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. 866 The Tulip Bus

The Tulip Bus

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

The bus the field workers ride out on and a very handy focal point. :)

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No. 865 Return to the Fields

No. 865 Return to the Fields

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

It's that time of year! Spring has arrived and the tulips are poking their heads up in the garden. For me that means getting ready for the art show in Mt. Vernon. I really enjoyed getting to know the local artists there last year and look forward to hanging out with them again.

I'm giving you guys first shot at my newest collection of tulip field paintings before I take them up to the show...

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No. 808 Garden at Captian Whidbey Inn - Plein Air

Garden at Captain Whidbey Inn

Plein Air

Oil on Canvas Board

6" x 8"

Painted recently on a  hot summer afternoon in the beautiful little garden of the delightful Captain Whidbey Inn just northwest of Coupeville. 

Tomorrow is the big day! Cross fingers all goes well. 

A very nice passerby shot this photo of me working on the painting above.

 

No. 807 Coupeville Wharf - Plein Air

Coupeville Wharf

Plein Air

Oil on Canvas Panel

6" x 8"

One of my better plein air paintings of the wharf in Coupeville. Painted earlier this summer. We're mostly packed for the Coupeville Art Festival and headed to the ferry early tomorrow morning to beat the summer traffic (hopefully). 

Two days until the festival!

No. 799 Return to the Tetons

Return to the Tetons

Oil on Canvas Panel

9" x 12"

This was painted from a photo I took a few years ago in the gorgeous Tetons. Who knew Wyoming could be so beautiful? It was painted as a class demo. This photo doesn't do it justice but I'm really pleased how well the painting turned out.

If you are in the Mill Creek area stop by and say "hi" at the Mill Creek Festival this weekend. It's my first time having a booth there and I'd love to see some friendly faces.

For more information on the festival click HERE.

On an entirely separate note, a shout out to Sister Florence, my aunt-in-law and one of my most faithful blog followers. She's not is not doing so well these days and I just wanted to say thank you for looking at all my posts and telling me how much you enjoy them. It means a whole lot to me. Lots of love to you, Sister!

No. 798 Clouds and Tulips

Clouds and Tulips

Oil on Gessobord

7" x 5"

Oh yes, it was a tulip bonanza this year.

No. 785 Sunny day with the Tulips 2

Sunny Day with the Tulips 2

Oil on Gessobord

6" x 6"

Click to Bid

That beautiful day in the tulip fields, we were there ALL day. This was painted in the lovely evening light. The group that evening grew by two dedicated students coming up and painting after work.

Yes, that's dedication!

Connie and Carol arrive!

Connie getting started

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Carol laying on some nice thick paint.

Diana hung in there all day long!

Until next year tulip fields!

No. 768 Landscape demo - Tetons

Landscape demo - Tetons

Oil on Canvas

5" x7"

Taking a little break from the pastries. I had several requests in class last fall to learn more about landscape painting. So that's been our focus since the beginning of the year. I used a photo I took in the Tetons and did a demonstration of  Mitch Albala's underpainting technique. Hmmmm, there is no way for you to see that. I should have taken pictures of each step. Next time!

No. 752 Valley View of Mt. Baker - Plein Air

Valley View of Mt. Baker - Plein Air

Oil on Linen Panel

5" x 7"

A lovely fall afternoon painting one of my favorite local views of Mt. Baker,

No. 714 Littleton Mini Plein Air

Littleton Mini Plein Air

Oil on Linen Panel

3" x 5"

I painted this during a trip to Colorado last winter. Considering the snow storm they are currently experiencing I felt it was an appropriate post. :) This scene is located very close to my sister-in-law Beth's house. It was a gorgeous day but only 20 degrees! Hence the tiny painting. I was all prepped before hand to paint as fast as I possibly could. I think it's the fastest plein air I've ever done!

A few more photos from the studio...

Old book collection. 

A still life designed by Nancy, one of my students. She's going to let me paint it too!

Blue glass is just meant to be in a window.

