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. 

Violet and Einstein

The past couple months have been crazy busy for me.  I've been involved with five local shows starting with The City of Meridian's Initial Point Gallery, then on to Meadow Lake Village in Meridian, Zions Bank in Boise, Finer Frames Gallery in Eagle and wrapping up for the month of June at Meraki Greek Street Food Restaurant in downtown Boise.  While most of these shows were well worth the effort...alas, each one takes a lot of preparation and takes away from my painting time.  The few pieces I did complete over the past two months aren't necessarily worthy of sharing...with the exception of these two.  

Violet is a goldendoodle who is the mama of our new pup Bennington.  Bennington is old enough to come home this coming week...so life is about to get VERY interesting around here (I've been consuming massive You Tube videos on how to train a pup).  I love Violet...she is an amazing mama to her pups.

Violet

6x6, soft pastel

The second finished piece is Einstein.   He had a nice long life and passed away recently.  I'm sure his family misses him terribly.  This piece is for our neighbors who are Einstein's grand pup-parents. 

Einstein

10x8, soft pastel

Hope you enjoy! 

Dockside Sunrise

Dockside Sunrise

12x16, soft pastel

Back to my boat theme.  With this piece, I had to do quite a bit by memory.  Two years ago I painted a smaller version of this scene en plein air.   But, I made a rooky plein air mistake and didn't take a photograph of the scene before leaving the lake.  So, I had to recall some of the details that I had missed when I painted the first piece.   I was drawn to this particular scene because I loved how the sunlight from the early morning sunrise lit the tips of the kayaks casting jagged sunlight onto the waters below.  It was a gorgeous September morning at Redfish Lake.  One I will always remember.

Hedgehog Gift Shop

Hedgehog Gift Shop

6x8, soft pastel

Day one of the 2016 Door County Wi. Plein Air Festival.   I came mostly to watch the pros...but I couldn't resist a little practice time. What a gorgeous time of year to be on the peninsula!

The Hedgehog Gift Shop is in Gills Rock near the top of the peninsula.  A very cute shop on the water. If you know me, you know I couldn't resist the colors!

Jalapeño Harvest

Jalapeño Harvest

8x5, soft pastel

                                                           
This little painting started out much more abstract...but after fiddling with it, it took a turn towards realistic (which I was trying to avoid).  I'm not sure what to think...so, it's finished (for now). Thank you Stephanie Gerhardt-Matkovich for the inspiration!

Spotlight

A colorful "landscape" and a few others that didn't get posted the last few weeks.     I'm almost caught up!  

Spotlight

  8x6, soft pastel

North Fork Of The Payette River

6x8, soft pastel

Along The Boise River

6x8, soft pastel

                           Pansies

                      5x5, soft pastel

                       Primroses

                    7x7, soft pastel

                           Daylily 2

                      8x10, soft pastel

                    Winter's Timber

                     8x10, soft pastel

                   Green Butt Skunk 2

                        5x7, soft pastel

                 Royal Coachman 3

                     5x7, soft pastel

Tea Rose

Tea Rose

8x6 soft pastel

Sometimes the simple things in life are the sweetest.  A little bud from a gorgeous rose bush...simply sweet!

The Nose Knows

The Nose Knows

10x8, soft pastel

A dog lives and dies by his nose...sniffing out every scent along the way.  Westies typically have black noses...but occasionally there's one with a soft pink nose.  Many are born with pink noses that change into black.  I love the expression felt when I look at this painting...lovingly looking up to his master.

Rufus

Rufus

6x6, soft pastel 

Rufus is a dear sweet Westie who lived in Ireland with his family for the past 17 yrs.   This is a painting of him in his honor and is on its way overseas.  Knowing the heartbreak of losing a family pet, I hope they will enjoy it for years to come.  

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!

Little Buddy 2

Little Buddy 2

9x9, soft pastel

Even though it's been a year since losing Tubby, I find myself still needing to paint my little muse...the Westie.   One of the most stubborn, headstrong, tenacious yet most loving dog breeds I've ever had.  Miss you Tubby and Scooter!  

Be Mine

Be Mine

5x7, soft pastel

Well, a new month begins and after all of those fishing flies I just had to default to a small bouquet of flowers (something a bit more girly).  My favorite composition is one where there's an elevated L shape thing going on...which there is in this one (the table top and the stripe down the right side).  

This is a painting I've been thinking of for a few months...ever since I purchased a couple new kitchen towels.  It's no mistake there's a couple of red stripes running through it...my favorite color.

Be Mine is going to Flying M, a local coffee shop where there's an annual silent auction to benefit the research and cure of AIDS.   If you're in the area, be sure and go check out all the fabulous artwork on display!  There will be quite a variety of works on hand. 

Fly 31 - Orange Nymph

Orange Nymph

5x7, soft pastel 

Well....here's one more since January has 31 days in it!  

The Orange Nymph is attributed to Joe Cornwall of the Fly Fish Ohio website. I have to admit...I started with one design and ended up with another...so I don't know if this one is extremely accurate...but he sure is colorful! Apparently, blue gill are really attracted to the color orange.  While this nymph looks like it's a late stage nymph, I would imagine it's fairly attractive to a lot of other types of fish as well!   

Ok, now I should confess. I have developed an addiction to painting flies. I don't know what it is...probably because many are so colorful and there are literally thousands of fly patterns to chose from.  So, I plan on painting flies from time to time...just for something fun and relaxing to do.  Enjoy your day!!!

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 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 25 - Muddler Minnow

Muddler Minnow

5x7, soft pastel

The Muddler Minnow...hmm, what to say about this guy.  Well, he's brown...a bit on the drab side...but a great streamer fly (fished wet) primarily used for trout.  This guy mimics a minnow and it is said that brown trout are especially vulnerable to this fly having been known to charge out of an undercut bank to hit the fly like a freight train.  

It's a good idea to use a floating line with the fly streaming three to four inches under the surface.  If you like to float down a river in a raft, this fly can't be beat!

Fly 22 - Rock Island Featherwing Streamer

Rock Island Featherwing Streamer

5x7, soft pastel

Monte Smith (www.nwflytyer.wordpress.com) created this version of a featherwing streamer...the Rock Island.  These types of flies originated from the Rangeley Lakes region of Maine.  They are attributed to Carrie G. Stevens (c. 1920s) of Upper Dam, Maine, a self taught commercial fly tyer.  Carrie elevated the eastern streamer from a utilitarian tool to an art form as you can see.  To learn more about this and other types of flies check out Monte's website...he knows much more about flies in general than I'll ever know! 

Fly 21 - Orange Flamethrower

Orange Flamethrower

5x9, soft pastel

I've been painting all the flies in this series in a 5x7 format.  However, this Orange Flamethrower just demanded a longer size to accommodate its gorgeous tail.  

The Flamethrower is another tube style salmon fly, this time with a double hook.  I couldn't find my original source for this particular fly...but I know the guys at The Canadian Tube Fly Company could set you up with the supplies to tie this beauty!