Smoky Reflections

The smoke was a little less thick this morning.  This view is a short distance from the last study I did, but in very different lighting conditions for the same time of day.  I really enjoyed the muted colors and soft reddish sunlight.  Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.  

River Bend

I'd like to try this view again because I think I could do a better job with it, but I might not get the chance.  Today the visibility due to smoke is down to about a mile and a half and it is difficult to be outside.  I would never know that there are mountains across the valley, because I can't even see a hint of them today.  Good day for being inside and cooking, and I also have a few unfinished studies to fiddle with.  Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.  

Mountain Stream

Another view of the Lostine River on a smoky autumn afternoon.  Study 8x10", Oil on Linen.  

Lostine Afternoon

I was attracted to a small rock island in the middle of the Lostine river, it reminded me of a sailing ship.  Study 12x9", Oil on Linen.  

Liquid Tranquility

I'm not wild about the composition of this one, but I like it as a lighting study and the fact that I'm starting to shake the rust off and feel more comfortable painting.  If only it didn't take so long for me to get into a groove.  I'm really excited about what I plan to paint next, I was hoping it would be today, but it is very overcast at the moment so it might have to wait for another day.  Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.  

Lodgepole & Aspen

Lodgepole pine and quaking aspen on a pond at the end of the day.  Lodgepole pines are challenging for me to paint because they seem to be more branches than needles, it is a lot of busy, fiddly stuff.  There was some nice early autumn color and the weather was serene.  Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.  

Kokanee Heaven

There were large numbers of Kokanee fish spawning in the river yesterday evening as I was painting this study. Kokanee are a landlocked type of sockeye salmon common to the inland Pacific Northwest lakes and streams; a favorite with the eagles and osprey, and of course the anglers. The fish have bright red bodies and are very beautiful swimming in the shallow water. Again, this was a bit ambitions to try to tackle as a study in a very limited time window, but it sure was fun to try to paint. The temperature is very chilly right now and the foliage is turning rapidly especially on the underbrush. This morning it didn't get above freezing until the sun was up for over an hour; meanwhile, the sunshine sparkled beautifully on all of the ice caused by frozen overnight irrigation sprinkling. Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.  

Wallowa Headwaters

My favorite study of the summer so far.  If I do a larger painting of this one, I will refine some of the shapes, but I'm really happy with the structure and movement of this one overall.  I guess I have to get used to saying autumn instead of summer because the weather has definitely turned the corner this week.  I may try one more angle on this setting before I move on to something else.  Study 10x8", Oil on Linen. 

Lakehead Atmosphere

Another view of the lake and the mountains surrounding it in the late afternoon light.  This view is near the lake head.  Study 9.5x8 inches, Oil on Linen.  

Last Reach

The last reach of the day; the last reach of summer.  A beautiful evening at the lake and breezy enough for a light sail.  I did feel a little bit like a tourist painting the lake, but the sculptural forms of the mountains are so interesting to me in the last light of the day.  I wish there had been some clouds to break up the uniformity of the sky, but this way the slight shadow of the mountain on the atmosphere was visible.  Study 12x7", Oil on Linen.

Cassata al forno

A break from my usual painting blog.  I found a local rancher with two Guernsey cows who sells excellent raw fresh milk and eggs in small quantities. I bought some and in slow food style, I made the butter and ricotta cheese for this Sicilian ricotta cake.  It was from a Saveur recipe in their Authentic Italian cookbook. I also made vanilla bean gelato, yogurt, and used the butter and cheese whey to make a lovely pumpernickel rye bread with freshly milled wholegrain flour. Cassata al forno, 9" on ceramic plate. iPhone photo.  :)

Mountain Shadows

This subject was a bit ambitious considering how little time I had to try to capture it.  Gotta try though.  Study 12x8", Oil on Linen.

Indian Summer

This is the narrow sliver of time when the snow has all melted from the mountains before it starts snowing again.  Painting this study was a little bit frustrating because I was trying a new canvas surface and the paint did not want to stick to it.  It was like trying to spread peanut butter on the top of jelly.  I persevered anyway though.  Study 12x7", Oil on slippery linen.