Dog Days Of Summer

Dog Days Of Summer

5x7, oil on panel

Day 26 of 30 is a cute little scene.  It reminds me of the Oregon Coast trips we took with our dogs when they were still with us.  Running and playing on the beach was there very favorite thing to do!  I sure miss them!!!  

Trouble Is Brewing

Trouble Is Brewing

7x5, soft pastel

I had my "zenful" music playing.  Peace and calm abounded in my studio this morning.  I had a great peaceful scene in mind with a lazy stream of clouds in the sky over fields of wheat...

and then... my husband started having printer problems.  

After three or four interruptions and an hour or so of collaboration, we resolved the problem.  However, the peaceful moment was lost along with what I had in mind.  Once I returned to the studio for the last time to continue my painting, "zen" was no where in sight!  I think it had something to do with employing the "other side of my brain"....or was it the level of frustration we had in simply connecting the printer to our wifi?   Hmmmm, I have to think about that.  Anyway,  having listened earlier in the morning to Stan Sperlak speaking about being honest and authentic in one's work (and I suppose in life too)...I let loose on my painting.  All my frustrations came spilling out (I even dropped and broke a couple of my Terry Ludwigs).  Oh well, the resulting painting and title were appropriate for the moment and completely honest.  

Winged Royal Coachman

Winged Royal Coachman

5x7, soft pastel

This is another popular Western fly, the Royal Coachman winged version.  He almost got away from me because my initial sketch wasn't the best in regards to proportions.  My husband kindly reminded me though that it's a common problem even with fly fishermen/women who tie their own flies.  The materials they use can be cumbersome to handle making proper proportions a bugger to achieve.

Callibaetis Nymph

Callibaetis Nymph

5x7, soft pastel

Callibaetis are adaptable to extremes and can be found throughout the West in desert ponds, roadside ditches, rivers, streams, lakes and even tidal marshes 365 days a year. They thrive best in waters where trout are also found making them a favorite for trout and fishermen/women alike.   This nymph is all decked out with extra "flashabou" (love the name of those sparkly strands). 

Yellow Sally

Yellow Sally

5x7, soft pastel 

This fly is another very popular one used in the Northwest....and probably elsewhere.  It gets its name from the yellow body of the fly.  This pattern represents the Western Yellow Stonefly and is a very effective fly for catching trout.

Bead Head Nymph

Bead Head Nymph

5x7, soft pastel

I do love the little nymphs...and this one is as colorful as they come.  While I'm not sure the specific species it might be representing...its colors surely will attract the fish!  Nymphs are extremely small...many measuring  approximately 1/2 inch.  When I paint one from life, I typically have to use a magnifying glass to see it.

Tan Caddis Emerger

Tan Caddis Emerger
5x7, soft pastel

After hatching, a nymph lives on a stream or river bottom up to a year (depending on species) and then begins the process of transforming into an adult fly.  The nymph rises ("emerging") to the top of the water where it will continue to develop, molting into an adult fly ("dun" stage).  Once mature (spinner stage), it will take flight and mate.  The females will return to the water to drop their eggs before falling to the water's surface as a "spent spinner".   Sad...but true.  

Very Woolly Bugger

Very Woolly Bugger

5x7, soft pastel

This little guy just about got away from me.   I love this fly because of it's "jewelry", the flashing on the tail, metal bead head and wire wrap.  I imagine the black feathery material could prove to be a challenge to control when tying this fly...as it was for me in painting it.  I am back into painting flies for a week or so for a couple reasons.   One, it's time to go fishing (so I can continue with the 30in30 by painting these little guys in the boat) and two,  I just absolutely love painting fishing flies!