169. Red Doors

'Red Doors'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey! It's Friday, it's my birthday, it's the start of a three-day weekend...everything is awesome. :)

I painted the front half of this mid-40's Ford back in 2012, and it's fun to see how my painting style has changed since then - here they are together:

     

Thanks for viewing, and have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

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Wide Open Air

'Wide Open Air'

24" x 12"

oil on gessoboard

A change of pace this week -- working much larger and trying to 'think big' again! It was a fun challenge, and I think I shall finally declare this complete. The scene is the sun setting just outside our little town, where the flat, marshy dikelands sprawl between the hills and ridges that contain the mighty Columbia River, just an hour upstream from where she joins the Pacific. When I see hints of skies like this through the trees, I zip out there to soak it all in. :) 

This painting will be part of the Spring Auction at my boys' elementary school, and I've chosen the image and title as my interpretation of the auction's theme, Dr. Suess', "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"

"It's opener there

in the wide, open, air."

This auction is organized by the teaching staff, and we're so grateful to be part of a school where the teachers and parents go the extra mile. Last year was the first of these auctions and I was blown away by all the work put into it -- really, really great. I love our school!

I've been posting some progress shots on Facebook and Instagram (user name norabergman), and I've shared them below. 

I'd love to have you follow me either place, -- every so often I'll post paintings in-progress, or you can see what boring things my boys and I are up to. ;)

tuesday

wednesday

thursday

friday

Thanks for viewing my work!

168. Never Mind the Rain

'Never Mind the Rain'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

The rain has been relentless the last couple of days, but I don't mind.

I find the fog and clouds to be a blanket of balm; the pounding of drops a soothing lullaby.

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167. Cream of the Crop

'Cream of the Crop'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

A little scene from last month's Tulip Festival in Woodland, WA.

My fellas indulged me (briefly) and endured the flower fields on a warm Sunday afternoon. :)

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(Reminder; Blogger oversaturates the photos here, - to see a more accurate representation, visit my Daily Paintworks gallery.)

166. Work in Progress

'Work in Progress'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Alternate title: 'It looks like something you'd like', which is what my husband said when I showed him the phone pic and asked if I should paint it. :)

He is oh-so-right. 

Some of the shops in our town are getting new paint jobs, and when my littlest guy and I walked down the main street yesterday, I literally stopped in my tracks. I mean, come on. All those ladders, their shadows, all the lines -- it's as if someone set out four ladders just for me. :)

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Framing

I was recently asked about framing small panel paintings, specifically about 'floating frames' and how they work. A floating frame is designed to have the artwork installed from the front/finished side of the frame, therefore leaving the entire image exposed. 

I think they're kind of ideal for small paintings made on panels.

(Disclaimer: None of this information is original to me, I've merely learned from others, especially Carol Marine, and adapted to my liking.)

Similar to regular install-from-the-back frames, floating frames come in a variety of finishes and profiles. I'm a simple girl, and I really like these straight, black floating frames from Franken Frame. 

(This particular frame is item no. 2026 on their website. My panels are 6" x 6" so I order the frames at 6.25" x 6.25" to allow for the little space.)

(front)

(back) 

(These frames come without any hardware, I added the wire and bumpers myself. Little known fact: one of my part-time jobs in college was a framing assistant at The Great Frame Up. :) )

Securing the painting to the frame couldn't be easier!

I use industrial strength self-adhesive black Velcro. It comes in rolls or sheets, and I've bought it at craft stores and hardware stores and, of course, it's available on Amazon. 

I cut the appropriate length strips (1/4" to 3/8" wide), and attach the hook (rough) piece to the frame;

and the corresponding loop (soft) piece to the back of the panel.

To install, just put the two together! Easy as pie! 

I usually put one hand up through the back side and lower the artwork with that hand so I can clearly see all the edges while lowering slowly onto the frame. A couple of firm pushes on the corners to make sure it's attached, and that's it!

Here's my little rotating display in our living room:

I love using the Velcro for a couple of reasons; one, it has some thickness so it lifts the panel away from the back of the frame a bit, and two, even though it's incredibly secure, it's not permanent! I can change out the art in my frames as often as I like, and have my 'For Sale' pieces displayed nicely. 

How do you frame your small panel paintings? Share your tips!

April in Review...

Ok, this feels a little pathetic - only four paintings in April. :/

It's hard for me to be too bummed about that, though, because... I sold over twenty paintings last month!! 

