Day to Day Painting

National Association of Women Artists Annual Open Small Works Exhibition

2012-01-28T22:13:00.001-08:00

What a Guy 10 x 8 oil

This painting shows a moment in a theater production. All of her expressions were wonderful and this one was such fun to paint.

What a Guy is now on its way to New York City for the National Association of Women Artists Annual Open Small Works Exhibition February 1 – 27, 2012, NAWA Gallery, 80 Fifth Avenue, NYC NY

HERstorically Speaking Exhibition

2012-01-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

Namaste

oil on canvas, 36 x 18 inches

I have just received word that Namaste has been juried into the National Association of Women Artists HERstorically Speaking exhibition to be held at the Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ, March 23 – May 23, 2012.

Snow Domes

2012-01-20T15:32:00.000-08:00

8 x 6 oil on panel

An early morning view of the bird bath, rain drum and plant pots topped with snow just outside the studio window. I have been enjoying them all week. Each day the mounds have grown a little higher until today. They are still overflowing, but now they are also slowly shrinking. We have been living in a winter wonderland.

Blessings and Joy!

2011-12-25T06:07:00.000-08:00

:: :: ::

Wishing you blessings and joy this Sacred Season.

May the New Year bring delight, abundance and contentment to you and yours.

:: :: ::

Watching My Brother

2011-12-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

8 x 6 oil on panel

Saturday morning soccer games are often cold in the Pacific northwest. On this day there was a chilling wind as well. The players along the sidelines were jumping around to keep warm — so were the goalies. Some of the spectators were wrapped up in blankets and sinking farther into them as the game progressed.

Paint the Town Red!

2011-12-07T15:04:00.000-08:00

The Red Kimono

12 x 9 oil on panel

This painting, from my Theater Series, is of a scene in Act II in one of the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society's productions of The Mikado. It is one of two of my "red" paintings in the exhibition below. Every painting in this exhibition features red!

The exhibition is up for the month of December. If you are in the Edmonds area, please stop by during the reception next Thursday, the 15th. The Ten Ladies will be there.

Reception: Thursday 15 December 2011 from 5 to 8 pm

Coldwell Banker Bain, 108 Fifth Avenue S, Edmonds, WA

Painting with Dan

2011-12-02T07:51:00.000-08:00

Dan in the studio just beginning his first-ever oil painting!

7 7/8 x 7 7/8 oil on panel

Dan is a college student in Oregon. During his Thanksgiving visit with family in Seattle, he mentioned he would love to paint with me sometime. We arranged an afternoon the day before he headed back to school.

He has enjoyed drawing for years but had never painted in oils before. From the moment he began, it was easy to see he had learned a great deal from his drawing experiences. He marked out his composition in thin yellow ocher, began mixing colors and dove in right away. We painted several hours, then retired for dinner. The evening ended with a chess game with his dad … so you could say the painting was "unfinished." I love it!

Saturday Morning Soccer

2011-11-23T16:10:00.000-08:00

8 x 6 inches oil on panel

Sometimes I find the spectators more fun to watch than the game. It really was quite cold. Note the umbrellas at hand. On this morning, rain didn't start falling until after the game was over.

My Brother Plays Soccer

2011-11-20T15:38:00.001-08:00

8 x 6 inches oil on panel

This little girl was so much fun to watch. I noticed the bright pink coat first, then the socks, followed by the snacks and her expression. She was even more fun to paint.

The morning was very cold, more about that later . . . And it did not rain until we were in the car and driving out of the parking lot. Another great day in the Pacific Northwest.

Ball Four

2011-11-15T05:13:00.000-08:00

8 x 6 oil on panel

I have been taking my camera to baseball and soccer games this fall. There are so many great shapes, poses in action . . . and great observers! I will soon be posting more.

I sometimes add the under painting sketch, the third image above, when I remember to photograph it.

Art in Embassies Pickup for Tel Aviv

2011-11-14T13:02:00.000-08:00

Two Ballerinas ready for the truck

The first stop for this round of the Art in Embassies program pickup was this morning – my house. The two men will be adding more works to the truck as they work their way across the northern USA, on their way to New York City. Once in NY, the paintings will be crated and shipped to their assorted US Embassies around the world.

The man in the truck is finishing the paperwork for my paintings. He then wrapped and packed each one of into a custom carton he prepared in the back of the truck. My paintings are going to Tel Aviv, Israel, where they will be on exhibition for two and a half years. Click here to see the paintings.

Painting with friends

2011-11-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

afternoon in the Teanaway valley (click images to enlarge)

Yesterday I returned to a favorite painting spot on the sunny side of the mountains. It had been three years and two days since I was last here. The weather was beautiful, just like my last trip, and the trees still wore most of their fall colors.

I had returned with one of the same painting friends as my last trip, Ned Muller. I thought of Bill, who had joined us on our my trip to the Teanaway valley in October 2008. As I painted in the field above, I recalled many past painting trips with Bill and could hear his advice as I painted.
With Ned and Bill Teanaway valley in October 2008.

Wm F. Reese, July 10, 1938-June 16, 2010, internationally renowned painter and sculptor, author, teacher and dear friend.

Art in Embassies Program . . .

2011-09-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to announce that the four paintings below have been chosen for the Art in Embassies Program. They will be part of the upcoming show to be installed in the US Embassy residence in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Sketching at the theater . . .

