Soft Light

18 x 24

Started on site at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, then finished today in the studio. I felt like I had a chance to pay close attention to the effect of backlit trees and watery reflections. Not sure that I captured all of the nuances of the scene, but some of the soft feeling is there and I'm happy with that.

After I finished, I wondered if I wasn't thinking of Wolf Kahn just a bit.

Wildlife Refuge Wetlands

8 x 10

The Sandhill Cranes are at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge now!

Despite the cool wind and clouds, I drove there in a convertible so that I could hear, see, feel the sacredness of that place!

I heard the cranes before I saw them (click here to listen), but at a certain moment it seemed that it was time to fly off to a progressive dinner on Sauvie Island. Do people still do progressive dinners?

The painting turned out a little darker than I first envisioned, but the cloud cover added to the darkness (and coolness) of the day.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, any day spent painting is a good day!

Cleat

The meaning that you attach to a subject all depends on your past experiences with it.

To me, an especially meaningful subject.

Painting from a 5-value sketch

I was curious to see if I could paint from one of the five-value sketches I worked on last month. Here's my first attempt. I stayed close to the values that I set out in the sketch and was pleased with results.

Westmoreland Park plein air

Tree
18 x 24

under painting

It was a beautiful fall day today at Westmoreland Park in Southeast Portland. I painted en plein air with a friend and we were drawn to the trees along the waterway. The play of light and shadow and the expressive twists of the trunk and branches drew us to them like magnets to paper clips.

Not too hot. Not too cold. Not too windy. Not too many people. Beautiful light. A good friend. And a day to paint outdoors.

I think I was channeling van Gogh today. All of that rich color and texture seemed to call for that kind of response from me.

Life is good!

Orcas Island Fog

Orcas Island Fog
18 x 24

Under painting

Practice, practice, practice.

You can see how the under painting provides a structure for the pastels on top.

I might re-title this to "Cat Feet" but only those who read Carl Sandburg will understand the reference. What do you think?

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

--- Carl Sandburg, "Fog" 1916

More Wetlands

Tidal Wetlands, Lopez
8 x 10

Textures of Wetlands

Tidal Wetlands

8 x 10 on Wallis Sanded Paper

I feel awkward as I try to figure out how to use my all-new pastels with Guerra pigment underpaintings. My old pastels were familiar, like a favorite sweater. I knew exactly what I could put under to make it look a certain way, and what would look good over it, too. You know what I mean.

But these new pastels are like new clothes. Stiff and unfamiliar still. Time will help. Time and lots of practice.

Bishop Creek Cellars

Back row: Eileen Nelson, Celeste Bergin, me, Kitty Wallis
Front row: Marge Rood, Carrie Holst, Mary Luzinski

Paintings by Celeste Bergin, Mary Luzinski, me

It was a beautiful night at Bishop Creek Cellars in Newberg, Oregon. The guitar played softly while groups of people came in to look at the art, meet the artists, and sample the delicious wine. You can see part of the artist group that comprises "Eight+" in the top photo.

Thanks to friends and family who came to the reception. You encourage us more than you know.

The show will hang for the month of October, so if you missed the reception, you can still see the work and taste the wine. You'll enjoy the drive, the town, the wine, and the art.

See my new work!

(click to enlarge)