Bring back the light

January is finally here. Glad to see the days getting longer again. I am trying to bring a little light back into the studio with this one. I stopped at 80% complete, but after looking at it for a few days, I may leave it the way it is, no more than a smudge or two to settle in some edges.

Evening Ablaze 15x15 Pastel

Evening Skies

A couple more of my winter studio pieces.

Break through 12x16 Pastel

Last Ray of the Day 12x16 Pastel

Feeling Beachy

Purple Haze 12x16 Pastel

Dune Path 9x12 Pastel

Blueberry fields

Our last paint out was at the blueberry fields a few weeks ago. It has been either cold, rainy or both since then. I remember the warmth of the sun of the mild November day when the color was at its peak. There was a lot of moisture in the air, the fog had burned off earlier, but left a veil of vapor over the distant hillside. This farm is large and beautifully cared for. I talked to the owner who was very helpful in pointing out his favorite vantage points.

These are two pieces I did from photos and earlier sketches done on location.

More Blueberry Fields! Pastel 9x12

Blueberry Road Pastel 12x16

Rainy day blues

Chasing the rainy weather away, remembering the day at the edge of the blueberry field a few short weeks ago. This is a small study that I hope to use for a much larger one.

Blueberry Rows 6x9 Pastel

I have been working up some other pastels, nice to feel organized and productive. I think I am over the shock of having winter slam in. I am missing painting outside.

Water Meadow 12x16 Pastel

Water Returns 9x12 Pastel

Cold weather, it is a good time to finish more pieces

I had quite a backlog of pieces that I started in the field. After my cleaning and matting project, I cleaned my pastel sticks and wiped the dust off of everything. Finally, time to work.
This first one is the development of the one of the underpaintings that I previously posted.

Water under the Bridge 9x12 Pastel

Rentenaar Road, Sauvie Island 9x12 Pastel

Catching up on matting and framing.

I suppose a painting isn't finished until it is in a frame. I finally got around to cutting some mats and clearing out space on the rack for new pieces. The first three were started last summer. The dahlia field was from the summer before, but it had a large house in it that needed to be covered up, I winced every time I saw it but I liked the trees so I put it aside.

I had one more but I managed to destroy it with a few finishing touches. It was so bad that I turp'd most of it and stuck it back on the rack. Maybe better luck another time.














Hahn Road 12x16 Pastel














Stand Alone 12x16 Pastel















Lavender Valley 9x12 Pastel
















Dahlia Field #4 9x12 Pastel

Two underpaintings - Before adding pastel

I don't know if these will be successful paintings yet.  I did these two under paintings yesterday.  It was a rainy day so I am working indoors from photos.  I like the shapes so far.  Both of these locations were lovely and looking at my photos brings each day back to me.

John Day River

Beaverton Creek

John Day River

Beaverton Creek

More squares

I painted this piece for the ArtMedia Holiday Art Sale. The frame was provided by ArtMedia, artist was to make art to go with it. Nothing is priced more than $100. The art is for sale at the ArtMedia Frame shop downtown until December 28.

Haldeman Pond on Sauvie Island - SOLD
10x10 Oil on Canvas


I painted this little guy for the 6x6 Wild Art Project for the Audubon Society. Canvases will be exhibited and sold at the 2010 Wild Arts Festival held at Montgomery Park in northwest Portland. They will be priced at $40 each. All proceeds from the sales will support the conservation, environmental education and wildlife rehabilitation work of the Audubon Society of Portland.


















Bushtit
6x6 Acrylic on Canvas

Thanks for coming!

We had a great turnout for our opening reception. George did a fantastic job of playing piano for the gathering, it gave our reception a touch of class.

Also, I was surprised and happy to get a ribbon on one of my paintings.
Thanks to everybody who turned out for our party! The show is up all month long. Artreach Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, 9AM until 2PM. It is next to the Performing Arts Center on Park Street.

Day's End
Acrylic on Canvas
12x12