Silver Cup Three Slices of Lime

More deep shadows and bright top light.  The reflections on the silver cup were fun to paint and keep simple.  The combination of gray with pale pastel pink is very attractive. 
See on my ETSY store

Lime, Lime Slices and SilverBowl

I'm experimenting with deep shadows and top lighting.  I like the way the silver bowl melts into the shadows. 6" x 6"
On my Etsy store.

Glass Bowl with Clementines

The lighting is directly above these small tangerines, giving strong shadows and bright highlights.  The bowl was hard to paint because  both sides were visible.  I kept going from side to side; trim a little here, even it up on the other side, add some more, take more off. Sometimes when I have a problem I will make a paper pattern, fold it in two and work on it until it is symmetrical and then unfold it and trace it back on to the painting.
On my ETSY store.

Rose Fence

A view from Vashon Island.  I pass by this fence on my trips to and from town.  Most people plant flowers by their house, but this thoughtful landowner planted roses on his fence by the roadside for everyone who passes by to enjoy.  I am always thrilled in the spring when the first roses start to bloom.  Painted from photos I took on location. 
8" x 10" acrylic on panel
On my ETSY store.

Evening Ferry with Velvet Hill SOLD

Late afternoon ferry from Vashon to Fauntleroy. The setting sun highlights only the side of the ferry.  The late afternoon shadows make the hills of Vashon look like dark  brown velvet, and dark clouds fill the sky.  The water picks up an unusual yellow green color. 

Manzanita Beach

A very summery view near my home.  Looking south from Piner Point on Manzanita beach towards Tacoma.  The tide was out and the sky was blue and the sun sparkled on the water.  Lots of tidepools loaded with seaweed, little fish, clams and sand dollars.  Slightly larger 16" x 16" - done from photographs I took on location.

Stiped Towel and Orange Slices

This is a slightly larger piece, so I thought I'd try some pattern.   I found a piece of blue and white striped towel and kept the colors simple, everything blue or white except for the orange slices.  I  subdued the reflections in the dark blue vase and the coffee cup because the striped pattern was taking over. I also lightened the fabric to reduce the contrast and simplify the painting.  A fun exercise.

Path to the Beach

A view of pale sandy beaches and shore pines.  Thanks to Oswald West, governor of Oregon in 1913, when the Oregon legislature declared the Pacific beach a public highway. Every few miles along the coast Highway 101 is a road to the beach,  public access and miles of open shoreline.
Painted from photos I took on location.
On my Etsy store.

Waiting for the Ferry

A painting of a summertime subject from several years ago.  Two young women, sitting on the curb, waiting for the ferry to Vashon.  I like the warms and cools in the skin tones, and the interesting poses.
On my Etsy store

Ferry From Southworth SOLD

Sun shines through the clouds and turns the water silver-blue-gray.  This is a view of the north end ferry as it crosses in front of Blake Island on the trip from Southworth to Fauntleroy in Puget Sound.

On my ETSY store

Wooden Boats

From the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle.  I think these are both small wooden sailboats, one with a mast, one the mast taken out, used for rentals and lessons at Lake Union.  I like the lines and shapes of boats - the curves are very subtle and fun to draw.
6 x 12 oil on panel
On my Etsy store:

Lake Gertrude Summer

When we lived in Kodiak we would picnic at Lake Gertrude at Fort Abercrombie.  Now, the brown bear population has increased in the area so you might think twice about a nice walk around the lake.  A summer view from the beach back towards the hills. 
6" x 12" oil on panel

Two Garlic on Gold

A small painting of sprouted garlic.   The sprouts enliven a very neutral subject.  I set the subject on a sheet of glass to have a bit of reflection to paint, too.
4" x 4" oil on panel
On my Etsy Store

Six Garlic on Gray and Gold

These garlic were from a huge bargain bag.  But because we can't eat garlic fast enough, they were starting to sprout.  So I get a new painting subject.  I like the gradations from dark to light in the background and foreground.

