367. Ball Jar No. 19

'Ball Jar no. 19'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

It's been a couple of years since I attempted a ball jar painting, and a search of my online gallery says this is my 19th try, lol. I like a lot of things about how this one turned out, especially the background. 

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

Also, my 2025 calendars are available here.

 

 

366. Purple and Gold

'Purple and Gold'

8" x 8"

oil on gessoboard

This vintage tablecloth has made it into several of my past paintings; I love it, and I love to see if I have found a new or better approach to the challenge. It's always tough, but also so very fun.  

I wanted to share the painting, but it is currently not for sale. :)

Enjoy!

Also, my 2025 painting calendars are ready to ship.

Order here ($25 plus shipping)

 

364. Trolling

'Trolling'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Danish artist Thomas Dambo creates these amazing giant trolls all over the world out of recycled materials. There are several in the northwest, but my first encounter was a recently created bunch in northern Minnesota. They are mostly hidden away and it's most fun to use the 'troll adventure' map to hunt them down. This troll friend is called 'Ronny Funny Face' and he reminds us that it's easy to spread joy. :)

We had a great day chasing trolls last August!

View auction and bid here.

Also, my 2025 calendars will be ready in just a few days!

Order here!

$25 plus shipping.

 

363. Panther Creek Falls

 

'Panther Creek Falls'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

These mossy falls are in Washington state not too far from my sister's house.

If you have the chance, they are a short hike from the road and definitely worth the stop.

So beautiful! It was fun trying to capture them in paint.

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

362. Up North

'Up North'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

'Up North', Minnesotan for a woodsy/lake-y region north of the twin cities, or, a phrase to capture that 'summer weekend at the cabin' state of mind. Growing up on a farm 'up north' was not all leisure at the lake, but we had our share of fun and memory-making. Warm evenings, bonfires, backyard volleyball, after-dark lake swims, thunderstorms, star-gazing, firefly-catching, northern-light chasing. Great times.

This Minnesota scene is from last August at my brother's house. All the cousins running around together in the yard playing the same games we played as kids, and, after dark, the Aurora Borealis gave us a show in front of the Big Dipper. So beautiful. I took a bunch of cool photos on my phone, but I tried hard to recreate a version closer to what my eyeballs actually saw.

Enjoy!

View auction or bid here.

 

361. Sea Mist on 101

'Sea Mist on 101'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Heading south on Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast. 

As the highway traverses Neahkahnie Mountain, there are two viewpoints soaring several hundred feet above the Pacific Ocean. The view of the water is incredible, but on this particular day, the sea mist floating over the highway was just as captivating. Can't resist sun plus fog!

View auction and bid here.

 

360. The Fairest of them All

 

'The Fairest of them All'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I found this poser reigning over the goat barn at the county fair.

Charmed me. ;)

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

359. Marshmallow Farm

 

"Marshmallow Farm"

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I love a round bale scene, - warm colors, warm weather, warm memories of running on top of rows of them as a child, jumping from bale to bale, hoping you didn't misjudge the gap and end up with itchy hay wedged in all your crevices. Sweet times. I love summer so much. 

Nowadays, it seems more common to see the bales wrapped, and I honestly never thought I'd make a painting of them. Not quite as warm and fuzzy, y'know?

But, on a cold and rainy day in June, the bad-rap bales got to me. 

The way they popped against the saturated greens, the fog and the blue hills; so many greens and blues!

I had to try to recreate it. 

(Credit for the title to the sweet friend that introduced it to me. ;) )

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

358. Are we there yet?

 

"Are we there yet?'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

To me, this bend in the highway is our 'we're home' signal.

Down there in the valley is our little town, and the view at the end of the day is always a treat.

Especially in the summer. 

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

357. Welcome, Spring!

'Welcome, Spring!'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

A little garden scene from last Spring.

The historic town of Astoria, Oregon is filled with beautiful old homes perched precariously on steep hillsides. This midwest girl is still awed by the topography and even more so, the utter abundance of floral delight nearly year-round in the pacific northwest. The cozy-blanket gray skies make the greens and blues (and pinks and yellows) that much more vibrant in contrast. I'll never tire of it. 

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here. 

 

356. Hood Night

 

"Hood Night"

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Hi friends!

Fall finds me back in my painting corner and it makes me so happy!

Here's a little Pacific Northwest icon for you...beautiful Mt. Hood.

Hood is in Oregon, and this view is from across the Columbia River in Washington state near my sister's house. It was a gorgeous, summer day and twilight over the mountain was stunning.

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here. 

Lady Slippers

'Lady Slippers'

16" x 16"

oil on gessobord

Hey all!

We made it through senior year events and our oldest son's high school graduation. Whew! What a ride.

After all that excitement, it was sweet to just get a little lost in my painting corner over the summer.

The Showy Pink Lady Slipper is the Minnesota state flower and I finally got around to painting a couple for my mom. It was fun to paint a little bigger than my usual work, and even better when I get to just make something for someone special. Thanks to my sisters and cousin for the photo references. :)

Also, prayers appreciated as we prepare for college drop-off later this month. 

Painting therapy to follow. ;)

Enjoy!