SEASHELLS Block all the Winter Weather!

Sand Dollar

Been house bound since the 19th...it snowed here - big time.

Apparently snow removal equipment wasn't on anyone's list!

I don't really have anywhere I want to go but, it's darned annoying that I can't drive anywhere, yet.



Cockle Shell

I am so done with snow; I no longer miss wild blizzards and deep snow drifts.

I can't wait for the big melt revealing all the ferns and mosses that are hiding!

Maybe there'll even be a newt here soon for a visit...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to ALL!

Must have painted too many snowy Christmas cards...snowed in and house bound since the 19th.

Today, the weather is SNOWY!

Wishing you a wonder-full Christmas!

Itty Bitty Christmas

Everybody loves to decorate for the Holidays, even the tiny folks that dwell in doll houses.

These little paintings measure 3/4 x 1 inch and are framed in little gold resin frames. Created on Arches 140lb cotton watercolor paper with Daniel Smith and M Graham artist watercolors these little bits are actually bound for a miniature lover.

Merry Christmas!

Watercolor Everywhere

We have a corner on birthdays from October thru January. I mean we have a large number of them to celebrate with family and friends during those months.

Since I believe there is room for watercolor everywhere, I paint a 5x7 greeting card for each one. I have a Grandson turning 8 very soon and this is his birthday card.
I only hope he recognizes the portrait.

Memories

For a brief moment, I miss the wild snow storms and bitter winds of my childhood winters. Knee high boots weren't so much a fashion statement as a necessity. Walking through deep drifts of blown snow, hauling a toboggan up the best hill for sledding, having snowball fights, building snow/ice forts and refusing to go in the house until your hands and feet were numb.

It was a winter wonderful land.

I miss the feet of snow, the deep quiet that only happens in winter, the cold crisp air and how it feels to inhale. Where are the sounds of icicles dripping or crashing off the roof and the rush of bitter cold when you step into a slush puddle?

OK the moment is over.

I'm really alright with fog and rain and the ferns and mosses taking over everything that doesn't move.

What was I thinking?

What did you get?

Today, being the Feast of St Nicholas, did you find oranges and chocolates? Did you find coal? It's a dead giveaway to whether Santa will be stopping by your place. Were you a good little girl or boy?




I've started decorating for the season and it's all Christmas at my house.




Candles in the windows is just the beginning of a ritual that extends from several days to a week. Bringing the decorations out a bit at a time gives the Grand kids an opportunity to look for something different each visit.

The older they get, the more they want to speed up the process. They even offer to help decorate the tree, NOW!




Can't blame them. I do remember how the days seemed to drag along endlessly while I eagerly awaited the arrival of the jolly gifter dressed in red. The stretch of time from December 6th til the 25th seemed interminable.

Now, it's such a brief period, I fear I won't be ready!

Growing up isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Always in Bloom - Poinsettia

Always Blooming here

Little Bit

Pear

This is no Partridge but it fell out of a Pear tree.
A tiny watercolor painting 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches. Pop in a frame or place on an easel for a little bit of art anywhere.

An inexpensive little gift waiting for you here

So little time...

Working on my Christmas Cards - STILL




Not everybody gets a White Christmas...








...or a sunset.

Preparing for Christmas...

I am done with my must do items and finally can get started on preparing for Christmas! It's relief and none too soon as I promised to paint all my greeting cards this year. It's a resolution I've kept so all the birthday and anniversary cards I sent this year have been 5 x 7 watercolor paintings.

I've started the Christmas Greetings and here are a few samples...I just need about 40 to cover my list!

On the Cliff


Holly


...To the Woods


Creek Melt


A little Fog, a little Snow...
Happy Christmas from the Oregon I know!

The two greeting cards pictured below are in my Etsy shop.
Just in case you're looking for a little something special.



Winter Greetings


Winter Greetings 2

You know I'll be painting for the next several days...Oh, and cooking a Thanksgiving Feast.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

More Winter Greetings...Let it Snow!

Winter Greetings 2

I know there's snow happening back east. I still get that thrill of the first snow even if I'm nowhere near it.

Just not my thing...

Little Shops 2

There are times when I amaze myself...like agreeing to work on something that is just not my thing. So it becomes a chore and a drain until it's over and done. I am so done and feel better already. Even a little adventurous, maybe. I'll let you know how it turns out. Ha!

