Creekbed in Northern California

 

This is another painting I did in the book I had written about before---maybe a couple of months ago.  It is a book of handmade papers that my friend Patrick Hamilton gave to me.  His sister had died and she was an artist and it was part of her things.  It is a little sad, because she had not had an opportunity to use it at all.nea

This painting is a quiet creekbed with a bridge in Northern California. It might be near the coast.   I didn't label it and I am not sure.  I am very happy with the play of colors and with the lone figure.  It is one of my favorites so far.

Capitol Columns in Fall

A favorite spot to visit here in Washington DC is the National Arboretum.  It is truly spectacular all times of the year.  One of the main attractions is the Capitol Columns, which are Corinthian in design and mounted in a formation on a hill.  They were part of the original Capitol design and installed in 1828.  However, when the Dome was completed in 1866 it was apparently was much larger than what was in the original design, and it didn't look right.  Eventually an addition was completed on the east side to balance the design and these columns were removed in 1958.  With the help of benefactors and an architect, they were moved at a later date to the Arboretum.  This view shows how they look from afar in Fall...one of the best times to visit and walk around the historical installation.
 

Smilin' Santa

 

My snowman for this year is what I call a "Smilin' Santa."  I had a lot of fun with him and the original of the painting has already sold.  He will be on my holiday cards and it is always fun to realize some people have collected them over the years and display them together.  

CAPITOL IN SPRING

 

This is something a little different for me.  One of my friends wanted a painting for her granddaughter's new home.  The idea was something that was very DC but also pretty.  I didn't feel confident to do it, and referred my friend to some other artists who did such paintings.  My friend and her husband found one that they liked, but it wasn't available.   It was the Capitol building with blossoms in front of it.  I decided to give it a try and this is the result.  I'm pretty happy with it and so is my friend  I hope the granddaughter likes it, but right now she is on a six-month assignment Qatar, so it will be awhile before she gets it.

HAND LABYRINTH

 

Here's another labyrinth.  I didn't post it when I finished it...a couple of months ago.  I'm not sure why...I think it was just oversight.  I like it and it was fun to do.  I was trying to fit the labyrinth idea into a hand held up in greeting or maybe in peace.  In fact, I kind of pair this one with the peace labyrinth.  

PEACE LABYRINTH

 

This is my latest labyrinth....a plea for peace.  I got the image from pinterest, but modified it with the peace sign in the middle.  

I am always intrigued by the labyrinth patterns...there are so many and yet they all have one thing in common:  a path to the center (although it may not be direct), a place to rest in the center, and a path out.  

I usually make them more colorful, but the blue and white seemed to be the best fit for this idea.

End of Day West Coast

This is a special memory kind of painting.  It is of Louisa and Peter walking along the coast near Fort Bragg, California (Northern California).  We were there for the wedding of Jenifer and Erik--so it was a time to cherish and be together and create some memories.  We spent several days there, so it was more than just participating in the wedding.  In addition the wedding and the time on the beach, we got to hike in the forest and meet some of the locals.  The painting will be in an upcoming show at Frame of Mine here in DC.  The show's theme is Seashore.  I think it fits right in.  Reception is August 24 1-3 pm.