Playing in the river....

This may not be the right time of the year for cool river water, but this painting has been fun to finish.

River Study  16 x 20



It had been sitting in my (recently revamped) studio, waiting for the 'right' embellishments, and a recent trip to the Spokane area found me twiddling my thumbs in Cabelas, a hunting and fishing store, while I waited for John to find some bits to complete his fly tie kit.

Looking around, I could see that I'd hit collage fodder Nirvana - a host of feathers, beads, threads and more had me entranced.   Who would have thought that a hunting/fishing environment would have just the perfect shade of holographic green threads for the river? 

Life is a mystery, and sometimes an amazing gift!

Another autumn...

painting done.  This one

Autumn Gift

uses the same cool burgundy tones as Autumn Herstory below, but the silver inking and darker range of leaves cools it even more to push it further towards the wintry spectrum.  I'm starting to shiver already (or maybe it was that morning walk at -2 degrees Celcius!).

Almost Gone...

Fall is nearly over, and I can feel the edge of winter even here in this mild and lovely Creston valley.  I'm doing everything possible to hang onto the colour and feeling.

Autumn Herstory

I'm presently working on four different pieces around the autumn theme, utilizing those pressed leaves that are so addicting.  Incidently, does anyone out there have a sure-fire method of using pressed leaves in their work?  I'm presently working on experimental method number 3,459...

I love how the leaves look so different when the colour of the background is changed - it's all about location, location, location!

Autumn Pinned



Autumn Herstory has a cool, wintry feeling because of that chilly undertone in the background, and the heat in Autumn Pinned is palpable with the quinacridone gold background.  So I'm sticking with that, and ignoring winter! 

I'm a sucker...

...for colour (see 90% of my previous posts!), and the Cherrybrook Farms Artisan Market was a feast.

I have to admit that since it's some years since I did an art market, my enthusiasm was at an all-time low.  As usual, I was wrong to pre-judge.  It was fun, it was entertaining, and it was a pleasure to see so many gallery friends, both artists and customers.

Don't tell John, but I also scored a mouthwatering silk scarf from one of the other vendors, Linda Bullock - I drooled over her table for so long she asked me to move away!

What took me so long was not just the array of colour, it was that so many of them matched the sweater I was wearing.

I had great fun doing a demo of the painted paper process (a luscious blue and white piece) and I understand that Wendy Roth will be doing the next demo on November 11 at 2 pm - she does beautiful Norwegian egg decoration, and I'm looking forward to that!

Since we're at the market for the next seven Friday afternoons, I recommend you check it out - you'll be glad you did.  And since I spent all my sales cash at other vendors, I need you to spread the word, too!

'Tis the season

With just eight weeks left until Christmas, the art elves have been busy.  This Friday afternoon marks the first of eight Cherrybrook Farms Artisan Markets at 2931 Highway 3 here in Creston. 

Caroline at Cherrybrook has assembled an eclectic mix of artists, crafters and even a baker (I hear those doughnuts are going to be amazing!);  it will run each Friday afternoon (1 to 5 pm) from November 4 to December 23.  The artisans have each donated an article to a gift basket as well, so any attendee has a chance to finish their Christmas list at no cost!  Make sure you attend the draw on December 23 at 3 pm.

Another incentive to visit (bring your out of town guests) is a daily afternoon demonstration about 2 pm.  You'll could watch a watercolour demo, Norwegian egg decorating, pin cushion creation, rock-painting and more.  Each Friday will be different, so you'll be smart to make this part of your entertainment rounds for the next two months.

This is a sure way to 'Shop Locally' and support your local talent;  hope to see you there.