The Second Look Rose

I was walking along this morning, chatting away as usual, when this rose appeared in view on the wall of a neighborhood house. We walked on by for another ten feet or so, then my feet did a u-turn and I went back for a second look. And that's how this purty yellow rose painting got it's title.

 

 

The Second Look Rose, 5 x 7 on Wallis sanded paper

The Other Trail

The Clackamas County Painters decided to have a Paint-Out on the OC Promenade today. My morning got busy in ways I didn't expect, but I did have a little time right after lunch to drive over and mingle with the group for a while. After admiring works-in-progress and talking "art" for a little bit, I wandered off just a little and found a spot to do a quick plein air sketch. The Promenade is very well known and quite prominent along here, but I also noticed this other path way heading in a different direction, so that became my subject for the next hour.

The Other Trail, 5 x 7 pastel on blue Canson

Azalea Reflections

I had a wonderful afternoon at the Rhododendron Gardens with my artist pals, Shirleen and Sharon. That place is so amazing...can you imagine wandering through there and trying to find ONE spot to sit and work on a plein air painting?? Just ONE? After much puzzlement, we finally settled on a place next to the pond, in the shade, which was not quite as busy with pedestrians. We still had lots of friendly admirers. One woman even asked to photograph us working! You know, after doing this for a few weeks, I have come to the point where having a "stranger" watching over my shoulder as I work does not make me feel nervous. Especially when they say things to their companions like, "This gal really knows what she is doing!" Ha ha! What a confidence booster!  The three of us soaked up the peacefulness of working in such a beautiful place, and here is the study I came up with.

 

 

 

Azalea Reflections, 5 x 7.5 on blue Canson paper

Balancing Act

The sunlight on the back porch in the late afternoon drew my attention and suddenly I knew I wanted to create a still life set-up to paint. I quickly found some posterboard for backing, then a teacup, apple and strawberry from the kitchen. In the garden I plucked a little Geum blossom, then stacked them all together for a photo portrait. The next day I painted the portrait in pastel. I rather like how this one turned out, even though it's a bit more realistic than I usually work. A fun change!

Balancing Act, 5 x 7 pastel on Wallis sanded paper

Wave Watching

Today I went back to the beach for a painting. Not really! I do have lots of reference photos from my last beach retreat, and when I skimmed through them, this was the one that said, "pick me!"

Wave Watching, 5 x 7 pastel on Wallis sanded paper

Madrones in Camassia

Today's painting comes from a photo I took last week at Camassia. I was with a group of bird watchers, walking along, listening to bird calls, but you know I always have my pocket camera ready to capture any lovely views that catch my eye. This was one of those views. These four Madrone trees were standing together in sharp contrast to the spring greens and blue camas blossoms.

 

Madrones in Camassia, 5 x 7 pastel on Wallis sanded paper

Iris Along the Trail

Yesterday was one of those perfect, warm spring days in May that we get so seldom around here. Well, actually, we've had more of them this spring than I can remember in a long time! Anyway, with a temperature of 80 degrees accompanied by a pleasant soft breeze, we decided that a woodsy walk was just what we needed after our Church meetings. We headed out to walk along the trails in the Mount Talbert Nature Park which is only 15 minutes away. Among the various dainty spring flowers on display we also came along stretches where the Oregon Iris was blooming happily! Naturally, I was taking photos....and naturally it would become the painting of the day. :)

 

Iris Along the Trail, 5 x 7 pastel on Wallis sanded paper