"Orcus Sunflowers"

10 x 8"

oil on panel

These were down the road from an Orcus Island cabin rented with friends. We stayed and painted for a week. This was, of course, when the flowers were actually in bloom. It has been below freezing for a week and actually dropped to 17° one day, very unusual for the area. I decided to post something from a warmer day.

"Inside Out"

14 x 10"

oil on panel

Click image to enlarge

Juror: Margaret Bullock, Curator of Collections and Special Exhibitions at the Tacoma Art Museum, has chosen Inside Out, All Dressed Up and Fashionably Yours, for the group exhibition:

WPW at American Art Company in Tacoma WA.

"Inside Out" the left panel in the triptych, won the M. Graham Company Award last night.

Exhibition runs through October 10th, 2009

"Two More"

8 x 10 inches

oil on gessoed museum board

I loved the light coming through the glass bowl and the wonderful colors and patterns in cast on the table! The good news is - thse cherries can “model” many times and still be eaten. 

"Mahjong Cherries"

6 x 8 inches

oil on gessoed museum board

I found some cherries with stems still attached and had such fun, I ended up with a series of paintings. I will continue to add new paintings until the cherries are gone. Some have been painted five times before eaten! Such restraint.

Utopia, Limited

On the shop floor, shot from the top of a tall ladder. It is now on the wall in Act II of Utopia, Limited. The show opens a three week run at the Bagley Wright Theater in Seattle tonight. Show dates: July 10-11, 16-18, 23-25. Ticket information.

The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society's photographer shooting during dress rehearsal for Utopia, Limited.

Shield Section for Utopia, Limited

The upper right section of the shield set out on shop floor.

If you click to enlarge, you will see the spattering over everything, the final step in coloring. This spatter softens the effect and makes everything appear more believable from the audience. In the larger image you can also see the chalk marks, guides for the person who will screw all the carved parts to the circle base, finishing the shield.

The set designer, Nathan Rodda, asked me to make the lettering casual, loosely Roman, not perfect. The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society's production of Utopia, Limited opens Friday night, July 5th. For more information click here.

Alligator & Flamingo

A little more of the 'shield' for "Utopia, Limited." They are probably ready to deliver to the theater by now. The painting was finished on July 3rd. This image shows the carved characters before they were spattered, the final touch.

Shield Alligator

More Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society from the shop.

The alligator, carved by Mike Andrew, is made of styrofoam mounted on 1/4" plywood. Mike adds as many layers of foam board as need to make the required thickness for the various parts of the design before he begins to carve. He comes to the shop in the evening and works well into the night. I think he can make absolutely anything! He has also carved the flamingo and pineapple for the shield. I will post them in a day or two.

Nathan Rodda, the set designer, has everything painted black as a base. The white is added next, then the coloring layers which are made with a clear acrylic medium (house paint) with color concentrate added, just as you would have custom colors mixed to paint your house. We mix very small amounts in recycled plastic ice cream and yogurt containers.

Shield Center

Getting the center of shield ready for coloring. It is made from foam board mounted on 1/4" plywood. The lower portion of the carved pineapple can be seen in the upper right. It will be added to the center top of the shield.

Sketch for Act II

chalk sketch pattern for shield

10 x 6 feet

Next week the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society opens its 55th season with "Utopia, Limited." I have been at their shop working with the set designer and thought I would share something from Act II. This sketch was made several weeks ago. I went to the internet for reference photos of flamingos and alligators. You can see some of them here, scattered on the platform, which is also part of the set. The platform was painted and taken to the theater earlier this week.

"A Painted Breakfast"

9 x 13.5"

oil on gessoed museum board

This was my breakfast one morning. The shapes and colors were so exciting when I set this on the table, I ran inside for my paint box. By the time the painting was finished, the egg no longer looked so great. I fixed another one to eat.

I added the "painting in process" to show you the little paint box my husband made for me to take on an overseas painting trip quite some time ago. I like it so much I often use it at home as well.

"Mr. Pepper's Pasture"

10 x 8

oil on panel

I had painted all day in this pasture, packed up my gear, turned around and saw the late afternoon sunlight catching this tree as the sun was sinking behind the hill. I grabbed my paint box and very quickly painted this. I loved the moment and am glad I stopped to catch it.

"Wearing Nikes?"

Please click images to enlarge and see color more like the painting.

12 x 9 inches

oil on wooden panel

Last July I did a small oil sketch of these two “little maidens” and have been wanting to paint them again. Here they are! 

Annalisa

10 x 8 

oil on panel

This is a young friend of mine. She is great company and very fun to paint. The colors in the painting are very rich. On my monitor they look more like the painting when you click to enlarge the image. I don't know why the colors in some of my paintings are so washed out when I upload the images. Would love to hear from you if you know how the solve the mystery.

Mystery solved - Thanks Miro! I have uploaded the images again.

"What A Guy"

10 x 8 inches

oil

This lady was so much fun to watch and even more fun to paint! She was head-over-heels “in love” in a theater production. Her expressions were wonderful. So was her dress - black bodice with bright red long, full skirt. Click image to enlarge.

