Summer on the Lower Deschutes River

Summer on the Deschutes

18 x 24 unframed Soft Pastel

The photo I worked from for this painting was taken last summer by my nephew David James Higdon on a fishing trip to the lower Deschutes river with my husband Tim and son Jackson. I asked him to take some photos showing the warm reflections of the surrounding canyon walls in the water. Tim informed me that the poplars on the right are not indigenous, but were planted near a homestead. There is nothing like the canyons of the Deschutes on a warm summer day...and this brings back that feeling.

High Cascade Creek

"Under"

revise of "Cascade Zen"

Creative block is not a fun thing. It often happens around the holidays. My studio is full of wrapping paper, my head is full of lists and the bank account is dwindling. Not really conducive to spending time at the easel.

But now...it's time. I get my body into my studio and sit on a stool. I get out photos that have inspired me, consider mediums and substrates. I decide "Cascade Zen" really should be painted over because I need the canvas. But, I've always loved one part of that otherwise somewhat problematic painting—the reflection of the trees on the right hand side. All of the sudden the light goes on and I wonder if I can turn it over and let those trees be at the top. I flip the canvas. It could work. My paints came out. It's fun. It's the most fun I've had in a long time. The block has a hole in it and I can see light.

Deschutes River

"The Shady Side"

48 x 30 acrylic on canvas with wrapped and painted 2.5" sides

$1800

I'd been looking at photos I took last Fall along the upper Deschutes River for months, trying to figure out how I wanted to paint the warm, colorful scene. Suddenly something clicked and a small portion of the upper left part of a photo came into focus. I decided to paint it big. I don't usually paint landscapes on large canvases, preferring to paint them in soft pastel, but when the mood strikes you have to go with it.