Oregon Chestnut Grove

                                                               oil on Yupo 6.5x9.25"

Thirteen sessions into my boggy forest, I can`t close the deal. When it is finished and I post the photo sequence of it`s development, the struggle will be obvious. Since it has felt so close to resolution but hasn`t, I fear a structural problem that I just can`t see. So again a break is necessary.
Last weekend we were visiting Laura Foster and she walked us down to her in law`s home. They grow actual edible chestnuts! I had never seen one much less an orchard of them. Locally, the nuts  appear in New Season`s Market in the fall. Laura and her husband Kevin have turned some of their partly empty nest into an Air BnB. Anyone wanting a dose of lush Northwest nature would love their country home. Kevin even built a 'tree house' that has water and heat and would make a wonderful little studio.


work for sale in my studio

Chimayo Spring

                                                           watercolor on paper 22x15

Nice to be home again, nice to be working in my cozy man-cave/studio.
This is from the late 80`s, one of hundreds of images I had transferred from slides to DVD this winter. To my shock, a great many of them I have no memory of. I know what time of my life they were from, where I was living and by the execution, what my motives were but actual pieces, like this one, no recall. This was a prosperous time in my life, between recessions, and I think lots of stuff went out the door quickly. Anyway, I kind of like it. It will take me awhile to digest my month at Sitka, meanwhile here is a hopeful painting of spring for my friends in the East.


some available work

Chimayo Spring

From a long time ago.
Whenever it rained in New Mexico it was special. Occasionally there would be lingering storms with overcast skies for several days. The state is so dry, everyone would  feel relieved and love it. Sort of  like a primal response, rain = survival.
watercolor on paper 14"x11"


available work

Spring Orchard New Mexico

I`m surrounded by less than successful new work so here is my take on spring in Chimayo New Mexico from 25 years ago. At that high elevation, everyone is so ready for some warmth and something green.
I painted at Bosky Dell Natives today with my friend Ruth. She got a gem and I did a dud. Oh well, the day was sparkling and sitting along the creek in deep conversation was what I really needed.
Her recent post about the 'career' of an artist is worth reading.