"Morning Coffee"

6"x8"

Oil on Board

Well, here's the finished product. I enjoyed painting this so much--I think alot of the fun came from the discoveries I made! I will be framing this to hang in a show for March. It will be available through Tumalo Art Company.

"Morning Coffee" in process

6"x8"

Oil on Board

I teach on Thursdays, so didn't have time to finish this painting, but it was a great process of beginning it for me, so I decided to photograph that. I can't say I am usually so methodical in starting my paintings! But I was preparing for the class I was to teach last night and found myself doing examples of the real loose sketches I wanted them to try and decided to do the same to begin this piece. I first drew the subject very loosely, lots of movement, keeping the pencil going until I had pretty thoroughly studied it. Then I put in an ink wash to isolate positive/negative shapes and value shapes. I had toned my board somewhat darker than I usually do, and began by putting in the dark shapes and continued by putting in the light. I was able to see the painting as patterns of value shapes rather than a collection of objects/people--very helpful! It seemed that doing that really created a unity at the beginning. Now--on to finishing it!

"A Walk Down Main #3"

7"x7"

Oil on 1.5" Cradled Board (ready to hang)

$100 plus $10 US s/h

I've painted two other versions of this subject (Feb. 15 posts), but there's been something about it that has kept me going back to it--trying to resolve something and I'm not even sure what! Part of it has been the treatment of the background, sometimes the colors. I think this is the best of the three. I like how the women take up more space in the painting--it's more about them. I think that helps the composition. And, too, I'm more satisfied with the background. Ah, learning experiences!

"Earth's Tones"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

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This is another painting of a different area of the Painted Hills in eastern Oregon (the other painting was posted on Feb. 6). It was particulary stunning how the gray skies set off the color in the landforms.

"After a Day of Rumi"

9.5"x12.5"

Mixed Media Drawing

Yesterday I had the joy of listening to Coleman Barks recite his translations of the poetry of Rumi to the cello music of David Darling. I had no idea their performance would be so affecting--unusually stirring. Barks also recited some of his own poems which were wonderful. Both men are so in touch with the fire inside that makes us creative. Darling's music was more like conversation--I've really never heard anything like it before. So this morning when I went to my studio, I had to do something that allowed for spontaneity and this drawing is the result.

"A Long 8 Seconds!"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$100 plus $10 U.S. S/H

Trying to keep it loose today, to see how far suggestion goes--as someone in my critique group said, "Not having to prove to the world that I can draw" (or something like that!). I don't mean that I don't value drawing skills, the ability to make a faithful representation--I teach how to do that and believe that it's not only a necessary building block, but an art in itself. What I am referring to is the tendency to have to put all the information in, to be a slave to unnecessary detail. I am trying to learn that!

"My Little Town" (sold)

10"x20"

Oil on Board

The words to Bruce Springsteen's song kept going through my mind as I painted this, so I decided to borrow his title! This painting may not be finished--I just ran out of time today and will have to live with it a bit to know. Now to go to teach. . .

Painting in Process

10"x20"

Oil on Board

Well this is at least a "daily painting times two"! Unfortunately, I don't have the time to paint all day, but have a good start on this and hope to finish it tomorrow! I sure am enjoying the palette of colors with these pieces.

"The Old Takacs Elevator"

8"x6"

Oil on Board

(framed painting currently available through Tumalo Art Company)

Another grain elevator outside of my old hometown. I have always liked the simplicity of this particular one.

"Old Malone Elevator"

6"x8"

Oil on Board

(framed painting currently available through Tumalo Art Company)

This past weekend, I took a little trip to where I grew up (Merrill, OR) to visit and get some inspiration for painting--little did I expect so much snow and such cold! One of the benefits of that, though, is the crystal blue sky that absolutely sparkles. The Klamath Basin is an agricultural area and quite beautiful. I have always been drawn to the grain elevators standing starkly against the sky. This area is also on the flight path of many birds and I was thrilled to see bald eagles and flocks of snow geese and swans. What a treat!

"Walking Down Main" (again!)

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$75 plus $10 US s/h

I needed to try this subject again. This one feels more direct and I know I definitely didn't have time to noodle around much on it! And, naturally, just as I am posting this, I see a little change I need to make--tomorrow! Time to take off for the weekend and to get inspired!

"Walking Down Main" #1

8"x8"

Oil on Board

$100 plus $10 US s/h

I didn't finish this in time to get a photo before the good light left for the day yesterday. It isone of those paintings that I'm not sure what I need to do to it to "fix"it. I had a hard time finding colors--mainly on the light and shadow areas of the sidewalk. There were rich blue-purples and golds in my reference photo, but they just didn't work.

"Taking It All In"

8"x6"

Oil on Board

Well this is the second version of the painting I began the other day and couldn't get anywhere with. This painting is of someone very dear to me, and though I wasn't striving very hard for a true likeness, I found it difficult to relax with it somehow. There are things that maybe I ought to have "finished", but I really couldn't work on this anymore. And I am thinking that maybe that is a good thing! Maybe I don't have to "finish" every little piece!

"Walking Tall"

8"x8"

Oil on Board

Another painting from my reserves, as I didn't have enough time to complete what I was working on today! This was painted last summer. This horse and rider was next in line for the barrel racing competition at the Sisters (OR) rodeo and I was attracted by the posture of the horse and the feel of the tension of waiting.

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"Just Watching"

8"x6"

Oil on Board

This is not today's painting! Today's painting just was going nowhere! I will either try to resolve it or do another version, or both, but I decided to dig into my reserves for today's post. I painted this last August--I remember being so surprised when I finished it! I see some things I'd change now, but on the whole, I'm pretty happy with it. I was struck by contrast of her aloofness and his awkwardness--and glad I wasn't sitting at the same table!

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"In the Fullness of Summer"

6"x8"

Oil on Board

$100 includes domestic s/h

Yesterday was a blur--had some unexpected news when my dog went to the vet and there was no way to get to painting! Anyway, he's OK and today I have a painting! I'm dreaming of summer!

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"Path Through the Painted Hills"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

I think that painting this place gives me even more appreciation of the amazing harmony of color combinations in nature than I notice when I am actually there!

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"Walk Around the Rock"

12"x12"

Oil on Board

Or should it be "rock around the walk"?! This painting is a small version of a commission I will be working on. I had a great time with it. I found something different (for me) with the use of the brushstrokes and a different medium. It let me look at layering color more and I am looking forward to seeing what I can do with this approach!

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"A Winter Walk"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

Well, we have had our share of snow! This painting is from a walk at the High Desert Museum outside of Bend. Bare trees and a frozen creek. . .

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"Sudden Storm"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

contact River Bend Fine Art Gallery for purchaseinformation

It felt great to paint something looser and with more of a feeling of freedom after spending so much time on my previous painting! Maybe it's partly to do with the location of the scene pictured here. It's over in south-eastern Oregon near Malheur Wildlife Refuge and Steens Mountain. I spent some time there soaking up the feeling of the wide open spaces and enjoying the continuous drama of changing clouds.

"Weekend Market" (sold)

6"x12"

Oil on Board

Besides teaching, this is what I have been spending the last two days on and didn't finish it in time to photograph it yesterday to post. So! Today will, hopefully, see two posts! This painting is another scene from the Summer Festival here in Bend last July. It was a challenge to me to find a balance in how much information to put down and where--I could have had two different focal areas. I had a difficult time at the beginning because I didn't have the drawing down correctly and didn't realize it until well into painting! Also, working from photos definitely has its own set of issues. I need more time to live with it, but at this point I feel I've brought this painting to a conclusion that I am pretty happy with.

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