Drama

The Pacific Northwest is known for fog shrouded trees, rain veiled views and dream-tinted skies. But in a simple farm field of calendulas destined for market, it was not softness but the majesty of tall trees and the strength of bold rows on a bright August afternoon that needed to be painted.
This 4 x 6 inch painting is another miniature. It was painted with some artistic license from a photo taken by artist and friend Karen. I call it simply 'Calendulas'. (March 21 Update: It won 'Best in Show and SOLD at the miniature show and competion at the Gallery North in Edmonds, Washington.)

Rain

Puget Sound residents both love and hate the rain. We love the glowing greens, the freshness, the smell that rain bestows on the soil; we love the droplets sparkling in the sun after a shower, the drama and variety of rain-laden clouds and endless more eye-enriching sights. Then the flip side ... the inconvenience ...oh, well ...

While the mist still lingered in this small view of my own driveway, I tried to capture the first weak ray of brightness following a late winter shower; 3 1/2 x 5 inches is all I needed. I entered 'Winter Rays' in the Miniatures show at the Gallery North. (March 31 update: it SOLD at the show!)

Smaller

Objects in paintings are generally smaller than in real life, but here we go one step further and make paintings smaller than the norm, properly called miniatures or small works depending on just how small they are. This one is 4/1/4 by 3 1/2 inches, or just about the size you are likely viewing it on screen, and so is a miniature. The subject is a barn on Heggenes Road, which winds through rural south Whidbey Island. This work, called 'Whidbey Barn' is the first of several miniatures that I plan to paint and enter in a local Miniatures Show, so I cannot commit them for sale just now. These little guys are just plain fun to do, so my next few entries will be small. this work has been SOLD at the Edmonds Art Festival show in June, 2010 .