Archway to Jackson Bottom, 12x9

Archway to Jackson Bottom, 12x9" Pastel on sanded paper

This week has been pretty busy with wrapping up all the loose ends from my trip to Los Gatos and preparing for more upcoming events. I did have the liberty to go out and plein air paint (this one above) just once more before my kids are home from school for the summer months. At this point in my life, I'm just wishing I had a wife to do all the little things that I'm asked to do while I'm working on my art. If anyone knows where to get one, without all the strings attached, then just holler, wouldja?

On a more serious note, this little colorful one was painted in the thicket of a forested area (Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve) looking out onto a more open area. When I had completed this piece, I came out from under the shadows and the color just blew me away. With all that grey in the sky from the overcast sky, I just had to let the color ride, working mainly with value in mind. A good day was had by all!

This Saturday, I will doing a painting demonstration at The American Art Co from 12-4:oo pm. I plan on painting a large 24x24" from this small study...

Rise From Water, 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper

Upcoming events include a pastel demo at The American Art Co. this Saturday, a solo show at Elsinore Gallery in Salem, OR., a group show "From Sea to Shore" and a Quick Draw (July 1st) at Caswell Gallery. So if you are in the area, come on out and surprise me like some of you have graciously done!

Edges and Rows, 24x24"

Edges and Rows, 24 x 24" Pastel on sanded paper ©Brenda Boylan

A while back I was working on a series of work on seasonal paintings of my family farm located in the Eugene area of Oregon. I had worked on this one with the intention of keeping it for my own home so I could enjoy the memories I have from a child. I hadn't finished it until this week, trimming the sides to fit the square format frame. But I have since changed my mind and it is headed up with the other pieces of the series to The American Art Co. in Tacoma, WA.

This is the view facing south just where the trees line the edge of the property. I've never much ventured over there, but the last time I was down at the farm I wandered over there with my dad and discussed all the arrowheads he used to find in the field, the frogs he'd catch from the neighbor's pond on the other side of the trees, and managing the pickers as they harvested the green beans. His life was spent working hard on a farm as a boy as he worked his way through college, but now he is back on the farm, retired and just leases it out to a farmer who keeps things interesting. It's nice to visit. My sense of place puts me at rest when I step onto the property...all worries melt away from my city life in Portland.