2016 Wall Calendar

Paintings by Nora Bergman

2016 Wall Calendar

8.5" x 11" (17" x 11" when hanging)

Printed on premium glossy card stock and spiral bound.

$20 + $5 shipping and handling.

To purchase, click the 'Buy Now' button to be redirected to Paypal.
 

 (Local friends, calendars will be available at Hometown Crafts and Collectables on Nehalem, or just shoot me a message. Thanks!)

Coming soon...

Hey, friends!

I've turned some of my favorite paintings from this year into a calendar for next year, and it's *almost* here! They are on their way from the printers right now, and as soon as I have my grubby little hands on them, I'll share how you can get one for yourself. (Hopefully in the next day or two.) 

(Hint: These make great little prints to frame up after you're done with the calendar. Images are close to the size of the original painting.)

Here's a preview of the paintings I've included:

I also wanted to say thanks for hanging out with me this year!

I enjoy looking back on my work for the year - it's always a little time capsule of memories for me and my family, and I love that I get to share them with you. :)

I wish I had more recent work to share, but this year is ending a little differently for me - I was working on other projects in the beginning of November, and then, just before Thanksgiving, I was in a car accident. Another vehicle crossed the center line and hit the vehicle I was driving head-on. Thankfully, I was spared major injury, but my right knee is pretty banged up. 

So, I'm using crutches to get around just a little, and I spend the rest of my time reclined, letting my boys wait on me. :) My family and friends have been so, so helpful, and I'm doing my best to accept their kindness gracefully, and just enjoying this Christmas season from my spot on the couch. :)

I miss painting so very much, and hopefully in the next few weeks I'll be able to get back to it.

Thanks again for watching me work, and I hope you all have a Happy Christmas. :)

September and October in review...

Thanks for viewing my work!

If interested, you can see a few 'in-progress' pics on my instagram (norabergman). 

Of course, there are also random pics of my boys and our adventures, and things I find interesting in our everyday life. :) I just love instagram - so many lovely and inspiring things to see!

237. Purple and Gold

'Purple and Gold'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I'm having one of those days where I can't decide if this is worth posting or if I should break up with it...lol. I have a feeling I'll like it more tomorrow, so, with that as my hope, here it is.

While painting, I noticed that my high school colors are featured a lot (go Trojans!), so there we go for the title. They are also the colors of my favorite NFL team - go Vikings! 

(Unless the Seahawks win the Superbowl or something, then I'm all on board. 

But really, Vikings forever.)

Click here to bid.

236. Stormshine

'Stormshine'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Winter here can be soft, gray, days heavy with slow fog and faint mist that never quite turns to rain. 

Winter can also be quick bundles of dark clouds that spit out rain and hail sideways, followed immediately by blinding rays of sunshine making rainbows and sparkles all over the freshly-washed everything. 

This scene is from one of those stormy/sunny days last winter. 

A bus never seemed so happy to be yellow as when the sun and rain together made it glow. 

(A couple of in-progress pics on my Instagram - norabergman)

Click here to bid. 

235. North Light

'North Light'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

One of the highlights of our summer road trip was a visit with our friends in the Duluth, Minnesota area. We spent a warm and sunny afternoon in Canal Park, on the shore of beautiful Lake Superior. It was an absolutely lovely day. Well, a little on the warm side, but that's not very common in Duluth, so we didn't complain. ;)  One of two lighthouses in the area, this is the 'Duluth Harbor North Breakwater Light'. 

Lighthouses in art can be tricky; - they're just so dang pretty (I think) that they easily become a cliché, and I tried hard to keep this one from becoming 'just another pretty lighthouse' painting. Whether I succeeded in that, I'm not sure, but I am pleased with how it turned out. :)

If you're curious, you can see a few 'in progress' shots on my Instagram account. (norabergman) 

Thanks for viewing!

Click here to bid.

234. Long Morning Light

"Long Morning Light'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This little scene is from an early morning drive in our 'neighborhood' a while back.

I love the long, cool shadows on the road and the warm sunlight setting the marshlands aglow. 

Oh, and a little fog in the distance never hurts. :)

Thanks for viewing!

Click here to bid.

233. "Mornin', Sunshine!"

"Mornin', Sunshine!"

6" x 12"

oil on gessoboard

I've been meaning to try this size for a while, and my sister's yard in Minnesota finally made me do it.

Some scenes just can't be contained in a square. ;)

I'm very happy with how this came out. :)

Click here to bid.

232. Catfish Capital

'Catfish Capital'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hi!

