Beach Path

Original oil painting, 8" x 10" of a secluded beach on the Oregon coast. We had been driving through a canyon of trees for miles with glimpses of light but no view of the water. And it was only after we stopped in the trees and stepped off the road and found the path that the view opened up.   On my Etsy Store

Pt Robinson Llighthouse SOLD

One of the small paintings I did for the Artist Studio Tour.  The important thing about painting small is to simplify the composition.  Too much detail is very busy in a small size.  I moved the fuel shed, the fence and the large metal light tower a little to the left until they left the picture altogether, and I took out the chain link enclosure on the back of the building.  It still looks like the Pt Robinson lighthouse-just simplified.

Copalis River SOLD

A view of the Copalis River on its path to the sea on the Washington coast.  It was the last opening of spring clam tides and we parked next to a guy who was selling clam guns.  His season was over so he was in a chatty mood.  We both agreed this was a million dollar view.  

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

Oregon Headlands

A hazy sunny day along the Oregon Coast.  Tall cliffs and headlands with sandy beaches between.  I like the distant headland dissolving into the sea and sky.  Painted from photos taken along the coast. 

Dockton Marina Low Tide

A view of the Dockton Marina and Quartermaster Harbor at low tide.  Early in the morning the water is pale and calm and the pilings are reflected in the still water.    From photographs taken on location.
On My ETSY store.

Lighthouse from the Beach

The Point Robinson Lighthouse on Vashon as seen from the beach at low tide.  Strong light from a hazy day casts a shadow on the roof of the lighthouse, leaving just small patches of bright sunlight on the roof and on the driftwood.  This one will be at Plum Lodge Painters in the Vashon Island Studio Tour the first two weekends of December. 

Rainy Day Sea Stacks SOLD

Painted from a photo I took on a trip to the Washington coast several years ago. It was a cool rainy day, and the headlands and sea stacks were obscured by rain and mist.   A very low tide exposed lots of large rocks along the seashore.  A friend and I explored the tidepools and saw lots of rocks that looked like swiss cheese.  Some sort of mollusc, or possibly a sea urchin, bored these holes into the solid rock for protection. 

Headlands in Late Sun SOLD

From photos I took on a trip along the coast a couple of years ago.  Lots of moisture in the air makes the distant headlands almost disappear, and the evening sun adds a warm cast.  This one will be in a show in Artique Ltd. Gallery in Anchorage Alaska in September. 

Beach Ripples Ninilchik

Cook Inlet has large razor clams, wide sandy beaches and extreme tides. I spent one summer at a set-net site not far from here.  I liked the ripples on the beach and wanted to convey the idea but still keep it loose.  I was very interested in the feel of the gray beach and the distant bit of blue sky.

Kodiak Tidal Creek

A view of a low lying creek near chiniak on Kodiak Island, Alaska. At this point, the creek is tidal and bordered by black sand.  A spruce forest covers the distant hills.  I like the gray colors and misty sky. 

Sailboat on the Beach

The owner left this dinghy on the beach of Quartermaster Harbor today; a temptation to kids and adults to climb in and  push off.  But without sails or lines or oars,  it might not be a long trip.  This painting will be at stop # 9, Plum Lodge Painters at Plum Lodge Bnb, on the Vashon Island Art Studio Tour during the first two weekends in December.

Castle Rock Cape Blanco

Another plein air sunset painting from our recent trip along Highway 101.  This was painted atCape Blanco State Park near the Sixes River.  Evening mist was gathering, the sky was changing color rapidly, and Cape Blanco was casting a shadow across the marsh. I like the suggestion of a last bit of warmth on Castle Rock. 

Clam Beach at Orick

Painted on scene at Orick, California.  The sun was setting and a mist was rising from Redwood Creek and all the colors were turning pinker and peachier.    It was about 6:00 and the sun would set in a hour, so I didn't have time to get picky in choosing a site to paint.  I just put my easel down at the first spot.  It was exciting to see the colors change as the sun was setting.  I thought I put a lot more colors into my painting because of it. 
Click here to see this on my Etsy store

Oregon Coast in show

A detail of  Oregon Coast that will be in my upcoming (7 days til it opens!) show in Winslow Washington in September.  The show is at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts. 151 Winslow Way, Bainbridge Island WA.  Reception is September 5, 6-8 p.m.

Cape Blanco

A scene along the Oregon Coast.  Cape Blanco with a low cloud bank.  This will be in my upcoming show at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts in Winslow, Washington  starting September 5.  9" x 12"

From the Cliff

A view from the Oregon coast at Ecola State Park.  The cliffs are constantly being eroded by the action of the waves and these trees are clinging to bits of soil that may soon slide into the sea.  I liked the steep perspective.  16" x 10" oil on panel.  This one will be in a show I'm having in September at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery, Winslow, Washington. 

Ellisport with Clouds

A view across Tramp Harbor towards Ellisport and KVI beach.  A sunny day with interesting clouds.  Painted from photos I took on location. 

Beach and Dunes

A view back up the sandy beach towards the trees and grasses that hold the dunes.  A perfect sunny day with a few clouds and a breeze.  Painted from photos I took on location.  This one will be in a show at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts in September. 

Edge of the Dunes

Another painting from our clam digging trip to Grayland Washington.  I trudged toward the beach with all my painting gear and set up here at the edge of the dunes.  I've done paintings like this from photographs and it's amazing how much more information there is when painting directly from nature.  I have a tendency to put in everything, so I have to make sure at the end to spend time simplifying and massing the values.  The yellow flower is from the invasive weed, Scotch broom, a pest and a nuisance, but so pretty in bloom.