Orchids

 Orchids

6x6, soft pastel

I don’t always indulge myself and purchase the flowers I want to paint...sometimes, a quick snapshot of flowers at the grocery store is all I need for inspiration. 

Shamrocks

Shamrocks

6x6, soft pastel

This little piece was made from my memories of searching for four leaf clovers as a child. I was often visiting my grandmother in St. Patrick, Missouri and because it’s St. Patrick’s day, I thought it would be a fitting subject matter. Both of these pieces are now on their way to new homes. I guess I’m not the only one that loves these little gems and the intrigue of finding an actual four leaf clover. 

Avocado Sunrise

 Avacado Sunrise

6x6, oil

Day 9 Strada Easel Challenge 

There’s something about painting this little piece that was so much fun, I wondered why I hadn’t painted one before now. I eat avocado and toast almost every morning and today was no exception. Unfortunately I broke down and ate half of it before I finished the painting. It was delightful!

Silver Sugar Bowl

 Silver Sugar Bowl

6x6, oil

Day 8 Strada Easel Challenge

Once again focusing on reflective surfaces in a super small still life. I purchased this little silver sugar bowl (I think it’s a sugar bowl) in Arizona.  I considered polishing it up before painting it, but the greenish patina was kind of charming. I’ll polish it later and paint it again.

The Last Bloom of 2020

The Last Bloom of 2020

6x8, oil

Day 1 of the Strada Easel Challenge:  2021 Is Here!

I'm not sure the world has ever been happier to start a New Year as it is this year. Of course, we are certainly not out of the woods when it comes to the pandemic in which we have all found ourselves. In fact, the pandemic rages on...it's never been worse. Our hospitals are full and struggling still to help all those who are in need of medical attention...whether COVID related or not. I heard a statistic today that 1 in 11 Americans have it or have had it. My grandson Tyler had a mild case from attending college. My grandsons Zack and Brian currently have mild cases, thank the Lord. And, we suspect my daughter's farm family in Washington state had early cases of it last spring...before testing was widespread.

The world has lost countless lives whether from the virus itself or as a result of it and it's impact on our healthcare system, our mental wellbeing, and the world's economy. Mankind is reluctantly united in a way we have never (in my lifetime) been united...to fight the virus, to get an effective vaccine, and to recover economically. But, most importantly, too recover our sense of freedom. 

Oh how we took for granted the simple things in life! Now, we have to stop and consider whether we can visit our families and friends, go out to restaurants, movies, concerts, sporting events or fly on a plane. Even though our odds of surviving are quite good, most people are doing what it takes to both bolster our economy while at the same time staying healthy so we don't inadvertently spread the virus and further burden our healthcare system.  

COVID19 has by now touched every family I know. Fortunately most have gotten mild or moderate cases and slowly recovered. Some have been in ICU yet thankfully survived. Several friends have lost loved ones and a few of my virtual friends have lost their lives. 

Mankind has weirdly adapted to the uncertainty and heartbreaking reality of COVID19...yet we all yearn for the day we can return to the world we once had. So, in a way, we celebrate from afar, a new year...with new hope that 2021 will be better than 2020. 

May God bless us all and help guide us to healthier and happier days ahead!

Iron and Wool

Iron and Wool

12x12, soft pastel

This is a second still life painting of the old cast iron kettle and wool rug I recently purchased.  I just love all the textures and placed them on a wooden table in my living room against a textured wall.  I'm enjoying this little series.  It reminds me of the resilience of items from the past. These things weren't "throw away" household items but stood up to all kinds of use and abuse over the years. Resilient and strong...reminding me of the pioneering spirit of days gone by.

Cast Shadow

Cast Shadow

12x12, soft pastel

Painting realism can look like tedious work...but, I find it mesmerizing.  Focusing on the details to express a realistic image sends me into "the zone".  On this piece I loved expressing the texture of the cast iron and subtle reflections on the side of it from the rug it sits on and the challenge of depicting the shadow it cast. I loved painting the textures in the rug with all its imperfections and I'm reminded of how beautiful we all are, imperfections and all.

Oh Hummingbird!

Oh Hummingbird!

7.5 x 12, soft pastel

Rarely do I paint plein air (outdoors) but I couldn't resist trying to capture this guy (in a painting that is).  He visited me quite often with his friends during the summer months in Cascade.  I always plant these particular flowers to encourage hummingbirds to hang around my patio...and they really do the trick!  I do confess, I had to take a few photos to see what he really looked like since he didn't want to sit still for me.   Anyway, thankfully I didn't scare him away....especially since I was singing "Oh Hummingbird" the whole time.  (the neighbors must have thought I was a bit looney)

Oh Hummingbird! - Seals and Crofts, 1972

Eat Your Veggies

Eat Your Veggies

14x11, soft pastel

What can I say, when kids or grandkids go off to college we all want to impart cautionary wisdom. Don't party too much, don't drink and drive, study hard, make good decisions, keep an eye on your goals and your grades.  But in the end, all I can come up with is: "stay healthy and eat your veggies".

Tin Roof - A Study

Tin Roof - A Study

6x8, pastel

This little guy is a study for a larger piece...at least, I think!   I'm going to stretch myself and participate in the Eagle Plein Air Festival in Eagle Idaho during the first week of June.  As someone who is not a landscape painter...and rarely a plein air painter...it should be a harrowing experience...at least I can say I'm preparing for it!  I love this scene not far from my home...this roof is so weathered it's purplish!  Yum!

