Gray Day

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I loved how the autumn-kissed leaves and tangled branches of this shrub added warmth and motion to a still, gray day.

On the subject of gray days, thanks to everyone who braved the cold, wet weather to come out for the Little Spokane River Artist Studio Tour.

Last Greens of Summer

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Technically, they are the last greens of the second day of fall, but that lacked the "ring." Continuing my theme of inappropriate footwear, I walked the Painted Rocks path in one Dansko and a walking cast yesterday. 

I left the studio in beautiful hazy sunlight, endured blinding sunlight on the drive, only to have a giant black cloud take over the second I parked my car at the trailhead. At first I was disappointed about the change in light, but the cold dark skies seemed to warm up the yellowing grasses and---my favorite part---the pink-kissed olives in the shrubs to the left.

Autumn Layers

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A favorite Autumn tradition is dressing in warm layers. Wonder where we got that idea...

View from the Bridge

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This is from the bridge on North Little Spokane Drive, crossing the Little Spokane River just before Shady Slope Road. Not coincidentally, Shady Slope Road is where I will be this Saturday for the Little Spokane River Artists Studio Tour. So excited! I hope you can make it to this wonderful annual event.

Autumn Pasture

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More from the Little Spokane River area. There were actually cows in this field. I toyed with adding them to the painting, but they were so small and far away, it just looked like the pastel had gotten dirty. Sorry, cows.

Frosted Field

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More from the Little Spokane River area. Cool, late-autumn colors are highlighted by the setting sun.  

I'm looking forward to spending some time in this area next weekend for the Little Spokane River Artists Studio Tour!

Morning Shadows

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More from my early morning walk last week in Lincoln Park. The stand of birch from my earlier pastel is just to the left, and a few feet past these trees, a large pond reflects the sun, intensifying the contrast. 

Painted Rocks Trailhead, Fall

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I loved the colors and shadows where field and forest meet here at Painted Rocks Trailhead. The pines, normally a dull olive drab, have an almost magical way of picking up the red and gold hues of afternoon sun.

Indian Summer Trail

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Fall hasn't quite fallen, so I dug back into my reference photo archives. I found one of my favorite photo shoots, a lovely Indian Summer afternoon at the head of Painted Rocks Trail. How appropriate!

Off the Path

Keeping this one!

I love how there is so little, yet so much, going on in this scene. After laying in some basic neutral background colors, I had a blast going back in with corals, pinks, and especially the light green-gray of the branches. Gorgeous, soft Schminke and Terry Ludwig pastels go down so nicely!

Happy Equinox Week!

Morning, Lincoln Park

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Early this morning I set out to Manito Park to find some new scenes to paint. I ran into the never-ending road construction on the way, and changed course for Lincoln Park. For once the construction served me well. I might never have seen these beautiful backlit birch trees.

Beyond the Tall Grass

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I was literally up to my eyeballs in the grass in the foreground when I saw this scene. I thought it would be a complicated and trying painting, but it was just the opposite. Quick and fun!

Misty Valley

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Still rebelling against the coming week of 90-degree weather. Sheesh.

Brights

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Still recovering from several weeks of 90 degrees, and enjoying cooler weather... until tomorrow, anyway. I'm trying to fend off another 90-degree day with more fall imagery. This one is near the Little Spokane River. If you are in the area, don't forget the Little Spokane River Artist Studio Tour is on the 28th!

Autumn Jazz

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I've been wanting to paint this for a while, but it just felt too, well, summery. At last, a nice, cool, cloudy September day! Just had to add Miles Davis' Kind of Blue to complete the perfect fall-tree-painting afternoon. The rhythm in the sweeping branch patterns seemed to accompany the music. 

The entire title of this piece is Autumn Jazz Study... I'm reserving the right to do this one again, bigger!

Spin Cycle

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I'm not sure what was going on with this poppy, but it seemed to be spinning crazily or perhaps taking flight. Anyway I loved the motion of it.

Scarlet Star

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My friend Kim tells me these "mystery flowers" are actually Flowering Quince. I'm not sure if I am more impressed that she identified the flower from my drawing, or that I remembered what she told me it was after three days! Not only is Kim gifted at plant recognition, she also makes some of the most beautiful rugs I have seen. Thanks Kim!