Tenacity

This old Whidbey Island apple tree had been blown over, but was alive and still bearing delicious fruit this sunny summer day. This 6 x 9 inch pastel was painted en plein air in Langley in July. It is available at the Whidbey Art Gallery in Langley, Washington.

Storm's a comin'

More than any inanimate thing in nature, clouds communicate. They tell of lightness and joy, of passing time, of change, of threat, drama, power, and simply of beauty. I revel in the beauty and variety of the clouds in the Northwest, and never tire of painting them as in this scene near Coupeville on Whidbey Island. This is a pastel 16 x 12.

Being There

I wish I had been there, but a friend's photo was the inspiration; I wanted to capture the stillness of the crisp cold days of autumn in the mountains and do feel I accomplished that in this 12 x 9 pastel. Now I can go there whenever I choose...

Dreamin'

It was once a dream, had pride of ownership and was someone's home. 'Bygone Dreams'; the real Oak Harbor house on Whidbey Island has peeling paint, boards on some windows and is surrounded by modern buildings. I just had to rescue it, if only in paint. This pastel painting is 9 x 12.

The Gentlest Rain

There are light rains in the Pacific Northwest that are only a step from fog. They hug the earth and nourish the living green blanket that makes our area so lovely. The gentle winter beauty inspired this rendering of a photo I took in my own driveway. (You may recognize this pastel as similar to the miniature acrylic I posted on February 14.) It is 10 x 16", professionally matted to bring out it's softness and subtlety and framed in compatible colors to 16 x 20". It is available through the Whidbey Art Gallery, Langley, Washinton.

Yin/Yang

What a delight to know that the creation of shadow depends on light and the depth of the shadow informs the brilliance of the light. It is at once a toy and the most vital essence to a representational painter. "There falls no shadow where there shines no sun" wrote the French author Hilaire Belloc.
One cannot be expressed without the other; it is true yin/yang.
A clear bright afternoon inpired "Whidbey Shadows", done in pastel; it is 12 x 8" matted and framed in light walnut to 16 x 12". Available at the Whidbey Art Gallery in Langley, Washington.

Reflected Gold

Rich dark evergreens are the perfect foil for the glowing golds and yellows of deciduous trees. Having everything doubled in the serene mirror of the pond makes you feel the quietness and peace. This is painted from a photo taken by friend and artist Karen, but it could be in any forest opening in our beautiful northwest. "Reflections in Gold" is a 10 x 13" pastel matted and framed to 14 x 18", and it is SOLD.