355. O Christmas Tree

 

'O Christmas Tree'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

I love this sweet scene from a winter trip to Minnesota several years ago.

This little fellow lives in a ditch near my sister's house, and an anonymous neighborhood elf had spruced it up for Christmas. It was so charming!

I'm happy with how that tree turned out, but one of my favorite parts of this painting is the bunch of birch trees in the background to the left. Stealing the show, they are. (At least I think they're birch, - sometimes it's hard to tell. I'm sure my family will correct me, lol.)

I have many reference photos of this scene, but until recently I haven't been able to paint it. I have studied it and tried to visualize my way through, but was always stumped. Too many branches, too many trees in the background; too hard to recreate. Anyway, a few weeks ago, I came across the photos again, and I just saw it, - I knew how to paint it! Such a cool feeling. Sporadic though it may be, my time spent making art has not been in vain. And that's the gift that this painting gave to me.

View auction and bid here.

354. I Love a Rainy Day

 

'I Love a Rainy Day'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Mid-November rain is the prettiest.

It was a fun challenge to make that pavement look wet.

View auction or bid here. 

Also, my 2024 Wall Calendars are now available! 

Order here.

353. Pink Ribbons

 

'Pink Ribbons'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

When the sunset consumes the sky and everything underneath it. 

The bridge in the distance spans the Columbia River, connecting Oregon and Washington.

View auction and bid here.

Also, my 2024 Wall Calendars are available for pre-order here.

($25 + s&h. Shipping after 12/8.)

352. Spring in Your Step

 

'Spring in Your Step'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Oregon 'green'. 

It feels so extra in the early Spring when the grass starts growing again.

I love that it stays green all winter long, even when it's 'hibernating'.

We had several dry days this November, so I noticed more mowing in the neighborhood than I can remember from previous years. My boys did our lawn just the other day, - November 28th! Crazy. 

I think we'll give it a rest now until next Spring. :)

View auction and bid here.

351. Red, White and Ice Blue

 

'Red, White and Ice Blue'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Winter is not my jam, but snow can be soo beautiful!

This lovely house is right next to the school in my hometown in Minnesota.

I don't really get attached to my paintings, but this one has captured me.

I'm so happy with how it turned out!

My reference pic was taken last second through the dirty back window of our pick-up as we drove by, so it wasn't great. I gave it a shot anyway, and this time, all the winging-it worked out.

I really love how the light and shadows bounce around and play together.

View auction and bid here.

350. Mornin', Deer

 

'Mornin', Deer'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Eleven and a half years ago, I started painting with oils. 

I've kept count of these little six-inchers, and this is number 350! Whohoo!

Love a milestone. :)

This scene is an early summer morning in Minnesota.

My family might recognize the road heading east toward 'town'. 

View auction and bid here. 

349. My New Soap Dispenser

 

'My New Soap Dispenser'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

I got a new soap dispenser. Two, actually. I like them.

 Painting a still life was a delightful change-up from my recent landscape paintings.

I like to keep you guessing. ;)

More honestly, some days, I'm the 'worst landscape painter ever!'

So I try a glass jar. Until I'm the 'worst glass painter ever!' 

Lol. And the circle keeps going around and around. 

I think a lot of people can relate to those thoughts mid-project.

Thankfully, they usually pass, and it's on to the next. 

It's super helpful to look back over my years of painting and appreciate all the growth I can see. 

Try it the next time you're 'the worst!' :)

View auction and bid here.

348. Half Dozen and a Haystack

 

'Half Dozen and a Haystack'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Sunrise over one of my (everyone's) favorite Oregon beaches.

Haystack Rock was regal in the fog, and I loved that all the seabirds were lined up in salute to the sun.

It was a beautiful morning.

(I can also confirm that aging leads one to notice birds. Lol.

But there were so many! And so many different kinds! :) )

View auction and bid here.

347. Poolside Bungalow

 

'Poolside Bungalow'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

It's Fall for sure, but when I was scrolling through my pics looking for inspiration, this summer scene caught my eye. That tree! I enjoyed the challenge of all that green; and that charming blow-up pool is calling my name. We had one like it when my oldest was two and I was pregnant with my second. 

My toddler and I enjoyed many days of leisure in our own 'bungalow pool', lol. 

Miss you, Summer!

View auction and bid here.

Walton Lake

 

'Walton Lake'

12' x 24"

oil on gessoboard

The best campsite ever!

I've been working on this one randomly over the last year or so, and I now declare it complete.

The last rays of sun hitting that little peninsula; it was so incredibly stunning. The gently swirling dark clouds, the glowing tops of the towering Ponderosa Pines...amazing. (Ponderosas are one of my favorite trees, btw, - they're often over a hundred feet tall, with rough reddish bark and those crazy curly branches. Love!)

This moment was difficult to recreate, but I'm happy with the essence.

(Not for sale)

)

346. Straw Pile

 

'Straw Pile'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

A county fair will always bring me right back to my childhood.

I brought a couple of my boys to our county fair last week, and we had a great time hanging with our friends and doing the fair things.

This sweet pile of straw was hanging out behind the pretty 4-H barns.

Just a pile of straw in the sun. Love it.

View auction and bid here.

Bethesda Terrace

 

'Bethesda Terrace'

6" x 8"

oil on gessoboard

A few months ago, my family and I celebrated my birthday by visiting New York City.

We had an incredible trip and I can't wait to return.

This scene is from our time in Central Park.

We were walking slowly; resting our feet after hours of speed-walking those mean Manhattan streets.

Late March was mild and sunny; the little hills of the sparsely populated park unfurled quietly on our way.

As we approached Bethesda Terrace, lilting music bloomed through her arches and drew us in.

I'm sure I've never heard one before, but the sound of the Erhu is now etched permanently into my memory. My ears were captured; my eyes were agog. I stopped to listen and take some photos of this beautifully set scene. I grinned. My family walked on and I paid no attention. 

And, true to form, I had a few errant cynical thoughts...maybe he isn't even playing...maybe there's a hidden speaker on the other side, lol.

I smiled even more and laughed at myself.

Cheesy tourist set up or not, who cares. It was a delight.

Well done, NYC.

View auction and bid here.

Thanksgiving

 

'Thanksgiving'

12" x 12"

oil on gessobord

My grandparents peeling potatoes together before Thanksgiving dinner.

I painted a quick version of this several years ago and always wanted to give it another go.

It was very difficult, but I am so happy with how it turned out.

This painting was one of my contributions to the auction at our recent family reunion.

(not for sale)

Auringonlasku (Sunset)

'Auringonlasku' (Sunset)

12" x 12"

oil on gessobaord

The sun sets beyond my grandparents' farmhouse in rural Minnesota.

This painting was one of my contributions to the auction at a recent family reunion.

(not for sale)