Go Bigger with Auditions

Using canvases with an aspect ratio that lets me easily scale up is a practice that helps me audition ideas for larger works.  I painted several little 4x5 inch paintings that are great for determining color and design.  These little paintings are fun and quick to do and gives me plenty of options when I want to go bigger.  A 4x5 scales up well to an 8x10, 16x20, or 32x40 inch painting.  I couldn't decide which  worked best, so I'm posting two of them.  You can see them in my Etsy Shop.  Click here to see the first one that I call "Field Light".  It has already SOLD, but the second one that I call "Dawn." is still available.  Both began with an under painting of Alizarin Crimson.  I love the warmth provided by the under painting.  I haven't decided yet whether to go bigger with these little ideas, so I will keep auditioning with my little paintings.  Visit here or here or here to see more of my small landscape auditions and a few slightly larger paintings.

Hope you like my little auditions and will stop by again soon.  Original and fine art reproductions of my larger paintings are available on my website.

Meadow Pines

A Central Oregon meadow and a cluster of pine trees was the inspiration for this 8x10 inch oil painting. The original painting is for sale at my Etsy Shop.  Visiting this link will allow you to view it in the shop or make a purchase.  Some of my other original tree paintings are also still available; just click here.

Feathered

This sweet little fellow seems to be trying to make a decision.  Tail up, bright eyed, I hope it will be the right one!  He was created on a 5x7 inch canvas panel with oil paint. Although he has SOLD, you can view some of my other paintings of birds and animals  in my Etsy Shop. 

Rabbit Fluff

This little fluffy bunny was originally created on 6x6 inch canvas panel with professional oil paints.  Reproductions are now available at my new website.  Just click on his icon and choose the size and surface.  Or, you can order him on a note card! 

Blue Jay Painting

After painting landscapes for a while, I had a yearning to change things up.  This little blue jay is the result.  He is painted in oils on a 4x6 inch canvas panel.  I love painting the texture of feathers and this little fellow was no exception.  He is looking for a new home, so if you are inclined to adopt him, click on this link where you can view him in my Etsy shop or make a purchase.  He is very sweet and doesn't even need a cage. 

Looking Toward Spring

Outside the temperature is hovering in the thirties.  I can't complain too much, at least it isn't raining, but it is the delight of spring that is capturing my dreams.  This 6x8 inch painting was inspired by the thought of days of spring and fresh country air.  Can't wait for a little sunshine.  The painting is available for sale in my Etsy Shop.  You can view it or make a purchase here.

Red Still Life

It has been a while since I painted flowers.  The season might have something to do with it.  Finding fresh flowers in December and January can only be done by a trip to the florist or the hot house.  Since I didn't make either trip, this little vase of red flowers came right out of my head.  I much prefer the real thing, but it did help brighten my winter mood and give me hope for some upcoming warmer weather.  The painting is 6x6 inches on a gallery-wrapped canvas and can be viewed or purchased here.

Snow Shoeing

Put on a pair of snow shoes and head up to the mountains.  The scenery is beautiful and the snow pack is great.  This 8x10 inch oil painting of a delightful mountain destination can be purchased at my Etsy Shop.  Click here to view or make a purchase.

Little Green Bird

Green feathers and a startled eye attracted me to this little creature.  He's SOLD and has found new home, but you can view some of my other original paintings of birds and animals that are for sale by clicking here.  If you are interested in purchasing a print of this painting please visit here to view prices and size availability.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! Today's painting is a sweet little snow scene that emerged from my imagination.  Here on the coast of the Pacific Northwest, we seldom get snow, so it is my imagination that takes me to this place.  The painting is 5x7 inches on a canvas panel. It has SOLD, but if you like this little winter scene, you may also like this one or this one, too. 

