Low Tide, Edge of the Estuary

The last painting of my stay here, I go home tomorrow. What a wonderful place! Because some fellow artists/bloggers have mentioned me recently, I know I have more visitors. And I suspect 99% are artists. If any of you consider yourselves landscape painters, I strongly suggest you apply for a residency here. If you can get away for awhile. It is an ultimate, unmessed with environment, beautiful beyond imagining. I was one of 9 chosen from an applicant pool of 90. I have never heard of such an advantageous ratio. In my exit interview yesterday, I urged them to accept artists who might want to use the surroundings as their subject. The idea of a retreat is great but this place as a source for work should not be minimized. Really, apply!

Saplings Near the Water

Everything is greening up, early spring I guess. That makes me nervous.
I hope I can complete one more small piece. To help with the drying, I use Winsor Newton alkyd titanium white as well as their Liquin medium to mix with my oil paints. Because I do paint thinly, I usually have a dry surface the next day. I can`t imagine waiting for the paint to dry without them.

Salmon River Estuary

Still more like a mural than the Chinese scroll in my head, but it may be worthy.
Just a few days left here at Sitka and I think a couple more paintings.

Alders through a Clearing

Alder Rainforest Study

Thin oil paint; the transparency of watercolor without the grief.

North Shore

With the ocean 1/4 mile away, I had to paint it at least once. As layers set up on a new long painting, I`ll do smaller work like this as well. There is nothing benign about the Northwestern sea, don`t turn your back on it. I wanted to paint a 'tonal' piece with a hint of menace.

Trail through the Winter Thicket

Another little study I did two days ago while thinking about a long composition. A way to proceed came to me on a run yesterday. After blocking in the forms last night with it`s multiple viewpoints, it looks like a travel poster for the Oregon coast.