Footbridge In Winter

 Footbridge In Winter

12x9, soft pastel

This one is a larger version of one painted in January.  It sold but my sweet husband wanted one too.  So, here’s the larger version just for him.

Spring Thaw

Spring Thaw

9x9, soft pastel

The snow melted quickly once it started and the small pond behind our getaway melted within a couple days.  You can see in this scene that the morning sunlight was just creeping into view, warming the trees and beginning the thawing process.

First Light

First Light

9x9 soft pastel

I'm on hiatus in Cascade, Idaho.  Sometimes with a new pup...you just have to get away for awhile to paint.  That was the case with this painting.   First Light is an inspirational little scene I found at dawn this morning just as the sun was coming up, touching the shoreline of our little pond.  I absolutely love the pathways through the trees and meandering ponds in this area and feel very blessed to have some quiet time alone to reflect, eat, and paint.  I took a lot of photo references today and nearly froze my fingers off but the excursion at dawn was well worth it.  I hope you like it.

Harry Needed To Chill Out

Harry Needed To Chill Out

8x6, soft pastel

This was a painting completed from life ahead of time since I'll be out of town and internet will be spotty.  A scene from our neighborhood.  Even though I live in Idaho...our subdivision was developed with a desert theme....many of the original cacti have died (no surprise there)...but the Joshua Trees keep hanging on. The fact that they survived last year's epic snowfall is amazing.  I call this little guy Harry.  He was a bit frosty this particular morning but still very beautiful.  I love the light green section at the top...as though he's ready to sprout new growth...you go Harry!

While traveling, I also completed this crazy little painting below of garlic.  Not my favorite painting for sure, but some days painting from life is like pulling teeth.  Day 15 of the #stradaeasel 31 Day Challenge.

Garlic

6x6, soft pastel

Frosty Morning

Frosty Morning

6x6, soft pastel

Frost laced trees and shrubs greeted me this morning. The colors were quite muted and the neighborhood itself was pretty foggy.  If I waited until the day warms, I'd surely miss the frost and the neighborhood itself would take on a totally different feel.  The snow has been melting quickly the past couple days but in between our streets we have great little walkways where the sun doesn't have much of a chance to melt the snow.

Lime Water

Lime Water

6x6, soft pastel

The snow in our backyard is quickly melting away and my cold is subsiding with it.  Although I didn't have lemons, I decided lime water might just help chase the last of the sniffles away (crossing my fingers).  I've been wanting to paint my little water jug and this seemed to be the perfect time to do it...I especially love the white, purple and green color scheme in this scene. 

Heavy Load

Heavy Load

6x6, soft pastel

Heavy Load is a scene from the common area across the street.  We have a great neighborhood with lots of open areas to walk the dog.  The snow was melting fast so the painting had to be a very quick study!

Stubble Field

Stubble Field

9x6, soft pastel

I don't know if this winter will be as monumental a snow season as last year but I'm enjoying painting the snow...especially in shadow.  On an overcast day the snow is very turquoise (and lavender) in color as opposed to deep blues and purples during the night or early morning/late evening hours.  I love this scene especially because the low angle of the setting sun casts light onto the distant hillside (as well as the tall lone wheat stalk in the foreground) warming the scene just a bit.

Arms Outstretched

Arms Outstretched

6x8, soft pastel

This tree is outside our back door (actually in the backyard of our neighbor's acreage so fortunately we don't have to rake the leave it drops each fall),  I watch it all year long through the seasons and marvel at it's outstretched branches.  During the spring it vibrates with new life.  During the summer it's bark glows when touched by the setting sun.  During the fall it's absolutely radiant with autumn colors and during the winter it gathers much needed moisture from new fallen snow.  

I'm not a landscape artist.  Artistically speaking, trees have been my nemesis.  Painting them seems so daunting a task and there are many other subjects that I enjoy painting more (ie just about anything else).  During 2018 I hope to change this feeling of inadequacy by painting them more often.  After all, I love trees and have climbed many many trees in my lifetime.  It was my favorite pastime as a kid.  I can just imagine how fun it would be to climb this gentle giant.

4:00 AM

4:00 AM

6x6, soft pastel

Painting plein air while staying warm during the winter necessitates keeping close to home...or in this case, inside the house looking out.  I thought I'd better paint the tree outside, still decked out with Christmas lights before we take the lights down for the season.  I love love love the early morning hours well before the neighborhood wakes up.  Fully rested and full of hope that the dawning day (and year) will be a good one.  Happy New Year!

Winter Sunrise

Winter Sunrise

8x10, oil on board

I took an early morning walk the week our temperatures were below zero...so, it was fairly short lived.  But, I did get a few pictures of the colorful early morning sunrise which was just beginning to wake the neighborhood (only a few hours before another snowstorm moved in).  The warm sunlight was a welcomed sight against the frigid cold snow. This one started out much better than it ended up...I must still try to remember not to overwork things!