2011-07-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

Sunday evening I attended a tech rehearsal for the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society's Ruddygore. Before the house lights went out, I made several quick sketches. This conversation is between the producer, stage director and sound designer. They are standing in front of the orchestra pit.

Opening night is Friday, July 15. Click here for show times and ticket information. For a short attention span plot, click here.

On Monday, July 18 in the 9-10 PM hour, KING-FM 98.1 Seattle (Classical KING FM on the web) will broadcast a recording of musical selections from this production recorded several weeks ago.

Side by Side

2011-07-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

8 x 9.25 inches

oil on gessoed museum board

A five year old friend of mine offered these companions to me for several days, suggesting I paint them. They were such fun, I painted them twice! She now has one of the little paintings and this is the other. Side by Side is available by auction in my DAILY PAINTWORKS gallery.

Announcing My New Store . . .

2011-06-28T19:41:00.000-07:00

Captivating sold

I have just launched a gallery on DAILY PAINTWORKS, and have posted a group of smaller paintings there. More will be added in the coming days, so visit often! Most of these paintings are for sale by auction. This painting has sold.

Early morning in West Lake Park, Hangzhou

2011-06-08T11:17:00.000-07:00

Early every morning men gathered here to visit. Some carried cloth-covered bird cages. Suitable branches were quickly found to hang cages in trees near by. Once the coverings were rolled to the tops of the cages, the owners walked up this little path to join their friends. The air filled with the soft murmur of their conversations, mixed with frequent sounds of laughter and the singing birds. A delightful way to start the day.

Between the sketch above and the June 4th post, there was a large, square platform surrounded by short walls. Openings on each side allowed entry. People began to arrive around 6:45 a.m. They were all dressed for work in the business world.

By 7:00 a.m. loud speakers came on, blaring music from the West, and the people began to dance together, ballroom style. They danced for nearly an hour. Then suddenly the loud music ended. Once again the soft murmur of voices mixed with laughter could be heard, and the dancers stepped out onto the grass-covered ground. They left as they had come, some walking and some riding bicycles.

A wonderful, rainy day . . .

2011-06-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

On Friday our professor at the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts hired a bus and took us to several of his favorite villages. It was a wonderful, rainy day and the bus ride was the wildest to date. We saw many men in hats like the one in my last post.

This sketch shows a fisherman waring one of them in the village of KeQiao, The City of Bridges. There were many little boats like this one in the canals in Shaoxing. As we walked along the canal, we passed many fascinating doorways. Some had older people sitting in them. Most had open doors revealing people going about their daily chores inside. A man in a Dutch-style doorway saw my pin, smiled and said, "Artist!" as he tipped his head toward my pin. These were given to us when we arrived at the academy. We all wore them.

Then there was a woman washing food in the canal – a reddish-brown chicken strutting alnog the path – I wanted to sit on the groud and paint them both!

Painting in West Lake Park, Hongzhou, China

2011-06-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

During our stay at the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts, I walked to the lake early every morning to sketch and paint before breakfast. Here I am wearing one of the "fisherman" hats mentioned in yesterday's posting. Wondered why all the women who walk by would all smile and giggle . . . I later learned that women don't wear these, only the fishermen. Well, they worked so well in the mist and rain, all of us wore them. The image below is what I am painting in the photo above.

8 x 10

oil on gessoed museum board

On this morning one of the little boats was tied along the shore. Graceful branches from the tree above almost touched the water. The view took my breath away. I had to stop, take out my paintbox and catch the moment.

Sketching on the train . . .

2011-06-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

I was looking through some of my travel sketchbooks yesterday. These are from a 1993 painting trip to China. We spent several weeks in the Yangtze River Delta area. Our train rides were in cars with little tables between seats that faced each other, and tea was served on each trip. A delightful way to travel with friends.

On our ride to Hangzhou, Darrell was seated at the table across from mine. The sketch below is from a later ride to Shanghai. Roseanne sat with me. One of our new hats is on the table. The fishermen all wore these. The are made of very thick felt and the rain simply does not go thru them. We all liked them so much, our guide bought one for each of us.

A Kiss has won An Award . . .

2011-05-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

This painting, posted on March 8, 2011, has won an award in the juried Visual Arts Society of Texas 43rd Annual National Exhibition. Contact VAST for exhibition catalog: ExecutiveDirector@VASTarts.org

The sun is out again . . .

2011-05-03T06:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday there were a few white clouds floating in a brilliant blue sky. It was just beautiful. It was only 63º but we were all ready to call it summer. The beaches along the lake even had swimmers! And, of course, all the parking spaces were already taken. We headed for the Bellevue Botanical Garden. So many cars, there was no place to park here either.

Our next idea was downtown Kirkland to visit the galleries and then sit by the lake in the sun . . . of course, no place to park. The only vacant spaces were in the library lower lot, which was just about empty. The "Permit Parking Only" signs on every post made it seem quite unfriendly, so we left Kirkland and went on to Kenmore to our favorite Starbucks, where we sat outside in the sun with our favorite summer drinks.

Coffee shop sketches . . .

2011-04-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

I had to take the car in for an oil change early this morning. Rather than wait for the car at the station, I walked down the street to a coffee shop. Unlike my last post, I had a sketchbook with me this morning. Interesting. I think I sketched this man once before . . . also around 7 am . . . same coffee shop and I was there for the same reason.

