My Resident Art Critic

This little, but vocal, red or Douglas squirrel can frequently be found outside my studio window perched in the cedar tree.  Surely he's exclaiming over my wonderful painting skills?!  He actually fell out of the tree the other day.  A minute later he (or she) was back up at the bird feeder none the worse for his gravity training.

Forest Flower

Salmonberry is one of the first forest flowers to welcome the hummingbirds in the spring.  This was a challenge with the busy forest background but I like how it turned out.

Seeing Stars!

I had to share this photo, taken on one of the lowest tides of the year (minus 4).  I think all the seastars in south Puget Sound have migrated to Vaughn Bay to "get it on".  That orangey stuff on the top middle seastar is eggs.  There are 4 different stars represented in this photo, clockwise; short spined, mottled and ochre stars, the lower middle is a leather star which is not common in the south sound, first one I've ever seen and quite spectacular.

discovery

I've been spending the last several days enjoying the spring low tides and volunteering with www.harborwildwatch.org   We collect marine critters and interesting stuff from the beach to put into touch tanks for kids (and adults too) to get a closer look.  It's a miraculous world out there.  I didn't have  time to paint but did capture some gorgeous photos to work with later.  On this cloudy day at the beach image, I was experimenting with Gamblin's, Torrit Grey paint.  Today it's bright sunshine, several perfect days in a row in fact.  (We northwesterner's really know how to appreciate sunshine!)

My End of the Rainbow

It's never more clear that only God can really make a rainbow than when you try to paint one!  I tried anyway.  It's no masterpiece, but by making the attempt I know that I have imprinted the scene, the sounds and the fresh spring day for ever!  My end of the rainbow is in those woods on the right side, behind the barn and the pasture, by the way.  

Rainbow

A classic Washington spring day, a little rain, hail, wind, sunshine and bird song.  If you don't like the weather, just wait about 15 minutes and it will change!  I love it!  This is the road to my house that passes through my neighbor's farm.  

Workin' the Shadows

This has been an excellent year for trillium, the woodland sparkles with them.  They are starting to fade into purple now but this spider is helping spread their pollen for future springs.