I hope this newsletter finds you safe and healthy as we are full swing into the Christmas and winter Holidays. Right now the view towards Whidbey island is mostly white and silvery blue. The snowy field is perfect for a Christmas week, and is extra special, knowing it will be melted in only a few days.

How different it looked that early summer morning I was heading out to the garden, and I looked across our field to see this amazing view. A coastal breeze was blowing gently across the waves of grass which were just setting their seed heads. Abandoning the garden shears, I set up to paint “en plein aire.” The cloud layers beckoned across Saratoga Passage, to the islands beyond. All of those layers of texture and color made such a delightful view. Painting this piece was one of those experiences where time seems to disappear, and the beauty around me just carried me away with brush in hand. Final brush strokes of sunlit distant clouds and the rooftop of the neighbor’s barn completed this amazing morning.

"Clouds Over Saratoga Passage" (14 x 20) is in Annapolis, MD at The McBride Gallery. We had the pleasure of visiting that wonderful city for the show opening in November. The painting recieved an Honorable Mention award sponsored by "Fine Art Connoisseur" magazine, and given by our esteemed WAOW show Judge, Hiu Lai Chong, such a wonderful surprise. Between waterfront strolls and admiring the colonial architecture, we sampled local seafood and met many kind folks at the WAOW show "East Meets West." The artists participated in a 3-hour paint-out competition, and my small painting "Yellow Door" took 3rd place. Paintings are still up for viewing at the gallery through January 7. If not sold, both will  will  be available through direct studio sale.

Please mark your calendar for the 2023 Camano Island Art Studio Tour!

We’ve had an extended cool, rainy spring this year. The Studio Tour was very successful, with many wonderful visitors, both old friends and new, and even had a few sunny warm days. Soon after that, however, our weather regressed back to April, it seemed! Normally I would be doing much more outdoor painting “en plein aire,” but with cold and blustery days, I took advantage of some figure drawing sessions from life.

Those drawing sessions were so engaging, I felt swept up in the moment. The time flew as I went from pencil, to fountain pen, to charcoal and sumi ink. Small sketches gave way to large drawings, then sketching with ink and brush using large gestural movements. Finally, I was ready for paint and canvas. The painting above is the first in a series of paintings featuring the portrait and figure in interior scenes. I think that several of these will fit well in the theme of “Balancing Act,” September’s show at Fairweather House and Gallery in Seaside, Oregon.

Be sure to check back and sign up to receive “From The Studio” in your inbox. Painting workshops begin this summer! So excited!