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. 

For those of us who live and paint in the Puget Sound, we are forever looking at green. You might say there are as many shades of green as there is light. Green fields, green deciduous trees, evergreen trees, green grass on our lawns, green grass in the fields, and etc. To have an opportunity to paint a subject that is a different color is such a relief. Near Redmond Oregon is a unique geological structure which attracts people who love to rock climb. The colors are pink, copper, blue, etc ... and the formations are spectacular. And there is the token green which runs along the river and in the trees..... 

August is a month full of sunshine, hiking, biking, and painting. These are some of the places that caught my eye on my journey of life in the Pacific Northwest. Smith Rocks is always on my destination list, the Skagit River never ceases to amaze me and our local trees which are prolific are always at my beck and call. 

Over the winter months Shaw Island gets fog and storms like the rest of the San Juan Islands. This quiet winter scene struck me as so representative of life there on the Island. A foggy morning moving toward a bright winter day revealing the life experience every day. 

On our recent road trip we stopped for a few days at Sun Lakes Dry Falls State Park in Eastern Washington. I was there last year but didn't get a chance to paint much. I knew I had to come back to this location and try an put the emotion of the morning scene on canvas. The wind was blowing, I had to strap my pack to my tripod to keep it from blowing away, and I was standing on a rocky precipice, hoping I wouldn't step back and fall into the water below. During my time there, I watched a hawk dive into the water after a fish, and enjoyed the company of several fishermen paddling around on the water. The joy of capturing the scene combined with my love of the outdoors made for a lovely morning and my memories of it shall be with me for a long time.  The scene below was done the day before we left, morning in the basin. Such a unique place this is.