Gray Day Roosevelt Beach

Last week, we went clam digging on the Washington coast on the last open clam tide of the spring.    It was a gray day with headlands obscured in clouds and mist.  This was painted on location at the end of Roosevelt Beach. The bluffs are steep and formed of barely compressed orange sandstone.  The orange sandstone color lends a warm tone to the sand of the beach.  I like the lost headland. On my ETSY store

Spent Rose and Two Rosebuds

These roses were left overnight in the studio and in the morning the open rose was starting to loose its petals, but the rosebuds were starting to show some pink.  I like the soft gray background color.

Madrona Study

A small study, 6 x 12, of the sun setting through the madrona trees in my yard.  The bark of the madronas is smooth and red brown on the upper limbs, and rough and lavender gray on the wide  trunks.  So when the setting sun shines through the trees, it sets the red bark afire.  A view I see often in the winter when gray clouds break at the horizon to let a sliver of sun shine through.  

One Rosebud - Single Rose in Square Glass Jar

From a flower that grew in my garden. This rose comes from the root-stock of a grafted rose.  The rootstock is very vigorous and now there are two different species of roses growing from the same plant.  This is probably rosa Canensis, or dog rose.  The rose is a pale pink and has a single layer of petals.  I like the pale gray green background and the softness of the shadows.   
On my ETSY store

Sailing Around Vashon SOLD

The sun is shining and this sailboat is heeling from the wind.  Nice way to spend a sunny afternoon. I like the way the sail disappears against the bright sky.
On my ETSY store

Yellow Rose Bouquet - Jar of yellow Roses, Father Hugo Roses in a Glass Jar, Spring Roses,

Another painting of the Father Hugo roses.  These roses are single - meaning they have only a single layer of petals.  The roses are also simple and clear in their pattern of lights and shadows.  The only difficulty is making a shadow in yellow - I usually aim somewhere between raw sienna and lavender, with perhaps a touch of green thrown in.  This one is a little larger 9" x 12"

Yellow Roses Glass Jar on Gold

The Father Hugo rosebush is blooming again.  Two weeks earlier than normal, and covered in small yellow single roses.  This is a species rose, originally found in China.  The small roses have a short blooming period and a delicious fragrance with perhaps a hint of cloves. I painted this from a still life I set up in my studio.  I used a spotlight and cardboard shields to throw the back of the still life into shadow and add more drama.