Tuesday, February 27, 2018

No. 862 Toolbox Meets Primroses on Steps


Toolbox Meets Primroses
Oil on Canvas Panel
5" x 7"

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Two of my favorite subjects this January- together!



This is my favorite winter plein air painting layer. It's a second hand cashmere sweater - soft, thin, warm, colorful and wonderful. I purchased several of them from Thredup.com averaging about $20 each.

Saturday, February 24, 2018

No. 861 More Primroses


More Primroses
Oil on gessobord
6" x 6"


On yet another fabulously wet and windy day, I sat on my own front porch and enjoyed painting these cuties.


If a pair of feet could have heroes these boots would be mine. They are waterproof, insulated boots by Vasque and kept my feet warm and dry no matter how wet the day was.

Friday, February 23, 2018

No. 860 Primroses Tucked on the Side


Primroses Tucked on the Side
Oil on Canvas Panel
5" x 7"


Money well spent on these primroses as they were a bright spot on particularly grey days.




My favorite gloves when painting this time of year. They transform from mittens to fingerless and back again to mittens when the fingertips get frosty.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

No. 859 Bailey's in Winter


Bailey's in Winter
Oil on Canvas
5" x 7"

I've spent a lot of time here during the fall but never in the winter. It was a windy, rainy day. I was super lucky to get permission to set up under the eave of the closed vegetable stand where it was dry and wind free. Few! What a difference!


Another important piece of my winter plein air gear. Layering is key and this Odlo insulating base layer made a big difference. Also purchased on sale via REI.

Monday, February 19, 2018

No. 858 Toolbox Meets Pumpkins


Toolbox Meets Pumpkins
Oil on Canvas Panel
5" x 7"

The next benefit from painting outdoors in January is freedom from cabin fever. I had never really noticed how trapped I was feeling until I no longer felt that way. Good clothing really goes along way in this department. Actually I was inspired to do this whole painting outdoors thing by a Norwegian saying, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes". You may want to argue about this but I felt there had to be something to it. 
So in December, when all the good sales were on, I invested in a NorthFace coat from the garage sale department of REI. I'm telling you right now, it made all the difference!


This mid calf length down coat was secret to my winter outdoor painting success. Sure I looked like a small round abominable snow person but I was warm!

Sunday, February 18, 2018

No. 857 Sunset at Lowell Riverfront Park


Sunset at Lowell Riverfront Park
Oil on Canvas Panel
7" x 5"


When a person has been in my class for awhile I often have them tell me how much more they see in everyday life since starting class. Everywhere they go they see more color than they ever did before. I think it is a particular gift of being an artist. It's like layers of veils being removed from our eyes.  So exciting!

Well one of the best gifts of painting outside this January was having a few more veils removed from my eyes. It took a bit more time to notice the beautiful colors everywhere but they were most definitely there!

Thursday, February 15, 2018

No 856 Taking a Break


Taking a Break
Oil on Gessobord
5" x 7"


This one is part of my January painting challenge. I was really happy to complete the challenge painting outside every day during the month of January. I made lots of great discoveries and will share those with you in the following days. 

Almost immediately after the challenge I was given the opportunity to teach a small workshop in southern California. How cool is that? I'll share more about that very soon too!

Most recently I've been having a blast watching the Olympics with my family. I thought this painting of a pair of ice skates was timely. :)