That, my friends, is blowing my mind. 

Thanks, all!

165. Friday Night at the Fair

'Friday Night at the Fair'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

The final rays of the day spread across tent-tops at the county fair.

This scene is from our fair trip last August; - taking just one more look at the midway before we head home for the evening.

I really liked seeing the gaggles of girls and guys milling about - it totally brought me back. Summer is just the best, especially when you're young.

This scene is fitting for today, as we are experiencing late summer temperatures. What a great way to bring in May!

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(btw, Blogger does something funky and over-saturates these images. To see a more accurate representation of the painting, just click on through to my  Daily Paintworks gallery. ) 

164. Head for the Hills

'Head for the Hills'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Hey gang, I missed ya!

After a very fun and busy Easter week, my family spent this week taking turns being yucky sick. Thankfully, I have (so far) avoided the nasties, but I didn't have a chance to paint until today. Too long! :)

I think all the yet-to-be-caught-up laundry and dishes, not to mention the three-year-old spewing on me right after crawling into my bed (twice!) may be the inspiration for this painting. Whew! I wanna get away! ;)

This stretch of very rolling highway is in eastern Montana, a place that I find fascinating and starkly beautiful.

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163. Oregon Morning

'Oregon Morning'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Yesterday morning; - it was sunny, it was foggy, it was fantastic.

I love this painting.

This is daily painting no. 163, and today marks my two-year anniversary of oil painting and daily painting! Whoohoo! 

 (I painted off and on with acrylics for several years prior.)

Thanks, all, for hanging out with me as I learn and grow.

 I am really so thrilled to have this avenue to express my creative self, and the overwhelming support from family, friends and fellow artists has just meant the world. Love you guys. :)

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March in review...

To see the availability of these and all my paintings, visit my Daily Paintworks gallery.

Thanks for viewing my work!

162. Second Street

'Second Street'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

This very steep street is close to our home, and we drive up and down it several times a week.  

I snapped this picture one day when the clouds were perfectly puffy and white, and the sky a brilliant, deep blue. I laughed while taking it, and more so when looking at my photos, because it is FILLED with wires! 

(Is this a normal amount of utility lines? 

I don't recall seeing them like this in other places. 

I'm gonna have to start paying attention.)

Of course, I could have just eliminated them all and focused on the sky, but...they kind of grew on me. I'm into power lines right now. :)

(In the end, I did leave a few out -- so many wires!)

As we drove home from the post office this afternoon, my three-year-old asked, "Mom, is this the painting you were painting?" 

:)

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161. April Flower

'April Flower'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

The camellias are blooming. :)

Happy April!

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160. Don't Miss the Bus

'Don't Miss the Bus'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Yup, I'd give a lot to be on this bus right now.

This sweet ride was perched on the sunny beach in Seaview, WA, last August. I miss you, August.

There's a suggestion of a seagull in the forefront that really made me want to title this: "Put a bird on it."

I chickened out.

Lol. :)

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159. Kitchen Sink

'Kitchen Sink'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

The story of my life. :)

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158. Oranges 'R' Amazing

'Oranges 'R' Amazing'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

When I was a teen, I was once struck by the incredible fruit that is the orange. I had my family shaking their heads and rolling their eyes as I waxed on about how they are SO AMAZING. I can't for the life of me remember what my big 'oranges are amazing' speech included, and have often stared at one since, wondering what I was so crazy about.

I still like oranges, especially their juice, - but, really? 

As if the orange is somehow more special than any of God's other fruit and vegetable creations. 

I mean, come on, asparagus is clearly the leader of that race.

By the way, this particular variety is the Cara Cara, a red-fleshed orange. 

Pretty. And very tasty, according to my husband. 

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157. St. Patrick

'St. Patrick'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Most days, choosing what to paint can be the most agonizing part of my process. I had in mind to paint something sunny, and after indecisively perusing a bunch of late summer farm/landscape type pics, I moved further back to the unofficial first day of summer in my photo library, the 4th of July. I've passed by this photo dozens of times, but today, it reached out and grabbed me, and my mind was (finally) made up.

On last 4th of July, we watched the parade in our small town and then loaded up the car for a fabulous camping trip to southern Oregon.  

We're not far from the lovely city of Portland, and I snapped this picture as we cruised through, admiring buildings and bridges and the beautiful blue sky.

I didn't know it when I started painting this morning, but a little internet search tells me this gorgeous steeple belongs to St. Patrick Catholic Church in Portland.

