Interlude

18x24 inches

oil on canvas

The view upwards through the trees still has the power to draw me into the moment.  For a brief instant, I feel again the childhood sense of being present. No future, no past, just now-- what a blessing of innocent youth.

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Fugue - SOLD

48x24 inches

oil on canvas

From the dictionary: 1a : a musical composition in which one or two themes are repeated or imitated by successively entering voices and contrapuntally developed in a continuous interweaving of the voice parts b : something that resembles a fugue especially in interweaving repetitive elements

I had thought about "choral group" as a title, because I felt these trees were making music together, and I stumbled upon this definition of a "fugue" and it just fit.

This is also in the "Trees" show at the Columbia Art Gallery in Hood River, OR.

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Day of Grace - SOLD

30x40 inches

oil on canvas

Anyone who knows me knows that along about October I start griping about the weather.  It shouldn't come as a surprise to a native Oregonian that summer here is just a blink between the wet seasons, but every year I get indignant that the warm weather is over already.  And yet I LOVE the fall colors.  Hence the title of this painting: a day of grace, or, unmerited favor.  A day with the benefit of blue skies and a warm sun shining down on those lovely autumn hues.

This is hanging in the "Trees" show at the Columbia Art Gallery in Hood River, OR.

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Line Dancing

40x16 inches

oil on canvas

Here's another painting that is in the "Trees" show.  I didn't really know where I was going with this one until I was painting it-- it progressed to this point and said "stop."  So I did. It's a personal favorite.


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Autumn Sighs

36x12 inches

oil on canvas

This was painted for the "Trees" show at the Columbia Art Gallery, in Hood River, OR, showing this month.  I truly enjoyed painting for this show.  Trees are so human.

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A Cut Above - SOLD

12x9 inches

oil on panel

I find the Coyote Syncline incredibly challenging to paint.  It's amazing to look at in person, but it's difficult to translate to canvas its immensity.  Especially plein air, since I paint pretty small outdoors.  I feel this one is successful-- I was going for that early morning freshness.  I hope you like it, too.

This is hanging at the Columbia Art Gallery in Hood River, OR, as part of the 2011 NW Plein Air Show, during the month of September.

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Growth!

Wow.  I have discovered Carlson.  Amazing that such a boring, difficult book could be so enthralling four years later.  Who knew?  Thanks to my first plein-air workshop instructor for insisting that all his students purchase this staple of landscape painting.  He'll never see this, but thank you, John Budicin.

Oh, How I Love Cliffs! (SOLD)

Horsethief Cliffs
11x14 inches

oil on canvas

Went out with a painting buddy today--and renewed my love affair with basalt cliffs.  I had to get up at 5:30am to make it to the site by 7:45am (get self & kids ready, get kids to grandpa's house, stop for espresso, hour's drive to location) but it was worth it.

This one will most likely be in the 2011 NW Plein Air Show at the Columbia Art Gallery in Hood River, Oregon-- opening reception September 2.


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plein air painting

10x10 inches

oil on panel

Went out this morning.  This is probably destined for the 2011 NW Plein Air Show at the Columbia Art Gallery next month, but we'll see what I paint between now and Monday's deadline.  It still needs a title...

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Taking the Plunge!

I've been asked to teach, give private lessons, give demos.  While flattering, I have resisted all requests for multiple reasons: inexperience, lack of confidence, lack of knowledge (I know this, even if they don't).  Seriously, how do I teach when there's so much I don't know?  Anyway, I finally did a demo at the Sunriver Art Faire last weekend.  (The lady who arm-twisted me into it was on my hit list the last three gut-wrenching days beforehand, although I am now quite fond of her!)

So the demo consisted of the above three canvases: 1) a toned canvas with the sketch on it, 2) a partially-painted canvas (which I attempted to complete during the demo), and 3) a finished painting to show the audience where I was going. 

Speaking of the audience, it consisted of 5-10 people who, for the most part, came and went.  Which didn't hurt my feelings at all!  There was one young girl who asked tons of questions and helped to make the hour pass quickly. 

Overall, a good experience.  I'm glad I did it.

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The Short Season

Summer Blues - SOLD

30x40 inches, oil on canvas

Summer Song

30x40 inches, oil on canvas

I thought I'd post these together, given the "Summer" titles.  There is something about both of these that evokes in me the feeling of a late, warm, summer evening, with the soft breeze on my cheek and a contented feeling of being alone with God.  It's funny how you can feel alone but absolutely not lonely-- one of the sweet pleasures of life.


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Painting, painting, painting-- Really!

Well, I have actually completed two large paintings and several small ones since I last posted, but am unable to upload photos of them as my camera battery has died and I have lost/misplaced the extra battery and charger (Sony! argh).

So, instead, here is a photo of a painting I helped install in a collector's home last weekend.  My camera was set on landscape, so it's a bit blurry and dark (this should not come as a surprise to anyone who's been following me for very long-- I'm notoriously scattered), but you get the idea.

what to paint... thinking...

