Good Dog

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$60

Those Eyes

I loved the intensity of this dachshund's eyes.  Merry Christmas all.  I'm taking a few days off for Christmas but will be back painting again next week.

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$60

Blew By You

Have you ever been skiing, thinking you're doing a pretty good job and then, whoosh!  A little kid goes zooming by you and covers you in their snow dust?  That's pretty much how it goes for me.  I actually love seeing the little ones carve it up on the slopes.  I was inspired to paint this because our youngest daughter is just learning to ski, and can't seem to get enough of it.

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$60

Sun Bathing Beauty

Okay, I've got a problem.  I am dog obsessed!  This sweet pup reminded me of one of my favorite dogs at our shelter.  I love big, slobbery dogs.  They look so big and intimidating, but in actuality are just gentle teddy bears.

8x6 acrylic on gessobord
$60

Golden Beach Day

So, I started off my day working on another snow filled mountain scene, but could not muster the energy to complete it.  I think it's because I'M FREEZING!  It's so darn cold here and I just can't get excited about painting a winter scene.  Oh how I miss summer!  Well, since I have no control over the weather, I took control of my painting and did something a little "warmer".  May we all be blessed with warm beach days with our dogs!

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$60

Snowy Mountains

This time of year my mind starts dreaming of snow.  We've had one brief snow day so far, and we're hoping for many more!  So, if I keep painting pictures of snow, will it help my chances?  I'm hoping so!
I put on my big girl painting pants and took a leap into the world of vibrant colors for this piece. I love, love, loved it!  There's nothing like a little bright orange to put a little shine in my day.

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$60

Spin Cycle

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Surfin Beagle

Growing up, we always had a houseful of beagles.  My mom loved this breed because of their gentle and patient nature.  I loved them because they let me dress them up, hug and play with them.  This beagle reminded my of my sweet childhood companions.

8x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Shake It Off

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

I felt the need for a little beach dog in my life.  I'm ready for summer!

Canadian Bliss

This week's Daily Paintworks challenge is "Gratitude" and what I am so very grateful for is summer cruising aboard our sailboat.  The places we see and experience, as well as time spent together, away from the hustle and bustle of regular life, is truly priceless.  Of coarse, I am grateful for so much more than this, but I really wanted to paint this scene!  Enjoy a little of our bliss.

Golden Gate Bridge From Afar

I painted this for this week's DPW "bridge" challenge.

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Heron of the Sea

Okay...Just one more!  Enjoy.

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Another Blue Heron

8x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Great Blue Heron II

I felt I needed to paint a couple more blue herons before my adult ADD led me on another painting adventure! I absolutely love this bird.

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Standing Tall

Some of you may have noticed a lack of paintings being shared on my part.  I've been extremely busy helping to organize our daughter's sailing club auction.  It's been a little crazy around here!  Anyway, this is a painting I did for the team auction.  Hopefully it will do well.

20x10 acrylic on canvas
NFS

Monster March

Our oldest daughter is a senior in high school this year.  The seniors at her school have numerous pages in the yearbook devoted to them to celebrate their past.  While I was searching through photos of our daughter's childhood, I came upon this one from 2002.  Our old neighborhood in Portland had an annual Halloween parade called the "Monster March".  It was always a good time for both kids and adults.  Sometimes I'd like to go back, just for a bit, to enjoy times like these with our girls once again.

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Foggy Forest

I painted this for the DPW "spooky" challenge this week.  I've been wanting to paint a foggy scene and this photo was perfect for that.  Happy Halloween!

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

I'd Rather Be Sailing

Fall has come way too early for me.  I'd much rather be in my shorts and t-shirt, sailing along with a nice gentle breeze.

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Two Redheads

This is a painting of my friend's daughter with a horse she befriended.  I loved the way this beautiful horse leaned right into her.  When my friend asked me to do this painting, I wasn't sure I could pull it off, but I'm quite happy with the results.

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
sold

Curious Kitty

I painted "Curious Kitty" for this week's DPW painting challenge.  I used a reference photo from Pixabay but changed the background to water instead of grass.  A good friend of mine has a cat that loves to watch the goings on of underwater life.  I think he's only fallen in once or twice.

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Walking My Human

After finishing "Are You Ready For Some Football?", I had extra black and white paint out so I decided this would be a great painting to follow up with.  I have a soft spot for great Danes.  I think it's their enormous floppy jowls and goofy look that gets me.

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Are You Ready For Some Football?

When the temperatures start cooling and the shadows get longer you know it's that time of year...Football season!  I painted this for the Daily Paintworks Autumn challenge.  Most people think of leaves changing colors when fall rolls around, but we think...Football!  Ok, I really like the changing colors of leaves too!

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Holy Cow!

 I present to you some bovine babes.  Mooooo!

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Strolling With Mom

Who doesn't love elephants, right?!  I painted this for the DPW elephant challenge.  I love these beautiful animals.  Mothers in the wild fascinate and inspire me.  Enjoy!

