Follow the Bird

Ink and Watercolor with Pastel on paper, 6x4

This view of the "quail pines" presents the early morning sunshine as the birds begin to move into the open.

Cardinal - the Lord Will Provide

Line and Wash, with digital script added.

'Cardinal - the Lord Will Provide" 4x6 ink and wash. I painted this spring cardinal with space at the bottom to add "Trust in the Lord.  He will provide."  Matthew 10:29-31."

Cedars and Muhly Grass

Cedars and Muhly Grass

 Pastel on Sanded Paper, 6x9

This quick exercise that started with a "spontaneous" watercolor, and it evolved into this study of cedar trees and muhly grass on the dunes.  As it progressed, it took a life of its own.  In order to correct weaknesses in the basic composition, I added the path, extended the pink muhly grass and moved the cedar tree to the left and back.  I had to abandon much of the native color to get the values and movement in the painting to work.

Christmas Wreath 01

First Wreath of Christmas

 Watercolor and ink on cotton paper, 4x6

This was my first new work for Christmas.  I started with an ink drawing, added broad washes for the wreath and background, then the watercolor in multiple passes with increasing depth of color.  I finished the painting with a few touches of gouache to deepen the reds and add highlights.

Wind Rising

Wind Rising

Watercolor and Ink on Paper, 4x6

As the autumn storms move in, the dunes fall into darker colors, the wind rises, and the pounding waves drive the birds into the air seeking shelter inland.

Memory in Passing

Memory in Passing

Pastel on Watercolor Paper, 7x5 

Some years ago I passed this scene in my car.  I was so impressed at that time, that I painted it as soon as I could.  Over time, the painting was given away, but I saw it again last month when visiting relatives, and the inspiration flooded back, and I painted it again mostly from memory.  I selected a cool palette to convey the sense of distance and dreamyness of the mountain lake and stream.  I started this as a watercolor, but the intensity and width of the value range led me to turn to pastels.  Since it is on cold pressed paper, the texture of the paper dictated the looseness of the execution.

On-Shore Breeze

On Shore Wind

Ink and Watercolor with Pastel on Cotton WC Paper, 5x7

In the mid afternoon when the on-shore breeze takes over, the sea oats hold their heads and bend with the wind.  A few seagull sail by waiting for the wind to drop and tide to go out.

Pastel saved this small painting - when the watercolor gets out of hand, I call in the cavalry - pastel cavalry, that is.