So when you train dogs for basic obedience or agility, it's important to focus on your intent. You want to have a clear vision of what it is you want the dog to do, then use your body language as well as the command to communicate that to the dog. This clarity is also important reinforcement of alpha-dom; anytime the dog thinks it might be the one driving the bus, ...
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New painting! 36"x60", oil on canvas. This is from a hike I took a couple of weeks ago at Lake Crescent, one of the most amazing places I have ever been. It's the Washington State version of a fjord. The water is this weird blue; it has a lot of nitrogen which inhibits algae. The true depth of Lake Crescent has never been established; a glacial lake created by an ancient ...
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The Marine Science Center in Port Townsend has one of the very few intact orca skeletons in North America, owing to the fact that orca bones sink. This adult female had many health issues, and died on the Dungeness Spit 7 years ago. The remains have been in the process of cleaning since then. Scientists and volunteers are about to articulate the skeleton. They invited a few artists in to draw ...
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Irondale Beach is a beautiful little spot where Chimacum Creek runs into the bay. It is being remediated by various groups owing to contamination from a very old steel plant that was on the site. Friend Deanna, who is involved with the remediation, gave me a great tour of this unique place on a beautiful day in winter. I caught this magical light just before it disappeared over the hill ...
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So I fought and fought and fought with a trio of paintings this past week. Today I set them aside and began a new painting which painted itself. My muse, she's a humorist. So this new work is 16x20 in size and is, as yet, unnamed. I am open to suggestion. Thus far possible names include: Seriously? Was That Really Necessary? and Sigh. I have no process images of this one as it ...
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Several weeks ago I had about 4000 things to accomplish, so instead I went to the mountains. I hiked Mount Townsend, at least until my fear of heights kicked in (almost at the summit, alas.) It was a beautiful day, a beautiful hike, and it kicked my butt. (20% grade--yowza!) This is an image from that hike. I took more time with this one than I usually do, and really contemplated ...
Read MoreTop: "Atmospheric Perspective,"(after Moran’s “In the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming”) oil on canvas, 20"x10" Middle: "Romantic Sublime," (after Moran's "Grand Canyon in Arizona") oil on panel, 16"x20" Bottom: "Isle del Walpe," (after Moran's "Sunset, Pueblo del Walpe") oil on panel, 10"x8" Port Townsend Gallery is presenting a Faux Show in the month of October. Each gallery member chooses an artist to focus on, then creates a body of work inspired by that artist. I have spent some time ...
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New work! This is a 60"x48" oil on canvas. The image is from a storm cloud in Northern Colorado last June; not an epic storm, just a pretty one. I have spent much of my life watching these thunderstorms grow over the plains of Colorado. It was very nice of the weather to cooperate during my family visit last June; lovely weather overall and a small thunderstorm. This shows the underpainting (used ...
Read More"Solitude" mixed media, 16x20 on illustration board I've been spending a lot of time walking this summer, particularly through the woods all around Port Townsend. The rhythm of walking, the quietude, the sights to be found: all these things quiet my mind like nothing else can. This piece began as a failed watercolor; it was not very interesting. I added layers of charcoal and clear gesso to the piece which gave it ...
Read MoreSo here is a drawing process for you. I have been experimenting in the studio with drawing effects and have come up with a mixed-media approach that is making me very happy. The final surface is rich with process and almost patina-like effects. I have been very inspired by the work of Larry Thomas in California; he has a series of monumental drawings that are amazing. Johanna and Shirley at ...
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