Category: Featured Work

 

My May 2018 show at Tumalo Art Co. features the signature art for Deschutes River Conservancy’s 2018 RiverFeast event, “Magic on the Upper Deschutes”, along with other new works of the Deschutes River. The original acrylic painting is 60” x 30”, and I am donating 25% of the proceeds from its sale to the Deschutes River Conservancy. The show will open May 4, from 4-8pm and be up all month.

I have had the honor of creating the signature art for RiverFeast for 11 years and finds the Deschutes river an endless source of imagery that I am drawn to paint. Over the years I have painted many landscapes of iconic Central Oregon scenes, particularly water. I’m drawn to unusual and dramatic composition and my new works often focus in on the patterns and colors of larger scenes.

The scene that inspired “Magic on the Upper Deschutes” is an area where the upper Deschutes River plays hide and seek along Century Drive in the high Cascade Mountains, as it begins its long journey from its headwaters to the Columbia River. I’ve painted the area where the Deschutes River flows out of Little Lava Lake extensively, including the Kokanee that spawn just downstream. I find this area to be a spot of incredible calm and peace. “Deep Calls to Deep” is also a new painting in my May show at Tumalo Art Co. and is from an area just in from where the Deschutes River starts. In the autumn, when the grasses have turned amber, it is so quiet and contemplative. Fallen, twisted roots of huge pine trees add tremendous detail and texture to the river banks.

Also newly painted for the show is “Roaring River”. This large (48 x 24) painting is of the area just up from Tumalo State Park, where the Deschutes River flows through a canyon. The winter waters are crystal blue and raging.

I am a working member of Tumalo Art Co., an artist-run gallery in the heart of the Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon, open seven days a week. My work can always be seen in this jewel of a gallery.

 

I have just completed the signature artwork for the 2016 Deschutes River Conservancy annual RiverFeast Dinner & Auction to be held July 30, 2016. The idea for the image came from a photo taken by Marisa Hossick at Deschutes River Conservancy, of the middle Deschutes River in Central Oregon, looking south from a helicopter. The image shows the serpentine twists of the river as it makes its journey north to the Columbia River.

Painting in acrylic on cradled birch board, I started by working in the color and then rubbing it out creating a stain that becomes the under painting for the composition. This process goes on as the detail is layered in, creating depth and subtlety. The grain of the birch board is so wonderful that I like to use it as part of the overall effect.

Enjoy supporting the river and join Deschutes River Conservancy for a delightful evening of irresistible food, spirits and music. This year, they are combining the best of their two fundraising events, Tight Lines and RiverFeast into one great evening. Bid on this custom art, exclusive adventures and experiences, and other wonderful packages.

I am honored to be the ongoing signature artist for RiverFeast, and event that supports the work of the Deschutes River Conservancy, who bring together the people that use the river, creating solutions for the health of the Deschutes River.

 

I just completed a weeks artist residency in the lovely and peaceful courtyard area of Clearwater Gallery and the Open Door restaurant in Sisters, Oregon. The cozy studios in the courtyard were built by artist/owner Dan Rickards with a vision of bringing artists from all over to enjoy painting where they vacation—in Sisters!

For me, going to Sisters is only a short drive, since I live in Bend, but it was still a break from my normal busy life. I found that working in the studio, surrounded by lovely flowers, hummingbirds and the gentle background hum of people enjoying their meals, was quite relaxing and helped me focus on ideas in a different way. It was the perfect respite for me and I even got a few small paintings completed!

The Deschutes River Conservancy is having it’s 2015 RiverFeast event at House on the Metolius, on Oregon’s wild and beautiful Metolius River, August 8. I was asked again this year to create the signature art for the event and am very pleased to do so!

The area where the House on the Metolius is, on the spring-fed, fly fishing only, Metolius River in Central Oregon, is where the river widens out into a beautiful meadow, after flowing through a narrow gorge. It is a peaceful place. The last time I painted from here I showed the river with Mt. Jefferson in the background. This time, I am facing the other way and Three-fingered Jack shines in the background. Looking down from the hill above, the meadow with it’s golden grasses and willows, forms an arc above the river, which is a gorgeous shade of blue in the afternoon sun.

This painting is 24 x 30, acrylic on cradled birch board. When it sells I will donate 50% of the purchase price to the Deschutes River Conservancy who is doing great work  with their mission—to enhance waterflow in the Deschutes River watershed. We need it now more than ever!

The painting, Metolius Meadow w/ Three-fingered Jack, will be in my June show at Tumalo Art Co. in the Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon, which opens Friday June 5, from 4-8pm

 

 

About a year ago Georgio Cavatorti, publisher of the beautiful Italian based fly fishing magazine H2O, contacted me about having my fish art featured. The Spring issue just arrived and I got to see the spreads for the the first time! I feel honored and am so glad to see space given to art in a magazine like this. The article is in both english and italian and five paintings of native trout are shown in glorious color. Look H2O Magazine up online to see the whole pub. Order a subscription while you are at it.

All of the paintings shown are available as limited edition giclee prints on canvas or paper. Contact me for more information!