Welcome to On-Line Art Opening Daily Paintings

Painting the Figure, Long Pose, Class

2012-01-14T11:59:00.000-08:00

Our winter painting class is off to a GREAT start! We have 2 sessions going, a Thursday night session and a Sunday morning group. Our models are holding the same pose for 2 weeks, giving us an opportunity to develop a painting, but mostly to increase our ability to LOOK. The first week we drew with pencil to get a feel for the pose then we switched into simple painting with burnt umber. By the end of the night we had the figure established on the canvas with the light and dark areas blocked in.
This first look at form made our job the second week a lot easier when we started to apply color. The first thing we did was make corrections by looking at our paintings backwards with a small hand mirror. Next we laid out a simple palette of colors, cad yellow medium, cad red light, french blue, cobalt blue ,burnt umber and white. I would have liked to have had yellow ochre as well but didn't. I started in the shadows, cooling off my flesh tones with a mild mix of cobalt blue into my flesh colors of white, cad yellow and a pinch of cad red light. After I laid in shadow colors, I started to address the flesh colors in light, which was most of this portrait, I had flat lighting being set up beind the light. As the night went on, the models face became a touch redder in color, I liked to be able to add as much red and other colors as possible to the face.
Demo in the sunday morning class, setting up the palette and starting by premixing some colors.

Test Panels for Mural

2012-01-13T19:57:00.001-08:00

Here are a couple of panels painted with liquid dispersion paint. I took them over to Larry's Autobody shop and had them coated with industrial clear coat urethane.
Research is continuing for the mural project. Next will be the design stage, soon!

Next Mural in the Works!!

2011-11-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

This fall I've been researching and designing a 60 foot heritage mural for the new Peace-Health hospital here on San Juan Island. The subject will be the history of healthcare in the San Juan Islands. Our story parallels the story of modern medicine, in an island way. I am creating a timeline of the characters and innovations that are unique to these islands. From that I plan to design panels that tell our story.
Gayle Carter, Dr Heath and Roy Franklin loading a patient into the aircraft, The big three of San Juan Healthcare from the 1950's to the 1970's.

End of Summer Paintings

2011-09-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

Speak

End of Summer along the San Juan Shoreline, Sculpted Alive on Westcott Bay

Beautiful September Workshop, Day Two

2011-09-12T20:32:00.001-07:00

Our second day we painted along the shore of Pear Point facing east on San Juan Island. I demonstrated one of my favorite plein air techniques of using black gesso and a colored transparent glaze as an under-painting, a great way to build up layered information quickly. Some people experimented with color palettes, others took the plunge and tried oil paints for the first time. Experienced painters took time to develop their compositions and try new ideas, tools or techniques.

Beautiful September Workshop, Day One

2011-09-12T20:10:00.001-07:00

WE started this workshop on the Westside of San Juan Island, the setting was magnificent. We had a variety of supplies to experiment with: collage materials, sumi ink, acrylics, watercolors, pencils and paint. This day started in the spirit of PLAY. Each artist took their own approach to finding their voice. Some artists completely abstracted form, building up an idea with the use of collage. Most artists worked expressively with color and simplified shapes. Everyone tried something new. This kind of playful approach paid off when people started to develope their small canvases in the afternoon.

Summer Afternoon San Juan Island

2011-08-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

Watching the tide at Cattle Pass through a stand of young alder trees.
Plein air, Lopez Island in the background and the incoming strong tide at Cattle Pass, San Juan Island.

Final Workshop of the Summer

2011-08-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

September 9,10,and 11 will be the dates of our final workshop on San Juan Island. The focus of this weekend workshop will be abstracting the landscape. We will use views of San Juan Island to develop sketches and work to simplify forms. We will look at several artist, how they approach abstracting the landscape and discuss possibilities. We will review ideas how to create space and think about ways to break up those conventions.
In order to free up, we will look at creating an interesting surface by adding collage to our surfaces. We will also sketch in sumi ink, simplifying form.
Call 360 378 2638 for questions or sign up. Cost for the weekend, $225.

August's Painting Workshop, Fantastic Color!

