Crossing Clover, 24x24

Crossing Clover, 24x24" Pastel on sanded paper. ©2011 Brenda Boylan

In the next few weeks, I will be participating in a few dinner auctions (dates posted in Upcoming Events) that feature artists in a quick draw. In preparation for these events, I usually practice what I'm going to paint. I do this so that I can interact with the attendees and sip some wine all without having to work out the piece, which takes considerable thought.

Detail

Sketch

My photo reference for this piece came from a late spring drive out to the farming area of North Plains, OR. I was out with one of my painting buddies and we have always wanted to paint this glowing field of clover in late spring, but the view is from the driveway of this farmer's field and the main byway. Because of the precarious location, we decided to stop and just take photos. Inso doing, I got my front tires stuck in the moist soil from the recent rains. Digging myself deeper with every turn and using every tactic a blonde driver can think of to release the wheels, the car became very stuck! After a few candid camera moves, a local road angel rescued the car and pulled the car out. Yeah! We were free to roam, but with a very muddied car...and a very perty painting to show for it.

Anyway, here is the announcement of my next engagement (a bit tiny to read, but you get the point).

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.