Swan

Oil on canvas. 5"x7"

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...seven swans a-swimming. This is the last of the Christmas birds!

Christmas Goose

Oil on Gessobord. 5"x7"

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...six geese a-laying.

The Day After

Oil on Gessobord. 5"x7"

This is what I should be eating after the Thanksgiving food extravaganza. Instead, we had an early celebratory birthday lunch today at King Estate. Tomorrow we'll celebrate Terry's birthday with dinner and cake...then on to Christmas!

Happy Holidays

Oil on canvas. 6"x6"

Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Ornaments and Vase

Oil on canvas. 6"x6"

More Christmas ornaments.

Christmas Reflections

Oil on canvas. 6"x6"

Trying to capture the reflections on these ornaments was a bit of a challenge, but they were so much fun to paint. I'll be painting more pictures of ornaments over the next few weeks.

Gold Ring (Ring-Necked Pheasant)

Oil on canvas. 5"x7"

According to Wikipedia, the fifth day's gift of gold rings refers not to jewelry, but to ring-necked birds such as the ring-necked pheasant...somebody received a heck of a lot of birds for Christmas!

Colly Bird

Oil on Gessobord. 6"x6"

Sold

The fourth day's gift in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" is often stated as four "calling" birds, but originally (according to Wikipedia) the birds were "colly" birds, another word for blackbird.

Bemused

Oil on canvas. 20"x16"

I went to open studio tonight and had a wonderful time. There is something therapeutic about painting with other people. The room is quiet, everyone is focused and intent on their work, and there is an underlying feeling of peace and well-being.

The model was terrific - it was a pleasure to paint her portrait.

On Sale

Oil on canvas. 6"x6"

 Click here to buy

Another painting for the Daily Paintworks Challenge. I got a great deal on these shoes and I love, love, love them. Unfortunately, they just kill my feet!

The Dog Walkers

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Bid
This week's Daily Paintworks Challenge is to paint your shoes. I decided to paint my favorites. These old boots keep my feet warm and dry and are just right for dog-walking in Oregon.

Click here to see the Daily Paintworks Challenge:  The Shoe Challenge

French Hen (Faverolles)

Oil on Gessobord. 6"x6"

Bid
This gal is a Faverolles, which is a French breed of chicken, developed in north-central France in the vicinity of the villages of Houdan and Faverolles. According to Wikipedia, the bird was originally bred for eggs and meat, but now is primarily raised for exhibition.

Turtle Dove

Oil on Gessobord. 6"x6"

It's cold, crisp, and beautiful this morning...and today is Jenny's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Jenny!

No Painting Today

I'm just too tired tonight to get out the paint. Sometimes I feel discouraged because I'm not spending enough time painting...yet when I'm painting, I feel guilty that I'm neglecting other things that need to be done. I work during the day, so my painting is restricted to nights and weekends. I worry that at the rate I'm going, I won't see much improvement.

I'm having trouble finding a good balance.

What about you? Do you paint? If so, when do you find time to paint? Are you satisfied with the time you devote to your art?

I'm curious to know how others manage their painting time.

Partridge and Pear

Oil on Gessobord. 6"x6"

This is a red-legged (or French) partridge, which perches in trees more frequently than the grey partridge, so likely is the partridge in the pear tree referred to in the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

It has been suggested, though, that the pear tree is, in fact, "perdrix", which is French for partridge, and pronounced "per-dree." According to Wikipedia, the original line in the song could have been "A partridge, une perdrix."

It's incredible how much useless information you can gather while surfing the 'net!

Skater Dude

Oil on canvas. 6"x6"

I have been sorting through our Christmas decorations, looking for something to paint. I was happy when I unwrapped this skating snowman figurine. I keep forgetting about him. He's a tree decoration, and only about three inches high. He's a charming little guy - I had a lot of fun painting him.

Merry Moose

Oil on Gessobord. 5"x7"

This guy is ready for Christmas.

Red Ornament

Oil on canvas. 5"x7"

Bid
I'm in a festive mood today. It's still early enough in the season that I have some hope of being ready for the holidays this year. Jingle bells, jingle bells...

Pine Cones

Oil on gessoboard. 5"x7"

Bid
It feels like the holiday season might be right around the corner, don't you think?

Gala Apples

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Brother Rick's Car

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.

Siuslaw Mooring

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Moored boats on the Siuslaw in Florence.

Florence, Oregon

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

We visited the coast last weekend. The best time to be at the coast is during the fall. The weather is warm and everything sparkles.

Taking a Break

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Poor Rocky hurt his back right paw yesterday. We think he may have injured one of his nails. Because the paw was bleeding, we treated it with nonsting antiseptic. He seems better today. He doesn't seem to mind us touching the paw, but he still favors it.

Of coures it happened over the holiday weekend and the vet's office isn't opened. It didn't seem like an emergency, so we opted just to watch him. We'll take him in to the vet's this week if it doesn't clear up soon.

It's rough on Butterscotch, too. She doesn't have anyone to run and wrestle with.

Sad doggies all around.

Rocky Road

Oil on canvas. 6"x6"

Our new little guy, Rocky, enjoys sleeping on the deck on a warm summer afternoon.

Piggy Bank

Oil on canvas. 8"x8"

This week's Daily Paintworks Challenge was to "Paint Your Pig"...here's my pig!

Watermelon Slice

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Back to my easel after being out of town for a few days. I hope this beautiful weather will continue. I'd love to paint outdoors before the rains come again.

Brown Betty

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Bid
I've never been to the British Isles, but have always wanted to go. This teapot whispers "England" to me.

Bowl of Apples

Oil on gessoboard. 5"x7"

It's such a beautiful day that I took my easel outside to work on this painting. Our schedules have been a bit busy - I'm looking forward to doing some plein air once things settle down (and before the rain starts).

Coffee Mug

Oil on gessoboard. 5"x7"

Another mug. I'll be in working in Bend for the next few days, so won't have much opportunity to paint. I'll probably toss my easel and paints in the car before I leave...just in case.

Favorite Mug

Oil on canvas. 5"x7"

This is my favorite mug. I had TWO favorite mugs and I was painting the OTHER one. Just as I was getting into my painting zone, two wild puppies tore through the house and knocked the mug off its perch and onto the floor. Now I have only one favorite mug.

RIP other mug.

Angel Island

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Another painting from the Reesor vacation photos. I believe this is Angel Island, near San Francisco.

San Francisco

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Dave, Jenny, and the little guys just got back from their vacation in California. They took some beautiful photos while they were there. This one just sang to me. Wouldn't it be heavenly to be sailing on the bay?

Black & White to Color

Oil on canvas. 5"x7"

This is another Daily Paintworks Challenge. The challenge was to work from a black and white photo. It was a good exercise in establishing values. Since I really struggle with value, I found this helpful. I'd like to try this again.