If Vincent Had A Rocker

If Vincent Had A Rocker

6x6, soft pastel

This rocker has been in the family since my youngest brother was small...a good 45+ years ago...so I thought I'd paint it similar to Vincent Van Gogh's chair painting...just for fun.  I included his pipe and tobacco which were in his original painting (even though it seems a bit inappropriate given that my painting is of a child's chair).   Oh well.

Variegated Poinsettia

Variegated Poinsettia

6x6, soft pastel

May your holidays be as bright as this wildly colored poinsettia!

Windy Sail

Windy Sail

6x8, soft pastel

I doubt that I'll ever be on a sail boat. While it always looks quite thrilling, I imagine all the tilting and swaying wouldn't be up my alley...but who know's, maybe someday. For now, I'm content studying them from the shoreline with my feet firmly rooted to the ground. Or, better yet, laying in a hammock on the beach sipping something cold.

I'm always tempted to paint realistically but for this one I really tried to paint in a "Edgar Payne Impressionistic" style to help depict the feeling of a very windy day on the water.

Kay's Bird

Kay's Bird

10x8, soft pastel

A little tribute to my mother-in-law who left us far too soon.  I have fond memories of her picking out this little ceramic bird. She displayed three of them in her kitchen window for many years...a great reminder to me of the time we spent together.  The sunflowers certainly take center stage in this painting with the drama of the late evening sun highlighting their petals...but the tiny bird is there as my muse.  A sweet reminder of a wonderful lady.

Spring Canopy

Spring Canopy

6x8, oil on linen

A little plein air painting in our neighborhood.  This time of year the flowering trees provide an explosion of color and a gorgeous canopy to walk under as we stroll the pathways that run throughout our neighborhood.  I couldn't resist!

Jar of Peonies

Jar of Peonies

10x8, oil on panel

I'm so glad spring is here! My peonies are going like gangbusters.  Even though they haven't bloomed yet, they're going to be abundant this year.  As soon as they appear, I'm sure I'll be setting up more still lifes to capture their brilliance.  This little still life is in anticipation of that moment.  Another stab at oil painting.

I'm finding that I love painting with either oils or soft pastels...the challenge (for me) is in deciding which one to choose when planning a painting.  With oils...I have to wait for the painting to dry...then, varnish. The big payoff with oils is that I can put them directly into an open frame...whereas, pastels require glass.  When I do paint with pastels, I've been trying to frame them with non-glare glass.  This makes a big difference in presentation...especially for art shows but drives up the cost of framing.  With oils, I'm still learning the finesse of applying varnish.  Ah, the challenges of each medium!   Still......I'm having a blast!

Along The Shoreline

Along The Shoreline

12x16, soft pastel

Along The Shoreline is most likely my favorite painting during the January 30in30.  Unfortunately the photo doesn't really pick up the true blue and green colors in the water...I'm assuming it may be because of the strong red dominating the center.  Being much larger than the typical 6x6 paintings I often do for the Challenge, it took a week or so to paint.  Painting larger is easier for me if I paint each day, not expecting to complete it all in one go.  Of course, I like the variations of red...but I also like the water and all the trees reflecting in it that were along the shoreline....thus, the title.  I will surely hate to part with this one!

Riffles

Riffles

10x8, oil on board

I actually painted this on Jan. 21st during a workshop conducted by Mark Davis of Boise.  Thanks for the reference photo Mark! The workshop was at Edward's Greenhouse which was a great environment for a mid-winter workshop.  We focused on painting water.  And, because I am new to oils, I thought I'd better get "my feet wet" with oils so to speak.

My husband (who is a fly fisherman) says these types of waters are called 'riffles"...thus, the title.  It was great to get out and about after so much snow!   Hope you enjoy it!


WIP:  This little guy below is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  I know, I say that all the time for the paintings I like...but really, this one has been absolutely painting itself!

Fresh Bouquet

Fresh Bouquet

6x6, oil on board

Fresh Bouquet reminds me of springtime walks in the mountains.  There are an abundance and variety of wildflowers here...always a beautiful site.   I'm soooo looking forward to springtime!

Ok, I couldn't take it any longer...just one bite a day...that couldn't possible hurt could it?

Partly Cloudy With A Chance Of Rain

Partly Cloudy With A Chance Of Rain

6x6, oil on board

Oh my..."Partly Cloudy" is....what?   To me, a total mess.  Today's painting is my least favorite so far...oh well.  I just don't necessarily have the stomach to be as loose as I need to be to pull off a good landscape especially with oils.  I should stick with a genre that I don't get bored with...maybe that's my problem.   I also find it tedious to mix colors...it impedes the process (for me anyway).   I guess I need to practice mixing so it's easier to come up with the color I'm looking for a lot faster.

WIP: Untitled, 12x16

On the heels of the above painting...I thought I'd better return to my beloved soft pastels.  In fact, the last two paintings in oil were so disappointing that I've started two larger boat scenes.  One, a familiar kayak scene and the other a small wooden boat.  I don't have titles for them yet.  But here's the progress on the kayak scene.  I love to kayak while my husband is fishing.  This scene reminds me of so many places but especially Horsethief Reservoir near Cascade, ID.   Given the winter we've had, I'm sure looking forward to warm summer months!