Coffee shop sketches . . .

2011-04-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

I arrived in town a bit early the other day, so I stopped for chai at a favorite coffee shop. These moments are made for sketching, since people always make such wonderful shapes when visiting informally with friends.
There were many more possibilities in the room. Problem was, the backs of my chai receipt and an envelope were the only blank papers I had. A small sketchbook added to my purse would be a good idea.

NAWA 122nd Annual Exhibition in NYC NY

2011-04-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

My Red Bow

10 x 8 oil

This little painting is from an early morning walk in West Lake Park, Hongzhou, Zhejiang, China. I went to the park between 5:30 - 6am every morning to sketch and paint before breakfast. I was amazed how many people, elderly to the very young, were out so early.

This little girl was walking with her grandmother. Her sweet face, big red bow and wonderful hair, just looked like a painting to me. Even though my visit to China was years ago, I am still using sketchbook and photo reference material in my work. There were so many beautiful moments.

My Red Bow will be in the National Association of Women Artists 122nd Anniversary Exhibition in New York.

May 3 - 31, 2010

Sylvia Wald and Po Kim Gallery

417 Lafayette Street, NYC NY

Opening Reception: May 19, 2011 6 - 8pm

"Lantern Light"

2011-04-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

20 x 16

oil on panel

In this painting I was interested in the color, value and intensity changes caused by light and shadow.

For those of you who enjoy seeing the beginning sketches, another one was posted on March 27th. For some reason it did not go out to those requesting notices of new postings. It can be seen on my Day to Day Painting site.

"Pixel"

2011-03-27T15:54:00.000-07:00

14 x 11"

oil on panel

Pixel is the name of the little dog, an extremely well behaved pet. So well in fact he has been on stage in plays, doing exactly what was expected every night!

I usually don't shoot photos as the work progresses, but I always enjoy being able to look back after the work is finished and see how it began. By then the early sketches seem so alive and fresh. Perhaps that's because they are so quickly gone, and I have been looking at the later stages so long by the time the painting is finished.

Maybe I will stop early in the process, frame the panel and call it "finished" so I can enjoy the loose beginning for a while. Two of the early phase of this painting are below.

PleinAir magazine is back!

2011-03-11T17:25:00.000-08:00

Many of us were disappointed when this magazine went out of print. It seems enough of us sent letters asking the publisher to bring it back. My "Back By Popular Demand" copy arrived yesterday and it is truly beautiful. What a joy to have it in print once again!

I even found a photo of my friend, Ned Mueller, receiving the 2010 Grand Prize Timothy Bills Memorial Award at a recent Plein Air Event, page 84. Click here to see some of Ned's work.

Visual Arts Society of Texas Annual National Exhibition

2011-03-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

A Kiss

8 x 12, oil on panel

A Kiss is one of 63 paintings chosen by Benito Huerta, exhibition juror, to be included in the Visual Arts Society of Texas 43rd Annual National Visual Arts Exhibition. The exhibition opens April 28, 2011.

another painting in process . . .

2011-02-24T16:40:00.000-08:00

This is something I have wanted to paint for a very long time. Several days ago I began with the loose sketch below, marking the general composition.

12 x 16

oil on panel

Next came blocks of color for the larger shapes and gradually I began defining forms by adjusting changes in hue, value and intensity.

Almost finished.

A long project . . .

2010-11-28T16:55:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago I took a 22 year old project out of a lower drawer in my studio flat file. The folder contained assorted sketches and notes for a short children's story.

Years ago I liked some of the sketches so much, I had even painted them. I liked the first half of the story, too. However, somewhere about two-thirds of the way through, the flow became rather bumpy — the reason the project kept returning to the drawer.

I had edited this story so many times, but now there was a reason to have a fresh look. I had just attend the first of four two-hour writing classes given by a fantastic teacher, and was truly inspired! Perhaps I could now smooth out the story's ending.

After tweaking the story for three days, it turned into something that was pleasing to me. I added the text changes to the illustrations and words already in my computer. Then reworked the layout a bit, so the everything would still fit.

Next I printed the 4.25 x 11 inch double page spread sections, and put them together like an accordion book. Back in the folder along with notes and early sketches, it went out the door to my second class. The little book was a hit, so I do call the writing finished!

I have begun reformatting everything into a shape more compatible for commercial printing. This means that some of the illustrations will need to be redesigned. I am having fun and will post an announcement when the little book is available.

. . . The fantastic teacher, Margaret Bendet, lives just north of Seattle on Whidbey Island, which borders the northern end of Puget Sound . . .

Coming Exhibition in Kirkland WA

2010-10-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

I just delivered Adventures with Harry II and In the Wings for Howard/Mandville Gallery's 20th Annual Invitational Small Works Show.

In the Wings

12 x 9

oil on gessoed museum board

I will be at the Reception on the 13th and would love to see you.

Preview Days - Saturday, Nov. 6th-13th.

Reception & sale of Paintings - Saturday, Nov. 13th from 5:30 - 8 pm

Howard/Mandville Gallery

120 Park Lane, Suite D Kirkland WA 98033

"Painting in the Open Air"

2010-10-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

10 x 8

oil on panel

I shipped this painting to NYC last week. It will be in the National Association of Women Aartists New Member Exhibition.

