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. 617 The Cadyville House 2015 - Plein Air

 

 

The Cadyville House 2015 - Plein Air

Oil on Linen Panel

5" x 7"

 

I simply love painting this home. There is something about those bright red azaleas in front of the very charming blue home I cannot resist. It helps that the owners are very charming too.

 

Off to the right of the house is the carriage house bed and breakfast. If you are looking for a great place to stay in Snohomish just blocks away from many boutiques, restaurants and antique stores, this is the place for you. Just call Joanne & Merle Kirkley at 360-568-5390 for more info or check their website cadyvillecarriage.com. 

 



No. 547 Winter Solstice in Snohomish 2014

 

Snohomish Winter Solstice 2014 - Plein Air

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

Snohomish has the coolest winter solstice event. A group of volunteers lead by the Mayor and her husband line the river walk with luminaries. What a beautiful site. This was my second year of trying to capture the experience in paint. I think last years effort was more successful. I will keep trying. Maybe by year ten I will be able to do it justice. :)

 

No. 460 Return to the Antique Rose Garden

 

 

 

Return to the Antique Rose Garden

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

 

I had so much fun painting this view the first time I had to return and try it again. This time I wanted to try the scene in a vertical format. Which one do you prefer?

 

 

I had great fun taking photos at the rose farm with my iPhone after a rain shower.

 

 

 

 

 

You can see why I like to spend time there can't you?  :)

 

 

 

No. 453 Antique Rose Farm #2

 

 

 

 

Antique Rose Farm #2 Plein Air

Oil on Gessobord

6" x 6"

 

Back to the rose farm for more practice! This time I took a shot at a quartered rose. Okay, more practice needed. I had a great time though. Especially since my terrific painting friend Dina joined me.

 

A view of my little pochade box and my subject.

 

 

 

 

Dina painting under an arbor covered in roses.

 

 

 

 

Lots of bees enjoying the flowers.

 

 

 

 

A close up of Dina painting away under the arbor.

 

No. 452 the Antique Rose Farm

 

 

Antique Rose Farm #1

Oil on Gessobord

6" x 6"

I decided the other day that I wanted to improve my ability to paint roses. To do that meant focusing on just roses for awhile. What a great excuse to buy roses! But when I looked at the roses in the store they just seemed to have no character. Where to find roses to make you swoon? The Antique Rose Farm of course! My timing was perfect. The roses were their peak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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No. 451 Mini on the Snohomish

 

Mini on the Snohomish

Oil on Canvas Panel

3" x 5"

I caught a glimpse of a place I thought would be great to paint as I drove through Snohomish the other day. So on the next available afternoon, I drove down with great excitement only to discover it wasn't so hot after all. How disappointing! I had just enough time to paint this mini at my fail safe spot before having to return home.

 

 

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No. 431 Back to Snohomish

 

 

 

The Kirkley's Historic Home - Plein Air 

Oil on Canvas Panel

8" x 8"

 

One of my all time favorite historic homes in Snohomish. I anxiously await for the azaleas to bloom then I pack up my gear and I'm on my way. Last year the Kirkley's bought the plein air painting I made of their home with a little help of Facebook and my friend Renee. So I actually got to see inside this extremely charming house and meet the wonderful couple that lives there. I love the perks of being an artist!

 

 

 

 

 

The Kirkley's Historic Home Quick Study

Oil on Canvas Panel

6" x 6"

 

This is a quick study of the house painted the day before the larger piece pictured above.

The owner, Joanne, runs a bed and breakfast in the carriage house next to the home. It's only a couple of blocks from 1st street which is full of antique shops and cute boutiques. If you're looking for a fun getaway give Joanne a call. Her number is 360-568-5390 and her website is cadyvillecarriage.com. 

 

 

 

No. 428 Spring in the Snohomish Historical District - Plein Air

 

 

 

 

Spring in the Snohomish Historical District

Plein Air

Oil on Linen Panel

5" x 7"

Sold

 

 

We've had some spectacular spring weather lately. Perfect timing for peak bloom of rhododendrons and azaleas. So I made a bee line for downtown Snohomish. I love this little old house which appears to be on the verge of being consumed by these beautiful bushes.

