Come Play With Me

8x6 acrylic on gessobord

How can you refuse a face like this!  Tomorrow I get to play with the dogs at our local shelter.  I love the ones that come running up to me with a slobbery ball in their mouths and a big, wide, happy grin.

Beach Buddies

6x6 acrylic on gessobord

It brings me so much joy painting dogs playing in the water.  After the terrible events in Las Vegas, I felt the need to share something simple and joyful.  Spread love, not hate.

Seaside Picnic

6x6
acrylic on gessobord

This past spring break we took a trip to southern California.  We spent three days biking, playing frisbee and football, walking, and relaxing on the beach.  Of coarse, I had my camera with me and as inconspicuously as possible (always such a challenge!)  photographed everything going on around me.  I wanted to capture that "California beach" feeling in this painting; the bright, warm sunshine, endless acres of sand, and endless blue of the Pacific Ocean.

Kawainui Canal Morning

6x8
acrylic on gessobord

I never get tired of this view.  The Koolau mountain range never disappoints!  I've always wanted to do a painting of this and the last time I was visiting my mom I was blessed with a perfect morning to capture a photo of this scene.

This is actually the second painting I did of this.  The first one became way too busy and overworked!  Sometimes, if I'm not concentrating, I end up putting way too many details in the painting.  In a way, it's like I get lazy.  I tried very hard to limit my strokes and also take the time to step back and observe.  I'm much happier with this end result!

Rock n' Roll

8x6
acrylic on gessobord

For the last 2 years, a majority of my time has been spent cheering on our daughter at regattas.  I've learned so much about youth sailing and racing, and to be quite honest, I love it!  Some of the conditions these kids sail in would make any adult quiver in their boots!  The gumption and tenacity I've seen in all of the kids makes me proud to be a part of it all.

With this painting I was hoping to capture the movement and action out on the water, as well as the bright sunshine.  Thanks to Jim Skeel, an amazing photographer, I was able to use his photo to paint this.

Three On the Line

8x6
acrylic on canvas board

I painted this from a photo I found on Pixabay.  I was instantly attracted to the colors of the fish and water.  I started this painting with a much more "clean and simple"style (and honestly, being a slave to the photo!), but found it wasn't quite working for me.  I wanted to see more action and feeling.  I'm pretty happy with the results. 

 After not painting for a good part of the summer I started wondering if I'd lose all the progress I've made in my painting style.  Strangely enough, when I picked up the brush I felt a certain amount of freedom. Maybe getting out of the routine helped me to take a few more chances?  Who knows.  I certainly don't want to over think it!

Reflections of Pearl

8x6
acrylic on gessobord

I painted this for the "Water Challenge".  It's an actual reflection of our beloved sailboat, Pearl, while anchored in Boston Harbor, Olympia.  It was the morning after the July 3rd fireworks a couple of years ago and the water was glass calm, the sky was a brilliant blue, and life was good.

This past summer did not leave much room for painting in my life.  Our oldest daughter is now off at college, and our youngest is back in school, and I am able to get back in a groove with my art!  I hope all of you had a wonderful summer.

Black Lab Puppy

6x6
acrylic on gessobord

This one pretty much speaks for itself.  Love, love, love this little guy!

Blueberry Bash Heron

9x12
acrylic on canvas

Every year our church hosts a big summer celebration known as "The Blueberry Bash".  I decided to paint this heron for the raffle this year.

Misty Morning at Shilshole Marina

16x12
acrylic on canvas

This is a commissioned piece I did this summer.  I was hoping to evoke a feeling a quite and peace.