A Piece of Cake

A Piece of Cake

6x6, oil on board

Despite the title...this little piece wasn't necessarily "a piece of cake"...but on some level it was fun to paint.  I did it a couple years ago from an early morning still life on my kitchen table in soft pastels.  I liked it so I tried painting it in oils.  I still prefer the pastel version below.  Eventually I'll know how to mix (and apply) colors better...assuming I stick to experimenting with oils.

Little Boy

Little Boy

7x5, soft pastel

I love how the warm golden sunlight was lighting this little guy up in comparison to the cool shadowy blues. Tubby was a happy little dog who loved going on walks especially with his "big brother".  He was a dog's dog...alway looking for other dogs who wanted to run and play.   Rest in peace my little buddy! 

My First Haircut

My First Haircut

7x5, soft pastel

This is little Bruce...and he just got his first haircut.  Like most Westies he's adorable and probably already full of Westitude!  Thank you Kaka from Brasil for sharing him with me!

Hanging Around

Hanging Around

17x13, soft pastel

This is a larger than usual painting for me and it was a fun one to tackle.  I love the shadows cast from this scarf's fringe and the Western/Southwestern feeling of the piece.  I've been painting as much as I can the past few weeks preparing for two art shows, one at Meadow Lake Village in Meridian the evening of May 4th (open to the public) and the other one is an art show the evening of May 12th in downtown Boise. The location of the Boise event is not to be advertised on social media because it's a "by invitation only" show.  However, if you are in the Boise area and would like an invitation I have a few to distribute (you can contact me by commenting to this post).  It should be an exciting show as 61 artists will be displaying their work.  

Streaming Sunlight

Streaming Sunlight

8x8, soft pastel

            

Early morning sunlight streaming through the window...how do you depict that delicious feeling of filtered light and warmth in a painting?  Well, this was my attempt.  

Poplar Place

Poplar Place

8x10, soft pastel

Continuing on with landscapes....I'm beginning to tame the color (at least a little more than usual). Restraint isn't easy for me but I like the progress so far.  This scene captured my attention because I love the way the back field peaks through the trees.

Peaceful Meadow

 Peaceful Meadow

5x7, soft pastel

If this looks a bit familiar...it is.   I kept looking at the Wild Phlox painting from a couple days ago and it was crying out "yikes!".  The field I had imagined was going to be much more peaceful...I was headed in a good direction with the trees then as soon as I painted the flowers...I went way way too far with color.  I'm not sure this is an improvement or not...but it's much more peaceful to me.  Thus, Wild Phlox is no more.  That's the beauty of do-overs.  The blues in the photo above look brighter than they do in real life...in a frame, the painting doesn't look too shabby.  

Copper John - Yellow Belly

Copper John - Yellow Belly

5x7, soft pastel

To me, this little Copper John variation looks a bit like a Yellow Sally Nymph..so I named it Yellow Belly.  Tomorrow,  maybe a landscape is in order.

Fly 30 - The Lady Amherst

The Lady Amherst

5x7, soft pastel

Well...today is officially the end of the 30in30 Challenge!!   I'm both relieved and a bit sad.  

There's always a lot of support (especially from family, friends and fellow artists) that really helps boost my confidence and willpower to make it to the end.  So, to anyone out there who may be reading this (I assume someone, somewhere is)...I say thank you for taking the journey with me.  I hope there was a painting or two that you enjoyed seeing during this past month.

Today's painting is the Lady Amherst (tied by Monte Smith) which is an early season Atlantic salmon fly, most commonly tied on large irons.  Even though this gorgeous fly is tied in the classic Ranger style, the Lady Amherst is not what purists consider a "true classic" salmon fly (having been invented  in post-Victorian era Canada in 1925 by George B. Bonbright).  However since it was invented that long ago, it's a classic in my book!

