Plein Air Cannon Beach

I`ve been a happy Oregonian for 18 years but I still dream about Santa Fe constantly. It`s been interesting to be back. Tomorrow we`ll be home again!

Bandelier!

The first summer I spent in New Mexico, I went to this National Monument 10 times. It`s as beautiful as ever! We`re having a wonderful time. Yesterday we had an amazing hike while it was snowing!

Off to New Mexico

Back in May.

Over the Sea 17

Having finished a session with my big project I went to the watercolor side of my studio and painted this. This is on Aquaboard made by Ampersand and it`s one of many new supports for watercolor. This was my first experience and I like it!
Soon, we`re leaving for a trip to New Mexico. It`s where my father was from, and where I too lived for many years, some of them not so easy. It`s with mixed emotions I return. John, on the other hand, can`t wait. He`s fascinated with low humidity being an Oregon native, and he`s craving sopapillas.

Steel Bridge Night

The big 48x48 painting I`m working on is in its fourth compositional mutation. When it finally is finished I`ll post a photo sequence. Sometimes inspiration and high intentions aren`t enough!
As a breather, I did this.
In the massive flood of 1996, the water touched the span of the bridge and I remember seeing a refrigerator banging against it as it tried to get under.

Stone on the Beach

2005

Winter Storm/Government Island

I taught again yesterday and this was my demo.
On the islands and flood plains of the Columbia River, the cottonwood trees all grow to one height. Why, I don`t know but suspect it has something to do with the water table. Something about that level limit to their growth makes the sky seem especially immense. The tops of the trees make an interesting line that is difficult to paint and make plausible. I`m working on a large oil painting of this subject and getting that 'line' right is proving to be a real challenge.

The Apple in April

This little study is a detour while I work on a big canvas. I`ve painted orchards in spring many times but never got apples quite right. The tree is sort of spindly even in bloom and I usually painted the blossoms as a mass. This is more in character I think.
Anyone in far northern California on May 28th is welcome to attend a workshop I`m giving as the 'public service' part of my residency at Whiskeytown. It isn`t expensive and the proceeds will support the non profit Main Street Gallery in Weaverville CA.

Across Steigerwald

This was my demonstration painting for the class on Saturday.

Ross Island Sand and Gravel

I was asked to teach a watercolor class on the 2nd and I agreed. Then I thought 'oh no, I hardly even paint with watercolor these days'! So I did this last night for the exercise. No sooner had I begun and I was squeezing out acrylics onto the painting. I`m incapable of traditional transparent technique it seems. That`s fine, I often hear my oil paintings look like watercolors.
The subject is a mining operation on the east bank of the Willamette River and is particularly beautiful in the fog.