Plumerias: August 11, 2011

This is the beginnings of an 8"x11" watercolor painting. I started it in the watercolor class that I am teaching this summer at River's Mist Gallery of Fine Art. The background was put in using various greens with dashes of black and yellow. The black is a mixture of ultramarine blue and burnt sienna. The yellow is raw sienna and was also used as the first layer on the nearer leaves.

Daisy 6: June 2011

Oh, boy, I almost missed adding this painting to my blog! This is a 5"x7" watercolor painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. This is a larger version of the 2.5"x3.5" series of daisies that I did March 24th.

Plumeria: June 14, 2011

"Plumeria" is finished. This is a 7"x9" watercolor painting. The flowers, along with some of the leaves, come forward because of their contrast and details. However, I would love to continue working the leaves to make the flowers come forward even more but I must get this in the mail. It will be included in the Montana Watercolor Society's raffle book this year.

Plumeria: June 5, 9 & 13, 2011

This is a 7"x9" watercolor. My goal at the beginning was to create great depth to the "busy" scene. Usually when I paint a subject, I like to greatly simplify the area around it. This time, I wanted to leave in all the vegetation. In order to cut down on that busy-ness, I am painting the most distant parts of the plant with more diluted paint and as the objects become closer, I am adding more vibrant color and more detail. Right now it looks like a jumbled mess so I'm curious to see how it comes out when the flowers (the last and closest parts of the painting - the focus) go in.
These are two images of the painting in progess: the very beginning with the farthest vegetation and then one with closer leaves and branches with more detail.

Daisies: March 24, 2011

This is a series of paintings using the same reference but different color choices. Each one is painted in watercolor on 140 lb. watercolor paper, 2.5"x3.5" (ACEO / ATC - size).

River Park Storage Murals: April 10-11, 2010

These six murals were painted yesterday and today by Sally, Lauren, Gerry, Arlo, Betty and me. These murals were designed by local high school students. Each image showcases Bitterroot Valley themes: a cow, an elk, bitterroot flowers, an osprey with a fish, a teepee, and the St. Mary's Mission. A few of the murals include our beautiful mountains. The murals will be displayed on the exterior walls of River Park Storage in Stevensville, Montana. Soon, you will be able to see them as you drive by along the Stevensville Cut-Off Road.

Perseverance (more complete): February 12, 2010

"Perseverance" is really done now! With painting, you never know when it's completely finished. Some minor changes were made after my biggest critic, my husband, gave his recommendations. Once I altered the lower dry stems (roots) and darkened one of the rocks, he said, "That's it. Don't change anything else."

Perseverance (complete): February 10-11, 2010

"Perseverance" is finished! This is a 20"x30" oil painting on stretched canvas. It's amazing that plants can take root in the most unlikely places such as this rock wall. That's why I call this "Perseverance". It persevered and has grown into a healthy plant.

Rhododendron: April 20, 2009

"Rhododendron" is painted on a 5"x7" sheet of 140 lb. watercolor paper. The background is a wash of watercolor; the flower is acrylic. I used this as stationery and mailed it to my mother-in-law.

The reference photo of the rhododendron was taken by Jeanette Jobson. It was submitted for Virtual Sketch Date, a monthly blog in which artists are asked to create a work of art using the same reference. Results are posted on Flickr.

Great News!: July 23, 2008

One of my paintings, "Swallowtail and Lilac", has been accepted into the Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition which will be held at Devin Galleries in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, from September 12 through October 11!

Gerbera Daisies: March 9, 2008

"Gerbera Daisies" was is a 5"x7" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. It was painted March 9, 2008.

Poppies: March 3, 2008

The poppies are done. I added black around the poppies and added highlights to bring them out more. I also added some more interest above them and added poppy seeds floating up from the seed pods. These paintings are 6" square mixed media - acrylic paint and photo transfer.

Image Transfers Continued: February 29, 2008

I removed the paper from the image transfers and this is what is left. On the yellow/orange one, I painted with black India ink around the poppies to get them to pop more.

Spring is Near: January 12, 2008

"Spring is Near" is a 5"x7" oil painting on stretched canvas. It was painted January 12.

Girl with Lilac: November 14, 2007

This is a painting from a challenge on Wet Canvas. I had forgotten where I found the challenge and it took me awhile to find it again. In the process, I found more challenges. However, I have bookmarked them all to make it easier to find them again. The paintings from the challenge will be posted on Wet Canvas on November 20.
"Girl with Lilac" is an acrylic 5"x7" painting on stretched canvas. It was painted November 14, 2007. Purchase this painting.

Skis: November 12, 2007

I used stencils to airbrush the leaves onto the skis. I then taped off the lines which I also airbrushed. It took longer to tape it than to paint it. The result is an image that looks as old as the skis. I will rub in Old English to add some protection and polish to the wood.

Skis: November 10, 2007

I spent the entire day working on the design for the skis. Of the ideas I came up with, I liked the organic flow of this one.
I cut out the organic shapes so that I could rearrange them onto the skis and then trace them out.
After starting to trace them with watercolor pencil (this makes the marks easy to wipe off with a damp cloth), I had some reservations and laid out the leaf shapes which I decided to use in the end.

Skis: November 9, 2007

I spent the day coming up with several design options for this pair of old skis. These skis will be auctioned off during the Festival of Trees in Stevensville, Montana, on December 1. This is an exciting event put on by the Stevensville Community Foundation. The theme this year is "The Holidays at Rockefeller Center".

Nasturtiums & Petunias: October 26, 2007

"Nasturtiums & Petunias" is an acrylic 2.5"x3.5" ACEO on 140 lb. watercolor paper. It was painted October 26, 2007. Purchase this painting.

Poppy Pods: October 25, 2007

"Poppy Pods" is a watercolor 2.5"x3.5" ACEO on 140 lb. watercolor paper. It was painted October 25, 2007. Purchase this painting.