Bookmarks in color

 A few years ago I got a hold of some sample Arches watercolor 140lb cold press paper that are small narrow pieces still attached to the glue. The original pads were cut and these slivers are the remnants. I have about 8 of these narrow pads and reminded me of bookmarks. Over the years, I have painted landscape scenes and other small glimpses of other worlds. 

Below are two places in Europe that a) I have seen in person or b) would like to see in person.

The portrait/vertical scene is the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival just about an hour from my home. I've never been here, but I might just make a day trip soon. The landscape horizontal scene are turf houses in Iceland, which I have seen. I was disappointed though I couldn't go into these. 

Painted with Daniel Smith watercolors, and these measure about 2" by 9". I will get them laminated someday as bookmarks, or just cute little windows to another place in time and space.

The Giraffe

 Since the 80's, giraffe populations have decreased by about 30%...think about that. Just 40 years and nearly a third of these gentle giants are gone. The more I paint animals, the more I really appreciate just how special they are. This one is done from a copy of a photo, and then I added my own idea of an African landscape. Painted on a 10"x12" treated canvas board with watercolor paint.

Tiny cat portraits

 I love tiny canvases, and found these at Dick Blick a couple of years ago. They came as a pack of six, and have just been sitting in my art supply stash for quite a while now. Since I enjoy painting animals it seems lately, I thought it would be fun to paint Bean and Jerry-my older kids' cats. Both of my older kids are roommates, and they each have a cat. Bean belongs to my 24 year old daughter, and Jerry belongs to my 21 year old son. These cats each have quite their own personality, but one thing I especially love in cats is their eyes. Bean (my daughter's tabby cat) has glorious green eyes, and Jerry (my son's white cat) has some intense amber eyes. These canvases are just 2"x2", and these head portraits are painted in gouache.

Bean on the left, Jerry on the right

The vivid blue and gold Macaw

 A few months ago, I had an intense dream of these blue and gold Macaws flying above my back patio at dusk. It was a very happy feeling, yet somehow not a single spot of bird droppings in the dream. The feeling that I was left with inspired me to paint one in my watercolor bird journal. These are large birds, and live for many years, such incredible and beautiful animals. Watercolor on paper.

Crocheted with love

 A few months ago I snagged a huge lot of acrylic yarn, and some of it was the super soft baby yarn. Even though there aren't any babies in my life (sadly!), this soft white, blue and pink yarn appealed to me to want to crochet a blanket for a baby coming in the future. I used a vintage pattern, and this turned out very soft, elegant and beautiful. Currently it is stored in a sealed container for an infant-someday.

Desert Rainbow, somewhere in Arizona

 The short dark days of winter are helping me recall my days of living in Arizona (21 years ago!). While living in Phoenix wasn't my favorite place, the sunsets were amazing. Outside of the metro area, into the mountains is where the stark beauty really lies. Continuing with my admiration of cactus plants, this is a watercolor of what I would think the Santa Catalina mountain near Tucson would look like. Saguara National Park is on my list of National Parks to visit some day, and I also imagine the scenery to be similar. Painted on paper in watercolor.

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.