Ok, I think I'm officially back in the painting zone - yay!!

Our summer was so great, - just jam-packed with all the great summery weather and happenings. 

The highlight, of course, was a road trip to Minnesota to see my family. 

(By way of Yellowstone Nat'l Park - even though we zipped through in record time, it was amazing.) 

I've shared some pics of our trip on my instagram (norabergman) if you're curious. :)

While in Minnesota, we made a quick trip to the Duluth area to see some of our dear friends, and on our way back to the farm, I snapped this little scene in Floodwood, Minnesota. 

The setting sun lighting up the 'Catfish Capital's' water tower. Swoon. 

And right across the road, a grain elevator! Ok, I saw the elevator first, - but double swoon! 

I have a feeling you'll see it in a painting sooner than later. Thanks, Floodwood! 

Click here to bid.

July and August in review...

Hey gang! 

I had a great summer and I can't wait to paint some of it for you! 
Looking forward to cozy fall days in my painting corner... :)

231. Do Not Disturb

'Do Not Disturb'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This dude is feet up, hands behind his head, checked out, chilled out, on vacation.

I am envious. Ha.

Click here to bid.

230. Track Lighting

'Track Lighting'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey all!

Here's a little sunset scene from the trolley tracks in Astoria, Oregon. 

Hope you're having a swell summer!

Click here to bid.

229. Hog Wild

'Hog Wild'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Ok, the song 'Born to be Wild' was in my head all afternoon as I painted this scene. 

Mr. Piggy Bank is gazing out my front window, - I think he's totally looking for adventure and whatever comes his way. ;) 

Click here to bid. 

228. Reflecting

'Reflecting'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This is another little scene from our recent anniversary jaunt.

After driving aimlessly (blissfully!) through the farmland around La Conner, WA, we bopped over to Anacortes and got out to stretch our legs by one of the many docks. 

Boats, and boats and then more boats - a beautiful spot to wander. 

Click here to bid. 

227. Take Me Home

'Take Me Home'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Early evening, Minnesota summer. :)

Click here to bid. 

226. Gallantly Streaming

'Gallantly Streaming'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

It's July! Time to paint a flag! ;)

Yippee!

I nearly gave up on this one, - I'm wearing some trial contact lenses that my eyes have not adjusted to, and, it's like 114° in my painting corner. Ok, probably only 80-something, but it is HOT. 

We're having an unusually warm summer here in the pnw, and even though I whine with the best of them, I actually kinda love it. 

(Except for the extreme fire danger and drought and all that, of course.) 

Summer is supposed to be hot! :)

So, here's my flag painting - I had a grand ol' time, even with all the extra challenges. ;)

(This flag adorns the retired Coast Guard lightship 'Columbia', now residing at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon.)

I hope you all have a happy and safe Independence Day! 

Click here to bid. 

May and June in review...

Thanks for watching my work - I hope you're having a great summer! ;)

225. Corner Store

'Corner Store'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

To celebrate our 11th anniversary, my husband and I spent last weekend exploring in Washington state. We stayed on Whidbey Island and had a great time hiking at Deception Pass State Park (stunning), and wandering aimlessly through the little town of La Conner (charming) and the surrounding farmland. Oh, and we ate a lot of really, really yummy food. :)

This little scene is from La Conner - it was warm and breezy and just a perfect June day.

Click here to bid.

224. Tunnel Vision

'Tunnel Vision'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Summer! 

This scene from the Columbia River Gorge just screams summer to me. 

All the golds and the deep blue sky and the warm light on the road -- ah, summer. :)

I hope you are enjoying yours. :)

Click here to bid. 

223. Sunbathing

'Sunbathing'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Another little scene from Indian Beach on the Oregon Coast. 

After completing this one, I asked my boys if it looked like rocks. 

The seven-year-old says, 'Well, kinda."

Guess that's gonna have to be good enough for today. ;)

Thanks for hanging out with me.

Click here to bid.

222. Under the Sun

'Under the Sun'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I always love going to my sister's house in the Columbia River Gorge. 

Mostly, of course, to spend time with her and her family, but a close second is the chance to see the incredible beauty along the way. Traveling from west to east, the landscape starts to show some skin as we go from waterfall-laden mountains to the golden hills and orchards of central Oregon and Washington. In the winter months (ok, potentially year-round), it's very typical to drive from overcast, wet weather in the west, to blue skies and sunshine an hour or two to the east. 

