Fall 2017

 Arboretum Maple Trail

Laurelhurst Pond Reflections

Two paintings from this fall, both started plein air and finished in my studio.  We were fortunate in Portland to have a long, mostly dry fall season with lots of color before the leaves fell and turned brown.  I spent several hours at the Arboretum at Forest Park along the Maple Trail.  The colors were so dazzling, it was difficult to choose a location, it was beautiful everywhere I looked!  In November, I strolled around the pond at Laurelhurst Park on a late afternoon.  While I was painting, the sun came out at a low angle, illuminating the gold and orange leaves and the warmth of the tree trunks.  Mallard ducks floated by, rippling the water.

Fall Colors

 Perfect Fall Day 5" x 7"

 Solitary Tree with Orange Leaves 5" x 7"

Solitary Bare Tree ("Endurance") 9" x 12"

Continuing daily painting past October pumpkins.  There are still some trees with leaves although most have fallen on their last journey to the earth.  I look for rich colors, no matter the weather.  Daily painting is a commitment and expense, so sometimes I paint on tiny 4" x 4" boards, or watercolor or colored pencil on paper.  Is this good practice or am I a glutton for punishment?  All are posted on Facebook on #paintingoctober and #paintingnovember, the failed experiments as well as the good.  These are three I like.