"Kari's Daughter"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

sold

This painting is one of three "sister-paintings" of sisters.  It was nice to work with a summer subject and to imagine the feel of the sun on the skin when it is so cold and snowy here!

"Rooster' (commission)

6"x6"

Oil on Board

Sold

It's been awhile since I have painted any feathery friends and I thoroughly enjoyed this one!  It is a companion piece to another rooster/chicken painting I've done.  Speaking of fowl, happy Turkey Day to all!

"Abby Waiting For Her Friend"

8"x10"

Oil on Board

Sold

This is a commission I finished a couple of days ago.  It was a bittersweet painting to do!  Abby was a much loved dog who passed away awhile back.  She would sit at this window waiting for her owner to come home.  It was hard not to keep thinking about that while painting this, but it also made it that much more special.  I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to sometimes do these paintings that are enriching to those who commission them or receive them as gifts.  It's the best of both worlds--loving to paint and painting something that is loved.

"Betty-Boop Jammies"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

Sold

This was so fun, I could paint it again and again!  It's one of three paintings of the daughters of a woman who has a framing business here in Bend (Framer's Corner).  It is such a challenge to do these little things when you really want them to look like the person you're portraying--when it works, it feels like a true gift from above!

"Balboa Park Busker"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$100 plus $10 domestic s/h
contact me to purchase this painting through Paypal

This time last year, we were in San Diego--warm and sunny!  This young guy was playing beautifully at Balboa Park.  I have been working on getting together 30 6x6 paintings for a group show at River Bend Fine Art Gallery, here in Bend, OR.  This is one of them.  I can't believe I'm finished! 

"Pomegranate" (sold)

6"x6"

Oil on Board

I spent all morning working on a little figurative painting, wiped it off twice and got fed up and walked my dog!  I've been wanting to paint some of the beautiful produce that we've raised/traded.  So this is today's result!  Actually, I need to do this more often.  It feels so much more direct--both the process and the painting.  I know some of the best have said that if you paint from photographs alot, you REALLY need to paint from life alot, too.  I believe it!  Besides, I have to admit that it is just more fun to paint from life than to be looking at a piece of paper!  Uh-oh.  I may be opening up a can of worms for myself.

"A Closer Inspection"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

contact River Bend Fine Art Gallery for purchase information

This is a study of a fellow named Burke who was looking at art in one of the galleries I've shown in recently.  This started out really tight.  I was trying to paint him full-figure and after not enjoying it for too long, I wiped it off, focused in on his upper body and just painted it!  I enjoyed the spontaneity!

"Tobey, Mighty Mite!"

6"x6"

Oil on Cradled Board

NFS

Yesterday, our dog Tobey and I went for a walk along one of the river trails here in Bend, home of an absolutely GREAT parks and rec department.  I took a photo of him after he had scrambled up onto a boulder and this is the resulting paintng.  I love working with backlit subjects and I used black gesso on the board.  Nice to work on!  I couldn't possibly think of doing anything with this painting other than giving it to my husband!

By the way, I am available for commissions for your pet's portrait!

"Cruisin' Through the Park"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

Going through my photos today, I came across this one given to me by a friend and there we go!  I loved the carefree feel of the kid on his rollerblades.  It reminded me of riding my bike when I was a kid, feeling the air go through my hair, just being so into the moment. . .the wonderful thing is that it doesn't have to stop when you're a grown-up!  Think I'll get me some rollerskates!

"Breakfast Conversation"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

contact River Bend Fine Art Gallery for purchase information

I wish I could have overheard the conversation going on here!  They were so involved on a Saturday morning--makes me wonder what went on Friday night!

"Finely Crafted"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$100 plus $15 domestic s/h

click here to ask to purchase this painting through Paypal

I imagine this scene of people browsing at a Saturday market could be seen just about anywhere, but THIS one happens to be this past summer in Ashland, Oregon. Ashland is such a beautiful town, lots of culcha!

Here are TWO NEW DAILY PAINTERS that I hope you will check out. They both work in oils. Though I've been doing mostly figurative paintings, their work inspires me to do some still lifes. Gwen Bell's blog address is http://gwenbellsdailypainting.blogspot.com and Becky Drees's is http://beckydrees.blogspot.com. Enjoy!

"Willamette Valley Hillside in Autumn"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

contact River Bend Fine Art Gallery for purchase information

I love the Willamette Valley in the fall--big old Douglas firs against the cloudy sky, lots of color in the trees, the rich color of the farmland and the "spring" green of the grass. It's such a contrast from the high desert landscape I live in. I had to go to Portland yesterday which takes me up through the Willamette Valley and pulled over somewhere around Silverton and did this little painting from the car. Doing so definitely enhanced the travels!