Sunday, July 29, 2012

Sunday Sketches

Fuchsia........the ballerina of flowers. Each one is so enchanting.

I tried to keep the flow of watercolors, but I think I over painted the background.

I have been known to tear up paintings and create new. I think I might make this one into a mini painting. What are your thoughts?

Please help me decide which of the seven oil paintings I should enter in the "27 Feet of Art....And More" show and auction. Thanks!

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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

I need your help......

Each year in Olympia, The Washington Center For The Performing Arts has an annual fundraiser called "27 Feet of Art....and MORE!" It is an art exhibit and online auction fundraiser which began with 27 artists, but has grown over the years.

Artists donate a piece of art that is 12" X 12" to raise money for the arts in our town. I bought a package of seven 12" X 12" canvases at the art store. Now, I have seven oil paintings to choose from.

I could use your help in selecting the painting to enter to be juried for the exhibit.

Please vote on your favorite.

Square # 1


Square # 2


Square # 3


Square # 4


Square # 5


Square # 6


Square # 7


Thanks, I appreciate your help!

Leftovers will be shown at Holiday Happenings in November in Olympia.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Last Three

Completed my goal of painting all seven 12" X 12" canvases!

Here are the last three......

Alpine Lily


Calla Lily


Fuchsia


Next week you will have a chance to vote for your favorite oil painting and help me select which painting to enter in the "27 Feet of Art......And More" art show and auction to raise money for The Washington Center of the Performing Arts in Olympia, Washington.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Sunday Sketches

We are so in the throws of summer and I am loving it! Thus, I am posting early as I am off on another hiking adventure this time in the Olympics.

My gardens are going wild. I have lots of beautiful flowers for painting subject matter. I keep going back and forth with watercolor and oil paint.....

Today's sketch is a gardener's still life.

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Beach Art

The rock formations on the Washington Coast are spectacular.
I shared some photos from my recent coastal trek in the last blog.

Now, rock formations on a smaller scale. Beach art!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Northwest Coast of Washington Trek

I have dreamed of visiting the most north western portion of Washington and walking the coastline. It is claimed to be one of the most spectacular places to see in Washington.

It lives up to its reputation!

Shi Shi Beach


My good friends, Maxine and Ray, are seasoned hikers and invited me to join them on a three night - four day trek from Sand Point to Shi Shi Beach. Having been there before, they knew the ropes (pun, tee hee). Although this is not a long hike in miles, it is very tedious and challenging scaling the cliffs, climbing over rocks, walking on rocks and in slippery tide pools, fording a river, and knowing the tides and terrain necessary to cover so as not to be trapped. Definitely not the average hike!

Here I am ready to go......



You might notice that I do not have a huge backpack.....

Instead, I had Sherpa George.*

Ray, George, Maxine at Ozette River Bridge


We were graced to share this beautiful place with many of the coastal wildlife. Eagles nested in the trees by our campsites and flew overhead, even displaying talon grabbing behavior. The first evening we watched whales swimming South. We walked along side of deer, and shared the river with an otter. There was a plethora of starfish of various sizes and colors, two octopus sightings, and an array of sea critters and sea plants.

Sea life.....



The ropes......and there were MANY!

More fabulous scenery.....

Eagle posing for photo....



*George's backpack broke before departure. In order for all of us to go on the adventure, George and I had to consolidate our stuff.

The "Maxinator" decided what goes and what does not. The next thing I knew, I had my own personal Sherpa :)

Thank you, Maxine!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Sunday Sketches

Shapes again....

I just LOVE the shapes of the Calle Lily!

I am sooo looking forward to the bloom of the yellow, pink, and orange Calle Lilies that I have planted. I wonder why they decide to show up later than the white one?

I tried to keep this watercolor painting very simple and not loose the flow.

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Sunday, July 1, 2012

Sunday Sketches

Name that flower, please!

It spreads like crazy and reminds me of a bad hair day.

What a challenge to switch from oil painting to watercolor painting. Recently, I have been working on several square oil paintings to enter in a fundraiser art show. I wanted to have a sketch for today, so I decided to do something quick in watercolor. As I was layering paint I realized that I lost the watercolor effect. So here is a watercolor painting done like an oil painting.......weird!

I e-mailed my friend who is a master gardener about the name of the flower......unless YOU know!

ANSWER: Centaurea Montana