That's reason number three. :)

This little blue-skies-and-sunshine scene is from the small gorge town of Bingen, Washington, just across the Columbia River from Hood River, Oregon.

Click here to bid. 

221. Heavy Sleeper

"Heavy Sleeper'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

To my husband, this machine is 'the nine-eighty'.

To me, it was the highlight of a dawn's-early-light photo excursion.

On that early morning, I had seen the sun rise and the mountains glowing and the rivers sparkling, and vista after beautiful vista. And then...then, heading back home, I rounded the bend and saw this; this sleepy old fella catching the first rays of the day. Swoon. :)

Is there something wrong with me? ;) 

Click here to bid.

220. Friday Night Lights

'Friday Night Lights'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Our church is perched on a hill overlooking the flat and farmy Columbia River dikelands.

I always like this view, but last Friday night it was especially lovely. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Click here to bid. 

219. Splish Splash

'Splish Splash'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I have some fun wave photos from Indian Beach and I've been wanting to attempt this zoomed-in shot for a while. I'm happy with the result, especially since I nearly wiped it a dozen times. 

Sometimes, they just don't jive until the very end.

Thanks for viewing!

Click here to bid.

218. Out of the Blue

'Out of the Blue'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

A paddle-boarder packing it in after a day on the water.

This is Indian Beach, on the beautiful Oregon Coast.

Click here to bid.

March - April in review

217. Pink Ladybug

'Pink Ladybug'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Can't beat spring, can ya?

Thanks for viewing!

Click here to bid.

216. Day is Done

'Day is Done'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

My favorite time of day. :)

Click here to bid.

215. Light Meters

'Light Meters'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Oh, dappled sun on blue and white building, you slay me. 

And, then! Then... three meters, all in a row! 

Just the sort of ugly/pretty combo that I cannot resist.

I love everything about this one!

Thanks for viewing - happy weekend!

Click here to bid.

214. Little League

'Little League'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey gang!

I'm trying hard to ignore the too-big number of days since I last posted a painting...ugh.

I have a zillion excuses, but let's pick something fun...I blame Little League. Ha!

Two of my three boys are learning the game of baseball, and even though our very busy calendar is testing my preferred 'homebody-make-no-plans' way of life, I really do enjoy watching them - especially the littlest ones - too stinkin' cute.

Today's painting is a sampling of some other cute little things I collect.

I have always had an affinity for these pin-on buttons - I mean, hello, 1989! 

(My sister Rita had a great collection on her stone-washed jean jacket.)

A few years back I found an old tackle box at a yard sale with a bunch of these oldies in it. Score!

I've blown them up almost three times their size here; that awesome little flag is only a half inch tall in real life.

Thanks for viewing - I missed ya guys!

Click here to bid.

213. Indian Beach Rocks

'Indian Beach Rocks'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

*Just a little note - the blue reflections/highlights on the rocks are incredibly difficult to photograph well - in reality, they do not 'glow' nearly as much as it appears here.

Way back in '03 or '04, my guy and I went to Indian Beach, a gem among gems on the Oregon Coast. It was overcast and damp, and I was completely enthralled with the rock-covered shore. We had a great time, even taking some selfies (eons before the word existed) with my very first digital camera - 2.0 megapixels! Lol. Here's one of them --  I can't believe I'm posting it -- but anyway, you can see all those lovely rocks behind us. :) 

A couple of years later, we were newlyweds and I was pregnant-sick, so I dug out one of  my Indian Beach rock pictures and used it to help pass the days/weeks until our first son was born. Here's the result --  a little bigger than my work now. :)

'Beach Rocks' 

24" x 24"

acrylic on canvas

Like a lot of things in my life, over the years I had completely forgotten about Indian Beach. Our good friends reminded us last summer, and we finally made our way back a couple of weeks ago. It was fabulous - I have a feeling we'll be back often. 

I mean, three young boys and never-ending rocks? Perfection. :)

Today's painting is from my new Indian Beach rock pics.  

Click here to bid.

Morning Welcome

'Morning Welcome'

16" x 20"

oil on gessoboard

Early morning in my town, fog and sun arriving together.

This painting is my contribution to the Spring Auction at my boys' elementary school.

The staff and volunteers do a fabulous job in the classroom and the community, - we're so thankful for them all!

January - February in review...

I rarely know what I'm going to paint 'next', so it's fun (and helpful) for me to look back and see my patterns and themes over different seasons. I'm kind of loving this little group. :) 

I'm currently working on a much larger piece (for me) - my contribution to my sons' school auction. Hopefully, I'll have something to show you very soon!

