I often walk to downtown Seattle after work just to clear my head and to get some fresh air. People of all walks of life are on the street and this musician was playing his horn one day. It was fall, the leaves had blown off the trees, and people were thinking about the coming holidays. His music was full of spice and melody and he clearly was in love with his craft. Oil on linen 12x16.

Here it is, the middle of winter and I am stuck in my studio dreaming of summer. What could I do but paint a summer scene! If you ever visit Canon Beach in Oregon, this beach is packed with people trying to cool off in the heat. The air is hot, the water is COLD! Haystack is the rock projecting out of the water and dominates the scene. I loved painting the reflections in the wet sand. 

Edison is a little town about 10 miles from home. The view of the slough from this angle is always interesting to me and so one day this fall, I stood out in the cloudy cold weather and painted a little 9x12 study of this scene. I liked it so much that I decided to create a studio work from the plein air scene. Thanks to my wonderful mentor Michelle Rushworth for her thoughtful suggestions and encouragement. 

The time has come when the weather is unpredictable and the temperatures are dropping. I am forced into my studio to draw from the scenes of the summer for paintings. I knew when I saw these little Tree Frogs that I would have to paint them so I took several photos in anticipation of the studio days. The lovely thing about painting these little creatures is that it takes me back to the location where I took the photos, where I also painted. I can relive that time before the weather turned cold and wet. If you get a chance to visit the "Talking Fields" in Mt. Vernon, WA, go and see the Wash. State University gardens that are established there. It is an amazing place. 

November is just days away and the idea of having to retreat inside makes me anxious and just twitchy! But, in between raindrops I have managed to paint 3 days in a row! Donning coat and gloves, hat to stay warm, I would not give up this weekend. The rewards were very satisfying if not a little chilly! After about 2 hours working on this scene today I looked up and saw the clouds heavy with the promise of rain. Well, 2 hours was plenty to get this finished, so folding up my gear I dashed for the car. The rain held off for about an hour then let loose! My studio is warm and cozy.... 

The summer is drawing to a close and I always find it so difficult to give up painting outside. I generally succumb because the rain and cold are impossible to deal with but I get in as much painting as I can while the getting is good. This may be my last work for the season, it was a beautiful foggy morning with the sun shining across the valley, orange in the western sky, but this small rural bridge just seemed to call my name. It is done on masonite panel and is only 8x8. I love the reflection of the pillars and the sky in the water. 

Well I continue to find lovely trees to paint, and so this week instead of focusing on the Skagit River I decided this tree was much more interesting. The pinkish distant sky and the high clouds add to the drama of the morning light. Oil on canvas panel- 9x12

Latitude Marine Services is a boat repair business at the south end of La Conner where one can find boats of all variety. Challenging lines and colors are ever present and it is fun to work out the details of both.