Nov 11 - 30, 2010

Reception: Nov. 16th from 5 - 7 pm

NAWA Gallery, 80 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1405, NY NY

Today I delivered two paintings to Howard/Mandville Gallery in Kirkland WA for their 20th Annual Invitational Small Works Show. I will post them soon.

A painting in process . . .

2010-09-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

I think it is fun to see what happens before a painting is finished. With that in mind, I sometimes set up the studio camera after the initial sketch. This is what happened today. I will post again when it becomes a painting. . . . I do enjoy the process.

Click image to enlarge.

"Adventures with Harry II"

2010-09-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

oil on panel 9 x 9 inches

Another adventurer traveling to unknown lands with Harry Potter. She was so focused in the story. I watched her a while and knew I would be painting her.

Painting on Vashon Island

2010-08-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

I just spent a day with a group of artists painting in and around this wonderful garden on Vashon Island. Overcast early in the morning was followed by bright sunlight and strong shadows. A soft breeze came off the water, making the 80˚afternoon very pleasant for painting.

A Grape and Cherries . . .

2010-07-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we painted together again. Sophia painted a grape and I painted some cherries. Another great day!

6 x 8 inches

oil on panel

A great adventure . . . painting with friends

2010-07-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

When Sophia arrived the first day, I was gessoing panels . . . so she had a hand at it as well. Then we went outside to paint cherries. Great fun! Believe it or not, I forgot to photograph the paintings.

This was the next day. We painted two oranges. This time Sophia's sisters and a brother came as well. Their plan was to just drop her off and come back later to pick her up. I invited them to stay . . . so . . .

Giuliana sketched on large paper.

Antonio experimented with waterproof ink, using a real quill and several pens. Liked watercolor and acrylic much better . . .

Break-time, always a good idea. The orange hat is over Gala, their driver (mom). The sketcher is under the white hat and the fan is over Annalisa.

"Adventures with Harry"

2010-07-11T06:17:00.000-07:00

oil on panel

9 x 12 inches

This is one of those paintings that had moments of great joy mixed with wondering how to turn it into something I actually like. I was wanting to simplify, keep loose brush strokes, not get too fussy and still tell the story in a pleasing way. My last posting shows how far I got before I decided to give it a rest. It sat off to the side of my easel for almost a month.

I added more paint today and have decided it is now finished. I do enjoy the way the process ended.

Beginning sketch . . .

2010-07-10T18:11:00.000-07:00

oil on panel

9 x 12 inches

The beginning sketch changing as the painting heads toward finish.

William F. Reese

2010-06-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

Bill's pochade box, brushes and painting

- this photo by Darrell Anderson -

Earlier this week many of us gathered to pay our respects to a dear friend, William F. Reese. I think perhaps Darrell Anderson said it best.

"A fierce wind must have howled in off the plains the day Bill left us, trying in vain to fill the huge artistic vacuum he left behind. Oil painter, watercolorist, pastelist, etcher, sculptor........outstanding in all, Bill approached his craft with an intense dedication."

Last year Bill was to be the inspirational speaker at the Alpha-1 Association national education conference in San Francisco. Due to illness he was unable to attend. This link will take you to his presentation, which was put together by Bill on his home computer and delivered via DVD. It shows some of his works as he tells how having Alpha-1 inspired him to "live life to the fullest."

Bill and his wife Fran remain two of the finest people I have ever known.

"In Preparation"

2010-05-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

oil on panel

7.75 x 8 inches

The monks are getting ready for the opening ceremonies for the weeklong making of a sand mandala.

Painting in process . . .

2010-05-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

Tibetan monks preparing for the opening ceremony, which begins the five day process of making a sand mandala. I will post the painting again when it is finished.

Creating A Sacred Sand Mandala

2010-05-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

The colored sand to be used.

Early the first day, laying out the design.

Laying in the center of the mandala with colored sand.

This week a group of Tibetan monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery in India came to Bastyr University, where they spent five days creating and, ultimately, destroying a sacred sand mandala. The tradition honors impermanence of life.

Since this is near my home, I was able to stop by for a while on three days. My visits included the traditional opening and closing ceremonies, where the monks chanted and played instruments filling the air with rich sounds.

For five days the monks painstakingly laid millions of grains of sand into place in geometric shapes, containing a multitude of ancient spiritual symbols. Shortly after completion, the mandala was destroyed in a sacred ceremony as all the sand was swept into the center. Half went into an urn, and the remainder was distributed to the audience.

Then chanting, monks left the hall. They carried the urn to the lake. Once at the water's edge, the chanting began again and the sand was offered to the water in a ceremony with prayers for peace and healing the earth.

N.A.W.A. 121st Annual Exhibition

2010-05-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

All Dressed Up is on its way to the National Arts Club in NYC, where it will hang in the National Associan of Women Artists 121st Annual Exhibition. The exhibition opens June 9th and runs through the 27th. Please stop by if you are in the area.

National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, NYC. Phone 212 475-3424

"April Flowers"

2010-05-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

Most of the petals have now fallen and I decided the painting is finished. I did managed to capture some of the rich and subtle color changes I wanted.

