Over the Sea 30 and other new watercolors

                                                  Over the Sea 30 watercolor on paper 12x9

                                            Trinity Mountain Study watermedia on paper 9x12

                                        Tryon Creek Summer Study watermedia on paper 8x6


 As I waited for the second flood to recede, I set up a little studio in our workout room upstairs;

 I really needed to paint, but I was so agitated I had no idea what. My momentum had been knocked off kilter weeks ago so I painted new pieces in themes I was familiar with. They were something. My studio is much more than a workplace, it`s a sanctuary where I regroup, do research, watch videos, nap, listen to music, write and imagine. My inner life comes alive down there. So being without it has been very alienating. It stayed dry through this last big storm so tomorrow I`m going to recolonize my oil painting area and begin work again.


This graphic comic by the Oatmeal about the tortured relationship between exercise and eating rang so true for me. I was a dedicated runner for decades and its positive contribution to my sanity cannot be exaggerated. Give this a read, it`s funny!

Have safe loving holidays. Give your mothers some extra affection.

Two more days to see my show at In Bocca al Lupo Fine Art in Oregon City!

work for sale

Red Surf-hospice

                                                                 oil on canvas 8x8 2010


The ocean is the source of life on earth and our blood is the same salinity as the sea.

My mother entered hospice this week and all trajectory stopped. At 88, after a lifetime of health problems, she said no more treatment. I admire her decision. How marvelous it is to see someone face imminent death without fear. That is a gift to the living. I`ve been present for a birth  and a death and the profound gravity and intimacy are similar. It`s a privilege to be there.
She`s watching a movie tonight, so it appears Mom lives another day!

                                        Barcelona triptych three oil on panels each 24x24


I delivered this commission to the building site of the Barcelona apartments. The project is to provide low income housing in the 'old town' part of Beaverton. I was 'hired' by the Kimberly Kent Art Brokerage. I find commissions really tricky because there isn`t a personal motivation propelling the painting. But the client liked my work, I was given the theme and the specs and I thought I can do this, I`m a professional.


My show in Oregon City continues through Dec. 23, though a couple of holiday related closures are happening. If you`d like to view it, give a call first.

work for sale

Oswego Creek[s]

                                            Shade and Sunlight oil on canvas 20x20

 It had been months since I had entered the small dense canyon Oswego Creek flows through. When I was plein air painting there a couple of weeks ago I remembered seeing it for the first time about 6 years earlier. Back then on the weekends, we would explore parks and preserves all over the Metro area. Our neighborhood in SE Portland was devoid of trees and beauty and we needed to be in something a little bit natural. One of the destinations was George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego where through a minor detour we discovered this wildly beautiful little groove in the earth with a highway and a city above it. After moving here it became the subject of many paintings. Here are some others;

                                              Oswego Spring oil on canvas 24x30

                                     Oswego Spring Study watermedia and oil on Yupo 12x9

                                      The Cliff Joins the Water oil on canvas 48x60

                                                 Oswego Creek Study oil on paper 10x10

                                                 Oswego Creek oil on canvas 36x60

 Everyone should see this place! Park at George Rogers and set out along the walking path south of the lot. Instead of following the river, turn right just past the footbridge. Keep going forward under the highway bridge until you get to the pool close to the dam. It`s worth a trip to see and it was a wonderful experience to paint there.

                                                                     Amen!
                                   


Faith + Doubt  =  Sanity
_Barbara Kruger


work for sale in my studio