2011-08-15T18:42:00.001-07:00

The main aspect if this workshop was understanding color. Friday night we talked about the color wheel, we all made one using oil paints. We looked at work by Henri Matisse and saw how he used the color wheel beautifully in his paintings. We spent our morning just looking at color in the landscape. Our painting site was a riot of color at the gardens of Island Gardens on Guard Street.
Everyone made wonderful color comparisons and observations, matching color of the natural palette. By the afternoon everyone had found a painting spot that they liked and started in, for many it was their first painting experience.
Sunday we headed over to Jensen's Shipyard and started by looking at the new environment. Everyone felt more relaxed with the painting process. Congratulations to both of our mother daughter artist-teams, and to the newly converted oil painters.

Summer Morning on San Juan Island

2011-08-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

Looking across Beaverton Valley on San Juan Island, plein air.

Coming in August, Painting Workshop...UNDERSTANDING COLOR!!!

2011-07-24T07:48:00.000-07:00

The August workshop will concentrate on understanding color. We will dissect the color wheel, work on mixing color, all colors around the color wheel. Everyone will gain color control and deeper understanding of individual pigments. We will work with full strength colors, warm and cool of each primary and learn how to mix them down with compliments. We will learn to mix accurately on location. Artist will learn how to construct a color poster before beginning to paint.
For questions or sign ups, call 360 378 2638. Starts Friday night, 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday out on location on San Juan Island. Dates August 12,13,14 For more info and materials list click here
www.paintthesanjuans.blogspot.com/

Day Two of Our July Workshop

2011-07-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Mary McCulloch invited us down to paint in her garden on the south end of San Juan Island. We could barely get out of our cars before we all saw dozens of paintings to paint. The second day, everyone felt more comfortable with their materials and able to handle a complex situation by simplifying their viewpoint. We introduced a new technique of laying in the painting initially with black gesso, covering it with transparent glaze, and then working with regular opaque paints. Unfortunately it was a little too cold to for our glazes to dry quickly. We heard a nice talk from Mary about composition and movement in paintings. We introduced the Fauve painters.

The next workshop will be August 12,13,14. The main topic will be color control, understanding color, how to mix it, and how to use color effectively. We will work with our limited palette to mix any color we want. Sign up at Funk & Junk or call 360 378 2638.

Thank you to Marie Di Christina for her great photos of artists holding their fresh paintings.

Photos from our Workshop, Day One

2011-07-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

Damp weather didn't wet our spirits, a great day experiencing weather and capturing it in paint. We talked about materials first, what to paint on and what to paint with. We talked about some ideas for travel. Our main focus was to create space and incorporate those ideas into our paintings. We developed compositions, established an idea, did several versions until the idea was simplified into a good painting composition. Many people created a color poster, establishing a color palette. Before we began, we made a lot of decisions, it helped to free us up.

First Summer Workshop just around the Corner

2011-07-10T16:52:00.000-07:00

Good weather has finally arrived and the island is looking good for our summer painting workshop. With this year's late spring, the farmers are just now getting their hay baled. Hopefully we can paint them during the workshop. We are also invited to visit and paint in a gorgeous flower garden of a master gardener and artist here on San Juan for one of our painting days. Call if you would like to join us for this July's summer outdoor painting workshop, Paint the San Juans! 360 378 2638. Starts Friday evening, all day Sat. and Sunday.

Ready for the 4th of July

2011-06-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

The Salmon is ready for the Friday Harbor 4th of Parade.
Check us out in Fremont Solstice Parade

3 Abstracts in New York City! Love It

2011-04-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

Just received this photo of my 3 abstracts hanging in Jeff and Lora's loft apartment above Union Square. They are part of "paper doll series", working abstractly from the figure. What does that mean? Working with the model at the Arts Student League, using the model to see abstractly and energetically to create this series. Using the fastest paint possible, black and white gesso, acrylic and pencil. The 3 paintings on the left are Lora's own beautiful paintings.

2011 Summer Workshop, Paint the San Juans

2011-04-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

Join us this summer,
Paint the San Juan Islands!

Experience the beauty of San Juan Island while
Expanding painting skills.

