383. Approaching Telluride

 

'Approaching Telluride'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Every summer we road trip from Oregon to Minnesota to see my family, and we often sneak in a little sightseeing along the way. In 2024, we hit a couple of stunning National Parks in Utah, and then sauntered over into Colorado for an afternoon in Telluride. This choice led to some sketchy after-dark gravel road routes into Wyoming later that night, but eventually we found civilization again, lol.

Back to Telluride. Ah, Colorado. I live in one the most beautiful places on earth, and Colorado still takes my breath away. Unreal. And, like Oregon, not nearly enough guardrails. 

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

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.

376. Blueberry Morning

 

'Blueberry Morning'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

My little town is home to the 'dikelands'; 11,366 acres of river-bottom farmland reclaimed through an extensive network of dikes holding back the Columbia River. The flat, farmy goodness peppered with old barns and livestock reminds me of my home state of Minnesota.

  

The dikelands close to me are also home to blueberry fields, and in winter, the reddish hue of the blueberry bushes becomes prominent. When the long rays of sunlight hit just so, the rows of dormant blueberry plants are ablaze. I can't get enough! I'm sure I take photos every year, but this is only my second attempt at painting them. The first was almost thirteen years ago! 

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

Mini 18. 'Snow Day Sunset'

 

'Snow Day Sunset'

4" x 4"

oil on gessoboard

It rarely snows in our small town, but it's truly stunning when it does.

This mini is from a snowy December day a few years ago.

Appropriately, this painting will be 'December' in my 2026 painting calendar! 

I just ordered them yesterday, and I will post all the info when I'm ready to start taking orders. 

Enjoy this mini!

View auction and bid here.

Mini 11. Saturated

 

'Saturated'

4" x 4"

oil on gessoboard

This evergreen part of the country also has its share of deciduous trees that burst into color every fall.

This soggy scene is from a rainy day a couple of Novembers ago. 

I love the contrast of the fiery leaves against their moody surroundings!

Enjoy this mini!

(I'm listing this mini in a three-day auction, and I think I'll try that for all the minis for a bit. They'll start at $75. I don't like leaving you at the mercy of my random postings if you want to buy a painting. Thanks for sticking with me!)

View auction and bid here.

Mini 10. Million Dollar View

'Million Dollar View'

4" x 4"

Oil on gessoboard

The Million Dollar Highway between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado, is one of the most beautiful drives I've ever experienced. A bit harrowing at moments (where are all the guardrails, lol), but around every bend, another stunning view. I would love to go back again someday, especially in the Fall.

Enjoy this mini!

Purchase here.

 

Mini 9. Summer's Gold

'Summer's Gold'

4" x 4"

oil on gesso board

Oh, how I love summer! 

I've had this Oregon farm scene in my to-do folder for a long time, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. Enjoy this mini!

Purchase here.

 

Mini 5. Oregon Coast Highway

 

'Oregon Coast Highway'

4" x 4"

oil on gessoboard

A mini painting of dusk near Tillamook, Oregon.

These little ones are so fun to paint!

Enjoy!

Purchase here.

Mini 2. Leaving Mill A

'Leaving Mill A'

4" x 4"

oil on gessoboard

A mini painting of the view as we leave my sister's house. This road winds down the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge and offers some sweet glimpses of the river and the ridges of Oregon on the other side. I am having fun painting on a red ground and letting some of it peek through.

Enjoy!

Purchase here.

 

367. Take a Hike

 

'Take a Hike'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

It was a sunny July day, and the trail to Panther Creek Falls was aglow.

Under the canopy, bouncing sunrays land in warm pools of light.

So welcoming! I had to try capture all that forest friendliness. 

Enjoy!

View auction and bid here.

Last Light of Yellowstone 2

 

'Last Light of Yellowstone 2'

11" x 35"

oil on panel

Redo! I painted this scene from Yellowstone Natl Park about nine years ago, and I've been wanting to tweak it for about eight years, lol. When you paint from photos (as I do), it's easy to get stuck focusing only on matching the photo instead of trying to capture the reasons you took the photo in the first place... 

After a full day of seeing all the iconic sights of Yellowstone, we were driving toward the northeast entrance of the park. The early evening sun was hiding beyond the peaks to our left and just kissing the tops of the ridges to our right. Wildfire smoke in the area made it hazy and stole most of the blue from the sky, but it also settled softly into all the low places, adding drama to their darker shades of blue. And then, this valley. Not so narrow as to make us claustrophobic, not so wide as to diminish the height of the hills. Peacefully flat, with likely a river or stream hidden among the lush wild grasses. So vast! A panorama reserved for high places, but we were safely nestled in the valley, and could still see for miles. 

I hope I captured a bit of it.

Before and after:

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.

 

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.

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.)

344. On Parade

 

"On Parade"

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

I love the 4th of July parade in our little town. 

This shiny '39 Chevy was a treat for the eyes and a treat to paint. :)

View auction and bid here.

Also, my 2023 art calendars are ready to ship.

Order here.

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.)

339. Road to Monument Valley

 

'Road to Monument Valley'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Another scene from our summer road trip. 

This view will forever make me grin because we only saw it thanks to a last second turn off our intended route. We went from dozing to dazzled, and this little corner of Utah quickly became a trip highlight. (Even if the youngest son is still a little disappointed we didn't make it to Four Corners, lol.)

We came through Monument Valley from the south, so this viewpoint was in our mirrors as we headed east toward Colorado. A sign alerted us that we were approaching "Forrest Gump Hill", and we gladly joined the other tourists darting in and out of the road to capture the scene. So majestic!

PS, I'm working furiously to finish up my 2023 calendars, so watch for them coming soon!

View auction and bid here. 

337. All Aboard

 

'All Aboard'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Silverton, Colorado; another beautiful and historic stop on our road trip.

This 1880's steam-powered locomotive runs daily from Durango to Silverton in the summertime. 

A stunning ride, I'm sure. Maybe next time we'll take the train!

View auction and bid here.

330. Gorge Glow

'Gorge Glow'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I started this one in May, and then, well, three boys in multiple sports took over our lives and it was a crazy-busy-good time. They are all back in school now, so it feels like I can fit some painting back into my life! Yay for me, yay for them.

This scene is from the incredible Columbia River Gorge. The sun is getting low in the western sky, and the deep canyons of the gorge give us an ever-changing light show. I know cars and freeways aren't necessarily beautiful, but especially in a scene like this, I think they balance the 'pretty' with 'real', - just like life, right? And, they provide needed scale for those massive ridges. Stunning, always.

View auction and bid here.