13th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational

I am honored and pleased as punch to be part of the 13th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational. Here are a few images from the first day.

Dressed and ready to put pastel to paper in the 2-hour Quick Draw which was the kick-off for the week.

A small bit of Heisler Park right by the Laguna Beach Art Museum, and the location for the Quick Draw.

"Shortcut", my 9"x12" plein air painting from the Quick Draw - SOLD.

Studio Piece

"Harlösa Moln", 12"x12" pastel piece from the studio

Grey skies threatened to pour all day long and kept me, a pastel artist, indoors. Here's a piece I did indicating a bit of today's sky-show. The clouds were on the move at a fast clip to create ever changing entertainment.

Greetings from Harlösa

First pastel painting from Harlösa, 9x12"

Haven't had easy access to the internet for a while so I apologize for the lack of posts. I also hesitate to post images of paintings from this trip because they need a little tweaking (and they will get it) but here the first painting I did here along one of our little hiking trails in town. I'm posting it only because I don't know when I'll have internet access again. Oh, and did I mention the weather? Well, it has been cold, grey, windy and raining for much of my time here. Everyone says they've not had such bad summer weather in about 35 years so it's usually much nicer here in summer.

Eel Lake Revisited as Demonstration Painting

The Quiet Side of Eel Lake, oil, gallery painting, 9"x12"

I did this as a demonstration this morning at Beaverton's Art On Broadway Gallery during "Breakfast in the Gallery." What fun! Painting and chatting with guests of the gallery during the monthly continental breakfast. If you compare this piece with the pastel version of this view you'll see I used a different color palette. (Please excuse the glare in the upper right hand corner)

It's good to get out and PAINT!

Lake Passage, plein air pastel painting, 6"x12"

Painted on the way home from Coos Art Museum Expressions West 2011 after attending the artist reception. It was one of the first sunny days in April and I'd been champing at the bit to get out to paint when hubby, Walt, was kind enough to pull off the highway at a beautiful spot called Eel Lake. I promised to paint for only an hour (well, okay it was closer to one and a quarter hours) where I knocked out this little piece. I loved that lake and want to paint there again!

Featured Painting at Art On Broadway

Inspirational photograph for the painting below

"Along the Way", 18"x18" pastel on sandpaper - SOLD

I painted this piece as part of the challenge Rae Campbell I gave ourselves as featured artists at Art On Broadway for the month of May, 2011. The show is titled "Another's Perspective" and contains work we created inspired by shared photographs, she in fused glass, I in pastel. I'm happy to report this painting "went to a good home!"

Revised Painting

Canby In Bloom, 6"x9" pastel (redux)

Canby In Bloom, 6x9" pastel (original painting)

There was a lot to like about the original version of "Canby In Bloom" but it didn't quite sing as sweetly as I had wanted. So after looking at the painting for a long time and mulling it over, I decided to unframe it and revamp the piece a bit. It is a stronger painting now and has more to say to the viewer. Can you see all the changes and do you agree with them? If you want to see the revised painting for yourself it will be at Art On Broadway where I'll be a featured artist for the Month of May, 2011.

Sweet Little Paintings

My pastel paintings of cupcakes are now hanging at Treat Vancouver, a cupcake and dessert shop. Imagine cupcakes that are fat-free and calorie-free! You'll find 'em here at Treat Vancouver, 210 West Evergreen Blvd. Suite 600, Vancouver, WA 98660, phone 360-750-0811. Oh, and they have great edible cupcakes and desserts, too!

Sweet Treats for Your Walls

Sweet 'n Sour, 6"x6" pastel

You can see this and more of my sweet little pastel cupcake paintings at Treat Vancouver now through Saturday, May 7th. Treat has the best cupcakes and desserts in town and everyone there is friendly. Located at the corner of Columbia & Evergreen, 210 W. Evergreen Blvd. Suite 600, Vancouver, Wa. Phone 360-750-0811. Be sure to stop by and 'Treat' yourself!

Hot Off the Easel

Three's A Crowd, 6"x6" pastel

Cross My Heart, 6"x6" pastel

Which is your favorite? Three chocolate cupcakes with assorted frostings jostling for attention on the cake stand or a red devil's food cupcake with candy heart fascinator? Tasty little treats for your wall at a bite-sized price. Wide wood frame, anti-reflective glass.

It Keeps Getting Better - more great news!

Plein air painting at Cultus Lake, Oregon

It's been several days since I learned the following and I still can't get the smile off my face.