Annie's Summer Plein Air painting workshops will cover the basics and nuances of working on location. Friday evening will be devoted to a demonstration and time for questions about materials and techniques. On Saturday and Sunday, artists will set up at different locations each day on San Juan Island.
Artists will sketch, thumbnail, and work to finish a small painting each day. Annie will go from easel to easel giving each artist personalized instruction on their particular view. Endless possibilities abound with San Juan Island's maritime and pastoral views. Workshop sites are one day by the sea, and another at old island farms.
Years of teaching drawing and painting combined with her love of painting her island home, makes Annie's workshops the perfect creative island experience.
Scroll down for online painting demonstration and material list here.
Dates for this year's 3 workshops.
July 15, 16, 17
August 12, 13 14
September 9, 10, 11
Cost $225 per workshop

Overnights available at Nichols Street Suites

Sign up at Funk and Junk Antiques in Friday Harbor, email at anniehowelladams@gmail, or phone at 360 378 2638 in Friday Harbor.

Draw the Portrait March 27th...... In Person or Online

2011-03-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

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New Class !!! beginning March 27th, 6 weeks of drawing the portrait from the beginning.
Class will cover the basic steps to render a convincing portrait. Class will help any artist, even if not ultimately interested in portraiture....
"If you can draw a portrait, you can draw anything......."
Each week will cover small incremental step for portrait drawing, we will demystify drawing the portrait by learning these steps:

The Envelope, tilt, the block- in
Setting the Features
Measuring
lights, darks, & edges
Specifics of side, 3/4 and frontal views
anatomy of head,
specifics of eyes, nose and mouth
Emphasis and Composition

Available for online learners. Artists not in Friday Harbor can sign up for this class. I will teach and critique online via gmail. Islanders will meet Sunday morning, 10 am at the Islands Arts League, on Mullis Street. ONline students will receive lessons each week. Cost $72. Sign up in person, Funk & Junk or contact me at anniehowelladams at gmail.com, or first day of class.
Class open to artists of any level.

Video on Youtube, Making of the Mural

2011-02-03T07:36:00.000-08:00

A short video about the making of the mural, from start to finish.

New Project, Historic Richardson, Lopez Island

2011-01-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

New project in the works, large oil painting for a contemporary home on Lopez. Painting will be based on a historic photograph from the Lopez Historic Museum of the 100 year old busy fishing hub of Richardson. Will be posting progression of this project as it develops. Smalls study in place.

Winter Art Class: Beginning Drawing starts Feb 6th

2011-01-06T17:01:00.000-08:00

For San Juan Islanders and On-line Learners
coming this winter.
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Beginning Drawing For novice artists and those wishing to improve their drawing skills. We will start from the very beginning, developing an artist's eye. Small easy-to-understand steps will teach skills in a playful and informed way. Classes will meet Sunday mornings at the Islands Arts League, in the blue building at the bend in the road on left side on Mullis Street. Cost $72. 6 week starting Feb. 6th, 2011. Each week will have a specific lesson, and for those that wish, take home projects expanding each lesson. Topics will include line shape & form, texture and vocabulary, observation, light & values, simplifying perspective and other spacial considerations. There will be a presentation of some art history to illustrate artists who have used concepts that we will be working with. Open to any age and ability, geared for beginning artists and for skill enhancement for those with some art experience. On-line lessons available through out the course.

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NEW this year,artists not able to attend classes in Friday Harbor, will be able to take this class on-line. Open to any and all, same cost, same 6 weeks. Questions, email me at anniehowelladams at gmail.com. We will have an online group for the class with lessons, examples, and take home projects. I will post images of our work along with the week's lesson. Online learners can email their work digitally via jpegs for critiques and discussion. Online students limited to 12 people, for personalized attention.
Welcome Lora Meyer, our first online student from New York City! Online learners will receive weekly lessons on Mondays over the course of our 6 weeks.

New work from Arts Student League, Pencil, Sumi & Collage

2010-12-30T15:42:00.000-08:00

Working with both long poses in pencil and quick poses in collage, sumi ink and a wooden coffee stick, in Nikki Orbach's experimental figure drawing class.

