Winter Scenes

 

Two acrylic paintings of snow scenes, the top one "Winter Walk" is based on a photo taken in Madras looking south toward buttes.  The lower is "Smith Rock Winter" with the nearly vertical cliffs reflecting sunlight and rocks poking through the snow.  This panorama was recently on exhibit at the all Jefferson County show at Art Adventure Gallery in Madras.
 

watercolor

Re-learning watercolor techniques lately after many years has been a great challenge!  Sometimes I combine paint with ink sketches or other media.  I enjoy the freshness, the flow, sometimes (oops!) surprises that either work or not!  These are from photos (too cold to work plein air)!  The beauty of Central Oregon continues to be inspiring.

Winter Path Home

Smith Rock Winter

Smith Rock, Crooked River, Golden Winter

Smith Rock, January 1st 2023

 Smith Rock, Green Season, from a photo by Tom Miller

Buttes

Spring Buttes, oil 12" x 24"

Haystack Butte, Summer, oil 9" x 12"

Summer Storm, acrylic 8" x 10"

I don't have to go far from home to find dramatic scenery!  Looking South there are a series of buttes:  Gray, Haystack, Juniper.  Sometimes I sketch, or take photos for studio paintings, or even set up my easel outside for plein air as in "Haystack Butte".  (When weather allows).  Most summer days are clear and hot, but occasionally a storm rolls through.  I went for a walk during a clear break on a day with rain, thunder and lightning to get photos of the dramatic clouds, and the storm caught up with me on the way back!

 

Favorite Trees

Sketches

Enjoying sketching in the high desert sagebrush and juniper country near where I live. Winter to Spring not much difference, snow melts, grass grows greener, tiny wildflowers bloom. I bring pens and a sketchbook on my walks, splash on watercolor later.

Art Adventure

Several of my paintings are on view at the Art Adventure Gallery, in Madras, Oregon.  Landscapes are from all over Oregon, from the coast, to the Willamette Valley and Columbia Gorge, and the high desert of Central Oregon.  "Madras Winter", above, won best of show at the Jefferson County Fair.

One painting has already sold!  Thanks to Art Adventure Gallery!

Mt. Hood

 Mt. Hood Obscured

 Mt. Hood Revealed

Mt. Hood Winter

Three views of Mt. Hood, the first from photographer Kary Stewie, the second from a photo by Tim Young, the last one from my own view from Mt. Tabor.

Mt. Hood Obscured is part of a show at the Pittock Mansion, "Mt. Hood Perspectives", opening January 31 and running until July 5.  There is plenty of time to tour the elegant Pittock Mansion, see (and purchase) artworks by local artists, and stroll the grounds with expansive views of the city of Portland with Mt. Hood in the distance.

Coast Trip

 Alsea Bay, Waldport 9" x 12"

 On the Rocks, Yachats, 11" x 14"

Bob Creek Beach, 16" x 20"

Spent a lovely few days at the coast in September with artist friends in Waldport and Yachats.  Unexpected warm weather, no fog or wind, perfect for plein air!   Painted one morning at Alsea Bay, Waldport, then the afternoon at Smelt Sands State Recreation area near Yachats.  Later, I painted from a photo of Bob Creek Beach.    There were incredible views from Cape Perpetua, and a wonderful dinner in Newport, looking out at the boats in the sunset, all possible future paintings.

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!