Nature In Our City Parks

This is a painting that will be in a show at City Hall.   The show features natural parks that are also Portland City Parks.  This is spot is very near my house, at a park called Marshall Park.  When you're there, you do not feel at all like you're in the city.  

The technique I used was fun.  I took a floral watercolor painting that wasn't looking too great, turned it upside down, and made this watercolor painting over it.  

The reception will be this Thursday, part of First Thursday art openings in Portland.

Two Scholars

This painting is hanging in the Buchan Center of First Unitarian Church, which is kind of fun for me.  Once I week, go to Spanish class and go right by it.   

I have two figurines of Chinese Scholars which are about 15" high and are "faux ivory."  I did this drawing of them as a modified contour--mostly looking at them while I drew, and looking very little at the paper. Then I painted it with gouache and used some metallic gold highlights.  

It's fun to see my painting in a permanent display! 

Labyrinth X

Here's the tenth labyrinth.  It is different from the others in that it is an acrylic painting on canvas.  The size is 20" x 20. " The others are watercolor, and in the same size range.  I might be done now with labyrinths....though I recently was intrigued to learn about a double spiral labyrinth and I might have to explore that!   We'll see.  

Something to Spice Up My Day

Here's something fun....a pepper plant!   My friend Celeste surprised me with a very cheerful potted pepper plant.  With the dreary weather outside, it is a welcome red/orange with green leaves.  I put it in a turquoise Bauer pot.  Does anyone know about Bauer pottery?  It's a classic!!!  

Thanks, Celeste....you are well represented in my "Thank You Card" series, and I've probably missed something. It's because you are so generous.  Generous with tangible gifts and with a very nourishing friendship.  It warms my life as well as my kitchen on these shortening days.

Labyrinth IX

Hey, labyrinth lovers!  Here's number 9.  This is one called the Santa Rosa labyrinth and it is contemporary.  The designer is Lea Goode-Harris.   It fits into a smaller space than most of the other designs and yet the paths are wide enough for wheelchairs.

Well, of course, I made some changes and this is my own interpretation!   My painting is currently on display in the Plum Gallery.

Another day...another present

At another recent dinner party (Hey, do I have a good life or what?) Nancy surprised us all with dragonfly plant ornaments.  I put mine next to a couple of lilies in a pot.  For this card, I decided to show only a little of the stem.  The plant ornament is so pretty.  It has copper highlights.  In the card for Nancy, I used water-based metallic copper paint.  The lily died  back, but the ornament is still looking great and now decorates an indoor plant in my front hall.  That plant is about five years old, so I am confident it will be the right spot to show off the dragonfly for some time to come.

Thanks, Nancy, for your thoughtfulness and on-going friendship.  It means a lot to have friends like you, and little gifts that remind me how special you are.

A Fun Project From Jan

Not too long ago, I went for a dinner at my friend Jan's condo in the Pearl District in Portland.  It's very nice and we had a special group of friends.  She had organized an art project for us, but we got busy talking about it and ran out of time.  The art project was a picture frame for each grandchild, and monopoly letters to glue on and spell out their names.  I brought the project home.  It took me awhile to do it, and even longer to do this card.  It turned out to be fun.  The frames are different, but related, just like the children.  Griffin in his bicycle helmet and Sophia with a welcome sign she made on one of my visits.  This was a "just for fun" painting on a thank you card.

Thanks, Jan....this is something I will treasure and the kids will love it when they visit in December.  I think they know I think about them all the time, but they always like physical reminders of how important they are to me.  

And, as always, thanks Jan for your friendship.  It was great to march for peace with you yesterday.

Gamblin Factory Tour

Yesterday, some of the Plein Air and Studio Painters took a tour of the Gamblin paint factory.  Scott Gellatly was our tour leader.  It was great to learn how oil paints are made and packaged.  Here's a link to some pictures I took.  https://picasaweb.google.com/102730987305298645467/GamblinTour

Labyrinth VIII

This is the eighth in the series.  I think it is my favorite so far.  It validates my love of the uneven path and unpredicatability of our life's journey.  In the design, I included only steps (or lack of steps where a "leap of faith" is needed), and no other symbols.  Sometimes, choices need to be made because there are several possibilities and most times, it won't matter a lot.  Other times, though, choices lead to the path that needs to be taken.

Thanks to those who have joined me on this exploration of labyrinths and the images they inspire.

Tomorrow, the Portland Plein Air and Studio Painters will visit the Labyrinth Show in the Plum Gallery, and I'll be interested in seeing their reactions....and their comments in the guest book.  This series is not at all about plein air or landscape painting, but I have come to think of it as an interior landscape work.  I love the colors, too.

The Guest Book in the Plum Gallery

Since the opening of the Plum Gallery in June, 2009, I have encouraged guests to sign my guest book and make a comment.  The comments really mean a lot.  Actually, I look at them fairly often and love to re-read them.  The comments for the opening were particularly exuberant--"very exciting launch!" and "great use of the space" are examples.  The help me recall the excitement I felt at just doing making the Plum Gallery happen.

Other favorite comments are "a beautiful idea come to life," "a visual feast,"  "What a surprise!" and "a great presence."  A special favorite is "Fantastic! Fabulous! Fun!"

Recently, I had visitors to the new "Labyrinth" show, and was especially warmed by comments in my guest book.  It is nice to know that others are inspired by my work, and that it brought one viewer "peace."

I paint to express myself, especially in the labyrinth series, but this sort of encouragement makes it more fun. I'm glad I started that guest book.  I will have a special reception for Portland Plein Air and Studio Painters on Tuesday, and I'll encourage them to keep the tradition.

Labyrinth Show is UP at the Plum Gallery!!!!

The "Labyrinth" show is up in the Plum Gallery and so ready for viewing.  Portland friends:  let me know when you want to see it.  Out-of-towners:  I could put you up in the guest room if you want to make the trip!

These are the five currently showing--Labyrinths II, III, IV, V, and VI.  You've seen them on the blog before.    I have three more ready that need to be framed, and one in O'Connor's Restaurant that I will trade out on Tuesday for one of these.....so it is a "rolling" show.

Here's a quote from T.S. Eliot that reflects some of my thoughts about labyrinths:

"     We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time."


I'll post that in the gallery as part of the show.  PS:  I haven't reached the end of my exploration of the labyrinth yet!!!