136. Ball and Twine

'Ball and Twine'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Ok, it's officially the most wonderful time of the year. :)

A glass ornament with red and white twine chillin' in front of an antique mirror. I like that the wrinkled white dish towel looks a bit like snow. :)

sold

135. Sweet Salute

'Sweet Salute'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Too early? :)

Can't help myself, it's (nearly) my favorite time of the year.

This was one literally just makes me smile.

sold

134. Lola's

'Lola's'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

A stripey little scene from Astoria, Oregon. 

So much pattern and repetition - the design principles that most often jump out at me. From the shadowy sidewalk to the storefronts and especially in that awning. Love that awning.

sold

133. Fog Line

'Fog Line'

6" x 6"

 oil on gessoboard

Even after living in this part of the country for fifteen years, I'm still amazed at how green it is all the year 'round. 

'Course, it's also wet and mossy and damp and moldy and soggy. 

And beautiful. :)

sold

132. Water House

'Water House'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

My two-year-old likes to hang out with me while I paint, and I often ask if he can tell what I'm painting. He gives some great constructive criticism. ;) 

Anyway, I don't recall ever talking about water towers with him, but apparently someone has, because his response today was, "Um, a water house?" Love that little rascal. :)

I snapped this evening scene last summer on the Columbia River dikelands, and even though I've pondered it countless times since then, I was just too chicken to attempt painting it. Well, today was the day, and I'm so glad I waited. Something clicked that hasn't been lately, and it was pure fun.

Thanks for viewing my work. 

sold

131. Plastic Chair

'Plastic Chair'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

It's just a faded orange lawn chair doing a little basking. 

I'm jealous. :)

not for sale

130. Floating

'Floating'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

A little stack of glass fishing floats.

Old and shiny and ornament-like... hmm, I might need to get a few more...

sold

129. Morning Watch

'Morning Watch'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This feels very different for me (thus making me more nervous than normal about posting), but the in-house critic approves, so here it is. :)

You know I love me some saturated color, but I've lately been on the hunt for a way to capture the amazing morning fog that we experience in the fall and winter months. (Who am I kidding, it can be foggy year-round in these parts.) Anyway, the fog and sun combo this morning was great, so after dropping the oldest off at school, the younger two and I took a little photo-seeking tour of the neighborhood. I almost always head to the dikelands of the Columbia River, partly because it's the only flat land around here and it reminds me of home, and mostly because the way the sun spreads across the marshes and canals with the ridges and foothills rising in the distance; well, it can be pretty stunning. 

So, pretty as all that was, the highlight of our little jaunt was easily the sight of these beautiful bald eagles. Two! I've seen lone bald eagles several times in my life, but I don't ever recall seeing two at once! It was cool. 

My boys thought so too. :) 

Here's my inspiration photo: 

sold

128. Pile of Tin

'Pile of Tin'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Ok, this totally brings me back to the campfire circle at Camp Birchwood. 

Sing along if you know it...

'She's an old pile of tin, nobody knows what shape she's in, Got four wheels and a runnin' board, She's a Ford, Oh she's a Ford. 

Honk honk rattle rattle rattle crash beep beep...."

I spotted this lovely old Ford panel truck in Astoria, Oregon. 

So faded and rusty and sweet and fun to paint.

(And you're welcome for the earworm.)

:)

sold

October in review...

It's so fun to look back at a month this way!

Of course, I always wish there were more paintings to share, but I

 am very satisfied with this lot. :)

I have been painting this week, but it's been a struggle. Probably because I'm avoiding some tedious and boring (but very necessary) responsibilities on my to-do list. 

*Sigh*.

 I might as well get them over with so I can paint with a clear (and guilt-free) mind. :) 

To see the availability of these or any of my paintings, just visit my Daily Paintworks Gallery. 

Thanks for viewing my work!