I am still finishing a stealth project, so no photos there.

I am trying to concentrate on paintings for the Equine Art Show (in July), so I started one based on this photo.

Here’s step 1. [image removed]

We’ll see how it turns out…

In the last year I’ve spent a lot of time looking at other people’s blogs, getting ideas about what I’m doing right, wrong, and everything in between.

If you read a lot of blogs, this time of year you’ll notice a pattern: EVERYONE is recapping their year and planning for the next.

To be fair, the entire country is doing this (there may be a few exceptions) but as a species, humans like these big, round number times to take stock and make changes.

Before I post my list of resolutions, I thought it might be pertinent to post my 2014 accomplishments.

1. I started a website.

Most popular posts (by month)

• January – no data
• February – no data
• March – Itchy and crazy
• April –  How can I sell that?
• May – I’m not weighing my soul
• June – Remember the knitting when loosing weight
• July – Oh, not so happy day
• August –  Plein air, finally
• September – Painting a day challenge
• October – Returning to regular life
• November – Don Wayne Choate
• December – Cold, windy, and bright

2. I removed 80lbs from my body!

3. I got a painting into the Watercolor Society of Oregon show!

4. I went to Kentucky!

 5. My dad died.

It was an eventful year… and I’m looking forward to 2015!

As I told you, I was doing quite a bit of painting in December, I just couldn’t show it to you; however, one of my projects has been delivered, so I can recap my process.

This project goes back to my September “painting a day” challenge (specifically my September 21 entry: opsimath (or me dealing with the aftermath of shopping). As I mentioned, my mom’s favorite flower is the rhodie and she really liked this piece and hinted (read told me in no uncertain terms) that this was her preferred Christmas present.

I didn’t make much progress on it in the month of October, and most of November flew by before I got down to business.

I started with a large scale drawing of my reference photo.

The original September painting was 8″x10″ and I wanted this to be a 12″x16″ (between 1/2 and 1/2 sheet) painting. Once I laid down that drawing, I created a strong, dark background.

Next I added my darkest darks to the background then added a light wash over the flower itself.

Next worked on adding the shadows, detailing the petals, and coloring the stamens to the flowers. (Note: For whatever reason, the color of the photo in this step is very off.)

At this point I took it to my critique group. They suggested adding darks to the flower and changing the shape of the upper left green leaf. I also added my signature.

I matted it, wrapped it, and took it to its new owner. Who says, “I love it.”

So… it’s a happy ending to a hurried story. Whew!

I originally sketched this as part of the SYD series at the Fall 2012 Watercolor Society of Oregon convention; in this case SYD stands for simplify your drawing. When I transferred my sketch to a bigger sheet of paper, I wasn’t sure how I would handle the piece. Fortunately, I was trying some new paint and things took off from there.

“Age” – 2013
approximately 15″x22″ on 140lb Arches
$50

This piece is matted, but not framed, so I can offer it at a 20% discount at $40.

This will be the last day of my online sale. If you are interested in anything, I will honor these prices through January 1, but starting in 2015, all pieces will go back to “normal.”

In the meantime, Happy Holidays!

[image removed]

Trackside Discussion I

The reference photo for this was also taken at Emerald Downs during the 2013 Equine Art show. This horse was being lead back to the barn by his groom; the horse had been hosed off and was very shiny and obviously still feeling the excitement of the race.

This piece started as an experiment; I used hot press paper, and my idea was to do a rich underpainting on the horse to indicate the emotions the horse was still feeling. Then I added the body color, trying to preserve the slickness of the wet horse.

This piece is matted in black with a custom frame; I can offer a 10% discount for $90.

[image removed]

Distaff Divas

This painting turned out almost unrecognizable from its inspiration. I took the reference photo in 2013 at Emerald Downs during a big 3-year-old-filly race. But when I got it home, I thought it was so similar in composition to “Stride for Stride” that I decided to experiment and then decide what I wanted to do.

I underpainted the horses in purple/red and orange/pink, then over painted in burnt sienna and a golden Daniel Smith color that I can’t reference. I loved the results but didn’t know where to go next. So I did a tissue paper pour and crossed my fingers.

This piece is matted in white with a custom frame; I can offer a 10% discount for $135.

Living in Oregon City, Willamette Falls is a big deal. Many people don’t know Willamette Falls in the second largest waterfall in North America by volume (beaten only by Niagra Falls). To the first peoples, it was also a big deal, featuring prominently in the legend Coyote builds Willamette fails and the Magic Fish Trap (my favorite local legend).

On my normal walks through Canemah Bluff, you can see Willamette Falls with the Arch Bridge down river (north); however, there are trees in the way. I took some photos, digitally removed the trees, then I sketched this drawing, amazed to find that the Arch Bridge wasn’t straight across the river, but actually lowered to the Oregon City side.

“Willamette Falls, downriver” – 2013
approximately 20″x16″ on 140lb Arches
$50

This summer, I went with artist friend Sandra Pearce to paint on the Oregon City bridge, looking south toward the falls. Since this photo was taken, I adjusted a few areas and tweaked the darks, and I’m proud enough of the final result that I recently entered this painting for the Urban/Rural Landscapes show at Oregon Society of Artists.

“Willamette Falls, upriver” – 2014
approximately 20″x16″ on 140lb Arches
$100

“Willamette Falls, downriver” is out of the frame and simply matted; I can offer it at a 20$ discount of $40. “Willamette Falls, upriver” is currently framed and at the Oregon Society of Artists. You can purchase it there for $100, or wait until it comes back to me in early January, where I will honor a 10% discount of $90 in frame or a 20% discount unframed for $40. I hope one, or both of these appeals to you!

“Whim by Whim” – 2014
approximately 21″x14″ transparent watercolor and acrylic on 140lb Arches
$100

After completing “Ripples” I was inspired to try a little more and did an acrylic underlayer with burlap. Then I used some novelty paper to create some pours. From that point, this piece emerged… whim by whim.

This piece is currently matted and framed; in the frame, I can offer it at 10% discount ($90). If you would like it out of the frame (the mat was custom cut), I will offer it at $40 (a 20% discount.)

My teacher, Anji Grainger, took a class from Lynda Hoffman-Snodgrass and then came back to class and encouraged everyone to practice this new skill set. I really enjoyed this piece and plan to do more abstracts in the future.

“Ripples” – 2013
approximately 13″x20″
$100

This piece is currently matted and framed; in the frame, I can offer it at 10% discount ($90). If you would like it out of the frame (the mat was custom cut), I will offer it at $40 (a 20% discount.)

“Thunderbird” – 2013
approximately 22″x15″ on 140lb Arches
$100

In the summer, turkey vultures glide along the cliffs beyond my house, endlessly riding the thermals in search of food. While not the prettiest of birds up close, I’ve always like these “garbagemen.” While California Condors are often considered the inspiration for the “Thunderbird”, when turkey vultures twist against the sun, their primary features glow white. One day I saw one near a broken tree and was inspired to craft this painting.

This painting is currently matted and framed. I will offer this at 10% off in the frame (or $90); without the frame, I would normally sell this at $50, and I will offer a 20% discount… effectively making this $40.

It is a dramatic and unique piece that would fit in well with a southwest theme.