faces!  Did my painting of the lovely floral arrangements by Rebecca Mitchell absorb some strange other-worldly vibes?

Also on that 3rd Friday in May, I brought in some of my favorite paintings for a one day show, including these of the Columbia Gorge:

There are 8 of my paintings on display at the RJ Gallery through September in McMinnville, a charming historic town in the Willamette Valley wine country.