I'm thrilled to have been invited to participate in the 13th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational in October, 2011! The event is a benefit for the Laguna Art Museum and includes a Quick Draw and Silent Auction as well as Collector's Soirée and Sale. It is an honor to be invited to paint with such a distinguished group of artists and I look forward to the opportunity.

First Place at Laguna "Best of Plein Air"!

On The Flyway, 9"x18" plein air pastel - SOLD

I am so excited! Just found out my pastel painting On The Flyway won First Place at the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association 7th Annual "Best of Plein Air" Exhibit and Sale! And I understand the painting has sold. I am twice honored.

Accepted to Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared Exhibit

Morning Riot, 6"x6" pastel painting

What a wild few days I've had! I just learned this piece was accepted into the Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared Exhibition and Sale in Costa Mesa, California. That means another trip to FedEx to ship off a painting. But I don't mind a bit!

This piece is based on a field I saw of vivid yellow canola with our grey overcast skies but I wanted to do something different so I took my artistic license and went to work. My husband thought it looked like a riot of color, so that named the painting.

The Gala Artists' Reception will be held Saturday, April 16th. Show runs through May 6th. Randy Higbee Gallery is located at 102 Kalmus Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, Phone 800-506-4624.

Accepted to Laguna Plein Air Painters Association 7th Annual "Best of Plein Air"

On The Flyway, 9"x18" pastel plein air painting

I'm thrilled to have this painting accepted to the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association 7th Annual "Best of Plein Air" exhibit. It took me two separate painting excursions in order to finish this piece and I love it. As I was painting, the days were warm, the Canada geese were coming and going in huge flocks, the Sandhill cranes were flying overhead and honking their unique sound, and I was having a ball creating.

The LPAPA Exhibition and Sale will be at The Esther Wells Collection, 1390 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, Phone (949) 494-2497 from April 7 to May 6, 2011. Opening Night Celebration and Awards Saturday, April 9, 4pm to 8pm.

Accepted To Expressions West 2011

Tree Potpourri, 12"x12" pastel plein air painting

I'm excited to have this piece accepted to the Coos Art Museum Expressions West 2011 exhibit. This work was painted en plein air at an old homestead overlooking the Columbia River at the Northwest Pastel Society 2010 Paint-out in Hood River, OR.

Show dates for the exhibit are April 8, 2011 through May 28, 2011. Artist Reception is Friday, April 8, 5pm to 7pm. The museum is at 235 Anderson Avenue, Coos Bay, OR 97420. It's a beautiful museum and everyone there is friendly. You'll like it so I urge you to visit it!

New Works of the Lake

Mountain Lake, 18"x12" pastel painting

Mt. Adams From The Lake, 16.5"x11.5" pastel plein air painting - SOLD

Lupines At The Lake, 9"x6" plein air pastel painting

Mist Rising, 6"x9" pastel - SOLD

I was commissioned to paint pieces depicting a beautiful lake near Mt. Adams in the Cascade Range. I've got more pieces in the works from this, one of our favorite camping locations.

"C.A.T. On Broadway" benefit for CAT Adoption Team

Here's Looking At You, 3"x9" pastel

Here's a fun piece I did for the exhibit titled "C.A.T. On Broadway", a benefit for CAT Adoption Team, a no-kill cat shelter, which will be held at Art On Broadway Gallery, 12570 SW Broadway, Beaverton, Oregon. The reception is Saturday, March 5, from 5 pm to 9 pm and will feature cat-themed artwork created especially for this event. Wine tasting by Carlton Cellars. Come sample other whisker-licking good refreshments. Show dates: March 5 - 26, 2011. See you there!

New Little Landscapes

Roadside Attraction, 6"x6" pastel - SOLD

Morning Riot, 6"x6" pastel

Confetti, 6"x6" pastel - SOLD

These little works are great fun to paint and are small enough that just about anyone can find a spot to hang them or one could even set them on a shelf or tabletop.

Sweet Things for Your Sweetie

Pretty In Pink, 6"x6" pastel

Out of the Blues, 6"x6" pastel

One For You, One For Me, 6"x6" pastel

Just A Little Off The Top, 6"x6" pastel

Calorie-free and, oh, so delicious! Pick up these goodies at Aurora Gallery in Vancouver, Washington and Art On Broadway in Beaverton, Oregon. Your Sweetheart will swoon!

Gotta give credit where credit is due - my inspiration came from a couple of cute dessert paintings I bought that were painted by Susan E. Roden.

Get Ready for Valentine's Day

"At The Edge", pastel, 6"x6"

A great little painting based on similar photo of painting posted below. It was easy to turn the yellow flowers into pink ones and I like the effect. Available at Art On Broadway in Beaverton.