Nehalem Bay in Oregon

Oil on stretched linen 16 x 30

This is a view from Wheeler, OR, and it's really spectacular.  I didn't do it justice, but it's so gorgeous and changeable - I'm sure I'll paint it again.

Ice Tunnel - Final

12 x 36 oil on stretched cotton canvas - SOLD

Update 10/28/14: This painting and a 'very abstract' abstract (which I failed to photograph before I put it in the show), were such oddball sizes I put a bottom dollar price on them and they sold quickly.

I was surprised because they'll both have to be hung in a special spot, but hey, they're not taking up valuable real estate in my house anymore!  I discovered an inexpensive way to frame them with stained furring strips and that often makes all the difference between selling and not selling.

I painted the sides because this lends itself to being hung without a frame, and because this size frame might be hard to find.  I think a painting should be as enjoyable to look at up close as it is from a distance, so I really concentrated on brush strokes for this one.  Next one too....well heck, they all should be that way.

I also discovered sable for this painting.  I didn't use it much, but what an amazing brush for detail work! It was a used Grumbacher small sable round and it verified sable's elevated reputation, even though I'm sure it's not the best quality out there.

Ice Tunnel - Stage 2

12x36 oil on canvas

Who needs a critic when a digital camera will be direct and to the point in 30 seconds? I've already run at this thing with a rag while it's still wet to soften areas needing attention and get back to the subtle tones  in the block in.  One more painting session and I'll have this thing finished.  I got to play with my Williamsburg French Ultramarine and Prussian blue, and learned a bit more about the versatility of Pthalo Blue.

Cloud Cover

click on any image to enlarge
12 x 24 oil on linen canvas

This is the FINAL painting.  Trees R HARD!  Doing landscape right is HARD! You have to keep track of depth, form, where the light is falling, perspective, value and color - for each layer of recession. That's a bit easier to do in still life and when painting animals.  And I can tell more painting on location is needed. I got this photo at dusk, but the sky was very bright and of course totally washed out in the photo.  I'll keep plugging away until I get the hang of it because I'm hooked. I love visiting other blogs and seeing how much they've progressed over time.  It gives me hope.

Abstract in oil in progress

18 x 36 Oil on stretched cotton canvas

I'm increasingly seeing the beauty of abstracted landscapes, and I had two ridiculously long, oddball canvases, (of course they were a clearance buy! Why else would anyone want them?) so I decided to get them covered and out of here, and used the odd size to do abstracts. I don't much like most abstract work because it's just like everything else - there's really good and not so good - and a lot in between.  But it can't be beat for exploring color, and I learn something wonderful from everything I try.  

I'm learning to appreciate the tinting strength of thalo green.  It's an intense phony looking color on it's own, but makes some wonderful darks mixed with alizarin, (deep forest green) transparent oxide red (the green of pond and lake water), and dioxazine purple (deep shadows).

In Progress - Clouds over Neahkanie

12 x 24 Oil on stretched cotton canvas

I've currently got 3 paintings going and none are where I want them to be.  This one has some glaring issues with the trees and foreground, and I'm at war with myself about the way I handle applying paint to the surface.  I'll post the final version when I get it there, but I enjoy it when others post their paintings in stages, so I thought I'd do the same.

Henry at One

12 x 16 oil on panel

This fellow was one of a litter of 4 born at my house in September 2006.  I was fostering rescued breeder Cairns at the time and his momma was sent to me very very pregnant.  He subsequently picked his new dad and went to live close by, so I could continue to see him.  That's the best that fostering gets!  He has changed colors as Cairns are wont to do, so I'm planning two more portraits of him to record his new look.

I do not know why my other photos have disappeared, so while I investigate, cross your fingers that Google hasn't thrown them in the round file of cyberspace.