Fall City

A few years ago I took a workshop in Fall City. The area is south of Seattle and still has beautiful farmlands. I painted this little guy while sitting in the studio, looking out of the window. It was the only good view I had of these two flower pots. I am updating a few paintings just to refresh them and add a little of the brushwork I didn't possess back then. This is a fun project right now. Think I should have a series of "Now An Then", sounds like a soap opera right?

It's really me!

This is a test run but I think  posting with my iPad is going to help me get paintings here more often. Where is this and what in the devil am I doing you ask? Well, I am one of the hundreds of clowns that wave to you in the Macy's Day parade during the Thanksgiving holidays. Top photo is waiting for our group to move in line and the second is a self portrait. The parade route is in downtown Seattle and I learned after  my first parade most of it was walking uphill. I did not participate this year  because of a bad knee but hope to be there next year with bells on...literally! How was your holiday? Christmas is closing in on us fast followed my New Years. Again I ask the age old question where has the year gone?

Rain Clouds

I am very fortunate to just open my eyes in the morning and I'm looking at a similar scene.  We are on Lake Washington and the cloud patterns are never the same. Getting them into painting series is a project waiting to happen. Do you have creative things you look at and say, one of these days! I think our time has come to do it. I now have a little camera that takes little time correcting and adding to iPhoto and then into my blog. Ah, Julie, I can hear you say "it's about time," smiles.

The word "time" was used quite a bit in the last paragraph and that's what we need to do. Take a little of it, start our work and wonderful creative results will follow. I take a painting class once a week because I love being a student regardless of doing demos and teaching. You always have room to learn something new.

Pep talk done? Check.
Ready to start painting? Check
Turning off the computer and pick up the brush? Check and click.

View From The Ferry

I love taking the ferry to different islands here in the Northwest. It's like a mini vacation less than an hour away. Coming into the dock I always try to have my camera ready to take a few shots and do a very quick sketch. For some reason, the food is delicious and the coffee tastes better and it's because the difference in your routine changes a little. So,  if you are not, close to the water to take a little boat ride, try going a different direction, try a Chai, different restaurant than your favorite and most of all, try a big smile. Who knows, someone might smile back because you've made their day.

This little 8x10 Oil is one of three that will be going to Tsuga Fine Art Gallery in Bothell, WA next week for the miniature holiday show. If you are in the neighborhood the show opens November 30th and you might find a gift or two.

Brushstrokes

I'm out of my comfort zone! Back to art class after many years of just painting. What a reality check to see your work through someone's view and how refreshing. You know the basic rudiments of your craft but changes are great. This little 8x6 oil is just on brushstrokes, seeing how pressure, brushes and the amount of paint affects the outcome of what you are doing. I'm having a wonderful time. So, what's taken you out of your routine and how have you reacted? Happy experience I hope. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Pochade 5x7

This is my little pochade box I sometimes use painting plain air. I thought this would be handy when out alone and not sure of the area. Safety should always be the first concern. My second concern is being left handed. I usually find the best things to paint on the drivers side of the car where I also forget and hit the side of the door and drop the brush. This brings forth words I've heard over the years from Longshore men, construction workers, etc. you get the picture. Sitting in the car is a commitment and a challenge when trying to create a painting. So, here is a quick study of my little frustration. It looks so innocent. Are you having a good day?

Hi, I'm Bonnie

I read Julie Ford Oliver's blog without fail, it starts my day along with my coffee. This morning, I had to laugh, she is starting a series on feathers. We have a bunch of living feathers giving commands and being demanding. You never know when a painting is right under your nose. We, in the art world just have to be observant. Lesson learned!

Bonnie Marie is a seventeen year old Pionus Parrot we were told was a girl. It was three or four years later when we found out "he" was a boy but the name stuck. We've had him or should I say he has had us since he was 10 weeks old. Might I say he has trained us well. So, thank you Julie, I look forward to this new series with a smile.

Property For Sale

I tried to depict the lonely farm buildings that I find to sad to see. On my way to life drawing, I passed a beautiful area that always had horses in the pasture only a few months ago. Now, it's going to be a 16 unit apartment building.

