Fly Fishing in Eastern Oregon

"Spring at

Lake At The Dunes"

28 x 12 image

Soft Pastel

Every year my husband goes to "Lake At The Dunes" in eastern Oregon to fish for the large trout that have been planted in the series of small lakes. I was struck by the line of trees reflected in the still water, whose bare branches give the stunning color to this painting. The barren hills have the first blush of green grass, soon to turn brown, and a lone fisherman disturbs the reflections with his cast.

This painting feels softer than usual to me, probably because the art spectrum paper I'm using has a light tint. I usually use the darker tints because I like the background color peaking through giving the color a bit of something to bounce off. But, for this piece,with it's delicate yellows and peaches, it feels like the right choice.

McKenzie River Trust Living River Exhibit

"Rainbow Magic" will be in the Mckenzie River Trust Exhibit—"The Living River" at Jacobs Gallery in Eugene, OR opening April 2-May 1, 2010. I was excited to see that they used the image on the show postcard!

Trout Catch & Release

"Sweet Release"

soft pastel

20 x 13

30x 23 Framed

$850

I've been wanting to paint this for quite some time. It's referenced from a photo by Tim Pask (with his permission) showing a rainbow trout the moment it is released. There's so much energy in the photo and the colors of the fish are bright turquoise, blue and purple. The water is amazing. I hope I've captured that drama. All along I wanted to paint this very large and so am working on a big acrylic canvas at the same time. It seemed like it would be fun to do one in each medium. I also love the natural abstraction of only seeing the fish's tail...

OPB Oregon Art Beat segment

Oregon Art Beat

I had the good fortune to be interviewed by KC Cowan from OPB for Oregon Art Beat last spring and the segment aired last week.

It was very strange seeing and hearing myself onscreen, but in the end I felt it was a good portrayal of my work and thoughts about what's important to me about doing art. So, I just feel thankful to have had the opportunity!

To see the segment go to:

http://www.opb.org/programs/artbeat

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.

Large Trout Art

"Big Boy"

36 x 18 Acrylic on Canvas/wrapped sides

$975

This nice, fat rainbow is from a couple of photos that photographer Tim Pask sent me. Crystal clear water and incredible reflections combined with the pebbles in the streambed frame the fish and create lots of interesting things to paint. The fish has lots of spots. Spots are the hardest part of the fish to render. I'm not going for a photographic image, but an impression, so I dab them on, wait a minute and then wipe them off. This seems to give the best indication without getting tight and obsessive.

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.