Peony and friends

I read somewhere that peonies need ants to help their buds open up.  This one had several friends working on it and it was opening as I painted.

How lucky we were to have a Maya Angelou among us!  Cheers to indomitable spirits and truth tellers, may they always rise to the top!

Into the Sunrise

I wanted to call this "The Map is Not the Territory" but it's too long and cumbersome.  Bottom line is no matter how good a map you start out with, it will never tell you exactly what the day will bring.  No substitute for the experience!  This painting was inspired by a trip through Gwaii Haanas in Haida Gwaii, aka the Queen Charlotte Islands.... should be on every kayaker's bucket list.  I've been twice and will die a happy paddler!

Coral Root

You have to get down and close to this tiny little orchid, I've painted it huge so you can appreciate it!  This plant has no leaves or chlorophyl so it's dependent on the forest around it.  We should be so smart.

Petroglyphs

Do you know the petroglyphs at Wedding Rocks on the Olympic coast?  There are more, but this group (whales and face figures that may represent the sun & moon) are the most notable. Although the interpretations of their "meaning" are basically guesswork, the "goosebumpy" feeling you get searching them out is very real.  They have weathered centuries about a mile south of the old Ozette village site in an outcrop of jumbled granite.  Look carefully so you don't miss them and you'll also discover the amazing artwork of wind, water and aquatic creatures that has made some spectacular rock art of the non-human sort.

My Favorite Beach

A jumble of sea and sky.  The clouds float in and cover the Olympics like the incoming tide. Fortunately, my favorite beach is close to home, even so, I've not had much luck painting it.  This is about the closest I've come to one I like and it could still use more simplifying.  Too bad, guess I'll just have to keep going back.

Arabesque

Sunset illuminates the poetic heart of a coastal pine, remembering summertime in the San Juans.

The Perfect Pony

Horse shows bring back lots of great memories for me.  I can't go to too many because I much prefer doing over watching!  It's wonderful to see those perfect partnerships, where the disposition of rider & horse suit each other just right.  Character trumps perfection here.  It doesn't really matter how they stack up in any particular class, it's much more about how well they learn from each other.  Best are the kids and their ponies.... where imperfection can be the most perfect thing of all.

This is Elderberry

....aka EllaBella.  She has particularly glorious ears, even for a basset.  I did not exaggerate their length.  Her portrait will soon join those of housemates, Boysenberry & Raspberry.  It's great fun painting basset hounds, thanks for the opportunity to paint yours Deb :)
 

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