VOTW painting, Tebenkof Bay

I finished this mixed media painting for the Petersburg Ranger District, Tongass Wilderness, SE Alaska as part of my artist residency.  It shows us watching otter and humpback whales looking west towards Baranof Island in the background shape of a map of Tebenkof Bay and our trip route last June.  The land shape (Kuiu Island) is filled with sketch book drawings and notes.  Touched on just a little bit of the amazing diversity of flora & fauna living here. 

Get a better look at this painting and many other new pieces at my solo show, Visions of Wilderness, at Morso in Gig Harbor. The show goes up on the 12th, reception Saturday, the 14th.  Then come back for a slideshow of incredible wilderness landscapes, Feb. 19th, 7-9PM or March 7th, noon-2PM.  Look forward to seeing you there!

Waiting for the Salmon

20"x24" original acrylic painting

Of all the paintings I've made so far, this one and "Passing Storm", seascape with humpback whale (posted last week) are most iconic of the Tebenkof Bay wilderness in SE Alaska.  All of my paintings tell a story and this one is of a calm that belies the tension of great expectations.  The salmon are coming, just one more "everyday" miracle in this wilderness ecosystem. 

If you'd like to learn more about wandering the wilderness, join me at Morso's on Feb. 14th (1 - 3PM) for an opening reception or come to a slideshow presentation on Thurs, Feb. 19th, 7 to 9PM or Saturday, March 7th, noon to 2PM.  My "Visions of the Wilderness" show will run from Feb. 12th to March 15th.

Salt Marsh, Aleck's Creek

Salt Marsh, original acrylic, 18x24"

OK, so here is the finished (I think, maybe, at least for the moment) painting.  The dune grass, sedges and marsh grasses were so incredible here in the Aleck's Creek estuary.  Not a lot of plants can handle the salinity at the edge of land and sea, but those that do create a lush carpet and exceptional habitat for young salmon and other fish plus insects and all kinds of other critters.  Tucked into the grasses was silverweed and chocolate lily, skunk cabbage and salmon berry, plenty of forage plants for hungry omnivores.  We could feel the bear watching as we meandered his path along the edge of the creek.  This is a painting that I think has more to say in person than from a screen thumbnail so I hope you can stop by Morso's to see the original.  Feb. 12-March 15, 2015.

back to Alaska, WIP

work in progress, SaltMarsh 18 x 24 acrylic

This is a WIP = work in progress for the upcoming show.  Soon after the excitement of beginning and right about the time I ask myself, "self... what WERE you thinking!!" 

just hanging around

I had some trepidation about this portrait, but then I thought it turned out ok after all.  J & J liked it so yipeee for hangin' out in the trees.

Found!

"Passing Storm, Tebenkof Bay" 24x30 inches, acrylic on canvas

I know it's been awhile since you've heard from "Picture This."  Sorry, I wandered off, but you know my motto "not all those who wander are lost."  So, back in the studio I've been busy revisiting this summers most excellent trip to Tebenkof Bay in SE Alaska.  I have a line up of new paintings completed and in the works for an upcoming solo show at Morso's in Gig Harbor.  The show will represent several adventures into the wilderness, from the Rocky Mountains of Montana up the chain to arctic Alaska and kayaking back down our glorious north pacific coast.   Besides the opening reception on Valentines Day, Feb. 14th (1 to 3 PM), I'll be giving two presentations (Feb 19, 7 to 9PM and March 7, noon to 2PM) about the National Park & Forest Service artist residency programs and my own experiences "playing ranger" in the wild.   Here's your first postcard from Tebenkof Bay….. the special calm that comes only after the chaos of a storm, titled "Passing Storm".

After The Storm

Lisa Point after the storm,  8x12"acrylic painting

The good news about our fabulous fall weather having turned to its wet and blustery normal is that I can finally get back to revisiting SE Alaska!  So here's a little painting to warm you up.  A bath tub smooth evening calm after the storm, remnants of a turbulent sky reflected in a mirrored sea.   Big weather changes happen in an instant around here.  The edges of those changes, weather both coming and going, can really be spectacular.  It's not just how the landscape looks, it's also about how it feels.  Ominous, glowering skies bring with them a sense of anxiousness, a heaviness that is not just due to falling atmospheric pressure.  During a stormy temper tantrum just hunker down, don't draw attention to yourself.  Await the aftermath, often glorious and always worth the price of admission.