380. Cathlamet Market

 

'Cathlamet Market'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey! Happy Summer!

My family and I have been very busy painting our house, but I finally found some time to spend in my painting corner. 

This sweet little market scene is from Cathlamet, Washington, and I snapped this pic before a baseball game a couple of years ago. I love going to Cathlamet because our most direct route is via ferry over the Columbia River, and driving a car onto a ferry is still one of those unique experiences that my younger self could never have imagined doing so nonchalantly. Like, we're just driving onto a boat and crossing a river to go watch kids play baseball! It makes me grin every time, lol.

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

Mini 17. Utah Sunset

'Utah Sunset'

4" x 4"

oil on gessoboard

A couple of summers ago, we spent a little time in Utah.

Here's a mini road trip sunset.

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

 

375. Main Attraction

 

'Main Attraction'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

It was the fall of 2019, and my youngest was in third grade. 

I was a chaperone on his class trip to watch a performance by the Oregon Children's Theater in downtown Portland. 

I don't recall the play, but I do remember this tree, lol.

Stunning color on a gray November day.

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

374. Wink Wink

 

'Wink Wink'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I love to find a face on the side of a barn, and this one jumped out at me when I was going through my photos. It's winking at me! This stunning farm is the setting for Barefoot Frida, one of Thomas Dambo's trolls near Detroit Lakes, MN. Like the barn, Frida is also winking! ;)

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

Mini 8. Feels November-y

 

'Feels November-y'

4" x 4"

oil on gessoboard

The rain has returned here in Oregon, and it feels fitting to share this puddly fall scene from our little town. Enjoy this mini!

Purchase here.

Mini 7. Yaquina Head Lighthouse

'Yaquina Head Lighthouse'

4" x 4"

oil on gessoboard

A couple of winters ago, we traveled to the Oregon Coast for high school basketball.

It was a gorgeous sunny day, and we enjoyed a little sightseeing on our way home. 

Enjoy this mini!

Purchase here.

371. Night Light

 

'Night Light'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Every so often, baseball or basketball brings us through the farming community of Tillamook on the Oregon coast. I love seeing the pastures, fields, and barns; it reminds me of Minnesota. The cheese curds at the Tillamook Creamery are pretty great, too.

This Tillamook barn was all tucked in when I drove by after a baseball game last spring.

Those lights just pulled me in, and I really enjoyed painting this sleepy little scene. 

Enjoy!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

 

340. Street Racer

 

"Street Racer"

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Last winter we had a generous dumping of snow in our corner of Oregon.

This a scene from that week; - one of the neighbor kids taking a run down our 'main street'. 

That snow stuck around for a few days and we thoroughly enjoyed it while it lasted. I especially love how it changes the sound; it's so quiet! And the light; - so much more light bouncing around! It's a remarkable interruption of our typical dark green/gray winters. I will never miss the extreme cold of the Minnesota winters of my youth, but there is so much beauty in the snow and I appreciate getting a taste of it here. Just a taste. ;)

View auction and bid here.

This painting will be one of twelve featured in my 2023 painting calendar.

The calendars are on their way to me, and I plan to start shipping them out early next week!

    Click here to pre-order.

($25 + $5 ship.)

335. Praise For the Morning

'Praise For the Morning'

6" x 6"

Oil on gessobord

I'm not actually a morning person, but when one must be up with the sun, there is much to be appreciated. 

This eastern view is just around the corner from us, and I've painted a few versions of it before. 

For now, this is my new favorite. 

View auction and bid here. 

334. I See Right Through You

'I See Right Through You'

6" x 6"

oil on Ampersand Gessobord

Hi, friends!

We're in the heart of baseball season and I somehow managed to finish a painting!

Feels good. :)

This lovely lady is aging gracefully in the farm country just south of us. 

I couldn't resist her transparency. ;)

View auction and bid here.

 

331. Broad-side Blush

'Broadside Blush'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Honestly, I was driving by and held my phone up towards the passenger side window and just hit the button a bunch of times without even looking. Flipping through my photos later, this one jumped out at me. It was a beautiful warm day; - very sunny, very shady. But, the shadowy side of this tall lady was totally blushing with reflected light. I had to try capture it. I just want to pull up a hammock under that tree and watch it glow. Kinda missing summer today. 

View auction and bid here.

 

327. Cock-a-doodle-doo

 

'Cock-a-doodle-doo'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

A scene from the Columbia River dikelands near our town.

The wide Columbia River is somewhere off in the distance, and on this particular early morning, a huge bank of fog and clouds lingered heavily over it. 

I love the dramatic backdrop it made for this sweet little barn; delightfully lit up by the first rays of sun.

View auction and bid here.

325. Welcome Home

 

'Welcome Home'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

We drive through the state of Montana at least twice a year on our way to and from seeing my family in Minnesota. Our drives seem to always coincide with temps below zero or above 90 degrees. I'm sure you can guess which one I prefer. :) For some reason, I just LOVE getting out of an air-conditioned vehicle into very hot, sunny air. Anyone else?

This was one of those very hot days, I think in 2019. We stopped for fuel in a tiny non-truck-stop town, and I wandered around for a bit admiring the vintage architecture. This little house with its perfect porch and glowing shadows just made me smile. 

I enjoyed re-visiting those memories, and trying to capture the warmth of that day in this scene.

View auction and bid here.

This was the last painting I completed before arranging my 2021 calendar.

Click here to view and order. :)