No. 855 Perfect Primroses

Perfect Primroses

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

Click to Bid

 

It's always so wonderful to see those first primroses show up in the stores. These three are from a flat of 12 that I got at Costco for only $11! I might have to head back and see if I can snag another flat...

No. 854 Persistant Pumpkins

Persistent Pumpkins

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

Finally! I got a chance to paint these pumpkins.

No. 853 Neighborhood Wetlands

Neighborhood Wetlands

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

I discovered this place close to my home on a bike ride the other day. I was totally surprised and had no idea there was public access to this little gem of a wetland. I hope it survives the nonstop development in this area.

No. 852 Winter Sunset on Baker

Winter Sunset on Baker

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

A sunset off of Lowell-Larimer road during our very short but glorious break in the weather. Loved the rain puddles in between the furrows in the field reflecting the sky.

No. 851 Mt. Baker from Penn Cove

Mt. Baker From Penn Cove

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

While I continue to paint outside everyday, I've not been so good about posting. Few of the paintings are finished outside because it's just too cold and wet but this past Sunday was a different story. It was a flat out gorgeous day and a perfect one to visit Coupeville on Whidbey Island.

Morning ferry ride.

Looking back from the ferry to my home town of Everett.

Calm waters at the wharf in Coupeville. Gosh I love that little town.

View from the ferry trip home.

No. 850 Sleeping Solar Lanterns

Sleeping Solar Lanterns

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

I adore solar lanterns. If I had my way my backyard would be full of them :) This is most of my collection peacefully hibernating until sunnier days.

No. 849 Harvery Airfield & No.850 Heck of a Hellebore #2

Harvey Field

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

Diana and I were excited to get permission to paint at the Harvey Field airport in Snohomish. Not only is it filled with all kinds of interesting things to paint but the hangers provide great shelter from the wind and rain.

Heck of a Hellebore #2

Oil on Gessobord

6" x 6"

Taking another crack at this lovely hellebore in my backyard.

No 848 Off Springhetti Road

Off Springhetti Road

Oil on Canvas Panel

7" x 5"

Not just soggy but a super soggy day.  I got three quarters of the way done with this painting before I had to call it quits and finish it at home. Next time I'm going to use two umbrellas instead of just one! And I think it's time to pull out my snow boots...

No. 847 Heck of a Hellebore

Heck of a Hellebore

Oil on Gessobord

6" x 6"

A return to the backyard painting a hellebore I picked up the previous day at the nursery. I've been surprised at just how peaceful it can be painting outside on these grey, wet days with the rain pitter-pattering on my umbrella.

No. 846 Nursery Sanctuary

Nursery Sanctuary

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

It was so, so soggy yesterday. I looked all over Snohomish for a dry, interesting place to paint outdoors. I was seriously doubting the wisdom of this whole project when I happened upon McAuliffe's Nursery. It's a really great nursery by the way. They were kind enough to let me sit under cover among the plants and paint some of their pots.

No. 844 & 845 Backyard Plein Airs

Backyard Plein Air -2

Oil on Canvas Panel

7" x 5"

Day three of the challenge. It was a chilly one. Thank goodness for the hand warmers Don put in my Christmas stocking. This is the wreath on the door of my studio. 

Backyard Plein Air - 1

Oil on Stretched Canvas

7" x 5"

Day two of the challenge. Not nearly as successful as day 1 or 3 but there you are. These are bottles in the window of my studio.

No. 843 Toolbox Latch on a Winter Afternoon

Toolbox Latch on a Winter Afternoon

Oil on Stretched Canvas

6" x 8"

January bums me out big time. Every year I try something new to cheer myself up. The only thing that seems to work is a trip to sunny Colorado. Alas, that isn't always possible. This is one of those years. 

My newest attempt to evade the winter blues is to do a plein air everyday in the month of January. I'm hoping all that time outside and a challenge to focus on will do the trick. So this is my first. It's a close up of an old toolbox I normally have flowers in during warmer, happier times of the year.

No. 842 Ornament Reclining on a Ribbon

Ornament Reclining on a Ribbon

Oil on Canvas

I have a difficult time convincing my students and, lets face it sometimes myself, the extreme value of doing a value study as a first stage to developing a painting. Values are so important to creating a strong design and sense realism. Doing a value study helps you focus on this important aspect before adding the complexity of color. 

Created as a demo in class, I'm sure this value study had everything to do with the success if the painting above.

Speaking of class, there are openings in the Wednesday morning and evening class for anyone who is interested. The focus in class this month is skies, big glorious skies!

Oh yes, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Wishing you all the very best this year!