No. 619 Arboretum Paint Out

 

 

Spring at the Arboretum - Plein Air

Oil on Gessbord

6" x 6"

 

The Washington Park Arbortetum was the first place I had a chance to paint outside with PAWA members this year. Wow, what a beautiful place to begin the plein air painting season. My problem at paint-outs these days is spending more time chatting with friends than painting. Why do PAWA members have to be so interesting?

 

Click to Bid

 

Spring at the Arboretum 2 - Plein Air

Oil on Gessobord

5" x 7" 

 

A few photos from the park...

 

 

 

 

 

No. 545 New Years Painting

 

 

 

New Years 2015

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

I painted this view from the living room window of my brother's house on New Years day. Every time I visit I'm inspired to paint his view. Just love those mountains!

No. 514 The Big One

 

 

Morning at Artists Point

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

40" x 30"

 

 

I'm very excited to announce that this painting along with it's companion plein air piece have been accepted into Plein Air Washington Artists exhibition Nature's Gift of Water. How exciting! The show is being held in a beautiful gallery in downtown Tacoma during the month of December.

 

I don't know if you noticed the size of this piece. It is a whopping 40 by 30 inches. I haven't painted this large since college! I have to admit I enjoyed working on a piece this size. It reminded me of the theater sets I used to paint while working for the college playhouse. It's a much more physical experience than painting the small pieces. I wasn't sure at first that I could pull it off but the subject matter demanded I give it a try.

 

For more information on the show visit www.americanartco.com

 



No. 505 Mt. Shuksun

 

Mt. Shuksun from Artists Point - Plein Air

Oil on Canvas Panel

8" x 10"

I was so inspired I actually painted an 8 x 10! Actually, I was so struck by the amazing feeling of space and of being on top of the world, I have plans to paint a much, much larger version. We'll see!

 

 

 

 

Mt. Shucksun from Picture Lake.

 

 

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No. 469 River Near Cle Elum

 

River Near Cle Elum

Oil on Canvas Panel

9" x 12"

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a plein air festival in Cle Elum. This little mountain town is just a few miles away from it's very famous neighbor Roslyn featured in the tv show Northern Exposure. What a terrific place to paint! Wide open spaces and interesting old buildings galor. A huge thanks to my dear friend Nancy for inviting me on what turned out to be a fabulous weekend of plein air painting. Can't wait to go back!

 

I am participating in two art festivals this year. The first one is in Coupeville on August 9th and 10th. A little over a week away! Yikes! Getting pretty nervous...

 

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No. 436 Mini Mt. Baker Sunset

 

 

 

 

Mt. Baker Sunset

Oil on Linen Panel

3" x 5"

 

Few! A new order of mini canvases finally came in the mail. So this won't be the last one!

 

 



No. 433 More Mini Landscapes

 

 

Padilla Bay Mud Flats

Oil on Linen Panel

3" x 5"

 

 

Gosh, I love painting these plein air minis. They are almost like doing a thumbnail sketch so they aren't intimidating at all. They force me to simplify and because they come together so quickly I have more time to adjust composition, values and colors if needed. It only takes a brush stroke or two! Lastly, I find the long horizontal format works very well for most landscapes.

 

 

 

Lone Tree in Spring Storm

Oil on Linen Panel

3" x 5"
 

 

While out plein air painting last week, I reached into my bag for a mini canvas. To my huge disappointment, I'd discovered they were all gone! This simply wouldn't do. I didn't hesitate to hop on line and order more. I couldn't wait for the perfect coupon. Hopefully, thirty six mini canvases will keep me for awhile....


If you'd like to try your hand at painting on a mini canvas click here for a link to order my favorites. You can also find similar mini panels in most art supply stores.




No. 430 UW Botanical Gardens - Plein Air

 

 

 

 

UW Botanical Gardens - Plein Air

Oil on Gessobord

6" x 6"
 

 

This is from a lovely PAWA paint out almost a month ago! I had intended to work on it some more before posting but we know how that goes...

 

I attended another paint out this weekend in Bellevue. I had no idea there were so many interesting places to paint there. Hopefully it won't be a month before those paintings are posted.




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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