What's in your pond?

I had no idea there were such a thing as butterfly koi.  I've seen ornamental carp in many places but they were all just the usual white, orange, yellow, black, or red.  Writhing in a big bunch looking for food, splashing about (in case you didn't notice they were there) or swimming bits of color flashes in the sun.

Butterfly Koi 1

These are a bit fancy. Flowing fins and scale markings and funny little fleshy bumps on their faces plus a lovely sheen that makes it difficult to get a good photo.

Butterfly Koi 2

Managed to paint these little bits while working on a larger pond-scape.

Ready or Not...

I confess, I was watching football. Strange things happen when I do that while I paint.
Thinking of the Great Lakes and all the lighthouses on those shores and there I was, throwing snow around! (on paper, anyway)

Ready or Not...

Unwinding....

 

 
Been a little tightly wound of late and needed to escape.

These flowers never impressed me before, did a large painting of their multicolored leaves years ago, Never in the right place at the right time, I guess. Found them at the zoo and the light must've been just right. Flowers are vibrant orange and the buds are purple/magenta with orange bits popping out.  

Leftovers?

Souvenirs from the shore Beach Collection I 

A watercolor "slice" measures approximately 4 x 9 1/2 inches. 


A reminder of the sun and sand to carry you through some cold and wintry weather.

Your spot in the Sun!

      A quiet little beach and seating for two with a little shade. It's your "Spot in the Sun!"

What do you think?

Certainly the majority is watercolor but the flowers, buds and stems are colored pencil.

So tell me what you think!

Leave a comment and let me know how you feel about this 5x7 poppy landscape.

( I took the photo while the lower right corner was still wet)

                                                                Here's a dry version!

Poppies that GLOW

Take a little trip...

A landmark at the coast "Haystack" is one of many monoliths on the coast. Canon Beach gets a fair share of visitors year round. So many walk out to get a photo. At low tide you can enjoy tide pools with anemones and sea stars and so much more!



Drive down the coast and discover lovely vistas and numerous lighthouses. Many are open to the public for climbing (if the mood strikes).

Welcome to the light at "Yaquina Head" with a view of several off shore rocky cliffs covered with murres.
 It seems the wind is always blowing when I visit :D



Off on a new project but hope to do a few more Oregon vistas before long.

Yes SNOW covered peaks!

Road trips this month all over the countryside with visitors from afar...
This is really a few sights compiled for a little painting available HERE

I always enjoy the views and usually find several I want to paint!   "Cascades" is the first. Check for a little egret in the reeds. I love that the peaks are snowy even in the summer heat. (Mt St Helens is the exception. It has a grey ashy appearance in the summer months.)

Have HOT AIR? Will Travel!

Created in response to The ACEO Challenge   the season of Balloon Festivals is upon us. Catch sight of the sunrise and sunset take offs all over the country side.
Created with watercolors and Pitt pens, this mixed media painting is available Here

water colors!

Went to the Aquarium and found these!

Peeling bark!

Here's a glimpse of what's happening in my yard. The Pacific Madrones are gorgeous with their rusty orange paper bark. This time of year, the bark peels off revealing a pale green new growth.

I love these trees and when the berries fall and seed a new tree, I leave them alone. Consequently, there are 2 growing in what used to be a rock garden.

Here it is! The one and only marigold that survived all the rain we had earlier this year!

This looks like something I'd like to paint...