Like me, do you wonder how this fly got it's name? I was thinking it was named after English royalty.  But, I suspect it was because the main body feathers are from the Lady Amherst pheasant.   An absolutely beautiful bird!  

And, now you know...

Fly 28 - Double Bead Nymph

Double Bead Nymph

5x7, soft pastel

Did I mention earlier that the Copper John fly pattern is considered a wet fly as well as an attractor?  The weight of the nymph head allows this tiny fly to sink quickly to the bottom (especially with this double beaded version)...where the big fish lay waiting!

This particular nymph was tied by a friend, Clint Shiflet, and given to my husband to try out.  Apparently it's pretty effective...Vic may be tying a few more of these little guys. 

Fly 27 - Copper John - Dive Bomber

Copper John - Dive Bomber

5x7, soft pastel

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Copper John fly pattern was originally tied by John Barr and has become one of the most popular fly patterns of all time.  This little guy is a key fly to have in one's fly box (assuming you have a fly box).  

The Copper John mimics stoneflies, mayflies, and other sub-aquatic nymphs and can work in rivers and lakes across the world.  The Copper John fly pattern needs no introduction for most fishermen/women, but if you are new to fly fishing and especially new to fly tying, this is a great pattern to know how to tie.  The Copper John can be tied in almost any color or variation of colors and can be tied in hook sizes #8–24.  I call this one Dive Bomber because he looks like he's ready to dive below the surface.

While I am just an artist painting flies...I have to say, I'm really hooked on this one. 

Fly 26 - Beadhead Wooly Bugger

Beadhead Wooly Bugger

5x7, soft pastel

Sometimes the name of a fly alone is reason enough for me to paint it.  This fly's name just makes me smile. A Wooly Bugger is another staple when fishing for trout.  When nothing else seems to work, a Wooly Bugger is a go-to fly especially for spring creek trout.

The addition of a bead head over the years helps the fly head sink lower than the tail portion. This fly mimics the crane fly which is prevalent in many spring creeks.  Fish this fly slowly along the bottom, with short jerks, then let it drift downward again in order to work the fish.  The best time of day for this fly is mid-day after the morning hatches have thinned. 

Fly 20 - Yellow Sally Stonefly

Yellow Sally Stonefly

5x7, soft pastel

The metamorphosis from egg to nymph to fly is fascinating.  As shown below (courtesy of Encyclopedia Brittanica).  While the nymph stage is quite long (12 months)...the change from late stage nymph to a fly taking flight is only 24 hours.  As the emerging fly's wings dry out on the surface of the water, they're pretty suseptable to being snatched up by a hungry fish.  Lucky are those who live long enough to take flight!

Fly 19 - Yellow Sally Stone Fly Nymph

Yellow Sally Stonefly Nymph

5x7, soft pastel

The Yellow Sally Stonefly nymph is a proven success at attracting trout in fast freestone rivers and streams across the U.S., or any other place where stoneflies are found.  This fly should be fished in riffles, pockets and pools.

The most fascinating fact about the stonefly nymph is their intolerance for polluted waters. An abundance of these little guys in a body of water (the actual nymph not the fishing fly) indicates good or excellent water quality.  Which is a good thing for us all!

Fly 18 - Western Green Drake

Western Green Drake

5x7, soft pastel

There are times, particularly on western rivers when the water is a bit more rough and tumble and a fisherman needs a more substantial fly to stay up on the surface. This big hair wing drake is just the ticket if the river is brawny and the trout are big. 

Fly 16 - Olive Elk Hair Caddis

Olive Elk Hair Caddis

5x7, soft pastel

Day 16 is the beginning of the second half of the month...and I spent a portion of the day reflecting on the first 15 days.  I really wanted to take another stab at the Elk Hair Caddis.  While the first one was accurate, it had a light background and from an artistic viewpoint...it was bland.


