Poster Award

Here's a picture of the painting I submitted. There are alot of techniques that I applied in this painting that apparently worked such as angles, edges and color: dark against light. If I could only apply all my learning in all my paintings... :)

Equine Art Show

Last week I had the good fortune to win the Thoroughbred Assoc. Equine Art Poster Award at Emerald Downs! What an experience! The opening reception was a fully catered event with free beer and wine and dozens of fabulous paintings to check out! I was in Heaven for sure. And to top it off, I found myself talking art with an artist who's art I've admired for some time now - Karen McClelland. Her work is stunning and I might add, won the 1st and 2nd place awards in the oil painting category.

Pepperments in Jar

Pepperments in Jar 5x7 oil on canvas
Back to the clear jar models but added the cellophane wrappers. These are fun little paintings. So much to see and decipher when painting clear objects. Who knew?

Silver Pot & Apricots

Silver Pot & Apricots 8x10 Oil on canvas.
Apricots continue to be a challenge for me as I'm hoping to achieve their soft, fuzzy skin and delicate color. Even their shadows cast on each other are more delicate in color.

Bronze Tin & Fruit

Bronze Tin & Fruit 8x10 oil on canvas

Silver Bowl of Apricots

Silver Bowl of Apricots 8x10 oil on canvas.
This was a fun painting. I'm really working to loosen up and enjoying every minute of it. Edges have become a priority for me as has reflected light. I've also been experimenting with background colors. I'm happy with the way this one worked out.

I wanted to post a picture of my new studio while in progress so you can follow along. The work is going so quickly though that it will likely be done next week! I still need to purchase my lighting but otherwise, I believe all the decisions are on track. I cant wait to move in!

Lemon Nectarine

Lemon Nectarine 6x6 Oil on Canvas
Back to my little paintings. This time I thought I'd work on a clear jar. I'm using a #4 filbert brush primarily with a #2 backup for tight spots but only if truly necessary. I prefer the larger brush strokes even on these little paintings for a painterly look.

Raining #3

Raining #3 16x20 Oil on Canvas
The finished product. Three herons fulfill the critter requirement. Fairly ghosty so as to not detract from the mood.

Raining #3

A work in progress:
Once again, I had the good fortune to design the cover for the Arts Alive! Poetry Jams annual poetry book. Given this years title, Rain In Thoughts, I wanted something especially pensive and dreamy. I knew I had to stay away from the reds and oranges this time and settled on blues for a peaceful, quieting mood. Sooner or later I will have to add the traditional critter, beast or being in a three pack. Hmmm..

Choosing Sides

Choosing Sides
18x18 Oil on Canvas

Deep Lake 2

Deep Lake 2 appx 8x11 Oil on Board. White ground.

Deep Lake

Deep Lake appx 8x11 Oil on Board. Black ground.

Federation State Park

Federation State Park appx 8x12 oil on board.
Venturing out by myself this time my only real concerns were bears and bad guys. Neither of which showed up so it was all in all a great painting day. Unfortunately, this photo has some glare :(

Creek By The 18th Fairway, 8x11 oil on board
Another beautiful day at the golf course.

By The Grange, 8x12 Oil on Board
Hidden behind a some bushy trees and shrubs was this red barn and a couple of sheds.

First Hole Oil on Board appx 8x11
A fairly bright day but chilly. We got the A-Okay to continue to paint here. There seems to be a plethora of landscapes here with varying levels and depths. I believe I could have stayed until my fingers were numb but my painting partner had other plans so we left after only one painting.

Third Hole #2 oil on board appx 8x11
This is the second of two paintings done yesterday. A view of the third hole of the Enumclaw Golf Course. Both of my painting buddies had left me alone to finish up the last half hour or so but all in all it was a great day of painting!

Third Hole

Third Hole oil on board appx 8x11
A beautiful day for plein air painting! This was the first of two done yesterday at the Enumclaw Golf Course looking back from the third hole. I was a bit unsure of how the golfers would take to a few painters setting up on their tee but we received nothing but positive responses. A bit inquisitive as to what we were doing but I'm inclined to believe golfers are a friendly bunch!

This is a section of our circle driveway by the wood stack. I got soaked the day I painted this. I finally moved up to the house onto my covered deck to finish the painting. I believe I'm going to look into plein air umbrellas..