Little Blue and White

He's just a little blue and white bird.  I'm not sure what kind, but he was a delight to paint.  On a 4x5 inch canvas he was looking for a new home where he could get out of the cold and found one right away.  This painting has already SOLD, but there are more original paintings of animals and birds available in my Etsy Shop.   If you would like to purchase a print of this painting, please visit this link at my gallery of reproduction art.

Wild Birds

Painting birds is a fun little distraction.  This is one of a series of little 4x4 inch paintings of crows that I am  selling. This fellow has already SOLD, but you can see more little bird paintings in my Etsy Shop by clicking here. Or, you can by a print by clicking this link.

Sunshine and Snow

Early spring when there is still a little snow on the ground and the vegetation is just beginning to awake was the season I was trying to capture in this little oil painting.  Early April in Central Oregon provides the wonderful combination of sunshine and snow.  The painting is on a 5x7 inch gallery-wrapped canvas.  It has already SOLD, but I have more little landscapes for sale in my Etsy Shop. 

Little Bird Fluff

SOLD

It took me a while to finish this little 4x4 inch oil painting.  In spite of its size, I couldn't decide on an effective color for the background.  I repainted it at least three times before settling on this yellow-green background. Now the fluffy little guy is settled in a warm spot of sunshine. 

Little Fox

Today's painting is 6x6 inches on gallery-wrapped canvas.  He is another addition to my series of animal portraits.  It is so fun to create these little paintings.  My son is my biggest fan.  If it were up to him, I think he'd like me to just pass them all over to him.  He has a goat, a gorilla, and I can't remember what all.  Maybe for the holidays I'll have to create something just for him. This fellow has SOLD, but there are some more animal paintings available at my Etsy shop .  Original little animal portraits can be viewed here. If you are interested in a fine art print of this little painting, they are available here.

Forest Service Road

SOLD

Maybe other states have special Forest Service Roads; I'm not sure, but for some of us, these rustic roads in Washington Sate lead to wonderful places.  They are great for traveling by jeep or motor cycle and sometimes lead to places where Christmas trees can be cut and hauled home.  Usually they are out in the middle of  nowhere and there is never a map, so one must travel with a sense of adventure and enjoy the sights, the wild life, and the delight of being far away from civilization.  This little 5x7 inch oil painting documents the scene of one of those wonderful Forest Service Roads.  The painting SOLD at the Daily Paintworks Auction, but you can see some of my other original landscape paintings by visiting my Etsy Shop.

Time for the Beach

 SOLD

November rains are keeping me inside, but I'm imagining warm summer beaches.  This little 4x4 inch oil painting takes me back to warmer days.  He has sold to a new owner who probably also wants to escape to some warmer thoughts,so he's heading south. To view some of my other paintings of birds and animals, visit here, at my Etsy Shop.

Good-bye Autumn

This week I finally had to say good-bye to autumn and hello to winter.  The rains have come to the Pacific Northwest.  The weather is wet, dark, and endless.  That's why today's little painting feels good.  It is bright and reminds me of the crisp days of fall.  It was fun to pile on thick paint and imagine something beyond rain.  It is 5x7 inches and can be purchased from my Etsy Shop here.

Little Gray Bunny

When my daughter was small, she had several pet bunnies. Though they lived in a hutch in the backyard, she used to put them on a leash and let them walk around like they were actually trained or something.  They were really darned cute.  The memory of those cute little guys made painting this little one even more fun.   I couldn't wait for the paint to dry so I could share this fun little portrait.  He is on a 4x5 inch canvas panel and has SOLD, but I have several other bunny paintings that are drying and will be placed in my Etsy Shop as soon as the paint is dry.  It has been a fun little series to work on. Please visit. 

The Last Lily

With every day that passes, I think the last of the Day Lilies in my yard have come and gone. I've been quite wrong this year. We are having one of the driest fall seasons on record and the flowers keep on blooming. I love it! I was sure when I picked this one, it was the end, but that was weeks ago.  This small 5x7-inch painting is available for purchase here.  It was created on gallery-wrapped canvas and can be hung with or without a frame.