Progress and change are a good thing I'm always told. Hopefully the sellers are happy and moving on to a different life. Maybe I should just paint so we can remember how life was before all the construction came in. Maybe nostalgia will be a good thing. Maybe I should climb off my soap box and let you know I really enjoyed working on this picture. And, just maybe we should just enjoy life and all the wonderful things it has to offer all of us.

How about sharing how you feel about this day and what it has given to you. I'll be waiting to hear from you. Someone, anyone, hello...are you out there?

Path to learning

This painting is 8x10 done on site in LaConner. This was the second one completed after the trees. I just turned slightly to my left and there was the path with beautiful flowers.My goal was to use my palette knife and limit the strokes. Sometimes we're a little too safe with our work which doesn't make for growth. Today's message is, find something you feel you will absolutely fail at and do it! Enjoy the process and be surprised at what you learn. Amazing what you can learn from yourself.

It's about time!

Wow, have I ever been missing in the posting department. Doesn't mean I haven't looked any of the delightful posts received, I look forward to every one. So, after upgrading my Mac and added a new camera I was in trouble. Both were strangers. I hope now, I'll be back on a schedule taking photo's and posting with the best of them. (Except Julie Ford Oliver) She's the best, just take a look at her blog.

I did this little 8x10 en plein air in LaConner a few weeks ago. This was the Wash. State hunting and fishing area and a quiet place to work. It was a beautiful day to be out painting with best friends. Life is good.

Onions

This little painting has suffered some indignities. Dropped, stepped on by mistake and my husband asked if they were chickens. They have pro's and con's. Some people dislike the taste while others use them in food every chance they have.

Like life, sometimes you get a little bruised from one thing or another, something you've said or done. Well, we grow and move on. The painting got a lift with stronger color and more paint. Our experience gives us a lift and adds another layer to our strengths. Like the onions, some will like us, some won't. Grab the positive with a big smile and keep going. You'll look as striking as the group of three above. Am I right? Let me know. I'll be waiting to hear from you.

Christine, hope you're feeling better. Cheers.

Abandoned

I saw this  old building in LaConner last year while out painting. The path was overgrown and I wondered what this looked like years ago. It is clearly a barn of some sort but, for hay, equipment, animals or all of the above?

Painting landscapes for me is for me a little bit of keeping history. It wouldn't surprise me the next time I'm in the area there will be a shiny new condo or building on site. At least I'll have a painting of what was, there. What about you? Prefer old paths, vegetation and barns or glass, chrome and steel? There is no right or wrong answer, just your preference. It's sorta like life, your choice, wrong or right, it's yours.

Decisions, decisions

Sometimes, you think you've finished a painting only to have that nagging doubt in the back of your head. So you make a few decisions. Scary right? Needs more lights, stronger interest point maybe? Back to the easel for a touch up? It's a bit like life, the decision is yours right or wrong it has to be something that makes you happy, no one else. That said, I better look at this one other and see what makes me happy. Maybe I'll share this painting with you again and see what you think. Well of course I still want your comments, please send them, I'm waiting.

Sunflowers

Two things I love here. Sunflowers and farms. Sunflowers are beautiful, I enjoy munching on the seeds and also to have them sprinkled on a salad. Farms, well I can say they have always been a fascination with all the equipment and animals. You may as well throw in the open, expansive landscape which captures my heart and paintbrush.

Many who look at this description, dismiss it and think only the number of houses or condos that will fit in this space. It makes me very sad to see these wonderful properties disappearing. This could be one of the reasons I love to paint landscapes, my way of preserving. So, pay attention to the landscape and enjoy it, next time you pass, you might see a pile of bricks! Sunflowers don't grow on bricks very well.

