Happy New Year!

I'm so looking forward to painting my way through 2017! 

I hope you'll join me along the way. :) 

Happy New Year, everyone!

2017 Wall Calendar

Hey everyone! They're finally here...

​Paintings by Nora Bergman

2017 Wall Calendar

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

Printed on premium glossy card stock and spiral bound.

The calendars are $20.00 each plus s/h.

Click here for purchasing info!

268. November Rain

'November Rain'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

A little rainy day scene from last weekend.

It was rain and fog and gray and dim, and then, a perky little barn to brighten things up.

She made me smile.

Click here to view auction.

267. Dawn's Early Light

'Dawn's Early Light'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

The Columbia River Gorge at the crack of dawn. 

Ahhh. :)

Click here to view auction.

266. Pumpkin Patch Pyramid

'Pumpkin Patch Pyramid'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

We had some beautiful weather early last week, and on one of those days I got to accompany the kindergarten to The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island. We all had a great time, long bus ride included. :) 

I've never attempted a corn maze before, and going through with kids (mostly) leading the way, made it extra challenging! I didn't realize at the time that this particular one is in the shape of Charlie Brown and Snoopy, but now I want to go back and see it again. (You can see an overhead photo on their website.) It's really cool!

Of course, the real show stopper for me was this view, as seen from the hayride out to the pumpkin field. I love, love, love that tree, and debated hard about including the whole barn. Maybe another time I'll make it the only star in the show. ;) 

View auction here.

265. Cotton Candy Sky

'Cotton Candy Sky'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hi guys! Missed you!

Here's a little skyscape I finished yesterday.

The sun was setting at our backs and the sky in front of us was a happy dance of pinks and yellows and purples and blues. I just love when the whole sky participates in the sunset. It was delightful. 

Click here to view auction.

264. King of the Road

'King of the Road'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

There's a little spot along our highway where retired pieces of construction equipment congregate.

On a sunny day, the yellows and reds and rusts and shadows are just so warm and lovely, and I've been meaning to stop and take photos for years now. 

Late this summer, this little fella appeared at the front of the pack and I was done in. 

I'm so glad he wasn't sold before I got a chance to get pictures! Isn't he sweet? 

Wouldn't it be fun to shine him back up and hit the road? 

Ah, someday. :)

Click here to view auction.

263. Coneflower Crew

'Coneflower Crew'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I'm so not ready for Fall, but sights like these make the transition a little easier.

(Spotted outside a Fred Meyer store, thanks Freddies! Lol.)

Click here to view auction.

262. Sea Mist in the Forest

'Sea Mist in the Forest'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Wowzers, I sure keep picking some busy compositions!

This is from a photo I took last week on an afternoon jaunt to Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach, OR. The rest of the area was clear, but this little ridge of rain forest-like trees was all socked in, - it was so cool! The beautiful Pacific Ocean is just through that little wall of mist and fog.

I'll be honest, this was a challenge, one of those that I could keep fiddling with for days and days, so...I'll call it done. :)

Thanks for viewing my work!

Click here to bid.

261. Fish Camp Tools

'Fish Camp Tools'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Alaska again. :)

The fish camp where we stayed had this great little tool shed.

I was a slightly enamored. :)

260. 'Call of the Lonely Loon'

'Call of the Lonely Loon'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

My husband and I were blessed to spend a few days fishing in Alaska recently, and we had such a great time. The fish camp was right on the Kenai River, and being there reminded me of the fantastic summers as a camp counselor on a lake in northern Minnesota. It's been a long time since I've felt that feeling; tackling things you never thought you could (nine hours in a boat), surrounded by ever-changing and spectacular natural beauty, all while hanging out with great people that are just happy to be there, even if it's pouring down rain. I want to go back! :)

We fished on nearby Skilak Lake, and every day we were visited by several loons. They are the state bird of Minnesota, so I know them well in theory, but have not seen nor heard many in my lifetime. I was really excited to see some in person, and trying to take photos of them helped pass the time when fishing was slow. They also brought to mind 'The Life of a Voyageur', a song we sang at Camp Birchwood. Even though it's technically about the Canadian wilderness, for me it has always captured the wonderful essence of the woods, the water, and a campfire with good friends. 

Here's a sample from youtube if you're curious. :) 

I should've asked my friend Sara from camp to sing it, she'd do a great job and I'm sure she still knows the words. :)

Click here to bid. 

In review...

I never paint as much as I think I will in the summer...but that just means we're having fun at VBS or swimming lessons, or maybe eating our way through the county fair, or, like last week, fishing in Alaska! 

And, it also means I'm adding all sorts of new photo inspiration to my reference files. I'll be so glad to have them next winter when the grays set in, and I can't wait to put some to use this month also! 

I hope you're all enjoying your summer, and thanks for following my work!

Of course, you can always see a bit more of our lives and my works in progess on Instagram. (norabergman)

Paint on!

259. Peas Sweet Peas

'Peas Sweet Peas'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

It's that time of the year when the roadsides are covered with Sweet Peas. 

I can't get enough of 'em, and wanted to share.