Tangerine on Red

Another small tangerine painting.  Highlights show the pebbly texture of the fruit and the smooth leathery shine of the leaves.  I like the harmonious colors.
Click here to see this on my ETSY store

Tangerine on Black

Another small painting (4" x 4") of the tangerine with its leathery green leaves and slightly pear shaped body.  I like the leaf shadow on the round tangerine

Click here to see this on my etsy site

Tangerine on Gold

This tangerine has been sitting in my fridge begging to be painted.  I like the leathery green leaves.  This one is painted in a smaller size than usual - 4" x 4"

Ninilchik Church in Spring

A view of the Russian Orthodox church in Ninilchik, Alaska, with early spring grasses hiding the brown fireweed. 

Cup on a String

Not it's not sideways,  the cup is hanging from a string.   One of six paintings at Bergamot Home this December.  I like that turquoise reflection on the foot of the cup.

Cup on Orange with Polka Dots

Another painting of the scarlet and turquoise paintings for Bergamot Home this month.  Love that polkadotted background.

Prize Winner!

I won second prize in the Daily Paintworks November contest.  "Daisies and Bachelor's Buttons" is 10" x 10" oil on panel.  Painted this summer when my daughter's cutting garden was in full flower.  (Thanks, Annie!) I painted the front daisy with detail, but tried just to suggest the rest of the flowers.   I also liked how the background colors work with the limited palette of the bouquet.  So even though the colors are cool, the composition seems light and lively.
 Click here to see this one in my Etsy store

Cup on Orange Stripe

Another painting for the show at Bergamot Home.  I like back-lit subjects, especially since the cup is actually white but instead picks up the colors of the tabletop.

Cup on Blue with Polkadots

Another cup for the show at Bergamot Home.  I like the dark background paper with turquoise polkadots. 

Cup on Blue Stripe with Orange

Another exploration of turquoise and scarlet.  At Bergamot Home for December. 

Cup and Orange Corner

One of six similar paintings on display in December at  Bergamot Home (23927 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon)   The theme was scarlet and turquoise. 

Three Persimmons Silver Pot

I like the leaves of the persimmons.  They are flat and leathery and dull in color and it's easy to put in too much detail to try to make them look like leaves.  So I struggle to simplify the shapes, leave it unfussy, and still convey the idea.  That's what makes painting fun!

Three Persimmons Gold Wall

A persimmon painting with a dark background.  I like the shiny silver pot - fun to paint and a nice contrast to the matte surface of the persimmons.  8" x 10" oil on panel

This one will be in Bergamot Home on Vashon for the December show.  Located at 23927 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon, WA 98070 

Persimmons on a Windowsill

Painted in my studio from this year's crop of Fuyu persimmons.  I like the minimal colors and the reflections in the silver pot (a thrift store find given to me by my daughter)  6" x 12" oil on panel.

This one will be in Bergamot Home on Vashon for December.  Located at 23927 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon, WA 98070

Red Sunset Hills and Ferry SOLD

The north end Vashon Ferry seen from the Fauntleroy side. A late afternoon view when the sun is low and turns the hills red and throws the scene into shadow.  I have tried to paint this view previously without success, so this time I did a rendering in black white & gray and then applied multiple glazes of red, orange, brown and even a little blue.  The black & white start allowed me to control the values and the drawing without having to solve the colors at the same time.
6" x 12" oil on panel
On my Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/listing/169045095/red-sunset-hills-and-ferry

View near Crockett Lake

I made a trip to Whidbey Island this summer.  This scene is near Crockett Lake and near the Admiralty Head lighthouse which is somewhere out of sight on the hill that I painted in the background.  I liked the sense of sunshine coming at me. 
12" x 7.25"

Dockton Harbor SOLD

The tide is out and the marina floats are resting low in the water.  Lots of verticals and horizontals.  I kept painting the posts in and then taking them out again to try to balance the tightness of the middle ground against the looseness of the foreground.
8 x 10 oil on panel.