News from the studio

My messy studio

It's been awhile since I last posted and wanted to take record of what's been going on.  

First of all, I took on my first student.  We are to begin next week....cramped in my small studio.  I made up a simple supply list and we will begin on the basics of pastel and then go from there.  My student already has a great foundation for drawing so the hardest part is already been accomplished.  We are both rather giddy over this new endeavor.  However, I will need to postpone due to a family tragedy.  More on that later....

Anyway, I sold two pieces this week which made things a bit better. I packed and shipped "City Drama" to San Diego, CA.  It was to be shipped without the frame, so I built a box of sorts with scrap wood from Home Depot.  I had them cut the scrap to size and all that for about 50 cents! Can't beat that! The other painting "Where the Koi Go" went home without it's frame too.  Can you say "naked" paintings"?  Yup, no frame. But that's ok, because that way they get the frame of their choice, and I get to keep the existing frame for a new piece.

So, here is the story...

A family member took their own life.  I can't imagine why so.  Still grappling with the whole thing, left only to wonder "WHY?" 

This leaves me feeling angry, confused and exhausted from all the questions.  We can only sort out what we may think the why is...but the reality is we don't know what goes on inside another's thoughts. Hug your family...tell them you love them.  Even if.

That's all I have to say on that.

Portland Plein Air & Studio Painters

Here is a quick slide show of work from the Portland Plein Air & Studio Painters group. This creative group is currently showing at the Doll Gardner Gallery, in Portland, OR. for the summer months. More info is provided in the sidebar to you right in the "Upcoming Events" section.

Contemplating Gold, 24x24

"Contemplating Gold" 24 x 24" Pastel on sanded paper

I've been working on this for about a month and after many incidental distractions, I came back to it with fresh eyes. This is another addition to my "Variations on a Scene" series of the family farm. Again, the point of view is the same direction, but a bit closer and another time of day and season. Moody? Warm? Yeah. This time, I didn't take photos of the stages on this one, but I did take a video. I'm hoping to post that some time in the future. This one took a while longer because there has been a lot going on in my home. With the kids getting ready for the end of the school year, there have been ooodles of end of year programs and tournaments. I'm loving this stage with my kids...they are my fuel for art. When I come down from parenting, I go to my art with fresh eyes and high motivation to make another. I'm loving the journey!

Clover and Vineyard

"Field of Rubies" 9 x 12" Pastel on sanded paper

The weather has been incredible these past weeks in the Northwest. I was able to go out twice last week with my painting buddie Gretha. There is never enough time to paint it all, and the landscapes out in the rural areas are just spectacular this time of year! Some of the farmers have planted transition crops of red clover to nourish the soil. There are patches of it all down the Sunset Corridor (aka Hwy 26). This clover peaks in color in the morning and then the intensity dulls by mid-day. The sound of the bees working on the clover makes me feel intoxicated. And the hot sun on my skin...I'm feeling like summer is almost here!

"Vineyard Poppies" 9 x 12" Pastel on sanded paper

This vineyard was located in Forest Grove. I think it was Tualatin Valley Estates. I'm not even sure just how we got there. We followed the hills looking for red clover, but this was too beautiful to pass up. Gretha and I stayed for about 2 hours, some of that time was spent figuring out our pochade boxes. Again, I felt rusty, but not for long.