Thanks for watching my work! You guys are the best!

212. Sunday Fog

'Sunday Fog' 

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I got up early last Sunday to go watch the sunrise above our town.
It was a very clear day above the fog, and the views were fabulous. As pretty as it was, I couldn't wait to get back down the hill and see how the fog and sun were hanging out together - I just can't get enough of those two. :)

Click here to bid.

Here are a couple of pics from the top of the hill:

Mt. Rainier on the horizon to the right; my little town is nestled under the fog closest to me on the left.

Very faint on the horizon; Mt. Rainer on the left, then Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams all the way on the right.

211. The Back Way

'The Back Way'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Unlike a lot of the country, we've been enjoying really terrific weather.

It's got me totally jones-ing for summer.

(Although, those of you in the throes of winter are probably jones-ing way more than me.)

Anyway, here's a little summer for you all - from one of my favorites places in this amazing state - Yamhill County, Oregon. This is the first painting in a long while that was a good 'ole time from start to finish. 

That makes it my new favorite. :) 

Click here to bid.

210. Fruity

'Fruity"

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Central Washington and Oregon: high, barren hills; green, fertile valleys. 

And fruit. Lots and lots of fruit. :)

Last August, we stopped at this fruit stand in Washington on our three-day drive back from Minnesota. My boys enjoyed their free apple, and then we filled every spare inch of the car with glorious, juicy peaches. So, you know, like, eight peaches. On my lap, the rest of the way home. :)

Click here to bid.

209. Morning on Poplar Street

'Morning on Poplar Street'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

There was fog, there was sun, the leaves were turning, -- it was a lovely morning on Poplar Street.

 (Also known as, 'the street above the pool'. Google told me the official name. ;)

This is another scene from my 'yellow sky morning' of last fall -the light was so crazy cool! 

I have several photos of that day that I love, and a few that I've attempted to paint, - but, yellow sky morning is not easy to recreate! I shall keep trying. :)

Bid here.

208. Toasty

'Toasty'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hi, gang!

I finally have something to show you!

Not for lack of trying, but let's not dwell on that. :)

Vintage toaster, vintage tablecloth. 

Just chillin'.

Thanks for sticking with me!

Bid here.

207. Going Green

'Going Green'

6" x 6"

oil on gessboard

Apparently, I've entered a green phase. 

I worked a little faster and looser than I normally do, which was fun, and my youngest (almost 4) helped me at the end, "It's done, Mom. You can put the sign in the corner. The sign with the 'B' and the 'N' ". 

Got it. Goodnight. :)

Click here to bid.

206. Under the Cottonwoods

'Under the Cottonwoods'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I am not a native of this cute little town, but my husband has lived here his entire life. That means, often he'll come find me after a day's work and exclaim, "Oh, you're painting so and so's house." Or, "Oh, that's so and so's work truck." Today, I was a little floored when the remark was, "Oh, you're painting dad's old service station." 

Uh, what? 

I had no idea. Well, I knew my father-in-law used to operate a service station, but, I never made the connection between that knowledge and this lovely white building that catches my eye every time I leave town. I mean, now that I think really hard, I maybe vaguely remember hearing that once upon a time, - it sounds sort of familiar... 

  Clearly, on this sunny day last summer, I was really only thinking about yellow truck...white walls...blue shadows... :)

Click here to bid.

205. Green Light

'Green Light'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey!

After enjoying a little break from painting, it always seems to take a few (several?) days of frustration, wiping off, trying, trying again before things seem to jive. 

Those days can be long and rough. (And chocolate-filled.)

Eventually, though, the grrrs turn to grins, I don't hate everything I've ever painted, and, I start to remember what I love about this job. Today was a good day. Whew! 

(Sorry, tend toward the dramatic at times like these.)

Anyway, I found a sunny little scene from my neighborhood to finally get me out of the funk.

With a flag! You know I cannot resist. :)

Ok, here we go, 2015! Paint on!

Click here to bid.

Nov/Dec in review...

Happy New Year!

I took vacationing very seriously for the last two weeks, so we're just easing slooowly into this lovely new year. :)

Here are the paintings I did in November and December, and below that, a shot of the highlight of my year so far. (Ok, it's gonna be tough to top that - good luck, rest of 2015.)

I had the pleasure of meeting artist Carol Marine (and her delightful husband, David), and it was so great! I really appreciated the chance to chat about daily painting and random arty stuff, especially with someone so talented and experienced. An invigorating way to start the new year. :)