Nifty Piks – Photos and Art

This scenic row of trees marks the edge of my grandparents farm. What now stands as a mark to my past memories of catching grasshoppers, making forts out of the stacked bales of hay, gathering wild blackberries, and many swings on the hammock as we passed the summer heat. Time stood still and still does every time I visit the property that is now occupied by my parents.

Tucked away in a beautiful wooded niche located near Portland, Oregon, The Jenkin's Estate was once a country estate of 68 acres that is now run by public funds. This park features a large log home, restored stables, and a beautiful Rhododendrum garden that brings tranquility to those who visit. Painted plein-air, the atmosphere was wet and dewey, after a prior nightime downpour. The early morning sun streams throught the trees cresting the dirt pathway.

When a farmer is done with his crop, he will often grow red clover to renourish his field. McKay Creek is beyond the trees in the distant horizon and the path leads home to the farm. Painted on location in North Plains, Oregon. Original was created in pastel, now prints offered through Imagekind only.

This piece was painted en Plein-air (on location) in Canby, Oregon, where a farmer has vistas of beautiful color all throughout the year. Here, at the Swan Island Dahlia farm http://www.dahlias.com the colors run on for 40 acres.

This rural scene was painted plein-air in Sheridan, Oregon. The forcast was hot and dry, so I set my easle alongside a long row of tall brush that would protect me from the sun during my painting session. The long, stretch of shadows indicate an early morning that temp the viewer to go deeper into the repetitious rows of a recent harvest of purple and green.

In July, several farmers join together to host a Lavender Festival in Oregon, and this painting is from my visit to one of the lavender farms in North Plains, Oregon. Features soft, rolling hills in the distance.

Out driving on a hot July afternoon, I came upon a lavender field in full bloom. It looks like a scenic view in Provence, France, but no, it is North Plains, Oregon. Pickers harvesting the fragrant herb, I stopped and took some quick snapshots of the field. You could just smell the lavender in the photo. I have painted from that photo 3 different times, this one being the last and final. Pastel on Sandpaper.

This marine scene comes from the harbor on Lopez Island, Wa. during the early evening hours. This small island community is known for it's friendliness and the beauty abounds in every direction the eye can see. The original work from which this image is created from was created in pastels on sanded paper, with an intense underpainting of orange.

I found this boat in a Seattle harbor and the water stirred my eye. The wetness and motion, the blue sky reflecting in the water, and the boat lapping against the wavy surface settles an evocative calm upon one's emotions. Painted with pastel on a sanded surface, many layers of color make the levels of water seem deep. A soft touch with the pastel, known as "scumbling", was used on the shadows upon the boats' deck. Awarded "Juror's Choice" on EBSQart.com

Here is a piece that I have been wanting to paint simply because I love the reflections on the floor. It's the same interest I have in painting water, but it's a simple floor with colors coming from the unknown surroundings, possibly neon lights. This little scene was taken from a cafe' on NW 19th in Portland. Not sure of the cafe's name, but they do serve up some delicious soups and gourmet dishes.

This marine gem "Buoy Dance" was taken from the harbor on Lopez Island, Wa. during the early evening hours. This small island community is known for it's friendliness and the beauty abounds in every direction the eye can see. The original work from which this image is created from was created in pastels on sanded paper, with an intense underpainting of orange.

Watmough Bay is located in a remote and pristine area in the San Juan Islands of Washington State that has been slated for development by a local Islander. As artist's we try to preserve what we have, saving it in our eyes to last, and recording the beauty onto canvas or paper before it is gone. The locals have been trying to raise money to buy it from the develper at a cost of 1.225 million. I painted this bay en plein-aire on Lopez Island from a nearby private landowners location which offers a view of the most picturesque bay in the San Juans. The fundraiser was a success, thanks to the many islanders and artists who raised the money!

