10th Alley off Polk 6"x 8"

I saw this scene when I was walking my dog a couple days ago.  I tried to follow a technique Victoria told me about where left over paint on the palette is used as a base for the mid values.  It seems like a really nice way to tone down bright colors.  Also added Alizirin and pthalo blue to my very limited palette and am real happy to have some more lively colors going on.

Columbine Studies 6"x 6"

Since I had so much trouble with the columbines yesterday I decided to do some little studies.  I was thinking most about how to make the lighter color of purple.  Just adding white seemed to cool it too much so I thought I'd try more pink.  I think that worked.  I would like to have done each one in 10 minutes.  It took 50 minutes for the first, then 30 min, and 25 for the last 2.  I think the drawing improved as I went along.

Columbines with Euphorbia 8"x 8"

It's been so long since I've painted.  I was pretty unhappy with this so I scraped it off.

Primrose with Citrus 9"x 12"

I still used lots of paint, as was my goal, but it keeps getting tighter each time.  Shucks!  Well,  I hope to try again next week.

Citrus with Carnations 9"x 12"

My second attempt at painting a very busy still life with lots of paint.  I had to put in a second day.  So many things that I wish I could have done better but I am very happy that I made the effort.

Onions on a Copper Plate 9"x 12"

I haven't had much interest in doing still lifes but I saw some of Eric Jacobsen's using really thick paint I got excited to try that.  I really enjoyed it!
My life has really changed over the last year--looking after my dad and some medical stuff but, once again, I am hoping I can sustain an interest in painting.

Wintry Afternoon in the Whit 6"x 6"

There was a big snow storm on Friday but I couldn't get out to paint until yesterday.  There was still quite a lot left.  I love this!  Painting in my car is great!--except for sitting for so long and having to find a good composition from the car.  I love the privacy of it.

Lawrence Street in the Whitaker 6"x 8"

I am having so much fun painting in my car/studio!  Clamping the panel holder to the steering wheel worked out great.  I don't really like the paper palette so plan to get a piece of plastic cut to fit  the box.
I made quite a few mistakes in drawing and value but still, I'm happy and so excited that I can paint outside in winter.  It topped out at 47* when I was finished and I was nice and warm the whole time.

Trial Run 6"x 8"

I've been wanting to see if I can paint while sitting in my car because I'm just no good at cold weather.  It was pretty messy and cramped.  Tried to use my Easy-L paint box on my lap but the seat wouldn't go back far enough so I had to do it kind of sideways.
I plan to try again with a tiny paint box my husband made for me when I first started painting outside. I much prefer standing but I'm going to try to figure this out so I can paint outside this winter.

Persimmon on a Flowered Plate 6" x 6"

The starlings have ravaged the persimmon tree but I have several on the kitchen window sill.

Japanese Shoes 6"x 6"

I've really liked paintings women do of shoes but I'm not the kind of girl who has cute shoes.  But I do have these little Japanese shoes from when I was two living in Japan.  They are a block of wood with a straw sole. They are lacquered and have cranes flying around on them--way too complicated.  The block of wood is hollowed out and each shoe has two little bells in that spot.  Not sure of the function of that little brass knobs in front.  Maybe it protects the lacquered part when you walk.

Persimmon on a French Plate 6"x 6"

Today my goal was to use thick paint, try not to fuss too much over the accuracy of the drawing and to put down decisive strokes.  I would like the drawing to be better but I think sometimes, for me, it's better to just get on with it.  I love the blue color on the plate.

October at Bond Butte Pond 8" x 10"

I have painted a few times lately but the results have been so bad that I didn't bother posting. Today I'm real happy with this one.  It even looks a little better in real life.
I wanted to work on painting distant hills, getting a much lighter value but still having some attractive colors.
Bond Butte Pond is my new FAVORITE place to paint.  I hope we'll get a few more good days so I can go back.

Mosby Creek Cpvered Bridge 8"x 10"

I went  down to Cottage Grove today to paint covered bridges because they are having a festival this weekend, It was a really lovely day and so great.  I'm thinking if I paint once a week that will be a good goal.

Clump of Small Trees on Bond Butte Road 7"x 11"

I may be too optimistic, but I think I may be back to painting.  I have fallen in love with this area north of Eugene.  There are so many paintings and it's safe and just so great.  Only drawback, it takes half an hour to get there.  I did another one at Bond Butte Pond last week. Will post soon.

Road to the Parking Lot 11"x 14"

I decided to try yesterday's painting inside.  Bigger canvas and brushes.  The pollen count is way too high for me these days.  I like the composition and colors but it doesn't have the realistic quality of a plein air piece.  I'm not sure how much that bothers me.

Thr Road Back 8"x 10"

Another kind of disappointing day, but I did enjoy the nice sunny weather.

Royal Ave Wetlands 6"x 8"

I finally have been able to get back to painting outside but am pretty unhappy with my results.  The placement of all those little clumps of reeds could use some work.  But at least I went out and tried.

Morning Sun on a Rhododendron 6"x 6"

I love the effect of sunlight on one part of a flowering shrub while another part is in shade.  The morning light was just breaking over my son's house.

Kifli 6"x 6"

This is Kifli, my granddaughter Stella's rat.  It was a struggle but I'm real happy with it and hope she will be too.

Alice's House 6"x 6"

This is my neighbor Alice's house one sunny morning not too long ago.  I'm thinking I should go put some blue in that chimney shadow.

Summer Light 8"x 6"

I am so happy to be painting again!  I can't say that loud enough.  I've been getting my dad settled into a memory care home and wasn't able to put my mind to painting.  Also there's just been a whole lot to do to get to this point.  It's working out well.
This is my neighbors' house with that first blast of spring sun.  I'm happy with it.

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.

Everglades study 8"x 10"

This is from a photo I took when we visited the Everglades in February.  I really like the composition but there wasn't enough information in the photo for me to take it further.