Winter Creek Study

Just before a walk along the river I stopped on the bridge over Oswego Creek and noticed a glowing reflection deep within the shadows. So, I got out my new I-Phone, mentally figured out how to work it, then shot a moody photo which became a reference for this study.

Another Magnolia

This one painted yesterday from memory.
An old friend I`ve known since 7th grade has been visiting yet I`ve been able to do a couple of watercolors. I want to paint a little bit even if something out of the ordinary is happening. The pleasure of being with someone I`ve known for decades is truly satisfying, and I can talk while painting.

Magnolias!

They`re coming. Even though snow is predicted tomorrow, in three weeks they`ll be here. Is there a more extravagant flowering tree?
I used to do a magnolia painting every spring until last year. I was too distracted with trying to sell and buy a house. This year I`ll do it again.

Up from the Forest Floor

This is a smaller painting done between larger works.
The subject came from a particularly beautiful walk last November in the hills above Lacamas Creek in Washington. I go there often as it`s close to my family.
Because I have such a weak grasp of photography, I finally took a short workshop in shooting art work the other night. In two hours I learned more than I could have imagined, including how to hold a camera. I took this picture in my studio using my new education.

Fog on Mt. Talbert

Since I had painted this tree several times before, though smaller, the first session was more developed than usual. After the second, I thought I had lost it`s 'promise' and was confused how I managed that. As I proceeded I realized the difficulty was in the color intensity. Because I was painting fog, the close values were more tonalist. The challenge was to suggest the mist and the receding mountain while keeping the foreground sharp.

Foothills Storm

Reed Canyon Study 2011

When we lived in our former, densely populated, treeless neighborhood, the Reed College campus was a welcome oasis. The last free flowing spring in Portland originates here and creates a shallow canyon as it flows west. I did many paintings of this place.

Oswego Creek Progression

The one thing I wanted from this effort was to integrate warm color into the subject. The primeval quality of this little 'canyon' might be enhanced by red.

Up from the Creek

I went back into this and I think improved it. There was no reference at all with this one, only memory. Maybe from childhood too, it seems to have a goofy 'Disney' quality.