This pond scene is painted from one of the many garden themes within The Oregon Garden that features different cultivars of tropical flowers and a special display of carnvorous plants. The stillness and reflections evoke a calming sense of peace that makes this particular work of art a favorite with many of my patrons.

Waterlilies are one of my favorite subjects to paint because they remind me of Monet, even though my work is more representational than his. The original is a large piece which took me about 3 months to create.

This rose was painted from a bush my husband gave me after we had a big disagreement. Known in my garden as the "make-up" bush, it blooms the most colorful red, pink, coral, and orange blooms! Funny, I don't even remember what the argument was about! :)

"Satin Slopes" is a piece that draws from my imagination and the California hills in the early spring. After the first spring rainfall, these hills are so satiny green and just beautiful under the sun. The green lasts for only a few days before the sun transforms it to the gold that the state is well known for.

This rose was created during a period in my life when there was a lot of disruption in my personal life. With such beauty, this rose has hints of green, purples, and soft blues amongst the creamy, soft, yellow petals. The original was created with soft pastels on a sanded paper. Original is sold. Offered as giclee' only.

Flaming sunset over the Lammas Lands in Godalming Surrey UK

Silhouetted trees on the floodplain at Godalming Surrey UK

Sunset silhoutte over Godalming taken in March 2007 from the Lammas Lands

Sunrise over the Lammas Lands Godalming Surrey England UK Europe

Storm clouds viewed from Puttenham Common near Godalming Surrey England UK Europe

Storm clouds viewed from Puttenham Common near Godalming Surrey England UK Europe

View across to Arundel Castle near Chichester West Sussex England UK Europe

Rainbow shot from Dell Quay near Chichester West Sussex England UK Europe

View North from Goodwood near Chichester West Sussex England UK Europe

view of Goodwood Race Course South Downs West Sussex England UK Europe

sunset from cutmill milford godalming surrey england uk europe

crooklets beach bude looking south cornwall england uk europe

Sunset from Cutmill, Milford, Surrey. UK.

Sunset over Dell Quay, Chichester, West Sussex. UK.

Pen-y-Ghent yorkshire dales england uk europe

Sunset from Cutmill, Milford, Surrey. UK.

Pen-y-Ghent, Yorkshire Dales, UK.

View from the side of Pen-y-Ghent, Yorkshire Dales, UK.

Sunset from Cutmill, Milford, Surrey. UK.

Breaking wave, Llangennith Beach, Gower Peninsula, South Wales. UK.

breaking wave at shooting gallery fuerteventura canary islands atlantic ocean spain

view south from watergate bay to newquay north cornwall england uk europe

watergate bay newquay north cornwall england uk europe

view north from lands end north cornwall england uk europe

lands end north cornwall england uk europe

A friend's porch on her farm -- Whidbey Island, Washington.

A view above the Fauntleroy ferry dock in west Seattle after snowfall.

At the Arboretum in Seattle, there is a Japanese garden that is particularly beautiful in the fall with colorful foliage.

Black faced sheep tentatively crossing a path.

This is the tea house in Filoli Gardens in California. This setting was also used in the movie, Heaven Can Wait, with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie.

An autumn landscape with fall colors reflected in the water.

One of the gates separating gardens at Filoli in Woodside, California.

This image comes from Filoli Gardens in Woodside, California. The many walled gardens include interesting gates and doors.

One of the many lavender farms in Sequim, Washington - also known as the Provence of America with its unique climate for growing lavender.

My cousin, Martha, is a Master Gardener. Here she is in one of her gardens.

Lavender farm with rows of yarrow & lavender from Sequim, Washington

Abundant displays of lavender are found at many of the lavender farms on the Olympic peninsula of Washington in mid-July.

With the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop, the town of Sequim is well known for its lavender. This fragrant herb thrives in the rain shadow of the mountains and provides colorful vistas to all who visit.

A Northwest landscape of fields and trees, created using glazes of watercolor for rich color.