Happy Camper, Christmas email....

2010-12-29T20:34:00.000-08:00

This is what I'd call a happy camper, received this first thing Christmas morning from Ted Valentine

Merry Christmas Annie,

I just wanted to thank you so much for the awesome painting. It is absolutely fantastic and I couldn't be more pleased, thanks so much. I just couldn't wait to thank you. My favorite boots ! It will always have a place of honor in our home!!

Thanks so much and best wishes to your entire family for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

The Christmas Commission Project is closed for the time being, but think of next Christmas! I will be opening next year for a limited number of Christmas Commission paintings. In the meantime, back to the studio......

The Christmas Commission Project

2010-10-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

Painting from photo below...
Photo of the South End on Lopez Island

Welcome to this year's 2010 Christmas Commission Project. This is simply how it works: For $200, you will receive an oil painting of the image of your choice. It will be an oil painting on canvas, 8" x 10". Subjects could be anything, a favorite place, a person, an animal, something funny, or grand, your favorite dancing shoes. Whatever it is that you choose, I will paint it for you in time for Christmas! Send or bring in a real photo or a digital file and a check for $200 and I will create your painting. It will be mailed or delivered by December 17th.
Contact me at anniehowelladams at gmail.com or of course, Funk & Junk Antiques when I return to San Juan Island. Stay tuned to see the Christmas Commission Projects Gallery.

Some examples of past Christmas Commission projects of animals, Mr. Smith and Kiddo. Oil on canvas.

It's Up, Mural coinsides with Historic Salmon Run

2010-09-09T15:19:00.000-07:00

What a day, the panels were put up by Mike Adams, Dave at the Sign Co and Ryan, level, plumb, square, drilled and bolted down. All glitches were solved and the results, well.....a lot of horn honking, thumbs upping, and picture taking.

The Dedication:

