New Shoes

Last Christmas we gave our granddaughter, Nora, a dress from Paris. We included a sweater, beret, and red patent leather shoes to complete the outfit. She liked the new clothes, but she loved the "gorgeous" red shoes - a girl after my own heart!

Here Comes The Sun

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One little tulip leans toward the light and greets the sunshine.

Pink Azaleas

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Azaleas are in full bloom.

Small Treasures

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Small treasures fill the heart and lift the spirit.

Planting Season

Another scene from our trip to Pleasant Hill. The surrounding fields are newly planted and spring green is beginning to replace the gold/brown colors of winter.

View From Wheeler Road

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Patti McNutt, Victoria Biedron (fellow DPW painters), and I drove down to the Pleasant Hill area this morning to do a little plein air painting. Patti had previously spotted this hillside with the rocky outcropping, and suggested that it would be a good spot to paint - and it was sublime! The day was perfect - good weather, good scenery, good company. Isn't that what it's all about?

Morning Coffee

Morning coffee on a beautiful spring day.

Room Enough For Five

This is the same tulip set up that I used for a previous painting. This time I painted the background in low key rather than high key. It's interesting to see how the mood of the painting changes when the values change.

Hangin' Out

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So many tulips, so little time.

Dancing Tulips

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These tulips seem to dance to a springtime melody only they can hear. While you can't see the dance in motion, if you glance away and then look again, you'll find they've moved ever so slightly to a new pose.

Good Morning

I'm so glad to be able to turn to painting during this election season. I'm able to tune out all the noise and nonsense and enjoy the beauty that is all around.  I think it helps me keep my head on straight!

Cup of Violas

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These violas were just begging to be painted. How could I resist? Mother's Day is coming up - this little oil painting might make a very nice Mother's Day gift for someone's special mom.

Cheers

More roses! They still elude me, but I'm having a lot of fun painting them. I do like to paint flowers. They just seem so cheerful - even on these dark and rainy afternoons. This is a 12x12 inch panel, larger than I'm accustomed to. The larger size makes it a little easier to paint in a loose fashion.

Simple Pleasures

 

This painting is 14x11 inches, larger than what I'm used to doing. I like working on larger canvases, but feel pretty nervous and intimidated while painting.  Perspective and composition are both weak areas for me and I think painting larger reveals that - at least I'm more aware of it.

The answer is to forge ahead and keep painting larger. I'm also going to spend more time practicing these skills. I've decided my homework is to set aside some time each day to work with pencil and paper. There is a wonderful blog, http://www.learning-to-see.co.uk/ that gives valuable information on how to improve. I often glance through it, but haven't taken the time to really dig in and do the work that Paul recommends.

So much to learn, so little time!

Narcissus with Grape Hyacinth

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This morning I ran outside between rain showers to gather these flowers.  Bulb flowers are my favorites.

Swinging Single

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This little gal is hanging out all by herself in the water glass, but she seems pretty jolly. I think she enjoys her own company.

Feeling Good

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Early spring brought sore throats, runny noses, coughs, and upset tummies.  We're all on the road to recovery now and looking forward to feeling good.

Summer Promise

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Still working on my roses. They're beautiful, but killers to try to paint!

Garden Delights

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In the interest of full disclosure, the title of this painting is misleading. These flowers are not from my garden. While we have blooming daffodils, primroses, and daphne, we're still a week or two away from blooming tulips. These little charmers are from my local market. They're still delightful!

Royal Wetlands

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Yesterday we took advantage of a break in the rain, and went to Royal Wetlands to paint. What a gorgeous place for painters and birdwatchers!

Sunshine and Primroses

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The primroses enjoyed basking in today's sunshine. We've had many rainy days this spring. More more rain is predicted, but today was beautifully clear and warm.  We were as delighted as the primroses!

Blue Vase with Roses

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Whew! These roses really kicked my...knickers. It's them or me - game on!

Sweet Thoughts

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A little bit of springtime is sitting on my table.

Golden Gardens Pond

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My painting buddy, Victoria Biedron, and I went over to Golden Gardens on Tuesday afternoon to do a little painting. It was cold, but so, so beautiful. It was a delight to be outside.

With this painting, I tried to repeat the lavender-blue in the sky, the Coburg hills in the distance, and the pond toward the front of the painting. The fields are mostly a golden color, but bits of green are beginning to show through.

Ricketts Road

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This afternoon was perfect for painting outside - brisk and cloudy, but dry. Although much of the landscape still wears winter drab, hints of spring color are beginning to break through.

Primroses

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Primroses are one of the first harbingers of spring. So happy to have this little plant to paint - it makes my heart sing!

Pass Creek

On Monday, my painting buddies, Patti McNutt and Victoria Biedron, and I drove south to the little lumber town of Drain, Oregon to do some plein air painting. We found an ideal spot to paint on the bridge over Pass Creek - the little creek that runs through the town. It's still winter here, but there was a hint of spring in the air. It was a joyful day.

Secret Garden

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We each have a secret garden,

Where no one can intrude -

A haven of rest and quiet

and blessed solitude.

Addie A. Lynch 

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Lunch in Paris

Dang it! I didn't win the lottery. You didn't either? I know...let's console ourselves. We'll take the afternoon off and have lunch in Paris. I know a place...Restaurant Au Vieux Paris D'Arcole. It's just around the corner from Notre Dame, and right next door to Bertie's Cupcakery. There's a table waiting. We'll feel much better!

Rocky

This is Rocky, my assistant. He holds the floor down while I paint.

Newberg Oregon

Last July we took a walk around an old Newberg neighborhood and were stopped in our tracks by this wild profusion of flowers. I'm glad we thought to take a photo at that time - it was a joy to paint on this cold and foggy day.

The Out-of-Towners

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I'm not sure where these little tulips originate. I found them at the market. It's way too cold for local tulips...maybe they're hothouse girls! Their hot color is certainly welcome on this frosty day.