Tranquil Summer

This is a commission piece that I just finished.  18.5x32 inches, Oil on Linen.

Imnaha Canyon Morning

A small study painted near the Buckhorn area, on the Imnaha Canyon rim in the Hells Canyon Wilderness. The silence in a location like this is amazing, only the sounds of mountain bluebirds, a few crickets and bumblebees. The stars are dazzling with the total lack of light contamination. It seems little changed from the days when the Nez Perce roamed the area. Sightings: elk, bluebirds, a jackrabbit and a coyote pup.  6x4", Oil on Linen.  

The Crossing

A scene from last winter near Lostine, Oregon.  14x11", Oil on Linen. 

Summer Splendor

18x10" Oil on Linen.  Available at Holton Studio Gallery . 

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.  

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.  

Wallowa River

A section of the upstream Wallowa River, near our house, actually a short walk away; but I was lazy and rode the ATV down the hill.  This is another scene that I have wanted to paint in the snowy winter.  Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.  If I were to repaint this scene, I would probably re-compose it to be something more like the image below:

Afternoon Haze

I wasn't able to go on my annual eastern Sierra trip this year, but I'm getting out to paint anyway.  This small study was from a couple of days ago.  We have been having quite a bit of smoky atmosphere due to wildfires, which flattens the light, but depending on the time of day can also create some beautiful color.  10x8", Oil on Linen.

Summer Wildflowers

This is a smaller painting from a study from last summer painted in northeastern Oregon. 18x12", Oil on Linen. SOLD

Wallowa Study

This small painting is really more of a color study from a smaller study I painted last summer in the Wallowa Valley in northeastern Oregon.  20x10", Oil on Linen. 

Imnaha Afternoon

I painted this study yesterday late afternoon. It certainly was breathtaking to be looking down upon the Imnaha River like this. This viewpoint on Grizzly Ridge is more than 3000 feet above the canyon floor. The temperature was in the 90's on the floor and about 70 degrees on the ridge. This is the view looking north from Hells Canyon through Imnaha Canyon toward Imnaha and the Big Sheep Canyon. The ridge on the other side of the canyon is called the Sheep Creek Divide. The road up here is a narrow single lane gravel road with a few turnouts and lots of washboards on the steeper sections. The drop offs on the side of the road are impressive; if a car went off the road it may never be found in some places. I would also like to paint the view looking south if I can get back up this way again soon. Study 10x6", Oil on Linen.

Hells Canyon Morning

I painted this view this morning a couple of steps from my tent while camping in the Hells Canyon Recreation Area. The elevation is about 6600 feet or so according to the Forest Service topo map. It was a lovely view to contemplate while drinking my morning coffee. The wind was howling most of the night on top of this ridge (Summit Ridge), but it was fairly calm this morning. This view is looking east into Hells Canyon; in the first draw runs Saddle Creek while the Snake River is down there somewhere in the main canyon area. The mountains in the distance are the Seven Devils in Idaho. Makes me wish I had a trail horse and a pack mule to explore the area. Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.

Mountain Shadows

This was the first study I painted yesterday while out woodcutting. There was a large wildfire in this area a few years ago, and combined with the white pine beetle infestation, there are quite a few bare areas on the mountains. It was fun to compose around the quickly moving cloud shadows. As I was walking along trying to find a view of the mountains to paint, I probably spent more time picking and eating huckleberries. It is still early in the season for them, but I probably found enough for some pancakes. I love listening to (and seeing) the goldfinches in the trees. Study 10x6", Oil on Linen.

Summer Meadow

Yesterday was firewood cutting day in the mountains. I took some time out to paint a little bit. One thing about painting as a side project is that you paint what is there rather than going out and looking for something. The choices are limited, but in some way it makes the process easier. This is what the scene looked like when I started the study, but within a few minutes I was repositioning my umbrella for rain rather than sun. Then it started pouring, accompanied by dramatic lightning and thunder. I was able to keep my painting dry, but the result was the rain flowed off the umbrella straight down my back. I called it close enough when it started to hail. Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.

Afternoon Virga

Early August summer days are some of my favorites; with the sounds of grasshoppers and crickets in the fields, and the cottonwood fluff floating in the breeze. The days are warm, but not too hot. As soon as it gets just a little bit too warm, the thunderheads build and the rain is refreshingly welcome. There have been quite a few dramatic thunderstorms lately. This was a small quick study and yes, I was good and drenched by the time I decided it was finished enough. Study 8x6", Oil on Linen.

Summer Wildflowers

There is a type of wildflower that resembles a Shasta daisy that is very much like a weed in this area where there is a water supply. I wish that all weeds could be so lovely. They were interspersed here with a small yellow flower. Study 10x8", Oil on Linen

Chief Joseph Mountain

Study 10x6", Oil on Linen