In the Northwest we are enjoying a glorious summer; the days of sunshine for which we were pining just a few months ago. Even in May we had super chilly and gray days. While August flashes by I remember that our Septembers and even Octobers here are delightful. Above is the latest from my easel..."Summer Light", a 16x20 oil on linen.

The next few days are dedicated to working on a commission piece which I can't share with you because it's a surprise for the recipient. What an honor to be asked, and a real gift to contribute to a special surprise for my client's loved one.

Keep your eyes on updates here: Very soon I'll be sharing with you some items which you'll be able to find in my booth at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. I am thinking of creating a special series of tulip paintings, and they'll be available in prints and cards at my booth at Tulip Town in 2018. The originals will be part of a feature at the Scott Milo Gallery in April 2018. I'll keep you posted! In the meantime, I'm going to mix up a batch of sweet tea and find a patch of sun in the back yard. 

I feel like those busy bees outside, or maybe the hummingbirds. Zooming from place to place, but it's a good thing too. Great opportunities are opening up, and we'll just see what happens. I've been working on lots of studio floral still life paintings. Studying a lot of Bonnard's work and some contemporary artists such as Alice Mumford and Winifred Nicholson. A sunny week is predicted for us here in Seattle this week, but we have learned not to count on it. I'm ready with my plein aire kit if we get a good stretch of bright days, but quite content with plenty of inspiration indoors as well. 

Currently my work is showing at Fairweather Gallery in Seaside, OR, and a few pieces are in the "Little Gems" show at Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, WA. Upcoming shows include an invitational group show where I have two paintings at Tsuga Fine Art in Bothell, WA called "Pacific Northwest Summer," July 1-August 18. I also have an upcoming outdoor booth at Chateau St. Michelle Winery on Tuesday July 4 (weather permitting). Come on by and say hi if you are in the area!

It's back to work, quick like a bunny. I keep thinking, "I ought to just paint a bunch of good ones, and then have them ready for when these calls for entry come up or invitations are offered, and then I'd have these new pieces that I like, that would be dried and ready to submit, no pressure." That would be so great. Yes, I should definitely do that. Except, how does anyone do that? It never happens! At least not for me...yet.

 Maybe it's just part of the wiring up there in the artist brain. You just want to see the next painting happen, and that's what keeps you working. You don't want to send out last month's idea, you want the shiny new stuff.

So here comes a new opportunity and I'm down to the wire again! I think I'll get this last one done, and then the next four paintings in the next week. But these are great opportunities, so they need to be my best work. Does anyone else relate? I'd love to know. So there's pressure, but I'm so happy to have this type of pressure. Really thankful for the opportunities. I'm going to try to just do the next thing, as best as possible, and also remember to enjoy the work. Ok now, back to it.