Tag Archives: flower

Sunflowers for the Salal Festival

Underpainting on classical sunflower still life

What’s in a Sunflower? The bright, blooming sunflower heads are symbolic of the sun itself which represents warmth, happiness and all things positive. The offspring of my garden are changeable creatures, much like my paintings, morphing from still life to landscape to portrait. But sunflowers have taken hold of my heart since we moved into our Kalama hilltop house. The first year they bloomed like … Continue reading

Four Sunflowers

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Those of you who know me well know that when the gift-giving time of the year comes around, ie: the holidays, you can expect a painting. Like it or not. To me it’s better than a store bought gift, because I put myself into it. Sunflowers seems to be a recurring theme in my paintings. I’ve pondered why and come to the conclusion that they … Continue reading

Sunflower Wishes for the New Year

2012_holidaySunflower

Wishing you wonderful times with family and friends and joy and peace in the New Year! Thank you to all of my commission clients for the privilege of creating a one-of-a-kind painting for you. Thank you to all of my customers who have supported my artwork by purchasing one of my paintings. Thank you to all of my family, friends and co-workers who continue to … Continue reading

Sunflowers in a Blue Vase for the Twitter Art Exhibit

My artwork for the 2013 Twitter Art Exhibit

Through art we can change the world! I’m proud and honored to participate, once again, in a Twitter Art Exhibit designed to benefit a non-profit organization dedicated to making the world a better place. While the first two exhibits I joined were held in Moss, Norway, this one is right here in the United States, at The Exhale Unlimited Gallery in Los Angeles. The non-profit … Continue reading

Water Lily Inspirations

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Never knowing when and where inspiration will strike leaves me open to new ideas. Even though Mother Inspiration is a fickle muse, she is often generous, and appropriate thankfulness must be given. Which is why the waiting room of a local medical clinic with an unadorned expanse of gray-brown wall space called to me. It conjured colorful visions in my mind of Monetish water lily … Continue reading

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Saturday Roses

2012_pinkRosesBlueVase

A perfect painting Saturday ensued today, enough so that I could actually finish what I started–these pink roses in a blue vase. The deer let them live another day just so I could paint them. The sunflowers I recently freed from their weedy prison. Every once in a while I have to paint directly, whether inspired by artists like Bobbie Burgers and Jennifer Diehl, or … Continue reading

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Remembering Maui

Yellow Hibiscus

Have you ever wanted to go back to a time when you were younger, thinner, warmer, or maybe in a prettier place? That’s what being in Maui is like, especially the part about being younger. Warmth and light are things that make me feel younger, maybe because the weight of clothing subtracted, takes away the years. Our trip to Maui last November was a reward … Continue reading

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Tulip Magnolia for the Twitter Art Exhibit

Tulip Magnolia, 4.5 x 6, watecolor

I’ve entered another Twitter fundraising art exhibit! In November 2010 I entered my first Twitter Art Exhibit, a collaborative fund-raising effort to help a library in Moss, Norway. All I had to do was submit a postcard sized painting and share it on Twitter. Sales of paintings contributed by artists all over the world raised enough money to purchase 220 new children’s books for the … Continue reading

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A Holiday Sunflower Wish

2011_holidaySunflower2011

Happy Holidays To You and Yours! Wishing you a joyous holiday season, wonderful times with family and friends, good food, nice wine, joy and peace in the New Year, and abundant painting inspirations! Thank you to all of my commission clients for the privilege of creating a one-of-a-kind painting for you. Thank you to all of my customers who have supported my artwork by purchasing one … Continue reading

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I’m a Meebo style artist

The Meebo stuff

In the spirit of the season, Meebo sent me Meebo stuff! Specifically, Sue Golden, who I’ve never met, but who works with my son, the new Meebo guy. Artist friends ask me why I do that blogging, Twitter, Facebook thing. I like to do it because it gives people a chance to see my art. I like my paintings. They often speak to me. So … Continue reading

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Painting in Maui

Yellow Hibiscus ~ Marie

Maui ~ the Garden Isle Our days were filled with tropical hues, the kiss of sunshine and warm winds. Scents of gardenia, ginger and tuberose filled the air and brilliant blue skies matched the Pacific far below. Waves crashed upon the beach and birds babbled with abandon at the tourists, as if to say, haha, we get to stay here and you don’t! It was … Continue reading

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Earth Day: 10 Reasons Why It Matters

Earth Day 2011

Last year I painted an endangered species of California Lily in honor of Earth Day. This year I hoped to paint another endangered floral, but alas, time got away from me. Instead, I’m sharing why Earth Day is important to me, as an artist. It’s local. Earth Day was right here in my community, featuring businesses I recognize, and people I know. It’s that way … Continue reading

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Every Artist Needs Art Friends

My friend Marisa's artwork

Every artist needs art friends. They inspire and keep us motivated. They give us comfort and laughter. Marisa is such a friend. Her paintings are eclectic, like mine, varying in style, subject and medium. But always inspiring. Here’s her latest:  Africa and Dan’s Tile were both commissioned. McMenamins captures the essence of a wonderful northwest restaurant here in the Portland area. I think this one … Continue reading

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Daffodils: Hallmark of Spring!

Daffodils in a Blue Vase

 Daffodils in a Blue Vase 2011 | 11 x 14 | oil on canvas | private collection Daffodils wave their cheery little faces at us everywhere here in Southwest Washington, even if the rain keeps coming down. Allan loves daffodils, so I cut some and put them into a cobalt blue vase on our dining room table. After contemplating them for a week or so, I … Continue reading

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