Another Zinnia Study

I'll hang this study in my small show at Macrina Bakery in Sodo, Seattle tomorrow. There won't be an opening party but drop by any time in October to see some paintings and buy some delicious bread. The bakery is just south of the stadiums on First Avenue.

This little study is 5"x7" and is $150.

More Opal and More Pumpkins

Two unrelated photos. Umm. They both show round furry things.

Opal Ears and Pumpkin Vines

Small Studies

Happiness is having painting panels primed and sanded and ready to use. These small ones will be fun for quick flower studies like these zinnias.

Abundance

Part of a commission to paint the four seasons, this painting represents summer. The little chickadee is surrounded, and maybe a bit overwhelmed, by the abundance around her. It is a joyful image but complicated by the problem of choosing from all life's riches. There are also some moody storm clouds approaching adding that feeling of urgency that I can't escape when faced with summer's perfection.

The painting measures 9"x 12" and is oil on panel. If you click on it you can see it closer to its real size.

You can see the winter part of this series here.

SAGBUTT at the Arboretum

A couple of images from Sunday's meeting of garden bloggers at the University of Washington Arboretum. The orange seeds belong to an Iris foetidissima and the pretty pink berries are from a Mountain Ash.

Ahead of My Time

While going through my high school sketch books I found this drawing of my sister's stuffed animal. I think we used to call him Ferdinand. My art teacher didn't like the subject matter and gave me a low mark. Mr Murphy this may have been the only time you were wrong.


Thirty years later I can point to Mark Ryden as one of my most inspiring influences.

My Art Teacher

The recent figure and cat studies are good. Try some observed studies in colour. 8/10


Your corn drawing is the most thorough piece of work. Try to take on that kind of challenge more often. Sketchbook mark 17/20


Drawing from observation. You need to challenge your abilities regularly Try not to neglect this aspect of your work. 8/10

These are my sketchbooks from high school with wise comments and marks by my art teacher, John Murphy. Thank you John for everything. We will all miss you.

You can read about John here.

Fog - a little creepy

Isn't this Thomas Kinkade style image funny? The cottage is the public bathroom in Magnolia Park where I like to visit the Arbutus trees.


This is more of a Franz Kline image.

Fog

Laughing Not Crying

My painting of summer's abundance is such a pleasure to work on. I am extending summer by bringing these luscious sunflowers into the studio. The little chickadee is wondering how to choose from all the glories of the season but my first attempt at painting her was less than successful. Ha ha ha. Poor thing. I'll post her less funny version when the painting is finished.

September Garden

Goodbye summer

Weird and Wonderful

Some people call them Arbutus. Here in Seattle we call them Madronas. Whatever you call them they are extraordinary trees.


They are the only broad leafed evergreen trees native to this area.


I took these pictures in a park in Magnolia to help with a new painting. (By the way. The story goes that the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle was named after these wonderful trees but the namer got the name wrong. There is another neighborhood called Madrona, where, as far as I know, there aren't many of these trees.)