"Sand Writing"

8 x 8"

oil on panel

A view from our favorite spot along the Olympic Wilderness coastline in Washington State. We backpacked into this beach every summer for many years. The sketch posted on March 31st was the background for this little painting.  

Click image to enlarge.

Sand Writing sketch

Another little sketch is turning into a painting today. Also one of my daughters at the ocean long ago. The painting is not quite finished.

"A Good Read"

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

Click image to enlarge.

This little painting is from a sketch I did long ago on a trip to the ocean. The model is one of my daughters. I was interested in thick, juicy paint and loose brush strokes. A joy to paint. The sketch is below. 

I have just received word that my painting of "Rustler" has been accepted into this year's 2009 Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils. The exhibition will be held at Sage Creek Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 1 - May 31, 2009. 

Click here to see the painting.

"Cottage Blue and White"

7.75 x 7.75 inches

oil on panel

Blue and white ceramics always catch my attention. I have wanted to paint this grouping for a long time. On this evening’s visit I really liked the deep shadows cast by the near by lamp so much, I painted them. Great fun! 

Click image to enlarge. 

Note: The painting's colors may be much richer that they appear on your monitor.

"A Cozy Corner"

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

Another painting from Normandy Cottage. I have wanted to paint this spot ever since my first visit years ago. This space, with its simple shapes, warm colors, light and shadows, is so appealing. It always captures my attention and I find the atmosphere delightful. 

Note: The colors are very rich but may appear more subtle on your monitor. Click images to enlarge.

Painting the World

I was at the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society shop recently. The globe I painted for their production of Princes Ida had been taken out of storage and was sitting in the rehearsal hall. It was such fun to see it again, I thought I would share it with you. 

The land masses are patterned after the 1616-1622 map covering a small table globe I was asked to use as a model. Most of the words are also from the little model. The illustrations are a mix of the old map and my own creations. 

The globe is made of many layers of kraft paper pasted over an exercise ball. When dry, a wooden disk was added to the North and South Pole, holes drilled, metal pins added so the ball could be held within its wooden rim. Acrylic house paint was added and the globe was ready for decoration. 

Click images to enlarge.

I drew in chalk first, just to be sure I wouldn’t run out of space for land or end up with an extremely huge ocean. Then I drew more carefully with a brown laundry marker and added the little illustrations and all the words. 

Next I colored the inside edges of the land masses and illustrations with water based paint, and finally the rest of the land mass color was added.

The base is solid wood with carved styrofoam added to the legs, which were then covered with cheese cloth for extra protection. The base was also painted with acrylic house paint. I added the zodiac to the top of the stand. 

When all of the illustration was finished, Nathan Roda, the set designer, turned the base into ‘old oak’ and added an oil sepia wash over all the illustration to complete this ‘antique.’

Click here to see more set painting for the Seattle G&S Society.

"Normandy Fireside"

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

Normandy Fireside is the second painting from an evening with friends. Every time I glanced at the table, I wanted to paint those rich colors and wonderful shapes I found in both the objects and their reflections. Great fun to paint! 

Note: The colors in the painting are very rich. They may appear more subtle on your monitor.

"Normandy Cottage"

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

On the Eighth Day of Christmas we spent a delightful evening with friends. This lamp and the light it cast on objects near by, were enchanting. Sometimes I just want to paint those moments! This is the first from that evening (there will be more!) and also my first painting in the New Year!

Click on image to enlarge.

Edward B. Gordon's "Leitmotiv"

Another one of Edward B. Gordon’s blog paintings has just traveled half way around the world to arrive at my door! “Leitmotiv” was the 730th posting on his blog. Edward lives in Berlin, Germany. He began posting a painting a day in November 2006. I enjoy his work and this little painting instantly became another one of my favorites. 

You can find notes and a sketch for this painting by clicking on the green words below. You will need to scroll down to November 16, 2008.

The Season of Joy!

click any image to enlarge

past Christmas Trees

from some of my sketchbooks

I have been looking through some of my old sketchbooks today, one of the things I enjoy at the end of the year. Our family traditions center around Christmas in December. We have had thick fir trees and open spaced alpine fir trees. Each has its own magical feeling. The decorations are always the same, things collected over the years. These sketches are from trees in the 1980s.

          However you celebrate the season, 

I wish you great blessings, peace and joy.

"Silent Swirl"

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

It snowed again last night and more today. The snow flakes so small and falling so softly, they managed to pile up on our wind swirls. I have never seen that happen before, so that's what I had to paint today . . . sitting in the house with hot tea! 

Click on image to enlarge.

"Snow Day: Reading Room"

7.75 x 7.75 inches

oil on panel

Today it is snowing again, beautiful flakes softly falling everywhere. Fresh white rests in all the trees, brightening every room in the house. This looked like the best spot to paint today. In the evening we will have a fire again, something we all seem to love in northwest rain and snow.

"Along The Path"

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

More sun today . . . and a little less snow. It is still enchanting around our house. The weather report is for more snow tonight. You never know - maybe yes - maybe no.