Sweet Peas for everyone! :)

Click here to bid.

258. 'Spin Off'

'Spin Off'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Another version of my number one fan. :)

Have a great weekend!

Click here to bid. 

257. By the Lake

'By the Lake'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Birch trees by a Minnesota lake on a sunny summer day. 

Ahhh.

Can you hear the loons? 

Click here to bid.

256. I can see clearly now...

'I can see clearly now...'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Winter in the northwest: gloomy, gray, wet. 

And then: shiny, glowing, brilliant.

The last light of day can be just the best.

Click here to bid. 

Also, some great news!

My painting, 'Yellow Bug Light' was the first place winner in the Daily Paintworks monthly contest for May! I'm so excited! Thanks, DPW!

255. Take the High Road

'Take the High Road'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I'm not sure if it was the new brush or the little heat wave we're having, but the paint was moving fast and slick today, and I just went with it. It was fun! 

This scene is just down the road from my sister Greta's house on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. 

High road or low, you just can't go wrong in those parts, - it's all super stunning.

Click here to bid.

In Review...

Just catching up on my 'in review' collages. :)

Thanks for watching me work!!

254. California Dreamin'

'California Dreamin' '

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

California Poppies - love 'em!

And, it's Friday - yay!

Have a fun and safe weekend!

Click here to bid.

253. Fourteen and the Oddballs

'Fourteen and the Oddballs'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Wowser, this was challenging!

I love these vintage billiard balls that I got last weekend, but I think I'll wait a while before trying to paint them again. :)

Click here to bid.

252. Yellow Bug Light

'Yellow Bug Light'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

The last long light of day, languidly lounging over lawns. Love it.

And then of course, that yellow bug. Yum.

I kinda like this one. :)
(I can't usually say that right after finishing. Need a little absence to make my heart fonder. :)  )

Click here to bid.

251. Point Wilson Light

'Point Wilson Light'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Point Wilson Light is in Fort Worden State Park near Port Townsend, Washington, roughly sixty miles southwest of majestic Mt. Baker.

It was just one of a zillion lovely sights on our anniversary weekend trip last June. 

Hmm, I wonder where we should go this year... :)  

Click here to bid.

250. Seventh Inning Stretch

'Seventh Inning Stretch'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Spotted during one of my boys' baseball games. :)

Click here to bid.

249. Evening Graze

'Evening Graze'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

On one of our recent very summery evenings, I drove around the dike-lands that skirt the Columbia River in our area of Oregon. Being a flatlander/farmer's daughter, the straight-ish gravel roads and uber-green pastures remind me very much of summers in Minnesota. The sun was low, the air was warm, the shadows were delicious. In the very distance, the hills of Washington state made a dusky backdrop, rising steeply from the Columbia River. 

Click here to bid.

248. Captain Happy

'Captain Happy'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Those stripes turned into a cape, and the roly-poly apple is ready to take on the world with his charms. 

Captain Happy is cute, but my favorite part of this scene is his perch; I love the light on that old metal box. ☺

Click here to bid.

247. Skylines

'Skylines'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This view is just up the street from our house; the last light of day setting the eastern sky aglow.

Thanks for viewing my work!

Click here to bid.

246. Pick A Number

'Pick A Number'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This little guy was calling my name, and I thoroughly enjoyed painting him.

I'm finally feeling better after several days of the flu, and I am just itching to paint and paint some more!

Hope to see you here again soon!

Click here to bid.

245. Morning Blush

'Morning Blush'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This is another one of those 'ain't gonna get the best of me' ones. I started and gave up months ago, and suddenly it seemed time to try again. I think we'll call it done. :)

My parents extended their west coast trip a bit, so we took a little of Washington's Spring Break (three of my sisters live in WA) and went on a road trip! It was really, really great. We saw a Wildlife Safari, the Redwoods, sand dunes on the Oregon Coast, and just miles and miles of lovely weather and scenery. So beautiful and as much fun as you can have traveling with lots of young children. :)

And..., sickness has been having a heyday at our house since we got back. Lol. 

Argh. Still worth it. :) I think. I'm on day three, ask me again tomorrow.  ;) 

Click here to bid.  

244. Pencil Jar

'Pencil Jar'

8" x 8"

oil on gessoboard

Hi guys!

We were on Spring Break last week so I took a painting break and enjoyed my family. 

It was really, really nice, and now I'm happy to be back in my painting corner.

So, yes, another blue canning jar. I am a little obsessed, partly because I like the jars, of course, but mostly because the painting of them is so challenging! I'm never immediately satisfied with my results, but I'm usually more gracious toward my work when I look back weeks or months later. 

(Except every once in a while, when I think it's all garbage and I'll never paint again. Haha. My poor husband.)

Anyway, here's another in my quest to paint a canning jar. Getting closer to that elusive 'exactly how I want it'. ;)

(This one is a bit bigger than than my usual small squares, hence the higher starting bid on Daily Paintworks.)

Thanks for viewing!

Click here to bid.

Last Light of Yellowstone

'Last Light of Yellowstone'

11" x 35"

oil on board

This one is just for fun, from one of my favorite Yellowstone pics. 

