October in the Studio
During the wildfires, I continued my virtual visits to favorite places we couldn’t access due to closed roads and completed this view of Proxy Falls. When I work on a piece like this, I am transported by the memory of the light and feel and sensations. Though the smoke was heavy, forcing us to remain indoors during my favorite season in Central Oregon, we were fortunate to not be directly threatened by any fires here and my studio was a welcome refuge.
Proxy Falls (working title), acrylic on canvas, 24x24 inches
In late September I painted a large diptych of this spot along the Deschutes. I posted a work-in-progress on Instagram and Facebook and sold it the next day, with my new collector content for me to complete “finishing touches” after paying their deposit: “you’re the artist” they said.
Autumn Behind Seventh Mountain, acrylic on canvas, 24x48 inches SOLD!
On October 1, my brother surprised me with photos from the First Thursday in the Pearl opening of The Seventh Generation, at Elisabeth Jones Art Center. The gallery has selected me to participate in their newly launched rental art program and they have already received an inquiry about my work.
My brother Rob at Elizabeth Jones Art Center in Portland with my works: Sunset Bay, Simpson Bay, and Otter Point Passage (left to right). At right is a wider view of the exhibition installation as seen through the galleries large front window.
I’ve revisited a canvas begun last winter after driving through Maupin on a stormy day, and finally brought it to completion. Colors on the rocks and even the vegetation really pop when the weather is wet and this canvas tries to capture the overwhelming wonderment of so many different visual and textural elements layered in one spot with the long history of the site.
Sacred Places, acrylic on canvas, 36x28 inches
I’ve also been working on more studies of rocks and water, my endless fascination both at the coast and at the lakes and rivers we kayaked all summer. Here’s two, quickly photographed with paint still wet: the base of a cliff on the north shore of East Lake and a striking keyhole arch along the southern Oregon coast. These are 30x21ish acrylic on paper.
It’s been a busy month. I will continue to explore these themes of rocks and water that have shaped our landscape over the millennia. Right now I have three new canvases stretched and ready to go. What fun. Please stay healthy, wear a mask, and VOTE!