Red Barn at Nelson Ranch

" Red Barn at Nelson Ranch", pastel 12 x 16"

" Almost Forgotten", pastel 12 x 16"

The Nelson Ranch, on Waldrick Road in Olympia, WA has been in the family for about 100 years. The Nelson family has invited the Olympia Art League to their farm twice for paint out sessions. It is like a candy store of visual stimulation for artists....wonderful old buildings, beautiful vingettes. The most difficult thing for a plein air artist is making choices...which vista to paint and editing all the information that is available to you. Too much information does not make for a successful painting.

This wonderful red barn sits near the front of the property. Farther back in on the ranch, hidden behind trees, is a well worn machinery shed that was the inspiration for another earlier painting, "Almost Forgotten".

Haystack Rock, pastel 12 x 18"

We spent two wonderful days at the Stephani Inn in Cannon Beach, OR this past fall. The days were beautiful and sunny. There are few places on earth more beautiful... even in stormy weather. I am so grateful for digital cameras that allow me to take photos without the worry of limiting my choices. I returned home with hundreds of reference photos and incredible memories of the sights, sounds and smell of the the ocean. "Haystack Rock" reflects the beauty of a moment ....looking down the beach toward this massive monolith that jutts from the sea. I hope it brings back your memories of a relaxing day at the beach.

Caramel Macciato & Red Umbrella

How long does it take to finish a painting?

I've been asked this question so many times. And of course like many artists I could say, "A lifetime"....because the years you've taken to develop your skill plays into it. But it also depends on each painting. Take these two paintings for example. I began Red Umbrella last week. I worked for days and it was a struggle the whole time. Finally I decided to set it aside and work on a new one. "Caramel Macciato" almost painted itself. It just happened....every stroke was right, the colors perfect, the inspiration flowed! It was finished in a day and a half.

Then I went back to Red Umbrella, painted out 3/4 of it, and began again. It still struggled some, but it did come somewhat easier....and finally I was happy with the result. Not as happy as I was with the other painting, but still satisfied. And that's how it often is with paintings. Some flow right onto the canvas....others have to be struggled with and reworked and reworked. I am not sure why this is, but I have often heard the same comment from many of my artist friends. Every painting is unique and there really is no magic formula. But that is part of the joy of making art. The struggle makes you appreciate those inspiration paintings all the more. And yet some of my favorite paintings are those created through the struggle!

Northwest Pastel Society International Show 2009

Thursday evening I attended the Artist's Reception for the 2009 Northwest Pastel Society's International Exhibit. It was an amazing experience for me. The American Art Company is a beautiful gallery in Tacoma and the show is truly wonderful! Even more exciting is to be one of 57 artists chosen out of over 200 who submitted work to this show, and to meet and talk with some very distinguished pastel artists. The experience was both exhilarating and humbling. I am thrilled to have my work hanging in this show...and yet at the same time, as I see the excellence displayed, I am very aware of how much more I want to grow as an artist. So I come back to my studio with this mixture of feelings and I am inspired to work hard, think creatively, and strive for excellence!

Coffee Shop Talk

I am often asked if I find it difficult to sell my paintings....to see them leave my possession. And the answer is a definiite "NO". There is nothing more rewarding to an artist than that the work you have poured your heart and soul into is appreciated by others....and will bring joy to those who view it. Here is one of my recent works "Coffee Shop Talk", commissioned by Faith Assembly of Lacey for their Grounds For Faith coffee shop. It is very satisfying to see your work hanging in a space that is meant for people to relax and visit and have a beautiful surrounding that encourages that.