Cloud Study Checkermallow 6"x 8"

So many clouds yesterday and I've rarely tried to paint them.  So a learning experience that I want to try again.

Looking South at Checkermallow 8"x 10"

I am having loads more fun painting since I switched to this palette.  The Plein Air group will be at Checkermallow Wed, Fri & Sat but rain is predicted so I went today.  It started off pretty cloudy but as I was cleaning up the sun came out.  So nice.  Midway through the painting a great horde of geese came over. I love it out there in Oregon.

Alpaca Barn 8"x 10"

This painting and the last are done with a limited palette that I am exploring.  I'm liking it .  Easier for me to remember which combinations make which colors.  I really wish I hadn't let that barn run off the side of the canvas.  And a few other problems but I am liking the tree colors and some of the grass/shadow colors.  Wish I'd broken up some of that green.

Thompson's Mills near Shedd

Thompson's Mill Waterway 8"x 10"

I was doing some exploring yesterday looking for quiet places to paint.  It's pretty much wide open GREEN farmland up between Brownsville and Int. 5.  I took a road called Boston Mill Road and came across an amazing State Park called Thompson's Mills State Historic Site.  A big white flour mill restored by the state.  There is a historic residence as well.  The mill makes an awesome reflection in the the water.
Anyway there were only 2 other people there.  The ranger told me I could paint anywhere I wanted.  So I followed the waterway on the other side of the road and had the place to myself.  Bliss.

Little Swale near Autzen 10"x 8"

A few days ago the weather was really grim but I really wanted practice.  Values are way too dark but I think any day of painting is worth while.  I loved being out there.

Looking North at a Rest Area 8"x 10"

I've gotten quite behind in posting because I've been working on finding a memory care facility for my dad.  Anyway, I thought I would try painting at rest areas because they seem like a safe place.  This is the closest one north of Eugene.  The mountain was quite visible when I started but it kept getting stormier so it pretty much disappeared.  Kind of challenging weather but it was nice to be outside.