 

 

 

No. 417 Spring in the Snohomish Valley - Plein Air

 

 

 

 

 

Spring in the Snohomish Valley - Plein Air

Oil on Linen Panel

5" x 7"

 

 

One beautiful spring day I decided to find a new place to paint. So I hopped in the car, turned on the music and drove and drove and drove.  I was sure a fabulous new view was just beyond the next bend.  Finally, I ended up here. You might recognize it from several past paintings. Thank goodness for the tried and true! The cows were a bonus. I've never seen them in this location before. In plein air painting, you just never know.

 

 

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Day 349 Winter Solstice in Snohomish

 

Winter Solstice in Snohomish - Plein Air

Oil on Linen Panel

5" x 7"

 

Several years ago the mayor and her husband started the tradition of lining the river walk in downtown Snohomish with luminaries on winter solstice. This is no small project. Lots of volunteers put the luminaries together, set them out and three hours later pick them up. What a great way to celebrate the solstice. I really enjoyed trying to capture it and all the people I got to chat with as they passed by.

 

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Day 324 The Mayor's Pumpkin

 

The Mayor's Pumpkin

Oil on Gessobord

6 x 6

 

If you happen to be in Downtown Snohomish take a moment to stroll by the mayor's home. It's an interesting place because it was once a church. The artist in Mayor Guzak shows through in her lovely landscaping and seasonal displays. How often is the mayor of a town a professional artist?

 

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Day 323 It's a Jungle Out There

 

It's a Jungle Out There

Oil on Gessobord

6 x 6

 

A quaint old home in downtown Snohomish being consumed by it's landscaping. What a beautiful way to go! Mild temperatures and plenty of moisture cause the vegetation to go wild here at times and many people hesitate to cut back their rhodys and azaleas. I love it!

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279 South of Snohomish

 

South of Snohomish - Plein Air

Oil on Gessobord

5 x 7

 

On a fine fall day I headed out to paint on the river south of

Snohomish, hauling my dad along for company. Try as I might, I couldn't

find a river view I was happy with.  So I made a 180 degree turn and

painted what was behind me instead.

Day 271 Plein Air at the Antique Rose Farm

 

Antique Rose, Plein Air

Oil on Canvas Board

6 x 6

 

I returned to the Antique Rose Farm in Snohomish the other day to collect more

photo reference and paint in plein air. Roses are much tougher to paint in

person, I'm here to tell you. But you couldn't ask for a more pleasant environment to paint in,

surrounded by flowers and classical music. I'll be back!

Day 212 Plein Air in Snohomish

Summer Morning in Snohomish - Plein Air

Oil on Gessobord

5 x 7

We had some surprisingly beautiful weather in Snohomish recently. I finally got a chance to go out and paint on a warm, hazy morning. When I don't have time to hunt down the perfect place, this continues to be a great fall back spot.

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Day 185 Plein Air in Snohomish

 

Spring in Snohomish

Oil on Canvas

8 x 10

Plein Air

 

 

This is a very charming 100+ year old home in downtown

Snohomish. I've had my eye on it as a plein air subject for

awhile now. One bright spring morning I got my chance.

Unfortunately, I forgot my umbrella. I set up in direct sunlight

thinking it couldn't possibly get too hot this time of year.

I was wrong. This was as far as I got before I could roast no longer.

Day 155 Snohomish River Plein Air

 

Spring Green on the Snohomish River

Plein Air

Oil on Gessobord

5 x 7

 

 

We have had the most amazing weather recently.

This time of year sunny days MUST be taken advantage of.

In July, August, or September you could waste a sunny day but

the rest of the year, no way. This is because it could be many days,

a week, two or even three before you get that glorious sunny day again.

So naturally I spent it outside painting. One of my all

time favorite things to do. 

Day 143 Early Spring in Snohomish

 

Early Spring in Snohomish

Oil on Canvas Board

5 x 7

Plein Air

 

On a breathtakingly beautiful spring morning I packed up my gear

and headed for downtown Snohomish. There is a "sweet spot" there

full of Victorian homes and flowers. I was a little too early for most of

the flowers. Thank goodness for plum trees! I found this very charming,

two hundred and twenty five year old home to paint.

For us in the Northwest that is a really old home.

Day 136 - Painting in the Valley

Spring Creeps into the Valley

Plein Air

5 x 7

Oil on Canvas Board

We had some truly wonderful weather recently. The kind of 

weather that makes me wish I were an opera singer. Ah, spring.  So

of course one can't paint inside on a day like that. This is a favorite

painting spot near my home - a little artistically edited of course.