In Memoriam

We are sad to announce the passing of our wife and mother, Dorothy Jenson. She died peacefully in her home on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the age of 61 due to advanced stage cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of bile duct and liver cancer.

Dorothy touched many lives through her work as an artist, through her lifetime of service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and all those who knew her as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, neighbor and friend.

A memorial service honoring Dorothy's life will be held on Tuesday, August 23, at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint meeting house located at 14340 Donovan Road, Oregon City, Oregon 97045.

Dorothy loved flowers and the outdoors, which will be celebrated at the memorial. Donations of live plants for a memorial garden can be delivered at the service or sent to 37213 NE Vernon Rd, Washougal, WA 98671. In lieu of sending plants, Dorothy would ask that you paint a picture, take a walk with a loved one, or read a book to a child in her memory.

We appreciate and welcome the sharing of memories and photos on this memorial account for Dorothy.

With gratitude for her life and legacy,

The Ken Jenson Family

Zinnia's Last Stand

Autumn is upon us, but I have a stand of zinnias that aren't quite finished. They won't be around long with the damp, cool weather of our Pacific Northwest fall season, so I took a few reference shots and created this fanciful version of the scene before me.

Zinnia's Last Stand, ©Dorothy Jenson 2015

 6x6 inch acrylic on wrapped canvas

Path to the Dock

Our family reunion was spent in northern Wisconsin this summer. For our large family we rented a large home on lake front property. It used to be a YMCA camp! The back yard sloped sharply down to the edge of the lake, but there was a nice stone pathway to follow to reach a wonderful dock for swimming. We had such a good time there! Ready to go for a swim? This way to the dock...

Path to the Dock, © Dorothy Jenson 2015

6x6" acrylic on wrapped canvas

Days End

Life has been full recently, with little time to paint. I was able to spend a little over two weeks in Wisconsin helping care for my daughter's family and their 4th born child! There's nothing quite like holding a newborn. Back at home there's always one thing or another keeping me from painting. Today I got back to the studio and painted a fun interpretation of a recent sunset viewed from my back porch. I love our new home in the country!

Days End © Dorothy Jenson 2015

6x6" acrylic on wrapped canvas

Bus Stop Moms

It's been a long time since I participated in one of the Daily Paintworks challenges, but today was the day! The theme is "Back to School" and I found a photo reference from the Paint my Photo website that excited me and I could hardly wait to get started. This piece ended up being much more tedious to paint, but still, the process was enjoyable and time flew by as I worked. The finished painting turned out just the way I imagined it, which is saying something. Lots of times my paintings go in surprising directions, but this one became just what I wanted it to be. I love the clothing and postures of these "bus stop moms" and the colorful bus and construction signs behind them. I love how the trees turned out and I love the rim of bright light that shines through the painting.

Bus Stop Moms, 6x6 inch acrylic on canvas

Smoky Sunset

We've had some terrible wildfires here in the state of Washington this summer. Lives lost, homes lost, and lots of smoke throughout the state. Just terrible. Some of our sunsets during that period were also blazing with a bright red sun amid the hazy, smoky landscape. Standing on my back porch I can watch the sun go down over a large meadow and forest lands beyond. Today's painting is my colorful interpretation of one of those sunsets.

 

Smoky Sunset, 6 x 6 inch acrylic on canvas

West Coast Fog

About a year ago I was walking the beach in Neskowin, Oregon, and snapped a quick photo of the rising fog. Lots of things about the photo appealed to me, so when Daily Paintworks issued a challenge last week to paint fog, I knew it was time to give this one a try. I love the layers on the distant hills and the figures along the shoreline. Almost like being there again.

West Coast Fog, 6 x 6 inch acrylic on canvas