Original Art Bookmarks

Sample of the bookmarks to be given away at Gallery Wine Nov. 2

For years, I've had this box of watercolor paintings that I hide. Many of them are plein aire paintings that never really came together. Some of them were great, except for the one part that totally ruined everything. These paintings were just never going to see the light of day.

But now, they've been given a new lease on life! I've cut the good parts out of the paintings and turned them into bookmarks! It's been great fun finding little gems in each of those exiled paintings and turning them into something new and beautiful.

Tomorrow, Nov. 2, I'll be at Gallery Wine and Art on Market Street in Kirkland from 6:00-8:00pm. If you stop by, I'll give you one of these lovely bookmarks absolutely free! Please come by and see my new work, taste some champagne, and take home your free one-of-a-kind original watercolor bookmark!

Featured Artist: Wednesday, Nov 2 at Gallery Wine

Marcke Lhyle, owner of Gallery Wine, in his shop
in Kirkland with a couple of my paintings behind him.

There was a terrific article this week on Gallery Wine in the Kirkland Patch. I've had my work available at Gallery Wine since August.

Check out this link to read the article:

http://kirkland.patch.com/articles/gallery-wine-is-not-just-another-wine-shop

Gallery Wine does fun wine tasting events each Wednesday evening.
On Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 6-8pm, I'll be their featured artist. I'll be painting on site. I'll have my black and white sumi-style paintings available (see my blog posts from Sept. 30 and Oct. 7) at very affordable prices and some prints of my painting of Snoqualmie Falls. If you're looking for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, this is a great place to visit!

Everyone who comes in from 6-8pm on November 2nd and says hello will get a free hand-painted bookmark from me! So, please stop by, taste some wine and take a look at the art. It should be a great evening!

Sunflowers



A Pair of Sunflowers, 17" x 13"

I've been working on some new illustrations for wine labels for Finn Hill Winery. These sunflowers were painted for a Sauvignon Blanc label. They remind me a bit of the wonderful winery owners, Rob and Karen. :)

Finn Hill Winery is in the process of moving into a retail space in Woodinville! Here's an article in the Kirkland Patch that talks about Finn Hill Winery's move. So very exciting!

Japanese Maples in the Snow

    
Here are some more of my simple black and white sumi-style watercolors.
There is something so surprisingly quiet about these monochromatic paintings.
I can never get enough of those branches.
So complex, yet so simply elegant.
   

Japanese Maple in the Snow #1 13.5" x 9.5"

     

Japanese Maple in the Snow #2 13.5" x 9.5"

Sumi Style

I've always been fascinated with sumi painting and the concept of making each brushstroke as expressive as possible. This week I tried something with watercolor that looks a little like sumi painting. I used Daniel Smith lunar black watercolor, a very interesting granular pigment, and worked on some smaller, monochromatic pieces. I love the elegant grays. It was wonderful to just focus on line and value.

Right outside my studio window is a bird feeder that is a popular hangout for the neighborhood chickadees.The chickadees are always so cheerful and friendly. They even try to get my attention when the feeder is empty! The magnolia near the bird feeder has really interesting branches. In the winter the flower buds are very visible and stand upright like little candle flames in the dark winter.

I would love to know what you all think of these. I'm thinking maybe I'll use the one of these as my Christmas card this year. Which one is your favorite? Please add a comment and vote for which one of these three you like best!


Chickadee #1,  7" x 13"



Chickadee #2, 7" x 13"

Chickadee #3, 7" x 13"

Painting Again!



My kids are back in school and I am THRILLED to be painting again! 

The kids and I had plenty of fun adventures this summer. On one of these outings, I followed the advice of one of my gardening friends and took the kids to Russell Watergardens in Redmond.  What a cool place! It looks like nothing from the outside, but the display gardens and koi ponds there are magical!

I must admit, since then, I have developed a terrible koi pond envy. Luckily, I've discovered that by painting a scene, it becomes mine - just like the world Harold creates with his magic purple crayon! In the winter, I paint spring. When the mountains are snowed in and inaccessible, I paint the hikes I love to do. ...And now I've made myself a koi pond complete with the loveliest of waterlilies in perpetual bloom! What an excellent thing to be an artist!


Lilypond Reflections, 13" x 26"

Art Walk Tonight! Stop by Gallery Wine & Art in Kirkland to see my paintings!

 

Tonight, August 12, is the Kirkland Art Walk from 6:00-9:00. The weatherman promises the sun will be out by then, so it should be a wonderful summer evening. Be sure and stop by Gallery Wine and Art to sample some lovely wines and see some of my art as well! They are in downtown Kirkland right next door to the Kirkland Arts Center on the corner of 7th and Market. If you miss the event tonight, stop in anytime! http://www.gallerywineart.com