Roadside Hollyhocks

Roadside Hollyhocks

10x8, soft pastel 

Door County is one of the most picturesque places I know. Boats, harbors, spectacular sunrises and sunsets...and more flowers than you can imagine!

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!

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!  

Chasing Shadows

Chasing Shadows

12x12, soft pastel

     

This is a very special scene because my stepson Travis took the amazing photo that inspired this painting while covering the 2016 Iditarod for Filson.  I believe this was on the last leg of the race near Nome, AK. At first glance from afar, it looked to me like a blue streaked meteor shower.  Then, (considering the title) I realized the crazy blue streaks were of course tree shadows...and next, after further review, I noticed the tracks, sled, musher and his dogs.  It was a picture that made me stop and look around at all it had to offer.  It was a delight to have the details unfold before my eyes and such fun to paint!   Thank you Travis, you inspire me! 

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 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 29 - Russian Intruder

Russian Intruder

5x7, soft pastel

Once again...I am drawn to blue, teal and green colors of a fly...this time the Russian Intruder.  This fly is a steelhead fly originated by the late Juri Shumakov.  He used a series of cones on plastic tube, tying fur and feathers in between each cone.  This style has long been proven to be successful for steelhead fishing.  

Day 24 - Blue Charm Spey

Blue Charm Spey

5x7, soft pastel

There are many variations of this beautiful Atlantic Salmon Spey fly.  This one caught my eye because of the soft subtle nature of the grey feathers against the gorgeous blues and blue greens.  I just had to try this one out!  

Fly 9 - Royal Wulff

Royal Wulff

5x7, soft pastel

Well, yesterday I had wished I painted the Elk Hair Caddis on black...so today I played with a black background.   I don't know if I'll keep it up...but it does jump out at ya!

Mr. Lee Wulff revolutionized fly fishing and fly tying with his Wulff series.  These flies were one of the first ever invented using hair instead of natural feathers for wings and tails.

The Royal Wulff is a go-to trout fly in my neck of the woods.  In the Mountain West the Royal Wulff represents the flying red ant hatches that appear during the months of August and September. Although, when asked what they represented Mr. Wulff replied smiling: "...not any one natural insect but more like a dessert...something after the main course, like Strawberry shortcake...something great big and juicy floating down the river."

Darn, now I need a sweet treat!

Fly 4 - Evening Breeze

Evening Breeze

5x7, soft pastel

Here in Idaho, we are experiencing a week of very cold weather.  So, the title of this next fly (a featherwing streamer) captured my imagination.  I’m looking forward to the cool summer evenings! 

Tying this fly consists of using copper wire, silver tinsel, pheasant and peacock feathers…oh yes, and a little white bucktail. I find it amazing the furs and feathers used it the construction of a fly.  

Below is an image of the anatomy of a salmon fly…for your enjoyment and my future reference.  While this is a salmon fly and not a featherwing streamer, you get the idea of what goes into the making of a fly.  The image is of a fly called a Silver Doctor tied by Jack Madden.

Darby

Darby

8x6, soft pastel

Darby left this world a few days ago and is greatly missed by his human.  The first week is especially tough.  So, I thought I'd try to cheer her up today and remind her of happier times.

That's the funny thing about Facebook...or any other social media site.  You can communicate with like minded people and support one another through all the trials and tribulations this crazy life throws at you.  It was fun painting Darby with his gorgeous pink ears..even the grass was reflecting off the fur on his chin! I imagined him running and playing (wherever it is we all go)...maybe with Scooter and Tubby!

There's A Squirrel In My Tree!

There's A Squirrel In My Tree!

8x6, pastel

        

                                                    

This is a common pose for a West Highland Terrier (aka Westie).  These spitfire dogs have attitude plus and are always on the lookout for varment encroaching on their territory.  They like to sit up as high as possible...which means the back cushion of a couch or chair is fair game (they prefer you position their selected piece of furniture next to a window of course).  Once a squirrel is spotted, my two male Westies would tear out of the room and sail through the doggie door clambering into the backyard to address the situation.  Tubby (the youngest) would actually sit under a tree for several hours at a time waiting for the squirrel to make his move.  The squirrel meantime would whip his tail and make menacing noises at both dogs hoping to scare them off.  This didn't phase them in the least. Fortunately no squirrel was ever harmed during these encounters...but they were sure fun to watch! 

Stray Daisy

Stray Daisy

14x11, soft pastel

Some paintings stay within my control...and some take on a life of their own.  This one insisted on being bright and vibrant.  I haven't really decided if I like it or not but it does look better to me in a mat (picture below).  I don't know, I think I'll have to life with this one for awhile before I know if it should be changed.

Botanical Garden - 2

Purple Iris
12x9, soft pastel

I had to try my hand at painting this iris before summer begins.  This was a gorgeous one I found at the botanical garden a few days ago.  Just as the sun was peaking out from behind a storm cloud,  it lit up the bloom.  A beautiful sight.

I had high hopes I'd paint three paintings today (not sure what I was thinking).  This is the only one I could manage to do...oh well, there's always tomorrow!

Blue Pond

Blue Pond

6x8, soft pastel

Painting 26 is a loose interpretation of a pond in Japan that changes colors in various weather conditions.  In wintery weather it's a beautiful blue.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

6x8, soft pastel

A little practice piece for the holidays.  I couldn't resist this scene.  It brings back fond memories of sledding in a nearby park and the many trips to the ice skating rink throughout the winter months. Growing up in a small town in Iowa was like living in a Norman Rockwell painting.