Wetland revisited and a stop in Lowell

Glorious Sunshine

Oil on 11x16 panel

The best way to I found to celebrate this glorious sunny day was to do a really big (for plein air) painting of lots of blue sky! Wahoo! It's been awhile since we've seen that blue stuff. 

Green on Green in Lowell

Oil on 9 x 12 panel

One of the best ways I've found to spend an overcast day is painting architecture. The lighting stays pretty consistent so you have time to focus on all those angles! 

Mill Creek Wetlands

Mill Creek Wetlands

Oil on 6x8 panel

Well, hello there! It's been awhile since I've posted here on the blog. To be honest I've been spending most of my energies on Instagram. Although artists tend to hang there a lot, I know it's not for everyone. So we're back!

I'm currently in a self assigned challenge to complete 365 plein air paintings in one year. The time has flown and I'm almost a third of the way through! It's been a bit brutal with the short days and cold, wet, weather but there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Today the weather was quite pleasant. It was wonderful painting in the sun with the chirping of many a marsh bird.

We've had copious amounts of rain recently so the wetlands are flush up to the brim.

No. 883 Gus McManamen

Gus McManamen

Oil on Canvas Panel

6" x 8"

Sure, life is busy with a painting a day challenge so why not add a kitten to it? Not busy enough? Okay why not add two? Are we completely crazy yet? YES!

Yet to be painted - Mousse (as in chocolate mousse) McManamen

Even with the huge distraction of two kittens the painting challenge continues. A huge thank you to everyone that has subscribed to my YouTube channel. Much appreciated!! I've heard you are not receiving notifications of the newest video being posted. When you are on YouTube click on the little bell next to the subscribe button for my channel and I think that will do the trick. In the meantime here are some links...

Click HERE for a peak at this video.

Click HERE for a peak at my most recent video uploaded at 2:00am this morning. :)


I have a vague memory of the "HERE" links not working in the email version of this post. If that's still the case here are the two links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD4MTRwXXTU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4NZHj77hFU&t=2s

No.882 Fall on Highway 2

Fall on Highway 2

Oil on Panel

5"x 7"

Wow! Fall is spectacular right now up in the mountains. I was really lucky to spend several days painting and taking photos in the Leavenworth area. A big thank you to Jodie and Bruce for letting me stay at their cabin. I'm just wonderstruck at all the beautiful fall color I saw up there.

On a separate note I've started a new project! I'm returning to my original 365 day painting challenge but this time I'm documenting it via time lapse video. This way you can see not only the paintings but also how they are created. I will post video twice a week. It's been a struggle to add all of this to my regular schedule. I hope to find shortcuts and get into a rhythm soon. I probably won't post daily to my blog this time though. If you'd like to keep updated on my progress I would love to have you subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Click HERE to view the first video.

No 881 Rainier Over Ebey's Landing at Sunset

Rainier Over Ebey's Landing at Sunset

Oil on Linen Panel

5" x 7"

Sold

It was a lovey evening at Ebey's Landing on Whidbey Island with super clear skies. Skies so clear you could actually see Mt. Rainier!

This is one of many paintings that found new homes last weekend at the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Fair. Thank you so much everyone for adopting one or more of my paintings! It is much, much appreciated. I hope you enjoy them immensely!

No 880 In the Garden at Captain Whidbey Inn

In the Garden at Captain Whidbey Inn

Oil on Birch Panel

5" x 7"

Almost there! Mostly packed for the festival in Coupeville this weekend. A few loose ends here and there. Meg and I will head for the ferry tomorrow morning. Looking forward to getting this party started!

If you are planning on coming (it's a terrific arts festival so come if you can!) my recommendation this year would be to come on Sunday. The weather looks absolutely perfect, 70 degrees and sunshine. Sundays are usually a little more relaxed too. Be sure to get there early when parking is ample and it's easy to move from booth to booth. I'm in booth 197 on the waterfront next to Toby's.

Hope to see you there!

Click here for the festival website.

No. 879 Sequim Lavender Fields

Sequim Lavender Fields - B and B Family Farm

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

In the middle of July I traveled with two of my students to the beautiful Sequim lavender fields. It was a great trip, the sent of lavender wafting around us as we painted those beautiful purple rows.

I found my all time favorite coffee drink, a lavender and honey latte, at the Hurricane Coffee Shop

in downtown Sequim. It sounds a bit odd but it was fabulous!!

Thanks for letting me tag along Connie and Carol!

 

Som of my photos from the B and B Family Farm.