Swimming Dahlia

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While looking for reference for new pieces for my upcoming festivals, I came across this amazing pink dahlia. It didn't fit with my body of work for the shows, but since I can do anything I want on my blog, here it is.

I loved how the combination of warm and cool colors gave the flower an underwater feel.

20th Ave, Winter

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Most mornings I take a walk around the neighborhood to wake myself up and burn some calories. This morning's walk was a special treat, with a beautiful combo of pink skies and fresh snow. I'm normally in the habit of painting fairly pristine landscapes, but I couldn't resist this scene---houses, cars and all.

Solitary Path

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I had fun with the little pop of color in the shrub here, and especially with the cool snow peeking through the grasses. 

I'm going to be experimenting with some different subject matter in the next few weeks, so posting will continue to be sporadic, I'm sure. 

Solstice Eve

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After several days of working on new pieces for the La Quinta and Scottsdale festivals, it seemed like a good time to take a little break. I'd been wanting to try to capture this amazing winter sunset scene. I got the gist of it, but I may revisit this one later.

Upward Spiral Study

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My intent for yesterday and today was to work on the large version of Awakening Moon. As these things tend to go, I realized I didn't have the right paper (mail order only). And so, a new sketch is born.

Awakening Moon, Color Study

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This weekend I was hit with the disturbing realization that my first art festival of the season starts two months from today! And there's another one the very next weekend. 2014 is already shaping up to be an incredibly busy year. The upshot is, it's time for me to start working on my big work.

I actually can't remember the last thing I painted that was larger than 6" on any side, so it seemed a less daunting transition to figure out my palette in a small sketch, then dive in. So here it is, a preview of things to come!

Pink Lily

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Happy 2014! I had big plans to start shifting gears to my "big work" images today, but then Lily was in a posing mood and I couldn't resist. This is more than usually dignified for her, so hopefully not too boring!

Liquid Gold Seven

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I haven't done a koi pastel in a while, and it seemed like a fun way to sign off for the holidays. I'll be back posting new work after the new year begins (maybe sooner). I'm not sure what that will look like, as I have some spring festivals to think about... I may do some pieces closer to my main body of work here, and/or I may post a little less often for a bit.

Until then, cheers!

Waiting for Spring

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While the other inhabitants of this hill seem fairly content with winter, the little fir tree seems to be saying "enough already--let's get on with spring!"

Red Branches, Snow

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These beautiful red shrubs were just to the right of yesterday's bridge. I wasn't sure how well the delicate branches with red berries and snow would come across in a pastel, but I ended up happy enough with the result.

Winter Under the Bridge

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A new season means another view of the iconic old stone bridge in the park. The tiny bit of snow only stuck to the pathway and top of the bridge, giving me plenty of opportunity to explore color with the trees and bare shrubbery.

Skiff

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The tiniest skiff of snow added so much depth to this little scene. I loved working with the soft warm and cool grays here.

Flower Power 2

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Today I asked Lily to pose on a nice aloha print. "No" is not in her vocabulary.

Misty Morning Walk

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More of the park on a foggy morning.

Still, Early Three

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More Manito morning goodness. I loved the contrast of the cool rocks and firs with the warm tree, shrubs and pine needles along the path.

Sunrise on the Rocks

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The first glints of sun catch a golden tree perched on the rocks above Manito Perennial Garden. I think there could be a lifetime's worth of material in this amazing city park.

Frost & Fog Study 7

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I felt like doing a simple composition today after my last two somewhat complicated pieces. I ended up really happy with the direction this piece took. It has the looser feel that I've wanted for these landscapes. 

Poser

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Lily's modeling career continues with another sexy pose. Oh, behave!

Flower Power

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Lily is probably the only cat I have ever seen that doesn't immediately stop whatever she is doing the second a camera appears. Quite the opposite, she morphs into Austin Powers, writhing and twisting into one silly pose after the next. The sixties-inspired chair made the perfect backdrop as she worked it. Yeah, baby, yeah!

Yakima River, Snow

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I loved the layers of pink and blue in this scene. They make a great contrast with the warm gold of the grasses in the foreground and hay bales stacked across the river.