Approaching Mosier

I am continuing to work on this fall series.  I have been inspired to the point of distraction.  So many incredible vistas and subject matter, Oh the beauty of it all to paint!!

Pastel Workshop

Students at weekend workshop for the Uber Beginner, so much talent.

Drama in the Gorge

Latest commission piece.  I'm telling you the sky really does look like this!

Nod to Monet

I created this piece after visiting the Norton Simon Museum of Art in Pasadena.  They were featuring an impressionism show which included all of my favorites!  Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Cassat....the list goes on...This painting is available and will be hanging at the Local 14 Art Show in Portland, at the World Forestry Center, October 3 - 6.  Show hours are Thursday 6 - 9 pm, Friday 10 am to 7 pm, and Saturday/Sunday 10 - 5 pm.
Available 40w x 28t.

Get Into the Grove

Busy, busy, painting, teaching and traveling.  One of my latest pastels, it's not fall yet but I get the feeling when I look at this!
Sold

Introducing Bella

 

I just completed "Bella" a commission painting in acrylic for a collector.  I am really happy with the way she turned out.  Debbie, Bella's mom was stoked I could capture her personality and was very excited as well!  Though I work more often in pastel, it is fun to mix it up a bit with a different medium!

Play with Turquois

I like the loose application of pastel marks in this particular painting.  It's "fresh".
8 x 8, SOLD

Waltz with Trees

Really pushing color with this piece, which began as a demonstration for a workshop.  I am currently in Seattle for an art show.  Fun to be out on the road again!
SOLD

Pear

Can't get enough of pears.  They are so shapely and remind me of days gone past and art school, painting/drawing the nude!

Pastel on paper, 6 x 6, available.

Migration of Color

I am on this tree, foliage and water jag.  Having fun playing with the quality of reflective light and pushing color possibilities!!

Pastel on sand paper, 20 x 20, available.

Kiva

This painting done in acrylic, is a portrait of Kiva who belongs to my amazing friend and Dog Guru, Amber. 

Fall Drama

Well so much for my vow to update my blog on a more regular basis...... Bust just because I have not followed through with that does not mean I have stopped painting!  Life, teaching, painting and travel have all kept me busy! 

Mt Hood Winery Vantage

It has been quite some time since I have posted any information on my blog.  I am happy to report that it is not do to shear idleness!  I have been very busy traveling, teaching and painting. That being said, I plan to be more diligent in keeping my blog current.  This painting was created for my upcoming show at Mt Hood Winery, Saturday October 6th from 2:00 til .....?   I will also be painting on site, weather permitting.  I have quite a bit of new work inspire by our local beauty and my travels.
Pastel, 32w x 24t, SOLD

Hood & Blooms

This painting was inspired by a plein air session across the Columbia River, looking back at Mt Hood through the explosion of wild flowers.  20 x 20 sold

I am off to Coos Bay to teach a weekend pastel workshop and before left i was determined to update my blog which, i have been a wee bit remiss about.

On the Road Again

Not the title of this painting yet.  That's the thing, naming a piece. Sometimes it simply jumps out at you and i think of course that's it, duh...and other times it eludes.  "On the Road Again" refers to the fact that i am off to Salt Lake City for the Utah Arts Festival next week.  32" x 20" sold

Mobile Art Gallery

This is my set up while on the road for art shows.  I am in Denver Colorado for the Downtown Denver Arts Festival which opens tomorrow and runs through Monday.

Bloomin'Aspens

Bloomin'Aspens

 

I am headed to Denver, Colorado at the end of the month for the Downtown Denver Art Festival.  This painting was inspired by a hike outside of Aspen I took last year when I participated in a show there.  I can't seemed to get enough of flowers and trees!!  Before I leave for Denver I will be at the Pear and Wine festival here in Hood River, May 19 - 20th, at the WAAAM Museum, displaying art.

The View

The View

This painting was inspired by the view from a friends home up in Mosier.  Imagine looking at this every day!  Pastel and available, 31 w x 20 h. sold

Spring Medley

Spring Medley

The Gorge Artist Studio Tour was a success.  Lots of folks from in and around the Gorge and many from Portland, Vancouver and other far away places.  This is my most recent painting 20 x 20 and available.  I will be at the Columbia Gorge Hotel for the "Artists of the Gorge" weekend show, April 21st - 22nd.

