Ballerina update...

She is coming along.....Thanks for looking. :)

Ballerina - Work in Progress

I may take a couple days on this..and hoping I can pull this one off!  Humans are not my strong point.  I couldn't pass up these amazing colors, textures, and the precious expression on her face.  All the work up to this point I painted upside down and I might continue on that way.  This is from my daughters' dance recital a couple years back.  Wish me luck!

The Three Amigo's

Oil 5x7"

Click here to Bid

What horses really love to do is eat grass with their buddies.  This was in Cle Elum a couple of summers ago ,during a plein air paint out I went to.

Can I be a weekly painter?

So, in my daily life, I could certainly not, at this season in my life, be a daily painter.  But could I be a weekly painter?  A monthly painter?  I am willing to try anything at this point just to feel like I haven't quite entirely!  So here goes....This got too gooey for me to totally finish, but once it's done it will be available for purchase through auction.  Cheers!

Cowboys and Angels

Oil 5x7"

SOLD



Kaanapali Beach

18x24 OIL

Miracle of miracles - I sat down to paint.  This could mean I am ready to do some more painting - or not......time will tell.  I may put a tiny bit more detail in it.  I gifted this to my Mother in Law last year for her birthday, so I will be happy to finally get it to her!  Happy Birthday Sherry!

Here's hoping I will post again soon.  Cheers!

Work in Progress

16x20

Boy am I ever distracted! I'm working painstakingly slow on this portrait of "Desi". He was the 2011 Series Champion for the Happ's Trial Challenge. He's coming along nice - just slow. :) Thanks Linda for being so patient!

Alaska Highway Buffallo

Alaska Highway Buffallo 15"x30"

Merry Christmas Russ!

Taken from a snapshot from my husbands road trip down the old Alaska Highway this year. This is overcast and much darker than I'm used to painting. Love to get some input or critique if anyone has any. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Whats on the Easel? Morning on Kaanapali Beach

In progress... 18x24"

Here is what I've got going in the studio. Derived from one of the Maui photographs I took earlier this year. It has a long way to go so I will continue to plug away on it and I will re post when it is completed. For now I am taking off for a week of plein air on the coast of Oregon! I can't wait...

I'll post when I get back. Thanks for being patient!

Dog Portrait "Buddy"

"Buddy" Oil 6x8"

This little guy belongs to some young girls who are second cousins of mine. They live down in Oregon so I only get to see them a couple of times of year. I think this painting will make a great Christmas gift.... something I am doing this year is painting small oils for family members if it seems fitting. I am finding that when I am working on a painting that is specifically for someone else, I change how I paint. I don't get experimental for starters. I follow the rules (which is great), but I also tend to paint a little tighter. Some of my family does not appreciate the looser style and wants to see more detail. This also goes for portrait commissions when the client will be most impressed with a photographic rendering of the animal. Do you paint paintings for gifts? If so does it change how you paint?

Painting at Kanasket Palmer State Park

Fisherman

Oil 6x8"

Now this one was a challenge! After all my struggles I felt really happy with the results. I see what needs done to it...a little stronger design with the background rocks could lead the eye out of the painting. The value and saturation of the rock in the center needs taken down a couple of notches as it is stealing the show. But overall considering how challenging this was for me I feel good about it. This was a busy scene and simplifying is still a struggle for me.

Figures in Sunlight (or light)

"Rehearsal" study Oil

I'm broadening my horizons and learning so much. Drawing and painting people has always been a difficulty for me. For some reason the human is hard for me. So after several instructional dvd's I am feeling a bit more confident. Expecting to see more like this - I am having fun! This is from a photo of my daughter (on the left) at her ballet rehearsal.

Fresh Air Art Festival!!

It has been a long time between posts I know but at least I can say I've been painting. I've also been building a chute for our highland cattle with my husband but that is an adventure for another blog......

I went to the "Fresh Air Artists Festival" in Cle Elum, my second year doing this and I had a blast. Had some much needed alone time, got some good instruction from artist Jim Lamb, and had fun just driving around and painting.

A study from Iron Horse State Park. Check out my Alla Prima Pochade, that thing is a beauty! ;)

" View from High Point Rd."

oil 8"x10"

5"x7" study done on someones BEAUTIFUL ranch. Untitled. Complete with bugs, sometimes I think this adds to the sentimental value or at least I tend to view it with fondness...! My photo's are un-cropped and I apologize they also were taken "on location" and I have no photo editing software at this time.
Anyway it was really fun, and I loved seeing the artist friends I had met last year again, and I met some new ones. Thanks Carpenter House Museum for putting up with us, I can't wait for next year!

More Hawaii Art

"Clouds Over Molokai" 6x8"

" Breezy Seas" 6x8



"Hibiscus in Red"



Sorry about that glare on the last pic...

"Spring Fold" Highland Cattle Painting

"Spring Fold"

Oil 16x20"

Painted from life here on the farm of our spring herd. A herd of Highland Cattle is called a "Fold", hence the title.

Maui in Plein Air

" Molokai From Maui"

oil 8x10

I am finally getting my photo's back online so here is a plein air painting I did while sitting on the Kaanapali beach. I did lots of paintings during my trip and broke in my new easel by Alla Prima Pochade http://www.allaprimapochade.com/ THE EASEL IS AWESOME. I don't know how I ever painted with out it. And it is made in the USA. Buy one!

Anyway this was the most relaxing trip of my life and I hope I can go back next year. I've never considered myself a tropical island kinda girl but I can sure dig it now.