Saturday, April 23, 2016

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!

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Here Comes The Sun

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

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Pink Azaleas

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Azaleas are in full bloom.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Small Treasures

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Small treasures fill the heart and lift the spirit.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

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.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

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?

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Morning Coffee



Morning coffee on a beautiful spring day.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

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.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Hangin' Out


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So many tulips, so little time.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

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.

Monday, March 21, 2016

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!

Sunday, March 20, 2016

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.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

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.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

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!


Monday, March 14, 2016

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.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

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.

Friday, March 11, 2016

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.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Summer Promise


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

Sunday, March 6, 2016

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!

Friday, March 4, 2016

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!


Thursday, March 3, 2016

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!

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Blue Vase with Roses

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

Monday, February 29, 2016

Sweet Thoughts


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A little bit of springtime is sitting on my table.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

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.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

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.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

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!

Thursday, February 11, 2016

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.

Friday, January 15, 2016

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 
-

Thursday, January 14, 2016

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!

Monday, January 11, 2016

Rocky


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

Friday, January 8, 2016

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.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

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.