"Bing Cherries"

7 x 6.5"

oil on gessoed museum board

This little glass dish belonged to my grandmother. It appears in several of my cherry paintings. I enjoy painting the shadow it casts as much as the glass itself, and I always like painting the many colors in cherries. When the stems are still attached, well that is the best! 

"Text Messaging"

6 x 8"

oil on wood panel

Another “Sunshine: Dog Days” painting. Here the man was so interested in his phone, nothing else seemed to exist for him. The dog, on the other hand, was interested in all the people walking by. Once again I wanted to paint the long shadows. I also wanted to paint the sunlight shining thru the dog’s tail and the hint of gold on his legs and along his back. 

"Sunshine: Dog Days"

8 x 6"

oil on wood panel

The sun is out in the Northwest again and it seems everyone who has a dog has been out on walks. This one was so good I had to paint it. The long shadows were as much fun as the light on the people and the shape of the dog just sitting there waiting for the conversation to finish.

"One Rolled Out"

6 x 5.75"

oil on gessoed museum board

SOLD

I like the little yellow dish - and of course - more cherries!

"Mahjong Cherries"

6 x 8"

oil on gessoed museum board

These are such great models, they can be painted many times before being eaten! I still have some cherries with stems attached and will continue painting them until they are gone. Some have been painted five times before eaten! Such restraint . . . but still, each day the number in the refrigerator grows smaller.

"Another Delivery"

8 x 6"

oil on wood panel

This was just too good to pass up. The dog’s focus was totally on his master, who was making an early morning delivery to Pike Place Market in Seattle.

"Morning Delivery"

6 x 8"

oil on wood panel

Just across the alley from my February 15th posting, a produce delivery was on its way to the proper stand. People were starting to arrive for morning shopping. Pike Place Marked, Seattle.

"Orange With Lemon"

8 x 8"

oil on gessoed museum board

I find blue and yellow so cheerful together. After being given some wonderful lemons, this painting was a natural. I added several orange slices for color. The colors reflected in the deep blue of the tea pot and cup are always exciting to capture in paint.

"Setting Up Shop"

8 x 6"

oil on wood panel

Around the corner from the last posting, I found this man getting ready for the day. The bin by his feet has “Live! Large! Fresh Oysters” on ice, above them are butter clams and Pacific wild salmon.

It was the bright orange overalls, piles of ice and the water on the floor that grabbed my attention.

"Early Morning Sun"

8 x 6"

oil on wood panel

I had a meeting in town yesterday morning. I drove in early and stopped at Pike Place Market to look for painting opportunities. This man was reading the news in the morning sun. The coffee shops and cafes were open but the rest of the market was still setting up for the day. More paintings to follow soon.

"More Cherries"

8 x 6"

oil on wood panel

More cherries! I am quite fond of blue and white in the kitchen. I also like painting cherries, especially the dark, dark red ones.

"Roxie"

6 x 8

oil on wood panel

Relaxing by the fire after a long walk through the neighborhood, I think we all were as comfortable as Roxie. The day was cold and windy, the walk - refreshing, the company - the best! Add hot coffee and tea in mugs to warm our hands, conversation and laughter to warm our hearts, and you have a perfect afternoon.

"Early Cherries"

5.75 x 8"

oil on wood panel

I always enjoy painting shapes that catch reflections. It is the changing colors in the forms that capture me. 

"Box Seats"

6 x 8"

oil on wood panel

The Buxton Opera House is in The Square, Buxton, Derbyshire, England. Designed by Frank Matcham and built in 1903. 

I have had the pleasure of visiting twice with the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and was able to sketch during the day while the cast rehearsed for evening performances. The place has so much charm, there will be more paintings. 

"Total Focus"

6 x 8"

oil on wood panel

I was totally captivated by the amazing focus of my friend’s kitten. He was intent on something above him. It took a moment for me to realize that the bright sunlight was bouncing off my camera! As I moved, the kitten followed the reflected light on the ceiling. I loved his expression so much, I had to paint it.

"Back Bay, Boston"

8 x 6"

oil on panel

Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood has many shop windows and doorways that are fun to paint. This shop is along Newbury Street. I liked the brightly lit windows in the dark brick building as a background for the busy street.

"Deruta Cream"

4.4 x 6"

oil on gessoed museum board

I liked the shape and decoration of this Deruta pitcher so much, I bought it just to paint. 

"A Kiss"

8 x 12"

oil on panel

February 1st seems like a great day to add this painting to my blog. It shares a moment in the cafe at the National Gallery in DC. The gallery has so many great moments, so many rooms filled with wonderful art and interesting people. At one point we just wanted to sit for a while, so we went downstairs to the cafe for lunch. These diners drew closer and closer together in their conversation until yes! A kiss.

"A Kiss" appears in the February ad for the Women Painters of Washington Gallery in the 3rd Floor Atrium of the Columbia Center, 701 5th Avenue, Seattle. The exhibition runs thru April, 2008.