Colors of Green

Tomorrow is the opening of an art show I'm sharing with Robin Miller at Kaewyn Gallery in Bothell, WA. It's a wonderful gallery and I hope you can stop by for a visit between 5pm and 8pm. We would love to see you there. This art show reminds me that sometimes we get out of our comfort zone and feel unsure of ourselves. As artists and just in daily life we don't play enough, experiment or explore. We are way too serious, afraid of making a mistake or not sure if anyone will like what we're doing. Well. if you don't make mistakes, you will  never grow. If you don't grow you become bored and boring. We can't let that happen folks so, draw, paint, knit, cartwheel, anything. Just get out of the box and enjoy life in whatever venue you take. What are you waiting for? Go!  Oh yes, come back and let me know you you feel ok?

Alone together is ok.

A few years ago, I spent time with friends painting in El Dorado National Forest. Actually, I was painting, they cooked, hiked and panned for gold. The tourists were gone and just a few families shared the area. It was quiet and peaceful and we each had that special time alone with our thoughts and just relaxed. When we were together for meals, we shared our day. The group decided being alone while also being together was a very  special. Neat way to spend a week eh? Would you enjoy this kind of vacation? Let me know...I'll be here waiting to hear from you.

Trying to follow Julie!

First, let me gush about Julie Ford Oliver's blog. I've followed it for a very long time so when she made her video on "Fracturing" for ArtByte I was there to purchase it on day 1. Since I have a show coming up the end of April at Kaewyn Gallery, Bothell, WA, my time should be spent finishing up a few more paintings. Instead, I spent a wonderful day playing with Julie's method painting. It was fun and refreshing and I'm ready to go back and work on my paintings. I'm sure a little of this will creep into my own way of painting since I use a palette knife quite a bit and that's ok.

So, step out of your comfort zone, try something new, take what makes you happy and discard the rest. Don't worry about copying, it is going to come out "you". Those are my words for today! What are your thoughts on the subject? I know you have some, come on and share them.

About Four Years Ago

After viewing Julie Ford Oliver's new video (three times so far) at Daily Paintworks, I remembered this painting. About four years ago I stumbled all alone on this technique. Using my palette knife, stronger color and confidence I arrived at this style of painting. I now do variations of it but this was my start. I've tried different artists methods but come back to mine. Julie has taken her work way to another level. You should go view her blog. I also want to keep going and see where this takes me. Julie has been my inspiration. Stay tuned.

Painting a Pear

I love to paint pears. The shape is different and you can always play with color, knives and brushes and have the final product still look somewhat like a pear. For me, it's a never ending experiment. Wouldn't it be great if life were like that? Try out things until you have it perfect. Hummm, on second thought, that could be quite boring. So, live life to the fullest and enjoy your failures as well as the success. That's my thought for the day, whats yours?

Visit To Jackson Hole

I like this painting for many reason's. First, it brought back memories of a wonderful workshop with Jim Wilcox. Second, a conscience effort of less is more started to make sense. I worked with a palette knife to stop myself from all those unnecessary extras which added nothing to the painting. Painting en plain air started to be more fun and the brushes moved faster. It was just a good day for me. So, tell me about your painting experience on a fun day. I'm waiting to hear all about it.

Blue Glass

This has always been one of my favorite little paintings. I did it last year and used mostly palette knife and loose strokes to complete it. Hopefully this year, I will continue to work in this manner to see where it leads. So many ideas and directions.
What have you decided on pursuing? Drop a comment to me.

ONIONS-TWO

This is a small 5x7 painting done on museum board. My goal was to use as few strokes possible. I was painting away in my own little world until my husband came in and asked, "are those chickens?" That was one quick departure. The moral of this is, paint what makes you happy and chase everyone else away, unless they want to buy your work. What are your thoughts? Of course I want to hear them.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Another year in front of us and hopefully, 2013 will be full of good ideas and things to do. Often in the past, I've made list upon list of things. Organization has always been at the top. This year, I've decided to just enjoy life, sketch, paint and explore my art projects. No pressure. I hope you will do like wise and have a wonderful time. Take life as it comes and love every minute. Don't forget to keep those brushes wet. I'll check in on you later and see what you are up to. Or, you can drop me a line. Love hearing from friends.