"The Invitation"

I took the reference photo for this at the little marina down the street from where I live and have been wanting to paint it for quite awhile now...

In A Restless World

Last weekend I took a monotype class... something I've been wanting to try for a long time.  The background for this little painting is the ghost print from one of my monotypes.  It was inspired by looking at some Paul Klee paintings. 

Daily Paintworks Challenge...

This is my entry for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  I drew it in pen then added transparent watercolors over the top.  Listening to Stevie Nick's "Stop Dragging My Heart Around"...

Finished Commission

Signed, sealed and delivered commissioned painting.

"Mike's Place"

Earlier this week I treated myself to dinner at a wonderful little diner on the south side of this island I live on.  I'm sure the waitress thought I was very odd taking pictures of the salt and pepper shakers but I thought it would be a fun painting and it was!

Give Us this Day Our Daily Red

My husband worked late tonight so I got in a little painting time...   a little 6"X6" whimsical watercolor painting.

Finger Pickin Good

I took the reference photo for this painting at this year's local art festival.  I loved how oblivious this man was to all the commotion going on around him as he sat on the curb playing his guitar.

Sleep Peacefully on Summer Lawns

This is my entry to the Daily Paintworks Challenge - this week the challenge was to do a painting in rectangles.

Inspired by Thomas Merton

"Wear your life like a peacock it's plume."   - Thomas Merton

Plein Air

Such a wonderful day this was - sitting on the beach painting with my dear friend, sister in law, amazing artist...  I still have a lot of work to do to be comfortable painting plein air style but really enjoyed every minute of it today and look forward to trying it again soon!

Starting at Zero

A little mid-week abstract.

Tea Love

"Tea Love" is my painting for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  This week the challenge was to paint your favorite mug.  I bought this mug from a local ceramic artist and it has been my favorite for years.  I also put in my favorite vase that I got at the same wonderful place...  they both remind me of that sunny spring afternoon my husband and I went for a motorcycle drive up winding Chuckanut Drive that follows the shoreline up to Bellingham.  Just before you get to town there is this great store/gallery that features local artists of all types...it is one of my favorite places on earth.

Building A Watercolor House...

Fortune Teller

"Fortune Teller" is my entry for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  The challenge was to use a black and white photo and pay close attention to values.  In order to do that I did a black and white graphite underdrawing before adding the layers of watercolor.  This challenge was put forth by one of my favorite watercolor artists, Belinda Del Pesco and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give it a whirl!

Here is the graphite drawing:

Corner Chair

As soon as I first saw the sun spilling in on this lovely chair at my brother's condo I wanted to paint it.  That was in April and I finally got my chance today!

A study...

I finished this graphite and watercolor study of poppies just in time to go out and enjoy the reverence of watching the sun set behind the water... the best church of all:)

Two little cattle dog paintings...

 

"Wish You Were Here"

 

"Cool Blue"

I Carry Your Heart With Me

Inspired by one of my favorite poems by ee cummings.  One of the most beautiful love poems of all time.

Red, white and a little blue...

I'm always working on doing better portrait paintings - and the work continues...

Good Day Sunshine

I need to laugh, and when the sun is out I've got something to laugh about

I feel good, in a special way

I'm in love and it's a sunny day.

-The Beatles

It's raining here on Whidbey Island this July morning but this song about sunshine offered the perfect title for my new watercolor.