The westerly forest fires made the sky hazy all day long, and when dusk arrived, it was lovely.

Blue and purple distant ridges, and the last little bit of sunlight striking the hills to the east. 

It was delightful.

(Not for sale.)

Top of the Morning

'Top of the Morning'

18" x 12"

oil on gessoboard

Hi guys! :)

 This painting is my contribution to the annual fundraising auction put on by the staff and volunteers at my boys' school. They do such a great job in and out of the classroom; we're so thankful for them all! 

This scene is from a photo I took behind the school a few weeks ago.

Just one more thing I love about our school. :) 

243. Up My Alley

'Up My Alley'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This is not technically 'my' alley, it's not even my neighborhood. 

What it is, though, is power poles and power lines and dumpsters all lined up and basking on a sunshiny fall day. That, my friends, is a whole bunch of stuff that's 'right up my alley'. ;)

Fyi, the neighborhood is in Longview, WA, looking south from Lake Sacajawea. The tree-covered ridge in the distance is Oregon; what we locals refer to as 'the Rainier hill'. 

Click here to bid.

242. Moo Baby

'Moo Baby'

6" x 6" 

oil on gessoboard

I've attempted this little cutie a couple of times before and failed miserably. 

I get stubborn about things like that, so this week I gave her another shot.

Much better this time around. She makes me smile. :)

(Pic from my brother's farm in Minnesota.)

Click here to bid. 

241. Slow Lane

'Slow Lane'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

If you see an Amish buggy, you must attempt to paint it.

That's a rule, right? ;)

This is another scene from our summer road trip, this one in rural Minnesota, not far from my parents' home. 

I really enjoyed painting it.

Also, clearly the horse and buggy are about to crest a hill, right? 

Proof once again to my mountain-state husband that Minnesota is NOT flat. ;) 

I grew up riding bicycles on those roads, I would know. :)

Click here to bid.

240. Leaving Yellowstone

'Leaving Yellowstone'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

From one of our very favorite days of Summer 2015...

We deviated from our normal Oregon - Minnesota road trip route to spend an afternoon driving through Yellowstone Nat'l Park. (Not the recommended way, of course. You could spend a whole summer there and still have more to see.) 

The afternoon started spectacularly when, five minutes after passing through the west entrance, my husband spotted a bull elk running along a river. We pulled over in a parking area and watched as it grazed along the water's edge. Then, as we were about to move on, the elk meandered away from the water, munching his way directly to the passenger side of our car! 

It was easily the highlight of our day. (Sorry, Old Faithful!) 

This scene is from the east side of the park, at the close of our day. So many beautiful memories. ;)

Click here to bid.

Here's a little video from my instagram (norabergman): 

From last Sunday - five minutes into Yellowstone my husband spotted this bull elk running along the water. We stopped and watched him for a while, and then he just grazed his way right up to my window. So cool! #yellowstone #yellowstonenationalpark #elk #bullelk #elkantlers #wildlife #antlers

A video posted by Nora Bergman (@norabergman) on Aug 27, 2015 at 10:49am PDT

239. Déjà vu

'Déjà vu'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

In the late afternoon of New Year's Eve, I herded my three boys into the pickup for a quick trip to the store for junk food and root beer float supplies. As soon as we were all buckled and I had a chance to look at my surroundings, I quickly decided to take a little detour to the Columbia River dikelands just outside of town. 

The sun was setting and the sky was just gorgeous.

The boys started questioning, of course, and then the middle one yelled, "We did this last year!"

I had forgotten, but he was right. Exactly one year ago, we had left the house to go to the store and I drove out to the dikelands to take pictures instead. :)

I had tried making a painting from those images a year ago, but eventually set it aside in frustration. Yesterday, it caught my eye from the top of my 'no hope whatsoever' pile, and I decided to give it another shot. This time around, I referenced my photos from '15, instead of '14. Both days were very cold and clear, and the sky absolutely glowed as each year came to a close.

The only noticeable difference in the photos is the result of our very different winters; '14 was super dry, and '15 was super wet, resulting in snow at the very top of the distant hills. 

Snow in the hills for the win!

Click here to bid.

238. Frosted Rolls

'Frosted Rolls'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hi, guys!

It's been too long!

I don't think I mentioned it here on the blog, but I was injured in a car accident right before Thanksgiving, so I haven't felt up to painting for many weeks. Thankfully, I'm doing much better, and finally cleared out my painting corner last week, -- ahhh, it felt so good. :)

I mean, until I started painting and felt like I was learning how to do it all over again. ;)

Anyway, here's my first painting of 2016! When we were in Minnesota a couple of winters ago, I took lots of photos of these round bales on my family's farm. Just so lovely in the late afternoon sun. 

I've struggled with this scene for several days, -- make the shadows darker, make the shadows lighter, repeat, repeat. Haha. (I ended on 'make the shadows darker', btw.) 

Click here to bid.

Oh, also, just wanted to remind you that I do have a handful of 2016 calendars left, purchase information is here. (Or click on the calendar tab in the menu above.)

Thanks for being patient with me and happy New Year!