Wishing the Fall Leaves Farewell

"Autumn Light"   18" x 24"   $750 Framed 

We've just had a week of frosty weather and autumn has changed into winter. The dying of the leaves is always tough for me. Our winters in Seattle are short compared to many places, but 4 or 5 months without leaves is never something I look forward to. But I am grateful for the beautiful show the leaves put on as the season closes.

I've been watching this week how the light and colors are changing with the cold. The sky has become more of a blue-green than the rich blue of summer. The greens are tired and faded. The shadows are long. The frost lingers in the cold shadows and there's always a faint low fog in the trees. The light is low and it catches the colorful leaves from the side and sets them ablaze.

This scene is from near the entrance to Marymoor Park in Redmond.

Autumn Vines

"String of Hearts"  11" x 14"  Framed $475 

These vines are planted everywhere in the Seattle area to cover and soften concrete walls. Intertwining vines make such beautiful pictures. I've probably taken hundreds of photos of the ones near Marymoor Park in Redmond, not far from where I live.

One of the reasons I enjoy painting with watercolor is because I am so fond of lines. Watercolor makes it so easy to paint such clean, lovely lines! And of course vine-covered walls are just filled with elegant lines.

I love how these vines change so unevenly in the fall, showing a whole spectrum of color at once. I especially love how the younger leaves in these vines look like necklaces of colorful hearts.

Collecting Chestnuts

"Autumn Treasures, Chestnuts"  18" x 18"  SOLD

When I was little, I always looked forward to collecting chestnuts behind my grandmother's house. Inside the spiky hard covers I would discover these jewels of smooth beautiful redness that were more magnificent treasures to me than gold coins.

Ice Wine Label Art

 

I just finished this commissioned painting for Finn Hill Winery. This artwork will be featured on the label of Finn Hill's upcoming semillon ice wine from Rosebud Vineyards. An ice wine is interesting as it requires very unique conditions. It's made from grapes that are frozen on the vine and results in a sweet dessert wine. 

I've been lucky enough to contribute artwork to a number of Finn Hill Winery's labels. To see some of the other wine label artwork I've done for them click here. 

If you have the chance to go wine tasting in Woodinville, Washington this month, be sure to stop in at Finn Hill Winery! Owner, Rob Entrekin, makes all of his wines on-site and is happy to share fascinating details about his wine-making process. I have 17 of my original watercolors on exhibit at Finn Hill Winery right now, plus new 2015 Art Calendars available. Thank you again to everyone who joined me for the Artist Reception at Finn Hill Winery on Sunday, August 24!

Finn Hill Winery is open for tasting 12:00-5:00 each Saturday. They are located in the Woodinville Warehouse Winery District at 18800 142nd Ave NE. (Click here for a map.)

Calla Lilies and Trumpets

"Salsa Trumpets"   24" x 18"   $850 Framed

Another calla lily watercolor, but with very different shapes than the last one. In this painting, I've emphasized the more rounded trumpet-like shapes. The lines all radiate out from the center spiral, like a blast of bright sound. I was listening to salsa music for this painting, too - pushing the rhythms into the painting and indulging in the hot, intense tropical colors.

Thank you again to my friend Pam Lough for her wonderful source photos!

Calla Lilies and Flamenco Dancers

"Flamenco Flames"  24" x 18"  SOLD

I just finished a couple new paintings from some beautiful photographs that my friend Pam sent me from California. The colors of these Calla lilies are so gorgeous! ...And I love the shapes - like twisting fabric on dancers or flickering flames.

I really wanted to push the look of movement in this composition. The flowers reminded me of flamenco dancers so I studied the shapes of the dancers' dresses. (See my collage of photos below. Can you see the similarity in the shapes?)

I also emphasized the sharp-tipped flame shapes and repeated them in the leaves as well as the flowers.

I listened to salsa music the whole time I was painting this. The rhythms are so exciting you can't help but dance. There I was in my studio, dancing with my headphones on while I was painting. My teenagers who were home for summer vacation were really horrified. At least it was one way to get a little time all to myself in the studio this summer!

This painting is sold and is on it's way to California to live with Pam. Thank you Pam for the inspiration!

Art Reception Sunday August 24, 1-4pm!

Please join me this coming Sunday, Aug 24 at Finn Hill Winery in Woodinville for a fabulous fun art reception! There will be refreshments and wine tasting, and I'll be giving away one of my new 2015 Art Calendars every hour! I sure hope you'll join us!