Isolation

Isolation

6x6, soft pastel

A little ditty I call isolation. I look forward to the days we are hugging, shaking hands, and socializing once again and remove the word isolation from our daily lives!

No Social Distancing Necessary

No Social Distancing Necessary

12x18, soft pastel

So, now it’s July...summer is in full swing, American cities have slowly reopened and sadly all Americans are now faced with an overwhelming spread of the virus.  To say that this year has been difficult is a gross understatement. It has been heartbreaking, devastating, and depressing as I hear of Facebook friends and their families across the globe who have lost dear ones to this virus. 

In America, the virus rages on and on and it has further divided people within an already divided country. The political turmoil and protests in recent years within the States has broken my heart...this virus has trampled it to pieces. Too dramatic a statement? I guess so...but that’s how it feels sometimes. As though all of humanity on earth is being tested...and as they say, “ only the strong will survive”. I firmly believe it’s not just those strong of body...but the strong minded...those who are strong on compassion and love, those who have the strength to simply persevere.

So, to those of you that may eventually read this, may you persevere through this most challenging of times. Draw on the strength within you. Embrace the love, the compassion, the inner strength you know you have. Focus on how you can help yourself and your community. We will all be stronger and hopefully a more compassionate human race going forward. Persevere! 

Payne's Canyon

Payne's Canyon

9x9, soft pastel

This is a study of Edgar Payne's Canyon De Chelly Sunset.  I turned it into a square format not realizing the original was rectangular.  So, I made a few changes while studying his "brushwork" with my soft pastels.  It was quite fun for me to add more vibrant colors than his...something I still have a hard time taming.  Ha!  Maybe I'll just stop trying to tame it.

Sophie The Goldendoodle

Sophie The Goldendoodle

9x9, soft pastel

Sophie crossed over the Rainbow Bridge recently...so this is a piece for her "mom" to help ease the huge loss she's surely feeling. All I really know about Sophie is that she was constantly getting into the trees and shrubs in the yard (something our little Benny is very talented at doing too).  This is a favorite image of her mom's because she had that look that all little "kids" have when they know they may be in trouble...but they just couldn't help themselves.  A beautiful sweet Goldendoodle! Of course this means I will need to paint Bennington...maybe some day soon.

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). 

Summer Catch Up

It isn't that I haven't been painting lately...it's just that I've been painting walls.   A very boring task but a necessary evil to keep the house up to date.   In any event, I'll post what few paintings I HAVE been able to accomplish below.   The fly fishing theme is one I'm thoroughly enjoying!   I am hooked for sure!

I'm also looking forward to a couple weeks in Wisconsin to visit family this summer and attend the Door County Plein Air Festival...where I hope to crank out a few more paintings.  Until then...

 Joe's Hopper, 5x7, soft pastel

Green Drake, 5x7 soft pastel

 Royal Coachman, 5x7 soft pastel

Opening Day, 8x10 soft pastel 

 Royal Coachman, 5x7 soft pastel

Grey Drake, 5x7 soft pastel

Tea Time

Tea Time

10x8, soft pastel

                                    

During the winter months, it's always nice to have steaming hot pot of tea nearby.  I decided to  keep the same composition as the coffee cup and flowers from a few days ago and replaced my coffee cup with my blue tea pot. 

Green Butt Skunk

Green Butt Skunk

5x7, soft pastel

 

Another fly...just for fun.  The Green Butt Skunk is a good fly to use for steelhead and trout fishing ...especially on the Clearwater River here in Idaho.

Fly 17 - Western Green Drake Nymph

Green Drake Nymph

5x7, soft pastel

For the next few days I'm going to paint the nymph then adult version of two flies.  First the Western Green Drake fly (which is a Mayfly species) then the Yellow Sally Stonefly. 

Today's painting is the nymph version of the Western Green Drake fly.  I like this particular version of the Green Drake nymph because flashback material was incorporated into the design (which not only makes the fly more attractive to fish...but more beautiful to paint)! This fly can be fished with success pretty much anywhere and is a common fly used in the Pacific Northwest.