I know, right? :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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156. Corrugated

'Corrugated'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Here in the pnw/upperleftusa, we do not take our shadows for granted. 

We also brake for rusty barn lights mounted on overlapping corrugated tin.

By 'we' of course I mean 'I', and I am so glad we're moving into full-time shadow season. Ok, so that's a few months away. But, we have seen a little more sunshine lately, so I was able to take my young'uns on one of my rambling inspiration-seeking drives around the neighborhood. 

The sun was shining, the windows were rolled down, and all three of my boys took a little springing-forward induced nap.

It was lovely indeed.

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155. Winnett Elevator

'Winnett Elevator'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

I snapped several photos of this elevator a couple of summers ago when we were driving through eastern Montana. I wasn't sure exactly what small town we were passing through, but in one of my pics there's a giant 'W' made of white rocks up on that hillside. (I love those homemade smalltown monograms, by the way.) After a little map sleuthing along our route (thank you Google Maps), I found the tiny town of Winnett, and, to its south, the satellite photos reveal a giant 'W'. :) 

The cartophile in me is geeking out right now. 

(Don't even get me started about Google Earth - I can wile away hour upon hour exploring the world via satellite images. It's just incredible!)  

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154. Scissors

'Scissors'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

My fabric scissors.

They're kinda lonely.

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153. I'm a Fan

'I'm a Fan'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

I'm a fan of a vintage fan. ;)

This is one of my 'Zero' fans - I've painted them before and they're always fun. Well, except for when they're not. 

My first attempt today was a big mess of no fun. Thankfully, I'm getting wiser and instead of trying twenty-seven times to fix it, I just wiped it all away and started over. 

Clean slate. Literally.

Ah, there we go. Fun again. :)

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February in review...

As always, you can check the availability of these or any of my paintings in my Daily Paintworks Gallery.

Thanks for viewing my work!

152. Jar on Sill

'Jar on Sill'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Ah, old Ball jar, you're just so lovely.

It's always a fun challenge to find new ways to capture these vintage jars. 

I'm kinda likin' this rendition - it feels so unperturbed.

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151. Waiting Room

'Waiting Room'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Okay, I am so happy with this. 

I rarely paint people - what I mean is, I sometimes attempt to paint people, but I rarely complete those paintings 'cause  -- well, people are hard! 

(For me.)

This little guy is my middle son, and although I wasn't too concerned about making it look like him, I think it does! 

Even though it's just from the back. :) 

Ugh, faces. SO hard. Someday, someday.

not for sale

150. Road Trippers

'Road Trippers'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Summer, I still miss you. 

This particular summer scene was captured a couple of Augusts ago in western Montana. On our way home from Minnesota, we took a little detour to drive through Glacier Nat'l Park, and this is on the lovely drive up from Great Falls to Glacier. Stunning, of course.

So, I took this shot from one of my absolute favorite spots in the world, - seriously, if I could see the whole world from the shotgun position of our Impala, I would. lol. ;)

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149. Going Ninja

'Going Ninja'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

I happen to be a proud parent of the world's three loudest ninjas. 

A proper demonstration of their technique is best seen in our local grocery store. They leap out from behind produce stands, they karate chop the produce scales, they disappear down unknown aisles in a flash, - I mean, serious ninja stuff. And, all the while, providing abundant sound effects for each ninja move. Oh, the sounds effects. At least I can always hear them, even if I can't see them. :)

The two ninjas seen here are the strong, silent type, - although, the one on the left seems to be having a bit of an identity crisis. His hands don't match, and, my eight-year-old informed me that the body actually belongs to 'the emperor's soldier that fights pirates'. He really should just be thankful he has all his parts - most of the Lego dudes around here are just not that lucky. 

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148. Ina's High Scores

'Ina's High Scores'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

I bought these little treasures at a yard sale up my street and I think they're so cool. I mean, miniature anything is cool, right? The box had about twenty-five of these four-inch pins, and all but one used to belong to a woman named Ina.

I have no idea who 'Ina' is, but these little pins commemorate her annual high scores for more than two decades. She bowled with the 'Classy Lassies' and 'Hits & Misses' in the late sixties, and from the seventies until the early nineties, she bowled in the 'Wednesday Mourners Bowling League'. (I know, sad, right?) 

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147. Ferris Wheel

'Ferris Wheel'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Dusk settles in over the ferris wheel at our local county fair.

