Tan Caddis Emerger

Tan Caddis Emerger
5x7, soft pastel

After hatching, a nymph lives on a stream or river bottom up to a year (depending on species) and then begins the process of transforming into an adult fly.  The nymph rises ("emerging") to the top of the water where it will continue to develop, molting into an adult fly ("dun" stage).  Once mature (spinner stage), it will take flight and mate.  The females will return to the water to drop their eggs before falling to the water's surface as a "spent spinner".   Sad...but true.  

Very Woolly Bugger

Very Woolly Bugger

5x7, soft pastel

This little guy just about got away from me.   I love this fly because of it's "jewelry", the flashing on the tail, metal bead head and wire wrap.  I imagine the black feathery material could prove to be a challenge to control when tying this fly...as it was for me in painting it.  I am back into painting flies for a week or so for a couple reasons.   One, it's time to go fishing (so I can continue with the 30in30 by painting these little guys in the boat) and two,  I just absolutely love painting fishing flies!  

You Going To Eat That?

You Going To Eat That?
6x6, Soft Pastel

I love to eat out, especially breakfast.  While traveling in Oregon recently, we had breakfast in a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The sunlight streaming through the windows turned our ordinary brown tabletop dark blue with beautiful light blue highlights.  Even more gorgeous was the sunlight saturating the single slice of orange left on my husband's plate.   It looked irresistible from my vantage point...thus, the title.   Yum!

Newport Coastline

Newport Coastline

5x7, Soft Pastel

One last Oregon scene before heading home.  The Newport coastline is gorgeous, with its lighthouse in the distance and sand dune beachfront.   I highly recommend driving along the Oregon Coast there's so much to see! 

Morning Calm

Morning Calm

6x8, Soft Pastel

Morning Calm was painted in my hotel room while visiting the Oregon Coast.  I particularly like the ocean and all things nautical...especially in the early morning or late evening hours.  Everything seems just a little more sleepy and peaceful. While painting it, I just wanted to climb up in this little dingy and take a nap.  I may paint a larger version of this one since I didn't have my best pastels with me and struggled a bit with getting just the right colors. "We'll see" (that's my new mantra).

Pear-fect!

Pear-fect!
6x6, Soft Pastel

Pear-fect!  While not actually "perfect" (it had quite a few bruises by the time I got to it),  it was sweet little pear that sat snuggly, nestled in the table cloth waiting to be painted.  Then of course I ate it.  At this point, I'm thinking I should take up painting desserts!  How fun would that be?

I Love Stella...Whoever She Is

I Love Stella...Whoever She Is

12 x 3.5, Soft Pastel

Well, I confess the painting above isn't precise...nor my best work.  At all.  But, there's a really good reason why. I made a very big mistake on this one...that is, I started it AFTER I had opened and started drinking it.  BIG mistake for someone who was really looking forward to a "cold one" after a long day of painting. 

If you know me, you know I don't drink much, at most maybe one a day (sorta like a vitamin) but I do love an ice cold Stella!  So, I was forced to paint it exceptionally fast (didn't want it to get cold you know).