Real Summer Study

It`s finally warm. This came from a walk along Tryon Creek last weekend.

Creek Spill

This is what I`ve been working on the last week or so. Whenever I focus closely on something, the realism increases.

Figure Study

Next winter it would be great to join a life drawing group again, it was part of my practice for years. There is nothing better to train the eye. There must be an opportunity in my new community somewhere.

Understory

At last. This painting has been in process for nearly a year. It has changed completely many times. The sleepy warm feeling of summer is what guided me.

Understory Study

Since I now have two separate areas for watermedia and oil painting, I wanted to inaugurate the unused area for a watercolor. At my residency last winter I had been frustrated in my efforts with Yupo, the idiosyncratic plastic 'paper'. After years of working with it, I was baffled to lose my touch.
This small piece came forth and without intention seems to be a way to proceed on my large, stymied creek painting. After a good session last night, I`m encouraged.

Storm at the Edge of the River

Another.

Storm Break on the River

A 'daily' painting from a walk along the Columbia last week.

Washougal Study

Before returning home the other day, I walked along the swollen Columbia River in an area the Corp of Discovery camped. Everything on the shore was flooded; mature trees were rising out of the water. Another storm was arriving fast but I got some photos before getting hammered by the rain. It`s only the 11th but we`re close to the record for June! The forecast is for a warm and sunny weekend. I sure hope so, people are desperate.

Red Dune

This is a little ten year old watercolor I just now got a good photo of. I`ve been visiting family across the river in Washington, now I`m home and ready to paint.

Tryon Creek Study 1

I`ve come to think of summer as the ideal time to watch moving water. With all the trees leafed out, many areas I like to paint are now just a wall of green. So I turn to the creeks.
In August, I`ll be participating in The Friends of Tryon Creek`s fundraiser 'Nature Inspires Art'.