Glass ball, vase, and late-season dahlia

This isn't at all as I envisioned painting it--and I just realized, I forgot to do the cast shadows. Tweaks tomorrow! The setup didn't strike me as being retro, but it sure came out that way. The glass fishnet ball and a small glass vase are aqua, the perfect foils for an orange flower. I gerry-rigged some lighting and put the glassware in a cardboard box to create this still life--first time I've done this here in my studio. I'm not a big fan of still life, but I know it's a very good exercise.

Ballerina

Whoops... missed one when I updated the blog yesterday. Did this last week but forgot to include in it's proper chronological place. This is from a photo taken at one of the Falcon sessions, back when I had space there. Pic must be eight or nine years old now, but I've wanted to do some "mud heads" from the photo series, so here's the first crack at it. A likely Big 500 entrant.

Rome

Work in progress, from photo taken in Rome two years ago. (Three?) These trees have so much personality, I should go back and paint trees all summer. (If wishes were fishes....)

Jennifer.... again.

This is the second painting started last Friday during a live model session. It's as far as I got in the remaining two hours of the session, and I'll probably leave it as is.

Girl's got serious hair!

Jennifer is so fun to paint, I think this is my third one of her. Done during a live model session (less than 40 min.), and then finished later in my studio.

Morning Meditation

Almost finished, and one of my favorites of the month.

Stop and paint the roses

From photo of one of the roses that blooms on the path out back--the sweetest smelling one, omg! This one's headed for the Big 500.

At the Milonga

Work in progress for the Big 500.

Leaf Peepin'

This is for the OSA show, "200 for Under 200," coming up next month. It's another from a photo taken in about 2000 during peak leaf season. That's my sweet dog, Sophie. (Snif. Don't go there.)
12" x 12"

The Radiant Road

I took so many photos out in the Helvetia area during the plein air event, it's just breathtakingly beautiful out there. This is the llama barn again, but no llamas in evidence. (Painted from photo.)

Love those Llamas!

Llamas are so cute, I could hang out with them all day. So attentive! And curious. And just plain friendly. Hi guys!!!

'Til the Cows Come Home

Another from the Helvetia area. I stood looking out at the amazing views from the Century Farm, and loved that the cows kept me company.  A few tweaks are needed to complete (missing a roof or two, and the silo), but this will likely be another Big 500 entrant.

Fall on Helvetia Rd.

The Fall leaves are turning here in Oregon. This was out in the Helvetia area, and I did a few plein air paintings out that way as well. But I didn't like those, so I'm not posting them.

Awesome Fall

First effort for the Big 500. It's got some value problems to resolve, but is far enough along --I'll complete it later -- I've got to keep moving forward. I'm going for 15 this year.  This is from a photo taken in about 2000 during peak leaf season in Vermont or New Hampshire. That region is absolutely astounding when the leaves turn. It literally makes my heart beat faster!

Reading Yevtushenko

This was painted at the "Quickdraw" during the Washington County Plein Air event held at the end of September. The Quickdraw is usually done outdoors, in keeping with the rest of the event--but it was raining that day, so we worked inside of a large theater space in Hillsboro. I thought we had three hours to complete it... but towards the end I discovered that it was only two hours and I really had to slap the paint on thick!