West Fork, February Thaw

Snowing one minute, sunshine the next. In between remodeling the ranch house and feeding horses I get little sketches done.

"Western Canook" 12x16 oil

"Snow Bunting, West Fork" 12"x24" oil on canvas

After a few days away from oils, I took my easel out to the barn and painted this view to the south, down the Sanpoil Valley from West Fork. While I was painting I was delighted to be visited by a Snow Bunting, a small finch like bird that I have never seen. I sketched it into the lower left corner as I didn't have my sketch pad with me. When I got my bird book out I was happy to see I could positively identify it and had done a good job of observation. It was a juvenile and a little more tawny than the adults but pure white with dark markings on its wings and tail. Memorizing visual images is the far easier than memorizing words, names or numbers for me.
It is 'break-up' in the valley and getting out of the driveway is a challenge. The days are getting warmer and longer. The river is rising. The eagles are nesting and sap is starting to rise in the red osher dog wood turning them alizarin crimson. I'm looking forward to capturing and being captivated by the colors of spring as they come on. The cliffs will be roaring with waterfalls and song birds will be returning. Life is good.

"House in the Forest" oil 3"x3"

Watercolor Doodles 7x10

D.C. Doodle pen and ink 7x 10

Had a whirlwind trip to D.C. that I did this doodle. Good to see what's in the ol' noggin. Done from memory. My idea of visual vocabulary.

"Gold Mountains" 6"x12", watercolor on paper

I'm enjoying following my imagination. I've found a process that I enjoy and can visualize the moment and come up with images such as these. It's cathartic and reflective of my busy lifestyle. To take time to be in the moment and like playing music, let the vibrations of color play out in my imagination. I can see the finished painting before I start.

"We invent ourselves as we wake,
while nature does not sleep,
whether mountain or in flight,
Nature never knows itself."

"Gonzaga" 3x3, oil

"Skaters", 4x6 watercolor

I had great seats at the National Final Figure Skating Competition that was held in Spokane, WA.
It was a glamorous and exciting show. Young atheletes challenging each other with stellar performances.
This level of skating exhibits the elegance and charm that is perhaps comparable to ballet.
I can imagine doing paintings such as these studies in large oils and scrolls of fine linen.
The skaters use their bodies to interpret music. I distill that visual impression to a gesture of color made of paint.

West Seattle Sunset, 3x3 oil on masonite