Painting Progress Report

I have been working on a series of 6 larger paintings in my studio, so the daily paintings have been sadly neglected. I still do my little studies in watercolor and pencil for the larger work, but they are for my own use so I rarely show them to others.I have finished the 24" x 24" works for the moment and am about to start another 30" x 40" work on canvas. I wish I could work on copper on these larger sizes, but copper plates that large are just too heavy. There is nothing like painting on copper for sheer joy of watching the brush leave gorgeous marks.

I complained all winter about the cold damp weather inhibiting the paint drying. Now I am complaining about how fast the paint dries. It was 91 degrees here yesterday and just too hot to think straight.

It is also time to publish my June Newsletter. I am hoping for a cool spell so my computer will behave. Without air conditioning, my computer (and I) get ditzy at 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Scoop at Walter's

This is a view of part of my paintings that are currently hanging at The Scoop. 20 out of 26 have not been shown before. I have had a number of folks stop in for coffee or ice cream or just to see what I have on the wall. You have through the 30th of May to see my work there if you have not made it yet. I am interested to hear what you think about the show.

I encourage you to take a break and enjoy my views of the Ballard neighborhood, if you have not all ready. I have been hearing the music of the ice cream truck, so it is time!

American Classic House

I have been sorting through a number of plein air oil paintings that I have done on location to put together an exhibit titled "At Home in Ballard". It is on display May 1-May 30, 2009 at The Scoop at Walter's, my local ice cream and coffee shop. They serve Snoqualmie Gourmet ice cream, by the way, along with with coffee, tea and fresh squeezed lemonade, etc. Their hours are 6:00am-7:00pm M-Th, 6:00am-8:00pm F&Sa, 7:00am-7:00pm Su.

This exhibit of scenery in and around Ballard includes oil paintings of classic houses, flowers, waterfront, boats, the Locks, 24th street dock, views found in an alley, under a bridge or in a backyard. These locally inspired color-rich paintings express my love for this great neighborhood. Can you recognize the views?

Finches on Snowy Smoke Tree Daily Painting a Day

Oil on mounted canvas 10" x 8" or 25cm x 20cm
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We thought the snow was gone, then a sudden fall of large, fluffy flakes started and didn't stop until there was a fluffy coating on everything. It did not last long.

If you don't like our weather, just wait 5 minutes and it will be different. Today was gloriously warm and sunny. Now the weeds are taking off in the gardens and we are all trying to catch up on weed patrol. A few cherry trees in protected locations are in full bloom and the rest will pop as soon as we have several more warm days. I must check to see if there will be Japanese music concerts in the Tea Garden of the Arboretum again this year. I really enjoyed them last year when the cherries bloomed.

Red Velvet Cake Daily Painting a Day

Acrylic on Gessobord 4.5" x 6.5" or 11.4cm x 16.4cm
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Life is strange. I had not heard the words Red Velvet Cake since I lived in Millbrook, NC. I was in Larson's Bakery, deciding what looked good enough to paint when I saw this slab of Red Velvet Cake. Who would have thought to find this way out here. I thought this was a delicacy found only on the tables of innovative home baker's in the Southeast or maybe at a potluck or cakewalk in a church basement.

A recipe I once saw for this cake called for powdered cocoa and a whole bottle of red food coloring. I don't know if the recipe has been updated. If I had not read this, I would have suspected the colors were from beets. I wonder if that would work? I will have to give it a try. Kind of like carrot cake but red? Maybe with walnuts and Cream Cheese frosting?

Strawberry Tart Sweet Daily Painting a Day

Acrylic on Gessobord 4.5" x 6.5" or 11.4cm x 16.4cm
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I remember the first fresh strawberry pie I had. It was the most wonderful combination of sweet pie crust, fresh strawberries covered in a red glaze topped with whipped cream. This little tart has a cookie dough crust brushed with chocolate and a dollop of Bavarian cream under the fresh berries which have a clear glaze. I added the whipped cream as gilding on the lily. Yum!

Almond Tart Sweet Daily Painting a Day

acrylic on Gessobord 4.5 " x 6.5" or 11.4cm x 16.4cm
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Another delicious dessert from Pauline's in Ballard. Every cook turns out works of art in food, but some are a lot more interesting to look at than others. Food should please the eye as well as the palate while providing nutrition.