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!

Hollyhocks 2

Hollyhocks 2

12x9 soft pastel

For some reason I failed to share this second Hollyhocks painting (the first one was completed last May).  I love this scene...it was captured on an early morning walk in Door County, Wi.  I just had to try it again.  It hangs in my house and I love it...must be the vibrant colors!

Amaryllis

Amaryllis

10x8, soft pastel

This past week was crazy busy but I managed to find time to paint at the greenhouse along with a few of my plein air buddies.  Although it was a bit cold, I was able to persevere long enough to paint a flower (red of course). Not liking it at all...but that's how it goes!

Poinsettia

Poinsettia

10x8, pastel

Yesterday was a trip to Edward's Greenhouse for a plein air session. I arrived late from an appointment so I tried to keep the subject matter simple...and loose. As I searched for a subject I entered a section of the greenhouse filled to the brim with varying sizes of poinsettias.  They were really starting to bloom...just in time of course for the holidays.  

I was a bit nervous painting with pastels in a room with so many overhead sprinklers threatening to let loose on me...but it all worked out, that is, until I was leaving and a rather large drop of water splashed onto the terra cotta pot in the painting.  Oh, the hazards of plein air!  A quick fix in the studio and it was good as new, maybe even better.  

In a time of such world turmoil, I pray that you have happy holidays filled with love and peace!

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! 

Weeds For Sale...Pick Your Own

Weeds For Sale...Pick Your Own

9x9, soft pastel

During the cold winter months a few people from the plein air group I recently joined meet on Wednesdays to paint in a local greenhouse (Edwards Greenhouse in Boise).  This painting was from our first week.  I painted the scene because the sign made me smile.  There were lots of colorful flowers and grasses surrounding the bench...but not a weed in site! 

Rainbow Bee-Eaters

Rainbow Bee-Eaters

8x10, soft pastel

                                                                    

The photo is a bit blurry (sorry) but I did this one a couple days ago and thought I'd share. These two birds are called Austrailian Rainbow Bee-Eaters.  They do actually reside in Austrailia and eat bees, wasps and beetles.  Hmmm, you learn something every day don't you?