316. Let it Snow

'Let it Snow'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Apologies to those of you already over it. :)

We haven't had snow here yet, so instead, I made a few paper snowflakes. 

It's one of those mindless creative activities that I find soothing and nostalgic this time of the year. 

I painted a couple paper snowflakes several years ago and thought it'd be fun to try again.

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

315. Chillin'

'Chillin''

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

A little scene from last winter in Minnesota.

I love that round bale just perfectly frosted with snow.

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314. Fangirl

'Fangirl'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

It's been a few years since I've attempted one of my vintage fans.

I'm really happy with how it came out!

Enjoy!

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313. Let's Skip!

'Let's Skip!'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey friends!

This is a re-try, - my first attempt was a disaster!

This tree-lined street is in Longview, Washington. It is beautiful year-round, but especially in the fall.

I'm much happier with this go 'round, although I'm not sure why I always choose such difficult scenes after an extended painting break. (In my defense, difficulty is not necessarily predictable. :) )

Thanks for watching my work, - hopefully they'll be more of it to see soon!

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312. Morning Glory

'Morning Glory'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

From last summer in Minnesota, - my sister's yard in the morning.

Sun and fog and puddles and those trees! Glorious!

That sister and I were up early to bring another sister to the Minneapolis airport.

We mourned her leaving with a little retail therapy, - Ikea, Target and Chick-Fil-A. :)

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311. Don't Blink!

'Don't Blink!'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Another barn face staring me down. :)

This guy is very intent. Or just bored?

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310. Snappy

'Snappy'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

These mini-snapdragons have been begging to be painted all summer.

Enjoy!

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309. Hang Time

'Hang Time'

5" x 7"

oil on gessoboard

Yellow lawn chairs, just chillin'. :)

Spotted at the lovely Suttle Lodge on beautiful Suttle Lake in central Oregon.

This state is jammed-packed with gorgeous places, but for this Minnesota girl, nothing is so wonderful as a lake. Suttle Lake feels like home.

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308. Cherry on Top

'Cherry on Top'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

This is the Umpqua River Light, standing proud near the mouth of the Umpqua River on the southern Oregon coast. She's a beaut. I painted this one several years ago, and it's fun to see how my methods have changed.

Here's my 2013 version: 

Maybe I'll paint it again in six years. :)

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Crimson and Clover

'Crimson and Clover'

8" x 12"

oil on gessoboard

Hi!

It's summer, and I finally found some time to paint!

I live in a lovely, very hilly part of our state. It is stunning. 

But, the Minnesota farm girl in me sometimes has cravings for wide open spaces. 

(I just want to see the sun actually set, is that asking too much? ;) )

On Mother's Day, my sweet husband took us on a jaunt to the beautiful farmland about an hour to our south. The crimson clover was blooming and it was so cool. We spent the whole day wandering back roads and taking photos. I loved it! (Even the bored back-seaters didn't complain. Too much. :) )

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Peter Iredale's Sunset

'Peter Iredale's Sunset'

18" x 10"

oil on gessoboard

The sailing vessel 'Peter Iredale' ran aground on the northern coast of Oregon in 1906. The crew of 27 were all rescued, and the ship sustained minimal damage. Before it could be towed safely back to sea, the ship became embedded in the sand, and the Peter Iredale was there to stay.

My family and I love to visit what remains of old Peter; this is a sunset scene from a few winters ago.

(This painting is my donation to the annual fundraising auction at my boys' grade school.)

Enjoy!

307. Meet Me in Montana

'Meet Me in Montana'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Much of my painting inspiration comes from photos taken on our road trips to Minnesota.

My husband does most of the driving, and I chill in shotgun position watching the scenery. I always pack some sort of reading material or activity for myself, but inevitably spend most of my time taking and editing pics on my phone. (And handing out snacks to all four of my guys. So many snacks! :) ) 

I just love these family road trips and the memories we make along the way.

This is one of those road trip scenes, captured last summer as we cruised back home through a sunny and very hot Montana. (I love hot Montana.) I google-mapped it when I finished the painting and found this little gem is Snook's Diner in White Sulphur Springs. Enjoy!

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306. A New Dawn

'A New Dawn'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hi, friends!

A little early morning scene from the stunning Columbia River Gorge.

This area of the Gorge was on the edge of the massive Eagle Creek wildfire in 2017. 

Scarred yet beautiful.

View auction here.