Tag Archive | 7″ x 9.5″

Spring on the Clackamas River

Mar26

My week scouting inspiring locations for a bit of plein air work took me out to the Clackamas River. I enjoyed a chilly morning of hiking new trails, and scouting likely spots to sit alongside the river somewhere taking in the view. I finally found “my spot”, and I know I’ll be going back there. The chilly gray day threatened rain, but I did manage to get a bit of painting done before heading for home.

This piece was painted with Sennelier and Blue Earth pastels, on Ampersand Pastelbord.

“Spring on the Clackamas River”
7″ x 9″ pastel on pastelbord, 2025

Fireside II

Dec6
“Fireside II” pastel on pastelmat, 7″ x9.5″ 2025

I’m enjoying exploring this theme of campfires – almost as much as I enjoy sitting by the fireside on a chilly evening in the darkness. This is one of those themes I’ll likely continue to play with until I get that feeling that I’ve “gotten it right” or said all I have to say about it, somehow.

Fireside

Nov25
“Fireside” 7″x9.5″ pastel on Pastelmat, 2024

I took a few days of dowtime on the Oregon coast to paint and reflect. Time well-spent, but I was missing a certain specific experience that I often indulge when I go camping in milder weather (this trip was a hotel stay, with a lovely view of Siletz Bay) – hours sitting by a campfire, just staring into the embers and listening to the flames crackle. I had it on my mind, and it proved to be sufficiently inspiring to try to capture that yearned-for moment in pastel.