Jack

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Happy Halloween!

Brother Rick

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Ok, I know what you're thinking..."Whoa, Sue! How could such a good-lookin' guy be your brother?" Rick has always been the pretty boy in the family.

Pumpkins

Oil on canvas. 6"x6"

Last week's Daily Paintworks Challenge was to spend no more than 10 minutes painting an object. I forgot to set the timer on my last try, but basically I stayed within the 10 minute time limit for each pumpkin. It's a good exercise - it forces the painter to stay with large masses and avoid too much detail - something I struggle with.

Fishing Hat

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

This is sketch of Graham. I am trying to pay attention to values.

Barn at Mt. Pisgah

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

This morning I continued to work on this painting of the old barn at Mt. Pisgah.

Oregon Beach Boy II

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Here's a re-do of the painting I did on the weekend. I'm much happier with this one.

Farm House

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Well, I had an awful, horrible, very bad day at work today. The only saving grace is that I believe in karma. I believe what goes around comes around...one reaps what one sows!

I spent the evening painting. Painting is a wonderful meditation and a great way to de-stress. Of course I overworked the thing, but that's ok. It served it's purpose. I'm almost relaxed enough to go to bed.

Blog Action Day: Food and a Lean Culture Change

I wanted to share this excellent blog post with you. Jon Miller, "Gemba Panta Rei" is the author. Most of his blog articles pertain to lean in the manufacturing or business setting, but much of the lean culture applies to everyday living:

Lean Manufacturing Blog, Kaizen Articles and Advice Gemba Panta Rei

Little Girl

Oil on RayMar panel. 8"x10"

Bid
A photo of this cute little girl was the subject of the Daily Paintworks Challenge this week. The challenge was to simplify the background in the photo, so I didn't really stay within the rules. She was so cute that I couldn't resist trying the portrait without much background.

Little Brown Beer Jug

Oil on RayMar panel. 8"x10"

Bid
This is a little brown beer jug. The glass is ready to celebrate. Hooray for October and beer!

Autumn Colors

Oil on canvas board. 8"x10"

Bid
There are so many types of gourds in in our local markets, and they seem so festive. The pumpkins are piled high in anticipation of Halloween. Autumn is my favorite time of year.

Pie Buddies

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

The only thing better than pumpkin pie might be apple pie (but don't tell the pumpkin).

Pumpkin Evening

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Yet another pumpkin painting. Pumpkins are just so satisfying to paint!

October

Oil on canvas. 11"x14"

Bid
I'm having fun with this pumpkin. It may have a few more paintings left before it becomes a jack-o'-lantern.

Pinot Noir and Pumpkin

Oil on canvas. 11"x14"

Dark and rainy Sunday. A good day to stay indoors and paint.

Autumn Gourds

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Bid
Another beautiful fall day.

Siuslaw Autumn

Oil on canvas. 16"x11"

This is a painting I worked on last Sunday. It's a little funky, but I like the color. I've been experimenting using James Gurney's gamut masking method.

I've used it on my last two paintings and am going to continue to use it. I really like it.

I've been sick, sick, sick all week, but I had to be at work because we had a big kaizen event going on that I couldn't miss.

As a result, I'm home today with no voice at all. The 800 pound gorilla that was sitting in the middle of the meeting room has now taken up residence on my chest.

I'm very annoyed.

Oregon Autumn

Oil on canvas. 16"x20"

We've had a brief touch of autumn. The rain has started and the forecast is for rain all this week. We are hoping for a few more days of bright, crisp weather before winter sets in.