I went out plein air painting this morning and it was disastrous.  I'm glad no one else was there to see!  So I'm now back in my studio contemplating what to paint.  I need to reassure myself that I still know how!  thinking, thinking...

painting, painting, painting

This painting just came off my easel.  I started it before the open studios tour and have worked on it here and there since then-- it's fought back. :)  I'm pretty pleased with the final result, though.
 

untitled, 30x40 inches, oil on canvas

Whispers on the Water will be at the Columbia Art Gallery this month.

Whispers on the Water, 12x36 inches, oil on canvas

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Open Studio! May 14 & 15

Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour this weekend-- 10-5p, Saturday & Sunday.  I've got walls full of new work that haven't hit the galleries yet-- come and be the first to see!  Here's one of them:

Whispers on the Water

12x36 inches, oil on canvas

Hope to see you here!


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My New Book!

I actually have been painting lately, just not posting.  One of the projects I've been working on that's now complete is My New Book!
Please check it out-- and leave a comment while you're there!

I'll have copies available at the upcoming Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour, May 14th & 15th, or you can order online.  Thanks for looking!

Underneath a Painted Sky - SOLD & Until Tomorrow - SOLD

 18x24

oil on canvas

18x24 

oil on canvas

I am on a sunset/evening light kick right now, with no sign of stopping!

Both of these paintings are currently at The Pines in Hood River, Oregon, as part of the preview show for the Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour, in which I will be participating.  The preview show will run through the month of April and the tour is May 14 & 15-- hope to see you at my studio!

A time-lapse of the painting progress for "Until Tomorrow" can be viewed here: 
timelapse video

Another Painting Truism

It's not smart to place your coffee cup right next to your jar of medium...

(and the first, in case you didn't see it or forgot):

When painting and at the same time dealing with a cold, it's important to remember which hand is holding the kleenex and which has the painty paper towel...

Daydreaming - SOLD

8x16

oil on canvas

There is something about looking up through the trees and seeing the sun filter through that harks back to childhood.  I can't be the only one who spent hours and hours in the summer laying in the grass, watching the clouds, listening to the insects, and squinting up at the leaves until they sparkled like stars in my blurred reality.

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Passing Time

6x6

oil on panel

I did a very large version of this several weeks ago ("Force of Nature") and used up the leftover paint on my palette to paint this little one-- just finally getting it posted. 


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Pals

6x6

oil on panel

Still being fruity...


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A Pair of Pears: Take Two

6x6

oil on panel

Here's a second version of the pears-- this time done more loosely.  And the title can be interpreted more than one way, which is always fun.

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A Pair of Pears

6x6

oil on panel

Some fruit fun. :)

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Rachel Harvey Art - Until Tomorrow - oil painting time lapse

Last Impressions

18x24
oil on canvas

I've posted videos of the progress on this painting and "Force of Nature" on Youtube. Here are the links: Last Impressions Force of Nature

I've been feeling good as the number of "times watched" goes up on these, so when I came across this quote, I had to laugh:

"Most people are semi-content to be loved by their mates, pets, family, or whatever. Artists want to be loved by everyone, everywhere, for the rest of time. Sheesh." (Jerry Saltz)

So true. So please watch my videos. :-) Thank you!

A View of the Gorge

30x48
oil on canvas

Well, here it is-- matter over mind! The truth is that every time I worked on this painting, I felt I couldn't paint-- I've never had a painting fight me so hard! Nevertheless, I prevailed and am satisfied. I'm now working on a somewhat smaller one (18x24) that is being very kind to me...

(This painting has been done for a week or so, but I've had trouble getting it photographed. It's so large that I get some glare no matter what I do. I may take it to a professional to get a better image.)

Inspiration is for Amateurs

I woke up this morning to find that I'd forgotten how to paint. My mind was as blank as the canvas. It happens every now and then, and it's always disconcerting. I've spoken to very experienced artists that this happens to, and they say the same thing-- it's always a little freaky. It's like forgetting how to ride a bike or tie your shoelace: you look at the brush and think, "What do I DO with this?!"

To punish my mind for its betrayal, I'm starting on the largest painting I've ever done-- a 30x48 inch canvas. I've already made some massive and dark paint marks on it... we'll see who wins, me or my mind!

A New Day - SOLD

10x10
oil on canvas

I love how the morning sun first warms the sky, then the water, and then starts reflecting back on the shadow sides of the hills.

Lurking

10x10
oil on canvas

A lovely but slightly sinister little spot at Rooster Rock State Park. Even in the middle of a humid July afternoon, it was just a little bit spooky... and kind of fun scaring myself!

Available for purchase at the Columbia Art Gallery in Hood River, OR, during the month of February.

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Good Morning, Sleepyhead

10x10
oil on canvas

A sunrise painting looking east down the Gorge. My husband, John, helps to title most of my paintings, and he said this one looked like the hills were waking up. I loved it! I left the title a bit ambiguous so the viewer can decide who is the sleepyhead-- the hills, Beacon Rock, or you!

Available for purchase through Columbia Art Gallery during the month of February.

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