This is one of those paintings where I really needed more time. Perhaps a better way to say that is that I would like to be able to get it right the first time. Then I am sure the flowers would last long enough.

Flowers, a work in progress

2010-04-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of a new painting. The flowers are from a friend's garden. She came with three armloads of them! After they all went into warm water in the sink for several hours, they became three large bouquets. This is the first. I hope to finish the painting before the petals start to fall.

2010-04-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to announce I have just become a juried member of the prestigious National Association of Women Artists. Founded in 1889 and based in New York City, N.A.W.A. is the oldest professional women's fine art organization in the United States.

"Dreaming"

2010-04-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

oil on canvas

24 x 12 inches

Every now and then I set a painting aside. Months or years later, I pull it out, have a fresh look and decide if I will add it to the burn pile or paint a little more.

Dreaming is from several 2003 sketches. I liked the idea and started the painting several years later. The model was long gone, same for the costume and set (Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan's Gondoliers).

This week I pulled the painting out and set it where I could easily see for several days. Then I began painting again.

While it is much better than it was, it can't compare with working from life, where one can observe contrasts and ask: warmer/cooler, lighter/darker, stronger or more subtle? When working from life, all the information needed is in front of you just waiting to be captured in paint.

"Grandma's Rocking Chair"

2010-03-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

10 x 8 oil on panel

This is a small studio painting. She sat so still and was a joy to paint! And, yes, her hair is brilliant. The subtle color changes are lost here. The painting has many shades of soft rose, lavender, and brown and is much richer than shown.

"Slow Ride"

2010-01-23T16:30:00.000-08:00

12 x 16 inches

oil on panel

Reflections on the surface of water always catch my attention. When a kayak comes down the waterway, I pause. Time stops. Everything changes before my eyes. The experience is always magical. This was just one of those days along our favorite walking trail.

Great Fun . . .

2009-12-31T22:10:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

One afternoon this last week a quartet from the Seattle Dickens Carolers came by to serenade us. They are Wonderful! I highly recommend them.

painting a little more . . .

2009-12-31T21:54:00.000-08:00

A little more paint has been added to the figures. I am standing on a box so I can reach the top hat on the tallest figure. I hope to post the rest of the images in a day or two.

Painting the Dickens Carolers

2009-12-29T16:05:00.000-08:00

Several months ago I sketched four figures on 4 x 8' sheets of plywood. (Parts of two panels are shown in "A fun project . . . " posted on December 17, 2009)

When the figures were finished, they became part of a display used by the Seattle Dickens Carolers in late October and mid November this year. When I receive a photo of their final use, I will post it. I have put together a series of images showing the figures in the shop during the painting process and will post after they are turned into a short video.

A fun project . . .

2009-12-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

In late October I painted four Dickens Carolers for a friend.

The project began by sketching four life-size figures with chalk on three 4x8' sheets of plywood. Next they were then cut out by Nathan Rodda, the model shown here. I might add, Nathan is the fantastic set designer for the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society and heads the Seattle Dickens Carolers.

When I figure out how to post images of the project in process, I will post that here as well.

"Orcus Sunflowers"

2009-12-14T15:35:00.000-08:00

10 x 8"

oil on panel

These were down the road from an Orcus Island cabin rented with friends. We stayed and painted for a week. This was, of course, when the flowers were actually in bloom. It has been below freezing for a week and actually dropped to 17° one day, very unusual for the area. I decided to post something from a warmer day.

"Inside Out"

2009-09-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

14 x 10"

oil on panel

Click image to enlarge

Juror: Margaret Bullock, Curator of Collections and Special Exhibitions at the Tacoma Art Museum, has chosen Inside Out, All Dressed Up and Fashionably Yours, for the group exhibition:

WPW at American Art Company in Tacoma WA.

"Inside Out" the left panel in the triptych, won the M. Graham Company Award last night.

Exhibition runs through October 10th, 2009

"Two More"

2009-07-29T08:22:00.000-07:00

8 x 10 inches

oil on gessoed museum board

I loved the light coming through the glass bowl and the wonderful colors and patterns in cast on the table! The good news is - thse cherries can “model” many times and still be eaten.

"Mahjong Cherries"

2009-07-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

6 x 8 inches

oil on gessoed museum board

I found some cherries with stems still attached and had such fun, I ended up with a series of paintings. I will continue to add new paintings until the cherries are gone. Some have been painted five times before eaten! Such restraint.

Utopia, Limited

2009-07-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

On the shop floor, shot from the top of a tall ladder. It is now on the wall in Act II of Utopia, Limited. The show opens a three week run at the Bagley Wright Theater in Seattle tonight. Show dates: July 10-11, 16-18, 23-25. Ticket information.

The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society's photographer shooting during dress rehearsal for Utopia, Limited.

Shield Section for Utopia, Limited

2009-07-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

The upper right section of the shield set out on shop floor.

If you click to enlarge, you will see the spattering over everything, the final step in coloring. This spatter softens the effect and makes everything appear more believable from the audience. In the larger image you can also see the chalk marks, guides for the person who will screw all the carved parts to the circle base, finishing the shield.

The set designer, Nathan Rodda, asked me to make the lettering casual, loosely Roman, not perfect. The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society's production of Utopia, Limited opens Friday night, July 5th. For more information click here.

