Ready For Planting

I was really unhappy with the way yesterday's painting turned out, so I thought I'd give it another try. I used a different palette this time. I'm also practicing with perspective. This was a little tough for me because there was a slight rise in the road. I'll keep working at it.

Squirrel Among The Rhodies II

This is the same rhodie I painted last week. Not sure if it's the same squirrel. Our backyard is the favorite place to dine for the neighborhood squirrels. There are even a couple of cute little baby squirrels who accompany their mother when she comes.

After posting this, I realized there is a lot of glare in the photo - probably because I used more paint and it's still wet. I may try taking a new photo of this painting after the paint dries to see if that will reduce the glare.

Bee Hive

We've become backyard beekeepers. This is our bee hive - it's a Warre hive and is supposed to be a good hive for urban areas. Less honey is produced in these hives than in the traditional Langstroth hives, but they require less handling by the beekeeper.

I now understand the attraction that some people feel for bees...they're mesmorizing. In the evenings, I often walk down to the hive to watch the bees returning home. Busy bees.

Mary's Garden

Click here to bid

Mary's garden covers several acres in Creswell, Oregon. These are the steps leading up the hill to more of the garden. There are scenic views at the upper level.

Mary's Iris

SOLD

We went to our friend Mary's house today to paint her garden. Mary's garden is a wonderland - so peaceful and idyllic. It was the perfect place to be today.

There is so much color and beauty at Mary's - it was hard to choose a spot to paint.

Click here to buy

Every day this little guy visits the squirrel feeder hanging in our rhododendron bush. He was very annoyed when I took his photo this morning. Clearly, I was interrupting his breakfast!

Scotch Broom

 Scotch broom is a perennial that blooms from April through June and grows 3-10 feet tall. Originally called Scot's Broom, Scotch broom was introduced from Europe as an ornamental and for erosion control. It's highly aggressive, displaces native plants and disrupts wildlife habitat. According to the Oregon government website, it's estimated that Scotch broom costs Oregon $47 million dollars annually in lost timber production. 

While it looks spectacular on the hillside across from King Estate Winery, it's sad to see how much it has spread in the last few years.

Silent Reflections

Click here to bid

I went back to paint the bridge again yesterday afternoon.  I was with two friends and excellent painters, Patti McNutt and Carol Marine. We had the best time painting in the sunshine on Dexter Lake.

The day was a success - the air was warm, the lake and surrounding hills were breathtaking, and we were treated to a bald eagle flying low across the water. Best of all, I got to spend the afternoon with two lovely friends.

Lowell Covered Bridge

We went up to Lowell yesterday to paint the covered bridge. The weather was perfect and the setting was so beautiful. We started a little after noon and stayed until about 4:00 p.m. I came away with a slight sunburn, but I'm not complaining - it was so worth it.

If I'd been a better painter, I would have included the two fishermen who were fishing from the bridge!

Vineyard Road, King Estate

This view is looking down on one of the vineyard roads at King Estate. The scotch broom is in full bloom on the hills across from the vineyard. Scotch broom is lovely, but not native to Oregon and very invasive. It's miserable for folks who are allergic.

It was so incredibly beautiful at King Estate this afternoon. After I finished this painting, I was sorely tempted to stop by the winery restaurant and have a glass of pinot gris on the patio. I didn't do it though...I knew I'd fall sound asleep in the sunshine and would be sleeping up there still!

It would just be too hard to explain when I got home!

Amazon Park Bike Path

I was so eager to do some plein air that I drove over to the park twice yesterday. It was just too dang cloudy and cold in the morning when I first attempted it, so I tried again in the afternoon. It was chilly and windy, but I stuck it out and painted this little scene looking south toward the dog park. Rain is forecast for all next week - bah!!!

Pinot Noir with Lilacs and Apples

Click here to bid

This was an attempt to paint on a little larger scale than the 6 x 6 inch panels I normally use.  This painting was done on an 8 x 10 inch panel. I love painting larger, but realize I have lots to learn about composition...maybe someday I'll have the courage to try something really large.

The weather has been beautiful for the past few days and I'm eager to get outside to paint.