Anticipating Spring

I am sure that it is just around the corner!  Well maybe not that soon.  Anyway this drizzly weather is absolutely fantastic for painting.    I don't feel like i am missing anything going on outside except watching rain fall and challenging myself with naming the various and endless shades of grey!  Steel gray, blue gray, slate gray, sage gray.................... I've got my heater fired up in the studio, great music and a cup of "a spoon can stand up in it" cup of coffee and i am ready to rock!

Anticipating Spring, 20" x 20" Available

Buffy

Here's Buffy!!  I nailed this little sucker.  I was so excited, and still am about how I was able to capture Buffy's personality and Zest for Life.
Acrylic on wood panel, NFS
I am now offering animal portraits, please contact me if interested!

Meditative Path

Meditative Path

After titling this piece, I thought perhaps meditation didn't capture the essence of the imagery.  However, I envisioned myself strolling along, lost in thought......which, I think I was when i took the photograph that inspired the painting!
Pastel on sandpaper, 20 x 20.  Sold

In my Element

The Artist at work in Baja California!  Yes that is me working in acrylic, which I am really enjoying, on a painting for my friends Greg and Mayra.   I return to the Hood on the 23rd of January and am looking forward to playing with pastels again.  I am curious about how working in acrylics will affect my pastels, kind of exciting!!

When the Moon Kissed the Sun

This painting was done with my son's friend Hunter in mind.  Acrylic on board.

Rolli

This tough guy goes by the name of Rolli.  Acrylic on wood panel, 8" x 8".

Mega Painting

Ta-da....It's a wrap.  I have been in Lake Tahoe for the last 2 weeks working on this painting that i was commissioned to do.  It is in acrylic and wow what an experience.  After getting a few tips on working in acrylic, (new medium for me) and a "Oh you'll be fine!" from fellow artist Marc Nielsen, i decided to take on the challenge.  Working this large, the piece is 7 ft tall by 6 ft wide, proved interesting as well.  The more i painted the more i really got into it.  As another artist Ellen Dittebrandt said, " they are just like pastels except wet", they can be layered over and over creating wonderful vibrancy which is what attracts me to pastels.  I was able to create the illusion of moving back into space after the initial "in your face" flowers".

Magical Thinking

I am currently in Tahoe on the north shore watching the twilight deepen into a incredible starry night, which happens to be one of my favorite songs ever.......I start a large commission piece, approximately six feet by 7 ft. tomorrow.  It will be my largest to date.  I am working in acrylic for this due to size constraints with glass, (necessary for pastels.) but i find i am really enjoying "playing" with a different medium.
Sold

Fall Foliage

I was in Corvallis and Eugene Oregon over the weekend and the weather was still pretty mild.  As a result the leaves were still on the trees and the array of colors was truly amazing!   Having never been to the east coast during the fall, i can only imagine what it must look like. Well needless to say i was quite inspired when i returned home to my studio and............

Workshop

Wow, what an incredible weekend.  I started off the workshop with a spiel on expectations, encouraging the class to leave them at the door because i wanted them to take risks, explore and "play" with the medium.  Despite that, every single one of them, (13 total) created masterpieces that absolutely floored me.  The open exchange of information and ideas was free flowing and SO FUN!  I was honored to have the opportunity to share, encourage and witness creativity.  A big thank you to everyone that attended and Columbia Center for the Arts for letting me use their space at the center to teach.  I look forward to doing it again.  Some feedback from the class........

"The Expression Session was so great!
You are a very good teacher! I was a high school teacher for 35 years. I can tell the good from the bad.
You had a plan, you had information based upon your expertise and knowledge of the subject. You varied the activities and didn't just wave a hand in the direction of the pastels and say " there they are have fun!".
Anyone can see your passion for the subject.
The time just flew by! Never a dull moment"

Jim's Boat

I am thrilled about this latest painting, a commission piece.  The boat was white and i love painting white objects because there really is no such thing, giving me artists license to do what ever i want!  I will never forget recently while doing a pastel demonstration at the Columbia Center for the Arts.  I was painting the "white" trunks of aspen trees, using several colors of equal value, when the daughter of a friend of mine explained to her mother that the "color" was actually light reflecting from other objects onto the trunks.  Well quite simply put, her observation blew me away.
26w x 24h, sold