Alligator & Flamingo

2009-07-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

A little more of the 'shield' for "Utopia, Limited." They are probably ready to deliver to the theater by now. The painting was finished on July 3rd. This image shows the carved characters before they were spattered, the final touch.

Shield Alligator

2009-07-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

More Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society from the shop.

The alligator, carved by Mike Andrew, is made of styrofoam mounted on 1/4" plywood. Mike adds as many layers of foam board as need to make the required thickness for the various parts of the design before he begins to carve. He comes to the shop in the evening and works well into the night. I think he can make absolutely anything! He has also carved the flamingo and pineapple for the shield. I will post them in a day or two.

Nathan Rodda, the set designer, has everything painted black as a base. The white is added next, then the coloring layers which are made with a clear acrylic medium (house paint) with color concentrate added, just as you would have custom colors mixed to paint your house. We mix very small amounts in recycled plastic ice cream and yogurt containers.

Shield Center

2009-07-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

Getting the center of shield ready for coloring. It is made from foam board mounted on 1/4" plywood. The lower portion of the carved pineapple can be seen in the upper right. It will be added to the center top of the shield.

Sketch for Act II

2009-07-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

chalk sketch pattern for shield

10 x 6 feet

Next week the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society opens its 55th season with "Utopia, Limited." I have been at their shop working with the set designer and thought I would share something from Act II. This sketch was made several weeks ago. I went to the internet for reference photos of flamingos and alligators. You can see some of them here, scattered on the platform, which is also part of the set. The platform was painted and taken to the theater earlier this week.

"A Painted Breakfast"

2009-06-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

9 x 13.5"

oil on gessoed museum board

This was my breakfast one morning. The shapes and colors were so exciting when I set this on the table, I ran inside for my paint box. By the time the painting was finished, the egg no longer looked so great. I fixed another one to eat.

I added the "painting in process" to show you the little paint box my husband made for me to take on an overseas painting trip quite some time ago. I like it so much I often use it at home as well.

"Mr. Pepper's Pasture"

2009-06-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

10 x 8

oil on panel

I had painted all day in this pasture, packed up my gear, turned around and saw the late afternoon sunlight catching this tree as the sun was sinking behind the hill. I grabbed my paint box and very quickly painted this. I loved the moment and am glad I stopped to catch it.

"Wearing Nikes?"

2009-06-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

Please click images to enlarge and see color more like the painting.

12 x 9 inches

oil on wooden panel

Last July I did a small oil sketch of these two “little maidens” and have been wanting to paint them again. Here they are!

Annalisa

2009-05-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

10 x 8

oil on panel

This is a young friend of mine. She is great company and very fun to paint. The colors in the painting are very rich. On my monitor they look more like the painting when you click to enlarge the image. I don't know why the colors in some of my paintings are so washed out when I upload the images. Would love to hear from you if you know how the solve the mystery.

Mystery solved - Thanks Miro! I have uploaded the images again.

"What A Guy"

2009-04-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

10 x 8 inches

oil

This lady was so much fun to watch and even more fun to paint! She was head-over-heels “in love” in a theater production. Her expressions were wonderful. So was her dress - black bodice with bright red long, full skirt. Click image to enlarge.

"Sand Writing"

2009-04-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

8 x 8"

oil on panel

A view from our favorite spot along the Olympic Wilderness coastline in Washington State. We backpacked into this beach every summer for many years. The sketch posted on March 31st was the background for this little painting.

Click image to enlarge.

Sand Writing sketch

2009-03-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

Another little sketch is turning into a painting today. Also one of my daughters at the ocean long ago. The painting is not quite finished.

"A Good Read"

2009-03-24T12:19:00.001-07:00

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

Click image to enlarge.

This little painting is from a sketch I did long ago on a trip to the ocean. The model is one of my daughters. I was interested in thick, juicy paint and loose brush strokes. A joy to paint. The sketch is below.

2009-02-26T08:08:00.001-08:00

I have just received word that my painting of "Rustler" has been accepted into this year's 2009 Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils. The exhibition will be held at Sage Creek Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 1 - May 31, 2009.

Click here to see the painting.

"Cottage Blue and White"

2009-02-19T18:01:00.001-08:00

7.75 x 7.75 inches

oil on panel

Blue and white ceramics always catch my attention. I have wanted to paint this grouping for a long time. On this evening’s visit I really liked the deep shadows cast by the near by lamp so much, I painted them. Great fun!

Click image to enlarge.

Note: The painting's colors may be much richer that they appear on your monitor.

"A Cozy Corner"

2009-02-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

Another painting from Normandy Cottage. I have wanted to paint this spot ever since my first visit years ago. This space, with its simple shapes, warm colors, light and shadows, is so appealing. It always captures my attention and I find the atmosphere delightful.

Note: The colors are very rich but may appear more subtle on your monitor. Click images to enlarge.

Painting the World

2009-01-30T18:57:00.000-08:00

I was at the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society shop recently. The globe I painted for their production of Princes Ida had been taken out of storage and was sitting in the rehearsal hall. It was such fun to see it again, I thought I would share it with you.

The land masses are patterned after the 1616-1622 map covering a small table globe I was asked to use as a model. Most of the words are also from the little model. The illustrations are a mix of the old map and my own creations.