"Winter Dress"

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

Our first snowfall! I love the snow. Everything seems so peaceful, so still. This afternoon the sky was blue and bits of sunlight fell through the trees, making diagonal lines of brilliance across the garden. Magical! 

"Snowflake Lane"

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

This little painting was designed to capture the experience of an evening visit to Snowflake Lane. Snowflake Lane has become an annual event in downtown Bellevue, complete with drummers and “snow.” Each evening the drummers gather in one of the town buildings and, at the precise moment, march across the sky bridge and soon reappear on the sidewalk below. They drum their way along the sidewalk until they each come to a round platform, where they climb the steps and stand with the wooden drummer boy already there (shown on right). Snow flakes fall, music blares and the crowd loves it! Once again you know the Christmas Season has begun. 

Click image to enlarge and see color more like the painting.

Howard/Mandville Gallery's 18th Annual Invitational Small Works Show

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

"Liquid Sunshine" and "Setting Up Shop" join my last post in Howard/Mandville Gallery's 18th Annual Invitational Small Works Show in Kirkland, Washington. The exhibition features almost 200 paintings 11 x 14 or smaller by the gallery's impressive roster of artists plus invited guest artists.  The exhibition is now up for viewing in the gallery and on line. 

I will be at the Reception & Sale on Saturday, November 22nd from 5:30-8 p.m. Stop by and say hello if you are in the area. 

To see the list of artists, images of their paintings and more information, click here.

"Frye Cafe"

14 x 10 inches

oil on panel

The sunlight and shadows on Seattle's Frye Museum Cafe diners, the trees and building wall were simply wonderful! I just stood there a moment to enjoy the view. I knew I had to paint them. This is the second in the series. The first, “Lunch at the Frye” won an award earlier this year. It was posted on May 21, 2008.

Click on images to enlarge and see color more like the painting.

This painting will be in Howard/Mandville Gallery’s 18th Annual Invitational Small Works Show. "Liquid Sunshine" (posted April 24) and "Setting Up Shop" (posted February 15) are also in this exhibition. Preview Days: November 13-22nd  

I will attend the Reception & Sale: Saturday, November 22nd 5:30-8pm  Please stop by if you are in the area. 

"Along Ley Road"

9 x 12

oil on panel

Several weeks ago I spent a day in the mountains painting with friends. The day was perfect with a slight breeze, great light and, of course, good company. This is my afternoon painting.

Painting with friends

Two friends - great paintiers - Ned Muller and Bill Reese standing with me on Ley Road after a day of painting in the valley. Great day!

Bill painting in the field off Swauk Prairie Road, our morning painting spot . . . .

Also our morning painting spot . . . Bill and Ned are down the road in the distance. Yan is in the blue hat. Her painting is below.

Yan's morning painting.

Yan with Bill and me in the afternoon after painting along Ley Road. 

"Rustler"

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

Another visit to Fishermen's Terminal in Seattle, another bright day. As I walked along the north pier, this is the spot that caught my eye. I loved Rustler's dark reflection in the water surrounded by such bright light. The photo below is my easel, my daughter Kara with her painting gear, "Rustler" and "Earnest."

Kara Webberley Moore

"Brenna"

7 x 10 inches

oil on wooden panel

I went to Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle this morning to paint. So many wonderful subjects there! The weather was perfect - sunlight shimmering on the water, light breeze, very pleasant. Two painters were already at work when I arrived so I stopped to visit. They had been here the day before and so enjoyed the experience that they were back again . . . I think the same thing is going to happen for me! 

Next time I will pack my Titanium White. Used Ice Blue instead today and mixed it into almost everything - because it was the lightest color I had with me. The proportions of my subject in are a bit strange, color too, but the day was so wonderful I am posting my painting anyway. 

"Dressing Room"

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

I love the way the mirrors capture the atmosphere of the theater dressing room. This is Caitlin Ross preparing for a Saturday evening performance of the Mikado. The rich colors in this painting may not show on your monitor.

Color Notes

I use Safari as my browser program. Earlier this week I opened this site in Firefox and was shocked to see the difference. Firefox does not display color in the same way. Opening this site in both programs and displaying them together on my monitor, the difference was shocking! 

I realize that different monitors will display the colors differently, but when the same monitor is used to show the same site, opened to the same image so both visible side by side, one opened in Safari - the other opened in Firefox, the difference in color was astounding.

When using Safari, clicking to enlarge the image gives color very much like the actual painting (on my monitor) while the smaller images on this site seem very pale in comparison. However, in Firefox the color does not improve. In fact it looks even more washed out when clicked to enlarge. Rich, warm colors do not show up at all and the image looks slightly our of focus. Same for Internet Explorer. I would be interested to know if any of you have found the same to be true when viewing your paintings.

"Sweet Lips"

8 x 6

oil on wooden panel

These maidens are getting ready for the stage - making sweet lips for the Mikado. This little painting was so much fun, I may use it as reference for a larger painting. 

Click image to enlarge and see the brighter color of the actual painting.