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.