You're invited.

Night Ferry on the Vashon Run SOLD

Another version of a night ferry painting  (the other was Night Ferry near the dock).  One of the double-decker boats on the run between Vashon Fauntleroy and Southworth.  This is a twilight moment when the sun has set, but there is still light in the sky and the water is still lighter than the distant shore.  I like the multiple sources of light and the reflections in the water broken by ripples.  This one will be in the Vashon Island Artist Studio Tour at Plum Lodge Painters,  14210 SW Reddings Beach Rd, Vashon WA 98070, during the first two weekends of December.  You're invited.  

Red Ferry SOLD

 This painting is from a long distance view from Victor Steinbrueck Park near the Pike Place market in Seattle.  The view is looking across Elliott Bay as the ferries travel from Coleman Dock in Seattle to Bainbridge and Bremerton.  The sky was clear and the sun was setting, turning everything on the horizon yellow and red and then dark red.  I especially like the little bits of light that shine through windows on the top deck of the ferry.   I just took this picture to the Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery in Winslow, WA on Bainbridge Island. 

Shallots and Stems on Dark Green

Bounty from the Garden.  These shallots grew from individual cloves that we planted early last spring.  The final plants were bursting with bulbs crowding each other.  I liked the stiff straight lines of the dried stems. 

Silver Bowl with Limes

Limes are tropical and summery even in the midst of power outages and wet fall storms.  These are painted from a still life I set up in my studio.  I used a piece of cardboard to cast a shadow over part of the bowl and put the background in deep shadow.  This painting has a very limited color palette mostly shades of green, blue green, and yellow green, with just touches of orange and brown for contrast. 

White Camellia Bouquet

The camelllia sasanqua is still blooming though we have snow and rain in the forecast for tomorrow.  It has a lovely tropical fragrance at odds with the cold weather.  I like the stiff leathery leaves against the soft white flowers. 

Limes and Pewter Teapot SOLD

The soft glow of the pewter occupied most my time on this painting.  It was actually fun to try to represent the dull shine.  It opens up a whole new window for painting subjects.  Painted from a still life I set up in my studio.  This one will be at Plum Lodge Painters on the Vashon Art Studio Tour on December 5th and 6th  and December 12th and 13th. Plum Lodge is located at 14210 SW Reddings Beach Rd. 

Camellias in a Pewter Pot

The camellia sasanqua is blooming just outside the front door and cries to be painted.  It has large white single flowers with stunning yellow centers and a tropical fragrance.  I like the stiff dark green leaves against the soft white flowers.  In our garden,  the most fragrant flowers are from this time of year.  Sort of a bonus to offset the short days and rain.

Night Ferry near the Dock SOLD

A view of a ferry near the Vashon ferry dock late at night.   Night scenes will have multiple sources of illumination and can be confusing but exciting and sparkly.  I simplified the multiple lights by reducing the intensity of distant lights and by leaving out some of the reflections from distant sources.   I like how the darks simplify everything in shadow.  This one is going to Bainbridge Arts and Crafts in Winslow, Washington.  

Ferry Brown Hill Lavender Water

The long summer twilight paints the ferry with warm yellow light and turns the hills behind a warm brown color.  Another painting of the ferry on the run between Vashon, Fauntleroy, and Southworth.  Painted from photos I took on location.  On my ETSY store:  http://gretchenhancock.etsy.com