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.