It's not that I haven't been painting...

Winter Greetings

I am on a mission, actually, several missions.

I still haven't finished painting my Christmas cards and I do have a few gifts and special requests to complete before years end.

This market needs a mate...

...not to mention a challenge I'd like to try!


I'll be BACK!

In Deep

In Deep

Been splashing water and paint everywhere. This rose is 12 x 16. Largest watercolor I've done this year. Maybe the most fun, too. Won't see roses blooming again until late spring, this one will last until then.

Fall Fruit - Apples and Cider Oh MY!

I'm in the market for a few good Macouns!

Got One!

So far away and so many changes since I saw him last. My littlest grandson with his first tooth! He's already got several more but this is a moment to remember.

PEARS Why not?

Three Pears

Available for painting and snacking at reasonable prices!

Fall - on the rack

Wrapped up in Fall - a quilt draped over a quilt rack adds to the autumn spirit.


On the Rack

The Sun is Back!

At least for a few days, we will have some Sun and dry weather! Oh, I guess I'm back to painting on the house instead of paper...so it goes!

Last Glimpse of Summer

Signs - of the season

Today there's more cold and rain and many more leaves departing the trees for the lawn. You'd never believe the lawn was cleared just a few days ago.



Signs #2

Plein Air Painting - a new definition

I've been out painting "en plein air" ...my garage and front doors! Living in Oregon is such an experience. Normally, it's around 65 degrees at this time of year. Well not so much. We had a cold snap and it's been 30s and 40s at night and lucky to hit 55 in the day.
With all the work we've done to the house, the doors all needed a color change and a few coats of paint. At least I got to move around a lot while painting, it's what kept me warm! Thankfully, there was no rain.
Next, the deck rails and wood bench! Rainy today so I get a little break. Hope to paint on paper again real soon.

I remember...

Gramma's


The place where handmade items were treasured and items were often "recycled" or incorporated into new things. The bits of fabric saved from shirts and dresses, little pieces of memories sewn together to make quilt to warm your heart and body.

Signs

They're everywhere! Signs of Fall - I have too many trees and right now I have too many fallen leaves all over the yard. Since my neighbors have few or no trees, I share the leaves with them...to help celebrate the season!








Since they are so readily available, why not paint them?





Sometimes, on a walk through the woods, it's better to look down.

Greetings

It seems all I manage to paint are birthday greetings. The house is in turmoil with construction being done all around. There is no place to retreat, the pounding goes on as the siding is put on. OK, it's looking good from the outside but inside everything is off the walls to avoid breakage or other damage. The dust and grit is everywhere as the windows are replaced. I run about with my new dyson, so glad I got it, wondering how I'd keep up with the old vacuum.
Still have the homework to keep up as well.
It'll be great when it's done...and then I can paint the doors and hang everything, give the dyson a rest and open my palette again.

Skyline?

Mohonk Mountain House in the Hudson Valley of NY has many different rooflines. It's an amazing resort not far from New Paltz.

It's a Cover Up!

A very long time ago, in a previous life, I made quilts. This is one of the patterns I sewed. Given the amount of time it took to finish one, I think I'd rather paint them :D

It Must Be Fall

Did you ever wonder what gourds do while you're not looking?


It's Fall and gourds will be gourds!
Gourd Rugby

Not Quite Ready...

The days are shorter and the kids are back to school. The nights are cooler and leaves are already falling off the oaks in my yard. I know what's coming but I am not quite ready fall, just yet.
Just hanging on to the last blooms a little while longer.

White Poppy

More Significant Greetings...

The story is too long to post here, suffice it to say this is a relevant birthday greeting :D

I hate to say it...

It's Almost Fall


Fall Reflections For Sale NOW at my Etsy Shop

Birthday Suit Greetings!

No ifs, ands or butts...

Just Happy Birthday!

Mother Love

Mother Love

This little watercolor painting was done in response to a challenge and is part of the ACEO Bounty on Etsy. These little paintings are available for purchase.

To see more click on Aceo Bounty

Hydrangea ACEO Style

Here's a close up done with markers...

Got the Blues

No Watercolor used here

Theresa's Rose

I painted this little ACEO with markers...and now it's SOLD.