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Strolling With Mom

Who doesn't love elephants, right?!  I painted this for the DPW elephant challenge.  I love these beautiful animals.  Mothers in the wild fascinate and inspire me.  Enjoy!

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Under the Palm Tree

8x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

This is where I'd like to be right now...relaxing in the shade of tropical palm tree, sipping on something refreshing, and maybe even taking a little nap!

I painted this for the "look up" DPW challenge this week.  Enjoy!

Surfer Boy

8x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

I love the reflections at the beach near sunset.  I really enjoyed working with the lighter grays.

Morgan the Surfer Dude

8x10 acrylic on canvas

This is a commission piece I painted for a friend.

End of a Summer Day

8x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Well, the kids are back in school, the weather is cooling down, and I am trying to get back into a painting mode.  This is the 4th painting I've worked  on this week, and the only one I didn't throw across the room!  Boy is it hard to snap out of goof off mode!

I painted this from a photo I took this summer while cruising in the Canadian Gulf Islands.  It is so peaceful up there.  Our favorite time of day while cruising is near sundown.  Everything quiets down.  There is a sense of, "It doesn't get any better than this".  Yup, I am ready for next summer!

Happy Dog

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Isn't this the most joyful dog!  I couldn't resist painting this guy.  Just looking at it makes me smile.  If I was with him at the beach, I'd be happy too!

Futuro

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

This week the DPW challenge was horses.  A good friend of mine just happened to post a gorgeous photo of her equine friend, Futuro, on Facebook a few days ago.  I fell in love with this picture and knew I had to paint it!

Kingfisher

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

On our sailing vacation this July, we saw more Kingfishers than any other cruise.  I love these birds!  When I saw that last weeks DPW bird challenge offered up a photo of a kingfisher, I had to paint it!

Light in the Forest

8x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

I love when sun shines through a dark forest and highlights the golden leaves.  I painted this for this week's DPW forest challenge.

Go Jump in the Lake

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

I've been out sailing for the past month and I'm finally back in the studio painting my heart out.  I actually finished "Go Jump in the Lake", before taking off on vacation, but never did photograph it.  I was inspired to paint this for the summer vacation challenge.  I love capturing movement in paintings.

Dad and Daughter Beach Day

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

When I saw the Daily Paintworks challenge for this week (summer vacation challenge), I knew I had to paint it.  I absolutely love pictures of dads with their daughters at the beach.  It brings back so many memories for me of our girls with their dad, playing near the ocean.  I also wanted to paint this to honor all those fantastic, loving, fun dads out there this Father's Day.  Happy summer everyone!

The Sand Man and Beyond

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

The Sand Man is a 1910 tugboat that has been restored and now serves as a floating museum on Olympia's Budd Inlet.  It is one of the most recognized attributes of our beautiful city.  I used my very talented friend's photo to paint this.  Thank you Donna Richard!  She has a wonderful knack for catching intense weather patterns.

Take a Breather

8x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

I painted this as a little reminder to not let life overwhelm me.  It's been a busy month and I was getting so caught up in my to do list that I forget to stop and enjoy all the blessings that surround me.  I hope this inspires you to let it go for a bit and just enjoy life!

Morning at Pt. Hudson Marina

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

I always love visiting this marina in Port Townsend.  Even on a cloudy morning it shines!

Oregon Wine Country

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Before we became parents, my husband and I enjoyed visiting local wineries whenever we had a free weekend.  It is incredibly beautiful around there (and the wine is wonderful!).

Curious Seal

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

I don't think there has ever been a time sailing in the Puget Sound where we haven't had the company of these adorable creatures.  We never tire of their visits.

Underwater Annie

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

This is my entry into this week's DPW "underwater challenge".  When visiting my mom on Oahu, one of the first things we do is jump in the pool.  This is our daughter, Annie, doing her fish thing.

I've been painting bigger lately!

I've been working on a few paintings for our Olympia Art League Lakefair juried art show.  I'm hoping one of these will be selected for the show.  It was nice to paint on a larger canvas again.  I forgot how much paint I go through on these!

Molly and Her Red Bucket
12x12
acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas
$165

Leaving Kailua Beach
16x12
acrylic on canvas
$200

Family Beach Day
12x16
acrylic on canvas
$200

Little Mommies

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Where does the time go?  It seems like yesterday that my girls were playing with dolls and mini strollers.  Now it's all about boys and college!

Fetch Anyone?

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

At every regatta there are dogs.  This one  was especially adorable!  She had a number of people throwing her ball for her.

Leader of the Pack

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

I love seeing the kids put their all into a race!

Sweet Ride

6x8 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Lately my life has been regatta controlled.  Our daughter has been having the time of her life sailing with the high school team.  It's hard not to be inspired by the passion of these kids!

Three Peppers

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

I painted these colorful veggies for this week's DPW challenge.  Enjoy!

Building Sandcastles

6x6 acrylic on gessobord
$50

Our daughters would spend hours at a time creating things in the sand.  I love painting children at the beach, especially when they are my own!