The globe is made of many layers of kraft paper pasted over an exercise ball. When dry, a wooden disk was added to the North and South Pole, holes drilled, metal pins added so the ball could be held within its wooden rim. Acrylic house paint was added and the globe was ready for decoration.

Click images to enlarge.

I drew in chalk first, just to be sure I wouldn’t run out of space for land or end up with an extremely huge ocean. Then I drew more carefully with a brown laundry marker and added the little illustrations and all the words.

Next I colored the inside edges of the land masses and illustrations with water based paint, and finally the rest of the land mass color was added.

The base is solid wood with carved styrofoam added to the legs, which were then covered with cheese cloth for extra protection. The base was also painted with acrylic house paint. I added the zodiac to the top of the stand.

When all of the illustration was finished, Nathan Roda, the set designer, turned the base into ‘old oak’ and added an oil sepia wash over all the illustration to complete this ‘antique.’

Click here to see more set painting for the Seattle G&S Society.

"Normandy Fireside"

2009-01-29T15:09:00.000-08:00

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

Normandy Fireside is the second painting from an evening with friends. Every time I glanced at the table, I wanted to paint those rich colors and wonderful shapes I found in both the objects and their reflections. Great fun to paint!

Note: The colors in the painting are very rich. They may appear more subtle on your monitor.

"Normandy Cottage"

2009-01-13T14:31:00.000-08:00

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

On the Eighth Day of Christmas we spent a delightful evening with friends. This lamp and the light it cast on objects near by, were enchanting. Sometimes I just want to paint those moments! This is the first from that evening (there will be more!) and also my first painting in the New Year!

Click on image to enlarge.

Edward B. Gordon's "Leitmotiv"

2008-12-28T16:36:00.001-08:00

Another one of Edward B. Gordon’s blog paintings has just traveled half way around the world to arrive at my door! “Leitmotiv” was the 730th posting on his blog. Edward lives in Berlin, Germany. He began posting a painting a day in November 2006. I enjoy his work and this little painting instantly became another one of my favorites.

You can find notes and a sketch for this painting by clicking on the green words below. You will need to scroll down to November 16, 2008.

The Season of Joy!

2008-12-24T18:01:00.000-08:00

click any image to enlarge

past Christmas Trees

from some of my sketchbooks

I have been looking through some of my old sketchbooks today, one of the things I enjoy at the end of the year. Our family traditions center around Christmas in December. We have had thick fir trees and open spaced alpine fir trees. Each has its own magical feeling. The decorations are always the same, things collected over the years. These sketches are from trees in the 1980s.

However you celebrate the season,

I wish you great blessings, peace and joy.

"Silent Swirl"

2008-12-21T18:06:00.000-08:00

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

It snowed again last night and more today. The snow flakes so small and falling so softly, they managed to pile up on our wind swirls. I have never seen that happen before, so that's what I had to paint today . . . sitting in the house with hot tea!

Click on image to enlarge.

"Snow Day: Reading Room"

2008-12-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

7.75 x 7.75 inches

oil on panel

Today it is snowing again, beautiful flakes softly falling everywhere. Fresh white rests in all the trees, brightening every room in the house. This looked like the best spot to paint today. In the evening we will have a fire again, something we all seem to love in northwest rain and snow.

"Along The Path"

2008-12-16T19:57:00.000-08:00

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

More sun today . . . and a little less snow. It is still enchanting around our house. The weather report is for more snow tonight. You never know - maybe yes - maybe no.

"Winter Dress"

2008-12-15T19:10:00.000-08:00

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

Our first snowfall! I love the snow. Everything seems so peaceful, so still. This afternoon the sky was blue and bits of sunlight fell through the trees, making diagonal lines of brilliance across the garden. Magical!

"Snowflake Lane"

2008-12-12T14:39:00.001-08:00

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

This little painting was designed to capture the experience of an evening visit to Snowflake Lane. Snowflake Lane has become an annual event in downtown Bellevue, complete with drummers and “snow.” Each evening the drummers gather in one of the town buildings and, at the precise moment, march across the sky bridge and soon reappear on the sidewalk below. They drum their way along the sidewalk until they each come to a round platform, where they climb the steps and stand with the wooden drummer boy already there (shown on right). Snow flakes fall, music blares and the crowd loves it! Once again you know the Christmas Season has begun.

Click image to enlarge and see color more like the painting.

Howard/Mandville Gallery's 18th Annual Invitational Small Works Show

2008-11-17T12:54:00.000-08:00

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

"Liquid Sunshine" and "Setting Up Shop" join my last post in Howard/Mandville Gallery's 18th Annual Invitational Small Works Show in Kirkland, Washington. The exhibition features almost 200 paintings 11 x 14 or smaller by the gallery's impressive roster of artists plus invited guest artists. The exhibition is now up for viewing in the gallery and on line.

I will be at the Reception & Sale on Saturday, November 22nd from 5:30-8 p.m. Stop by and say hello if you are in the area.

To see the list of artists, images of their paintings and more information, click here.

"Frye Cafe"

2008-11-05T18:32:00.000-08:00

14 x 10 inches

oil on panel

The sunlight and shadows on Seattle's Frye Museum Cafe diners, the trees and building wall were simply wonderful! I just stood there a moment to enjoy the view. I knew I had to paint them. This is the second in the series. The first, “Lunch at the Frye” won an award earlier this year. It was posted on May 21, 2008.

