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.

I'm still here...

I am just having computer issues. My computer does not wish to speak with my camera....which is really lame because I have some paintings to post! I did a few nice plein air works while in Maui I'd particularly like to share - but I have to wait and see if this clunker can be fixed or if it's time for a new one. Stay tuned....

Valentines Roses #2

Well my blog promises failures so....
Wow, 24 hours and still no improvement! I've been reading and thought I had learned something too. Might be time to seek professional advice.

Valentines Roses #1

11x14"

oil

Flowers are hard! Maybe I better try again......

Mandarin Duck

"Mandarin Duck"
Oil 8"x10"
This painting is a gift for a friend of mine who keeps these ducks - they are so beautiful. I really struggled to make the colors brilliant - as colorful as this is I don't feel that I succeeded in capturing the true color and iridescence that these ducks have. Also there is enough paint on here (from me struggling) to sink any duck, lol.

Ready to Eat

"Ready to Eat"
OIL 6x8"

Fruit is fun....really!

Still life with Oranges

Just some fun I had in the studio with some fruit I had on hand and a pretty vase. This painting is 9x12".

"Daydreamer"

"Daydreamer" 18x24 oil

SOLD

Thanks Edie!

This is the large painting I've completed after painting that small 8x10 study a few months ago.

"East field in Janurary" 6"x8" oil

painted en plein air