I began with different paper which is new to me but a common pastel paper, Sennelier's Pastel Card in Charcoal.  This time, I left the background alone, chose an Olive Elk Hair Caddis and just focused on the fly.  I was quite happy with it until I showed my husband who had a puzzled look on his face since he'd never used a green Elk Hair Caddis...oh well...I know there are some out there somewhere! 

Fly 15 - Joe's Hopper

Joe's Hopper

5x7, soft pastel

Joe's Hopper is a terrestrial type dry fly. This particular fly can also be fished as a wet fly when it's weighted.  While it does look like something out of a bad sci-fi movie, it's supposed to represent a common grasshopper.

Terrestrial fishing flies are land-based creatures (think spiders, beetles, ants and crickets).  My husband even has a few mouse-like flies in his fly box...but I draw the line at painting a mouse fly.  It's bad enough I had a nightmare last night of being buried alive with stone fly nymphs crawling all over me!  

Developed by Art Winnie in the early 1940's. Joe's Hopper was known as the Michigan Hopper but evolved into the name of Joe's Hopper by the 1950's. Why Joe?  Because it was a popular pattern used by Joe Brooks (1901-1972).  Joe was often referred to the Father of Modern Fly Fishing and is actually in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame...now, who knew there was a fishing Hall of Fame?   Not me but I suppose my dad would have known.

This fly is fished within riffles (rocky or shallow parts of a stream or river with rough water) or along banks and deep pools during the hottest part of the day.  Think of those hot summer days when the grasshoppers are out bugging the heck out of you.  That's when you use this little guy.

I should point out that during hatching, the Hopper doesn't work well (because there's plenty of good eats for the fish I presume) but when there's a shortage of nymphs...pull this guy out and give him a try!

OK...I know...I'm beginning to sound like a fly fisherman. Don't tell my husband or I'll be drafted soon to get out on the water with him!   I think I'm content to just paint these puppies in the comfort of my studio instead.

Hope you enjoy this one and only terrestrial!

Fly 7 - Red Copper John

Red Copper John

5x7, soft pastel

I couldn't resist painting a second Copper John...this one with red wire and a bit more wing detail.  Not only do I like this little nymph...but I love it's name.  Although, I have to admit I kept calling it a Copper Bob for the first day or two...that is until my husband corrected me (oh well). 

Fly 3 - Midnight Blue

Midnight Blue

5x7, soft pastel

This fly is called a spey. What is a ‘spey’ fly?  The term is used to describe a type of fly featuring long body hackles. According to Monte, the modern steelhead speys look quite different than the classic spey, but they do retain a certain similarity in style.  I'll have to research the classic spey to see the difference.

The origin and development of the spey fly is attributed to Scottish anglers who fished along the River Spey in Scotland during the early 1800s.  A gorgeous fly!

Fly 1 - The Poynder

The Poynder

5x7, soft pastel

Well, we're off and running with the January 30in30 Challenge! 

The theme I chose is an artist's nod to the men in my life who love to fish...which is the case for almost all of them I think.  From my dad (who died in a fishing boat accident on the Mississippi) to my brothers, husband, son-in-laws and grandsons the love of fishing has been in my life since day one and is alive and well today. 

I'm sure throughout this month I'm going to learn a whole lot more about fishing...specifically about fly fishing...and more specifically about flies.  I'm planning on painting 30 flies and I've already learned that there are hundreds...no, probably thousands of various fly patterns!  

I chose this first fly solely because it's so darn beautiful!  I don't believe it's a fly that would be used here in the Pacific Northwest because it's an Atlantic salmon fly...a "wet" fly which means it goes under water...as opposed to a "dry" fly which is designed to sit on top of the water.  

A shout out and special thanks to Monte Smith who has graciously allowed me to use his flies as my inspiration.  If you'd like to learn more about flies, check out Monte's blog at http://www.nwflytyer.com it's loaded with lots of fly tying instructions, images and other fishing resources.  Monte is a master at tying flies!  Who knows, by the end of the month, I may be typing my own flies!