Cactus series - Gouache on paper

 November in the Pacific Northwest means gray skies, golden leaves and mud. After the September wildfires, I'm certainly not complaining! Just a few years ago, the fall was my favorite season. As I've gotten older however, I have a lot more appreciation for the sun-especially after vacationing in Hawai'i twice in one year. 

In 1999, I moved to Phoenix,Arizona with my young daughter to find a new change in scenery. Back then, I had also longed for sunnier winters and that motivated the move. We lasted just over a year as I discovered how much I missed the trees and green in Oregon after visiting Flagstaff in northern Arizona. We came home with one more family member-my 2 month old son!

These cool damp days have me thinking about Arizona lately, so I browsed through some cactus photos to paint. Losing the moment in these paintings as I day dream about the desert was a brief respite from the rain. These are two small painting in gouache on paper.

Deidre Beth Cowl

My newest knitting design is this simple cowl with the softest Merino Wool yarn, and I'm so in love with it! Pattern is free on Ravelry.

I've always liked the name Deidre, and Deidre Beth seemed perfect for this simple and lovely cowl. 

The pattern is found here.

Memories Journal #23-Best Mountain View!

 I had hoped to paint this live at Hidden Lake viewpoint, but with crowds and lack of time, I ended up painting it from my photos taken. Hidden Lake viewpoint was the highlight of my Montana vacation. I had seen this view so many times in other people's photos. Seeing it for myself with fantastic weather was an incredible experience I will forever be grateful for. Between seeing Seljalandsfoss and this view in person, I think I've accomplished some major goals in life!

Watercolor on paper.

Happy Halloween owl!

 Last week during a mild Friday evening under a new moon, live music was playing across my street by Jacob Westfall who made an appearance on American Idol. While I'm not watcher of American Idol (or much TV anyway), his voice was incredible. I couldn't see the actual concert as it was in my neighbor's backyard, so I sat on my patio and just listened. Above the house where the concert was playing is a large tree, and suddenly I see a giant owl float to a branch in that tree. This bird was so graceful and large, so I retrieved my binoculars to see if I can get a better view. It sat in that tree as if it were also listening to the beautiful music, and it didn't move for at least an hour. The evening felt so magicial.

Although I've painted a few owls already, this sighting and the season had inspired me to paint one. Here is one in watercolor in my bird journal.

More newborn costumes

 My 1985 middle school friend is a grandmother again, this time for two more-a boy and a girl. The baby girl will get a unicorn and caterpillar outfit:

The little boy will get a lion and an elf costume (due near Christmas):

Last time I used cotton, this time I used acrylic because it felt softer. Hoping I will get to see the babies in their costumes!

The Happy Sea Turtle in watercolor

This sea turtle has a slight grin on his face as he swims along in the depths of the big blue ocean. Another fun animal painting done in watercolor on canvas borad. I used a hair dryer on wet paint to give the spreading affect in the water and on the shell. Painted in M. Graham watercolors on canvas board.

The Solemn Blue Whale

 This was the first sea animal I painted last year. Growing up, I was fascinated by whales, especially Blue Whales because of their size. M. Graham watercolor on canvas board.