Late Autumn Tangle

watermedia on Yupo 12x12

Next weekend Oregon City celebrates it`s famous waterfall with the Willamette Falls Festival. I`ll be joining many other painters doing plein air work at various sites near the waterfront. I`m ashamed to say I lived in Oregon a good ten years before I ever visited Oregon City and saw it`s dense industrial core. Visually, it was like nothing I had ever seen. The paper mills, hydroelectric facilities and shipping locks were monumental and ancient looking, incredibly complex and spewing lots of noise and steam. With those beautiful falls a bit beyond supplying the power. It was gritty and muscular and very moving to see from up along the promenade that follows the contour of the bluff rising behind it. Sadly, the Blue Heron Paper Mill closed a couple of years ago and many jobs were lost. The huge site is now being reviewed for development and restoration. My hope is it will include some affordable housing. I can hardly imagine a more exciting place to live.
On Saturday I`m touring the defunct mill with a guided group in the morning and then setting up in the elevator overlook at noon to paint the scene from above. Come say hello if you`re there for the party.

Portland Open Studios Tour
Oct. 12 & 13 Oct. 19 & 20

available work in the studio

Fog on the Sound

I used to take the train to Seattle fairly often and loved the ride. It parallels I-5 but the experience couldn`t be more different, especially in the rain. Instead of the blinding splashes of the big trucks, the visibility from the train is terrific. If you sit on the west side [left going north] the views of the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge are expansive and peaceful. It`s hard to believe there is such a gorgeous stretch of waterfront left undeveloped. Then comes the south end of Puget Sound with it`s lovely little islands just off shore. Nearing Tacoma, mighty Mt. Rainier  is suddenly looming to the east.  The trip is so enjoyable, you arrive at Union Station happy and ready for the Great City!
watermedia on Yupo mounted on a cradled panel 12x12

Portland Open Studios Tour
Oct. 12 &13 Oct. 19 & 20

available work in the studio

Sauvie Island 2001

Watercolors from 2001. These were in a show just prior to the attacks on our country on Sept. 11. What a time.
3 @ 24x18

available work in the studio

Portland Open Studios Tour
Oct. 12 & 13 Oct. 19 & 20
[contact me for more information]

Tree Shadow - Brush Creek Afternoon

It is always nice to come home, no matter the adventure.
In New Mexico the other day, I was packing books off a shelf and found the top little painting mooshed against the back of the cabinet behind the books. Of course I had forgotten all about it, I had never photographed it so I did then and there with my phone. I then proceeded to shame my friend for her ingratitude.
The other watercolor is Wyoming but it could be any river flowing out of the mountains and into the valleys of northern New Mexico.
watercolor on Yupo 10x7.5

Birth of Hawaii 4 - New Mexico

Moving an artist who has been rooted to one place for 40 years is a monumental project. We`re chipping away at it as best we can. When you make things, in her case pottery and glass, there is a lot of equipment as well as work to pack.
The middle picture is a view from the yard and the painting below is something I did around 1980. She bought it then and is keeping it no matter my embarrassment.
watermedia on Yupo 3.5x17
acrylic on canvas 40x30

Opal Creek Cliff

From my walk in the Opal Creek Wilderness last June.
I`m off to New Mexico to help friends move. In 40 years they acquired some stuff. The longest I`ve  lived in one place is for seven. When you`re young, you usually move often. They helped me many times and I always said I`d return the favor if they ever left their home. They are moving to Calif. and I keep my word.
watermedia on Yupo 12x12

Waterworks Show
White Bird Show

Portland Open Studios Tour
Oct. 12 & 13 Oct. 19 & 20

Above Tryon Creek

I`m enjoying working small with watercolors and acrylics. So clean and non-toxic! Soon the weaker density of acrylics will get frustrating and I`ll welcome the depth and versatility of oil paints again.
watermedia on Yupo 12x12

Waterworks Show
White Bird Show

Portland Open Studios Tour
Oct. 12 &13 Oct. 19&20

Iron Mountain Fog 3

I`ve painted this clump of trees many times, they`re interesting from all angles.
watermedia on Yupo 12x12

Waterworks Show
White Bird Show

Portland Open Studios Tour
Oct. 12 & 13 Oct. 19 & 20

Oregon Refuge 2

Another view of Finley Wildlife Refuge near Corvallis from the sparkling early June morning I was there. We saw just a few birders but no painters. This is plein air paradise, artists take note!
watermedia on Yupo 12x12

Waterworks Show
White Bird Show

Portland Open Studios Tour
Oct. 12 &13 Oct. 19 &20