In The Zone

 In The Zone

12x15, soft pastel

This piece has been brewing in my head for awhile. Finally, there was time in 2020 to give it it's due. I know what it's like to be "in the zone". It happens every time I paint. You lose all sense of time and place because you are completely focused on the creative task at hand. I knew that was the case for this gentleman too. I was drawn to his music as well as his state of mind.

He was playing a beautiful classical guitar piece at the Farmer's Market a couple years back. I love classical guitar music....and, I especially loved his "TIP" bucket.  I can still remember the scene...strong light was pouring over him from the alleyway, tons of people were chatting at nearby restaurants, and there was the fragrant smell of fresh breads and intoxicating scents of fresh cut flower. In all the cacophony, he didn't seem to notice as he focused on the gentle music flowing from his guitar. Simply put, he was "In The Zone".

Pot In A Box

 Pot In A Box

6x6, oil

Day 4 of the Strada Easel Challenge:

No...it's not the kind of "pot" you might suspect...but a case of shingles has set in during the past 24 hours so finding some pain relief is priority number one today. I hear pot is good for that...but alas, I live in Idaho. I may need to visit an adjoining state (ha!).

Now for my painting...I'm infatuated with pitchers of all kinds. Big ones, short ones, squatty ones, and skinny ones. I think this little squatty guy may have been on a railway dining car because it has a little silver dish attached at the bottom, presumably for catching potential spillage as the train moves along the tracks. Whatever the reason, I love it's little plump body and attached lid and saucer. It's actually silver...so I may need to revisit this subject again this month because to me, it looks like a ceramic pot.  Nonetheless,  it's pretty darn cute!

Shell-ter In Place

 Shell-ter In Place

6x6, oil

Day 3 of the Strada Easel Challenge:

These pieces are considered studies...since they don't possess all the realistic details I would typically paint into a scene such as this (and they're painted with oils)...but they are a lot of fun to play with!  On the side, I am also painting in pastel...a more laborious juicy piece during the Challenge. Keeping the pedal to the metal when it comes to artwork (housework?...not so much, but then we are tidy folks anyway) 😎.

Catching Up From 2020

 Yep, 2020 Was Epic!

Following are 2020 paintings that didn't get a fair shake. My routine was disrupted by the pandemic and frankly I succumbed to just going with the flow for most of the year. These were late summer and early fall paintings including a few plein air pieces.

Harry Always Comes in Hot,  7.5x12 pastel

Silver Bowl With Apples, 6x8, oil

Barn Across The Payette, 6x8, oil

Along The Strand, 4.25x6.25, oil

Wild Roses with Daisies, 8x6, pastel

The Youngster, 8x12 pastel

Fall Along The Foothills, 6x9 pastel

Eagle Plein Air Festival - Nocturne, Sunrise Cafe, 8x10 pastel

Eagle Plein Air Festival - Hay There!, 8x10 pastel

Eagle Plein Air Festival - Nocturne In The Neighborhood 8x10, pastel

Beautiful Bella, 12x9, pastel

Early Dawn 6x12, pastel

Eagle Plein Air Festival - Nocturne, A Chilly Morning, 10x8 pastel

Eagle Plein Air Festival - Beneath The Shade Tree, 9x12 pastel

The Arrival Of Autumn, 6x8 oil

Feeling Boxed In

 Feeling Boxed In

6x6, oil

Day 2 of the Strada Easel Challenge:

I have this crazy little old wooden box that is far from square and has a beautiful patina to it. I've wanted to use it in some way for the Challenge.  I decided to start by placing small still life scenes in it. The title seems appropriate right now as we settle into winter...fortunately, our winters in the Boise Idaho area are typically pretty mild so there's really little chance of feeling too "boxed in".

The Last Bloom of 2020

The Last Bloom of 2020

6x8, oil

Day 1 of the Strada Easel Challenge:  2021 Is Here!

I'm not sure the world has ever been happier to start a New Year as it is this year. Of course, we are certainly not out of the woods when it comes to the pandemic in which we have all found ourselves. In fact, the pandemic rages on...it's never been worse. Our hospitals are full and struggling still to help all those who are in need of medical attention...whether COVID related or not. I heard a statistic today that 1 in 11 Americans have it or have had it. My grandson Tyler had a mild case from attending college. My grandsons Zack and Brian currently have mild cases, thank the Lord. And, we suspect my daughter's farm family in Washington state had early cases of it last spring...before testing was widespread.

The world has lost countless lives whether from the virus itself or as a result of it and it's impact on our healthcare system, our mental wellbeing, and the world's economy. Mankind is reluctantly united in a way we have never (in my lifetime) been united...to fight the virus, to get an effective vaccine, and to recover economically. But, most importantly, too recover our sense of freedom. 

Oh how we took for granted the simple things in life! Now, we have to stop and consider whether we can visit our families and friends, go out to restaurants, movies, concerts, sporting events or fly on a plane. Even though our odds of surviving are quite good, most people are doing what it takes to both bolster our economy while at the same time staying healthy so we don't inadvertently spread the virus and further burden our healthcare system.  

COVID19 has by now touched every family I know. Fortunately most have gotten mild or moderate cases and slowly recovered. Some have been in ICU yet thankfully survived. Several friends have lost loved ones and a few of my virtual friends have lost their lives. 

Mankind has weirdly adapted to the uncertainty and heartbreaking reality of COVID19...yet we all yearn for the day we can return to the world we once had. So, in a way, we celebrate from afar, a new year...with new hope that 2021 will be better than 2020. 

May God bless us all and help guide us to healthier and happier days ahead!

Another American Hero

Another American Hero

16x12, soft pastel

This time of year (especially this year) we are reminded of our local heroes. Our firefighters are as inspirational as the healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly for months as we battle the invisible deadly COVID19 virus.  Now, on the West Coast of the United States we battle yet another 2020 demon...wildfires.  So many fires are raging throughout the West, more acres burned than we can count...more lives disrupted, more lives ended.  May God watch over all our heroes, give them strength and courage, and when the work is done, bring them safely home.