Table For Two - Date Night

Table For Two - Date Night

6x8, soft pastel

This is a rework of an older painting I did a couple years ago.   The nice thing about soft pastels is the ability to make changes to an older painting anytime you’d like.  This is one of several special places to go in Meridian...Grimaldi’s at The Village. 

Table For Two - Anticipation

Table For Two - Anticipation

8x10, soft pastel

I’m planning a series for “tables for two”.  I’ve gathered many images over the years...a place setting here, tablecloth there...some chairs occupied, some not.  This particular scene is one I’ve painted before and enlarged a bit this time.  I like to imagine who has sat here...who will come take a seat soon or even, who is the waiter approaching the table?  I love this scene...I can’t explain why.

Seattle Landmarks

Seattle Landmarks

14x11, soft pastel

This is a commission piece I promised to do quite some time ago (sorry, the image isn't the best).  It was tough to really think of a good way to layout a painting with so many landmarks.  And for me, it was tough to limit the detail in each scene in order to stay more on the "painterly" side of things rather than photo-realistic.   So, it's somewhere in the middle.  There's little chance the recipient will see this blog post so I thought I'd share it here.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Seattle Sunshine

Seattle Sunshine

10x8, soft pastel

Day 20 of 30

Only ten more days in the challenge...and I couldn't resist a little cityscape!  

I saw this scene as I was walking in downtown Seattle recently.  Actually, I was across a busy street and couldn't help but notice the vibrant sunlight hitting this little courtyard which was beyond the building's entry gates.  It was such an intimate little scene and was isolated from the noisy, hectic city life that was only steps away.  I crossed the street to get a better look and snap a few photos.  I'd love to live in downtown Seattle!  It's my favorite big city.  If I lived there I'd go to Pikes Place Market each morning and buy fresh flowers, Marketspice tea and food for the day then rush back to my little apartment (which of course would have an art studio in it)...and probably paint the rest of the day. 

Hyde Park - Dining On The Patio

Hyde Park - Dining On The Patio

9x12, soft pastel

The best part of a hot summer day is dining out on a patio...especially at a restaurant where I don't have to cook or do the dishes.  Heavenly!  This is the 13th Street Pub & Grill at Hyde Park in Boise.  The patio misters were going full blast on this particular day...cooling the diners just so.  I think I'm ready for the return of summer!

A Table For Two

A Table For Two

6x8, soft pastel

Well...I've had a nice break from the January challenge and am even caught up on household chores so it's back to the easel for some more fun.  I've wanted to start a "Table for Two" series...so here's the first one.  I don't know why I'm drawn to these tables...we see them everywhere, in every restaurant... all types of tables set up for two.  For me, I think it's because they seem to be so romantic!

The Village - Holiday on Ice

The Village - Holiday on Ice

11x14, soft pastel

It's such a festive time of year...and a busy one! I finally found time to finish this painting, complete a few framing tasks and make Christmas cards.  

Recently I went to the Village and took quite a few pictures of people skating and added them to the photos I took at Thanksgiving with my four youngest grandkids who were also skating. This painting is the result. I even found space to add several other family members even though they weren't actually there. Ah, artistic license!  Ultimately, I was able to fit in all the grandkids and their parents and grandparents. It was a fun project, a challenge, and a painting that will always be dear to my heart.   

Happy holidays everyone!

The Village - Date Night at Grimaldi's

Date Night at Grimaldi's

6.5 x 8.5, pastel

With snow coming to most of the U.S. early this year, it's hard to remember that only a few short weeks ago the leaves were just starting to turn.  That was the case here at Grimaldi's in The Villlage at Meridian.  I must get down there soon to see the kids ice skating and all the holiday decorations.   It's a beautiful time of year.   Happy Thanksgiving! 

The Village - Sur la Table

Sur la Table

8x6, soft pastel 

This week I had planned on painting 3 paintings....but "the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray".   Final fall cleanup with a trip to the dump and snow today.  Both of those events changed my mind for me.  Sometimes, you just gotta just go with the flow.     

I did get this little piece finished...Sur la Table in The Village at Meridian.  I love the colorful flowers and how peaceful it is during the early morning hours, for a time, uninterrupted by shoppers.  

The Village - Walking The Dog

Walking The Dog

6x8 soft pastel

This is the second in a series of scenes at The Village in Meridian. This painting is of the window display at Charming Charlie's. It's a colorful place...I especially love the black and white awnings and the sign painted on the window "We ❤️ Handbags". You just can't resist stopping by and taking a look at all the goodies within...even when you're supposed to be walking the dog. 

The Village - Dining at Twigs

Dining At Twigs

6x8, soft pastel

Today I finished this little piece.  It is the first painting in a series of scenes in and around Meridian, Idaho...the best little "small" town in America...at least I think so.  Not many years ago Meridian was truly a small town but with the explosive growth of Boise during the past 20 years, Meridian and Eagle couldn't help but follow suit.  The good thing about so much growth is the newness of just about everything.  New streets, new houses, new shops and restaurants...and the people in Idaho (longtime and new residents) are among the most friendly I've ever met.

This scene is the outside patio of Twigs Restaurant at The Village.  The Village is a gorgeous dining, shopping and family entertainment complex that opened in 2013 and continues to expand with more and more retail spaces opening each month.  Walking around The Village reminds me of Disneyland or Disney World...it is not only beautiful with fountains, sculptures, and flowers but is impeccably maintained.  A great place to capture life in Meridian.