Click on images to enlarge and see color more like the painting.

This painting will be in Howard/Mandville Gallery’s 18th Annual Invitational Small Works Show. "Liquid Sunshine" (posted April 24) and "Setting Up Shop" (posted February 15) are also in this exhibition. Preview Days: November 13-22nd

I will attend the Reception & Sale: Saturday, November 22nd 5:30-8pm Please stop by if you are in the area.

"Along Ley Road"

2008-10-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

9 x 12

oil on panel

Several weeks ago I spent a day in the mountains painting with friends. The day was perfect with a slight breeze, great light and, of course, good company. This is my afternoon painting.

Painting with friends

2008-10-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

Two friends - great paintiers - Ned Muller and Bill Reese standing with me on Ley Road after a day of painting in the valley. Great day!

Bill painting in the field off Swauk Prairie Road, our morning painting spot . . . .

Also our morning painting spot . . . Bill and Ned are down the road in the distance. Yan is in the blue hat. Her painting is below.

Yan's morning painting.

Yan with Bill and me in the afternoon after painting along Ley Road.

"Rustler"

2008-09-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

Another visit to Fishermen's Terminal in Seattle, another bright day. As I walked along the north pier, this is the spot that caught my eye. I loved Rustler's dark reflection in the water surrounded by such bright light. The photo below is my easel, my daughter Kara with her painting gear, "Rustler" and "Earnest."

Kara Webberley Moore

"Brenna"

2008-09-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

7 x 10 inches

oil on wooden panel

I went to Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle this morning to paint. So many wonderful subjects there! The weather was perfect - sunlight shimmering on the water, light breeze, very pleasant. Two painters were already at work when I arrived so I stopped to visit. They had been here the day before and so enjoyed the experience that they were back again . . . I think the same thing is going to happen for me!

Next time I will pack my Titanium White. Used Ice Blue instead today and mixed it into almost everything - because it was the lightest color I had with me. The proportions of my subject in are a bit strange, color too, but the day was so wonderful I am posting my painting anyway.

"Dressing Room"

2008-08-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

I love the way the mirrors capture the atmosphere of the theater dressing room. This is Caitlin Ross preparing for a Saturday evening performance of the Mikado. The rich colors in this painting may not show on your monitor.

Color Notes

2008-08-20T15:29:00.000-07:00

I use Safari as my browser program. Earlier this week I opened this site in Firefox and was shocked to see the difference. Firefox does not display color in the same way. Opening this site in both programs and displaying them together on my monitor, the difference was shocking!

I realize that different monitors will display the colors differently, but when the same monitor is used to show the same site, opened to the same image so both visible side by side, one opened in Safari - the other opened in Firefox, the difference in color was astounding.

When using Safari, clicking to enlarge the image gives color very much like the actual painting (on my monitor) while the smaller images on this site seem very pale in comparison. However, in Firefox the color does not improve. In fact it looks even more washed out when clicked to enlarge. Rich, warm colors do not show up at all and the image looks slightly our of focus. Same for Internet Explorer. I would be interested to know if any of you have found the same to be true when viewing your paintings.

"Sweet Lips"

2008-08-13T10:57:00.000-07:00

8 x 6

oil on wooden panel

These maidens are getting ready for the stage - making sweet lips for the Mikado. This little painting was so much fun, I may use it as reference for a larger painting.

Click image to enlarge and see the brighter color of the actual painting.

"Summer Reading Room"

2008-08-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

10 x 10 inches

oil on gessoed museum board

Another sunny day in the Pacific Northwest! This delightful spot is near our house. The air carries the music of summer birds and occasional voices and laughter of people walking along the path.

Click on image to enlarge and see the richer color of the painting.

"Repose"

2008-07-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

6 x 8 inch

oil on wooden panel

In the Green Room at the theater during the Mikado, one of the maidens fell asleep on the couch. How could I resist such a pose along with the wonderful colors in the light and shadows falling over her gown? And so much fun to paint!

The painting is filled with rich colors of peach, rose, soft orange and deep reds. The images here look quite dull in comparison to the real painting. Clicking to enlarge the close up image of her face will give color more like the painting.

I will use this little painting to make a larger one where I will add one more figure.

Click on the close up image to enlarge and see the richer color of the painting.

"Theater Rehearsal"

2008-07-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

8 x 6

oil on wooden panel

During an early rehearsal on stage I was struck by the light and dark quality of the figure and background. I also delighted in Yum-Yum turning her head to match the painted figures behind her. Great fun to paint!

This vessel is part of a collection of large "vase and jars" I painted for the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society. In this little painting I was able to capture the blue figures once again. My 10 July 2008 posting shows this and several other large vessels on stage.

Click on image to enlarge and see color more like the painting.

"Two Little Maids"

2008-07-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

On stage in Act I of the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s Mikado. I enjoy watching the way the cast members interact with each other as the story unfolds. The color in the painting is much richer than it appears here.

Click on image to enlarge.

Edward B. Gordon's "Summer-2"

2008-07-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

Look what has arrived at my door! I am the happy owner of another one of Edward B. Gordon’s blog paintings. This is “Summer-2” Edward lives in Berlin, Germany. He began posting a painting a day in November 2006. I enjoy his work and this little painting instantly became another one of my favorites.