Harvest Moon

"Art has many avenues; love is carried through many vessels. Your oceans are your colors, your ship is your brush and your treasures are in your heart." - Moncy Barbour

One night last fall I saw this beautiful moon coming up amid the woods on our property. The moon was huge and glowing and the light it cast was beautifully amplified by misty clouds surrounding it. Here is the watercolor painting I did later of this scene. When I look at the painting I can still hear the tree frogs singing in the background and the occasional hoot of an owl. A beautiful scene indeed.  SOLD

January Snow Storm

Here is my last winter painting for that series. The painting was done from a photo I had of the farm we lived on in Hockinson about 27 years ago. We had a big snow storm in January and the whole area out there was so beautiful! The snow didn't last long so I'm glad I took a picture of it. I don't know why I waited until now to paint it! I have so many photos just waiting to be painted! Next month I will be doing a step-by-step watercolor painting from photo to sketch book to completed painting with each step outlined along the way so stay tuned for that! Happy painting!

Moon Glow

I painted this about a month ago. It has a surreal look to it and is quite different from some of my other works. I focused on using cool, winter colors and love the feel of a cold winters night. After seeing some pictures of the recent lunar eclipse I'm thinking of doing a landscape with a moon during an eclipse. Now that would be exciting!

This painting is on display at Avalon Art Gallery in Battle Ground and looks even better in person. Next month I will feature another winter scene on this blog and I am curretly working on several new paintings for spring (which is always a great way to spend the rainy, dreary days of the Northwest!) SOLD

Winter solstice

I have been so busy painting that I haven't had time to post anything. I have been focusing on winter paintings and greeting cards the last couple of months and wanted to share one of my favorites! I called this one "Winter Solstice" because of the warm glow in the sky and the fact that on that day the days actually start getting longer again (though it takes a while for us to notice!) Also wanted to let everyone know I will be doing a demo on painting water color greeting cards at Avalon Gallery on Friday Dec. 10th from 6-8pm. Hope to see you there!

Here are two new paintings that are featured in my show at Avalon Art Gallery during September and October. Both of these paintings were done on Yupo synthetic paper and I still really love painting on Yupo! Of course I still do paintings on Arches cold-pressed also, which is one of the best all around water color papers out there. Thanks to all of you who attended the opening and all the great comments and support I received. I love being an artist and would paint even if my paintings never sold, but it still feels wonderful to know that others are moved by my paintings. So thanks again!

White Bird

Here is a picture of my latest watercolor painting. The scene was one I just made up, but it could easily be any wetland area ( I go to the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge a lot so I have these scenes in my mind). It is mainly wet in wet watercolor in the background and drier paint in the foreground. The original version had a lighter foreground on the left and when I darkened it it gave the whole painting the moodiness I was looking for. It won 2nd place in a local art show and also sold there! SOLD

New paintings coming!

I have been very busy working and traveling the last few months and I'm happy to say I have several new paintings in progress! I hope everyone of you had a Happy Holiday season and I wish you all a very happy and profitable 2010!

Winter Glow, 22x28 watercolor

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Quiet Waters

This painting is of the Applegate River in southern Oregon near the town of Ashland. Ashland is one of my favorite places to visit. There are lots of unique shops and galleries, a beautiful park right downtown, the Shakespeare festival in the summer and lots of beautiful scenery everywhere.

Quiet waters, 16x20 watercolor

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Everything in life is speaking

This painting was part of a series I did on paintings from literary quotes. The name of the exhibit was "Images and Inspirations". When I read the line about everything speaking I pictured tall fir trees in snow and that absolute quiet and stillness that happens in the woods when it's snowing.

Everything in life is speaking , 12 x 16 watercolor

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A Healing Place

This painting is a combination of acrylic and watercolor. I was going for a loose, abstract look and just began by laying down colors and letting them merge and blend as they chose. As I worked on the painting, the image took shape and reminded me of a wooded area near a pond where I always went as a teenager when I had the blues and needed a place to go to reflect and heal.

A Healing Place , 16x22 watercolor/acrylic, unframed

Secret Path

One of my favorite past times (besides painting) is hiking. Deep within the woods near Mt. Adams in Washington, was this path, highlighted by the bright sunlight and leading to hidden depths of mystery just beyond the trees.

Secret Path, 17x19 watercolor, unframed