77. Small Drink of Water

'Small Drink of Water'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This tiny little pitcher -- the 0.25L mark is just visible near the top -- was a fun little exercise in gray. 

A little more subtle than I usually am - or at least it seems to me! :)

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76. September Sun

'September Sun'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This is another 'do-over' from last fall. 

Much better this time. :)

This lovely church sits near the tree lined shore of Lake Sacajawea in Longview, WA. 

It was so warm and sunny that day - perfect September weather.

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75. Three Elevators

'Three Elevators'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Somewhere in eastern Oregon, these lovely ladies stand tall and proud in their little brown valley.

I have attempted them before, in fact, more than once - hours and hours on something I *thought* would be so simple! (That seems to happen often.)

Well, thankfully, I've learned a thing or two in the last few months, and I finally got them to a happy place, and in a fraction of the time I spent before. Thank God for progress. :)

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74. My Smallest Fan

'My Smallest Fan'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I have three of these Zero vintage fans - this one is my smallest. ;)

I've painted one of them before, and thought it was high time I gave it another shot. Whew! The misshapen blade guards were quite the humdinger! 

Blade guards? Ok, just asked my husband - he said it's a 'shroud'. 

Anyway, the shiny, wiry frame that goes around the blades was a challenge to paint! :)

Thanks for stopping by - have a great weekend!

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73. Greener Grass

'Greener Grass'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This farmhouse is in lovely Yamhill County, OR, - a couple of relaxing, rural hours south of me.  

Driving through Yamhill County is always beautiful, but seeing this house on  its hilltop perch is always the highlight for me.

And the sheep...so bucolic.

I want to go to there. :)

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72. Sun Hat

'Sun Hat'

6" x 6" 

oil on gessoboard

Ah, summertime. :) 

I took this photo last summer while visiting my family in Minnesota. 

A blue-shirted farmer under a yellow sun-brella atop a vintage red swather? 

No way could I just drive on by that little scene!

 Btw, pronounced 'swatter', at least by all the farmers I know. ;) 

I've tried painting this before without success, but today my approach was rather loosey-goosey, as I like to say, and I'm much happier with the end result.

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71. Bug Light

'Bug Light'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Something new for me, a night scene. 

I snapped this photo last night as my husband and I were leaving a restaurant - I loved how the street light and all the other lights around really made this little bug glow. :) 

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70. Two Forks In A Jar

'Two forks in a Jar'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Isn't it romantic? ;) 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I prefer to photograph my paintings in natural light, so it was a mad dash to finish this before daylight disappeared, but I think I made it. :)

I could easily tinker on this for several more hours, but it feels good to walk away, to keep plenty of those imperfections around. 

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69. Window Shade

'Window Shade'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I took the photo of this lovely little scene while I waited at the drive-thru window of my bank. :) It was a gorgeous October day, and the geraniums were glorious. 

I can't complain about our current weather - it's been practically tropical compared to some parts of the country, -- but aren't we all about ready for some sunshine and overflowing flowerpots? 

Painting this was like looking at my own version of a SAD light. :)

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68. Seattle Sky

'Seattle Sky'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

We spent the weekend with family just north of Seattle. 

It's always a treat for the boys when we drive through downtown - they get such a kick out of the skyscrapers, and of course, the Space Needle. 

Ok, it's not only the kids in the car that love seeing the sights. ;)

I snapped this photo on our way home -- it had been a beautiful, sunny day, but by the time we hit the city, clouds were rolling in and everything was as it should be. :) 

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67. Memories of Mom

'Memories of Mom'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This was a commission I did last week for a dear family member.

The kitchen tools were used for years and years by her mother.

You know I just can't get enough of that beaten-up sifting cup -- all the dents and dings -- the character of memories. :)

'Twas an honor to paint.

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66. Jar O Junk

'Jar O Junk'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I painted it like I found it. 

Ok, so I wiped off a little dust. 

And, I placed it just so on my shiny turquoise table.

I'm kinda lovin' it!

I'm so thankful for all the kind comments I rec'd for my DPW interview - I feel so blessed! 

And, another sweet little highlight today - I won some notecards from the super-talented Elizabeth Floyd. She has a beautiful website and blog to go along with her amazing art. Check it out!

Have a great weekend everyone!

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65. Upstairs and some really great news!

'Upstairs'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Another north Portland sunny street scene. 

This was just down the street from 'Overshadowed'.

I had a little extra fun with the shadows on this one. :)

Ok, on to the really great news!

Daily Paintworks, the site where I sell my paintings and where I learned almost everything I know about oil painting, is featuring me and my art for the coming week! As part of the feature, they interviewed me for their blog,
 they'll post about me on their Facebook page, and they'll give one of my paintings away on their site.

I'm so excited! And, not gonna lie, a little nervous about folks reading my interview. I've gotten over the fear of throwing my paintings at you every week, but talking about myself and why I paint? Yikes! 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. Please feel free to pass it along!

And just a little more about DPW  -- they post new paintings every day by daily painters from all over the world. I really love it. And, if you're interested in learning more about painting, check out their ArtBytes - they're inexpensive (some free) little tutorials packed full of great information. 

*Update* Click here to read my interview on the DPW blog.  

Thanks for stopping by!

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64. Tassled

'Tassled'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

A fun little Minnesota summer sunset to start off my week. :)

Happy Monday!

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63. Thursday Morning

"Thursday Morning"

6" x 6"

Oil on gessoboard

My son was so disappointed when he realized he wouldn't get to ride the bus to school every day. We live too close. Instead, he's a 'walker', which means I'm a 'dropper-offer'. :)

It's not always fun to drag the younger ones out of their warm beds for the trip, but they don't seem to mind. Yesterday, I grabbed the camera and captured this scene. 

Yup, there's something about a school bus.

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