I miss summer. :)

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146. Sunday Best

'Sunday Best'

 6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

We are snowed in and lovin' it. 

Well, ok, when you live in the middle of a town, that's sort of impossible, but, my little family has been all together for three days now, and it's been really, really sweet. Mostly. ;) We walked to the store yesterday, mainly because I had a cabin-fever urge to do a puzzle and we don't own one with more than twenty-five pieces. It's been years, - decades, I'm sure, since I've wanted to do such a thing. It was just as satisfying as I'd hoped. :)

In between all the family bonding, I got to sneak in a little painting. 

I attempted this scene several times last fall and just couldn't let it beat me.  This time, - much better. :) 

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Oh, also, - great news - my painting, 'Retired' , was a judges pick in the Daily Paintworks monthly contest for January!

You can see all the January winners and entries here.

As a judges pick, I have free membership for the month of February, and all the paintings I post will be showed near the top of the page with the other featured artists. If you haven't entered their monthly contests yet, go for it! There are cash prizes for the top three, and, you don't have to be a Daily Paintworks member to enter.

145. 10th St. Garage

'10th St. Garage'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

Hey!

I'm really satisfied.

This isn't perfect or anything, but it was just fun, from start to finish.

So many of my recent attempts have turned into overworked failures, and while I think it's probably necessary (and ultimately helpful? maybe?) to go through seasons like that, it is so not a good time! 

Makes a girl think about throwing in the towel. A lot! :)

Anyway, a day like today was much needed and much appreciated. :)

I really love this sunny little scene from Long Beach, Washington. I'm not feeling particularly nostalgic or anything, it's just the architecture and the lines of these things - an old gas station just makes me swoon. Lol!

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Dec-Jan in review...

See what I did there? 

Yup, put two sad little months together - they're happier that way. ;) 

Yeah, not a lot going on in my painting corner recently, but I'm SO ready for that to change. I've got a bad case of the winter blahs and it's time to snap out of it. Let's do this, February! :)

Oh, and go 'Hawks! My eight-year-old super-fan broke his arm the night before the super bowl so we were extra happy when the Seahawks won - there's no questioning the colors he'll choose when he gets his cast later this week. :) 

See availability here.

144. Mellow Yellow

'Mellow Yellow'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I must have missed it hundreds of times before, but this time, that lovely yellow barn got my attention. Central Minnesota, moody sky, dead quiet of winter; -- still so much pretty to be found.  

sold

143. Trolley Crossing at Pier Eleven

'Trolley Crossing at Pier Eleven'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

A sunny day by Pier Eleven in Astoria, Oregon. 

Some days a girl just wants to paint some big blocks of saturated color. :)

P.S. It's sunny here, --- right now! Yay.

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142. Anticipation

'Anticipation'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

These pretty measuring cups are a Christmas gift from one of my sisters. I think she knows as well as I do that they will most likely never hold a food product. Ha! 

Yes, I had to prop them up into this precarious position, but rather than focusing on the likely fall, I see them as ready to charge ahead,..or...rearing back for a great big...sneeze? 

In other news, I am feeling much better, thank you. :)

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141. Stacked

'Stacked'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Gleaning inspiration from the things around me, I stacked a few books the other day. 'Goodnight Moon', 'The Tower Treasure' (Hardy Boys), 'The Complete Adventures of Curious George', and Richard Scarry's 'Best Picture Dictionary Ever'. 

I love how certain images from books trigger memories from childhood - much like how smells bring one back. Curious George flooding the house while trying to clean up his ink mess always reminds me of my grandparents' house, and the watermelon-filled trucks and pickle-shaped cars of Richard Scarry bring me right back to the library from my elementary school. 

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140. Retired

'Retired'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey all! It's a New Year, and I'm finally ready for it!

Our 2013 ended in such a sweet, quiet, way and it was just what I needed after a year with some major stresses. Thank you, Lord. :)

Even though I have sworn off winter road trips in the past (more than once!) - we packed up the car and headed across country to see my parents and other family and friends in Minnesota. The drive went very smoothly both ways, and catching up with family and friends was really, really great. It was just so cozy and mellow inside, and frigid and beautiful outside. :)

Of course, while we were there, I took the opportunity to capture as many reference photos as possible. Here's one of my favorites; the Farmall H, a lovely old tractor which put in many years on the family farm. I can't get enough of those lines - the seat-spring, the steering wheel, that light; - love it. You may see this one again. :)

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