On Washington state's Olympic Peninsula, the city of Sequim has become well known for lavender farms. In mid-July, the fields are awash in purple and pink lavender plants.

A boat sails past a view of Mt Baker in Washington.

Seattle landmark: the Space Needle.

Pike Place Market in Seattle offers colorful displays of fresh produce.

The tulip fields in Skagit Valley, north of Seattle, provide a colorful landscape for bike riding. This image was used as a wine label for NW Cellars 2006 Sauvignon Blanc as part of the bicycle wine series.

Tulip fields of Skagit Valley, north of Seattle, form colorful, quilt-like patterns

The tulip fields of Skagit Valley, north of Seattle, create vibrant patterns in spring.

modern apple botanical illustration

a modern botanical illustration of pears

Dancers moving through a waltz.

Dancers in the Seattle dance community moving through waltz, tango and foxtrot steps.

On a vacation through the southwest region of England, I came upon this charming town of Mousehole where many friendly cats lived.

Orchid painting commissioned for a home in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Seattle view from the Fauntleroy neighborhood overlooking the water, park and ferry dock

From the south of France in Provence comes this periwinkle blue door, the typical color for the shutters & doors of the region. This color harmonizes beautifully with the golden limestone that is the building material of this part of France.

North of Seattle, Washington, bulb growers plant large fields of tulips - creating vivid landscapes for all to see.

An aerial view of geranium leaves - showing the infinite variety available.

A very horizontal view of the pastures along side tulip fields of Skagit valley, Washington.

Farmhouses frame rows of tulips in the bulb-growing region of Skagit valley in the state of Washington.

Tulip fields create vivid stripes of color in the Skagit Valley, north of Seattle, Washington.

The Conservatory at Volunteer Park in Seattle houses many exotic plants.

Seattle's old district

In downtown Seattle, Pike Place Market provides fresh fish, produce & other homemade items.

Here is a typically Pacific Northwest scene - a ferry transporting passengers to the many islands.

Ferry boat on the Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest

A view anyone from the Pacific Northwest would recognize: Mt Rainier

A bouquet of bright anemones in an old fashioned bottle focus the viewer's attention on their simplicity & color contrast.

A friend's garden yielded these beautiful, floppy sunflowers. Their size and brilliance light up a summer afternoon.

Almost dreamlike, a Japanese garden lantern is reflected in a quiet koi pond.

A quiet Japanese garden scene highlighted by red bushes and a red tree.

A clear blue sky is reflected in a quiet koi pond.

A Summer garden with sunflowers and a white picket fence.

A garden in Pasadena, California was the inspiration for this garden landscape.

Inspired by a scene in the lovely gardens at Thanksgiving Point in Utah.

A quaint cottage is surrounded by quiet forest at twilight, with a path leading off to your imagination.

An owl resting on a tree branch at twilight, preparing for the nightly hunt.

A colorful blue Steller's Jay perches on a tree in Yosemite National Park.

A pair of pink flamingos relax in a lagoon.

Polo is an exiting sport, and an energetic Summer game in the coastal town of Del Mar, California, was the inspiration for this art.

A new baby born to a beautiful buckskin mare was the inspiration for this art.

A majestic Bengal tiger emerges silently from his dark forest home.

An imaginary scene of a rare snow leopard amidst the sacred tranquility of another place and time.

Gentle waves come ashore at dawn on a California beach at dawn.

An Arabian horse portrait, captured in mid-gallop.

One of two deco style zebras intended to be displayed as a pair, but also may be shown alone.

One of two deco style zebras intended to be displayed as a pair, but also may be shown alone.

Celebrating Summer, bright sunflowers burst from a clear blue vase.

Yellow Day Lilies in a rustic, deco style.

Rustic looking artwork of two tropical Birds of Paradise.

A pair of white tulips painted in a rustic style, intended to be hung as a pair with "White Tulips #1"

A pair of white tulips painted in a rustic style, intended to be hung as a pair with "White Tulips #2"