Notes from the Marvel: I set my alarm early, so early I felt nauseous, in summer, ten minutes to four. I pulled on my sweats, checked the engine oil, started the jimmy-diesel, and jumped aboard the Donna Mae for coffee while our engines warmed up. The foc’sole of the Donna Mae was Norwegian in style, spare and efficient. The coffee pot bubbled on the diesel stove. There was a small fold down table and hard wooden benches with storage under the seats. It felt big compared to the cramped foc’sole of the Marvel. Nobody said much at that hour as we huddled around the stove with our thick ceramic boat mugs, wondering what the day would bring.....
I used to fish for a living, once it gets in your blood, you never forget it.
This project started as an innocent conversation with Lynn Dannaher, who asked everyone for ideas, back when her building was a football field of battleship gray. Standing out on the sidewalk with her on January 2nd of this year, I pointed to the building and pointed back , and said one word,” mural”. That was it, we started to brainstorm about Friday Harbor's past, and it was immediately clear we both were only interested in one thing: commercial salmon fishing. It was in our blood, we both salmon fished, Lynn with all the net fisheries, and me with hook and line, trolling and long-lining. We started to gather ideas, old salmon labels, a chart of the Salmon Banks, historic photos. The first person I called was Pete Dardinelli, who said,
“call Mike Galligan”
I hit the jackpot with Mike's scrapbook of his father's photos from the 1950's seining off South beach and photos from the back deck of Margaret J. 2 of the panels are from Mike. Pete in the skiff and Waiting to set, taken by Mike when he was 14 years old.
There was nothing more Friday Harbor than the salmon packer, the Nereid, built at Jensen's Shipyard by Nordine's father, Albert Jensen.
Jeri, Nordine's daughter, had the original hand colored photo of the boat, in front of the FH salmon cannery, it was the photo that hung on Nordine's living room wall. She had other San Juan maritime treasures, original photos from the Salmon Trap off of the salmon banks, original photos of men tarring their nets by the old cannery. She discovered this when a photographer developed glass plate negatives that were stored in her attic. 2 panels from Jeri, the Nereid and the King Salmon on the Trap
I called Dale and Carole Marble, Shelle and Ellis Cropper, Kitty Roberts, Skeeter, Jim Capron,Dave Nash, Diane Erickson, and others. I called Sarah Hart who documented fishing through her photography in the San Juans in the 1970's. Nobody knew that at the time, she was documenting the end of an era. While I was gathering images, Lynn was convincing her building partner Dave Moorhouse, that this was a good idea. She was busy convincing the town that we needed this, and got the Port of Friday Harbor on board as well. I was busy with museum conservators, Guerra paint company in New York City, and in general figuring out how to work with light fast acrylic pigments in squeeze bottles. I did this by painting through a ream of large sheets of paper, working up ideas and color palettes for each panel.
The day the town council approved Lynn's permit, I ordered aluminum panels. Ace Hardware had them on the supply truck within 24 hours of ordering, it was a rare case of bing bang boom. I started painting the mural on Memorial Day weekend, right as the BR oil spill was in full swing. I painted listening to that environmental holocaust, I painted listening to baseball games and music, I kept painting.....working , painting, no trips to Turn island, painting.... I kept on painting all summer......and then Something Extraordinary happened. WE heard seiners going out, boats were anchored up at Fish Creek, Fishermen were cruising the Lopez shore. If you recognized it, you could smell the scent of sockeye in the salt air. Let me tell you, there is nothing more galvanizing to a fisherman than hearing about someone else's big set. The waters were full of sockeye.
I went down to the big rock at South Beach early morning in mid-August, crews were standing on deck, the seiners were cued up waiting their turn, As soon as one set started to close the next boat was in position, Like a horse anxious to run. Skiffs were manned and running with wet exhausts, I watched a seine boat take a 360 degree spin announcing he's was about to set. They started their set, the skiff took off towards the beach. The seine net unwound off the drum with the slap of the purse rings as they hit the steel deck and slid into the water. This was a beautiful sight, 40 boats fishing off of South Beach, setting and brailing, just like the old days.
In Shelle Cropper's words,” the mural, it's painting and installation is a magnificent synchronicity, coinciding with the greatest sockeye salmon return in almost one hundred years." Each panel tells a part of our collective fishing story, gill netting, reef netting, seining, packing, right here in Friday Harbor, on San Juan Island, on our island.
We would like to dedicate this mural, 100 years of Commercial fishing in the San Juan Islands to anyone who has cooked a salmon over an open fire,
to those who have put on clammy wet rain gear covered with fish scales,
to those who have endured jellyfish in their eyes, or web in their wheel,
to anyone who has worked on a back deck covered with fish.
To the Fleet of Friday Harbor,
The Rise and Shine, the Anna J
De Haro, The Bull Dozer,
Kansas, The Defiance, the Primo,
the Night Watch
The Venture, the Intruder,
Elva S, Streaker
Dixie 3. the Margaret J, Pisces
Lillian F, the Blue Horizon
Apollo 11, High Finance
Cindy, The Adventuress
Welcome, the Cork, Spirit The Easy, The Satisfaction
To all those men and women who have lived this great adventure, who have fishing in their blood, we dedicate this mural.

Finished painting!!!

2010-08-31T16:51:00.000-07:00

Final varnish next and then installation.

Title Panel with Old Salmon Label

2010-08-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

A section of the title panel, inspired by an old salmon label.

Coming Soon...

2010-08-17T20:41:00.001-07:00

Coming soon.....

Getting near the end.....

2010-08-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

Reef netters in Tower

2010-08-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

Mt. Baker, 4 x 8'

Stacking the Web

2010-07-26T20:16:00.001-07:00

Local Packer, Built in Friday Harbor, The Neried

2010-07-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

Painting Marvel

2010-07-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

I painted Marvel twice, once on a mushroom and again in Manhattan and every year during the spring haul out. Fishing boats that over wintered down south had a good shot at a yacht grade paint job, one with glossy marine enamel. I only did that once and switched over to the Alaskan method, Olympic Stain. I have seen it snow in May in Sitka. The chances of getting a good paint job in Southeast were close to 0. Olympic Stain could be painted on in any weather. Bleeding fasteners and long dripping rust streaks always identified a boat as an Alaskan boat.

Vessels stuck with their color schemes. The Donna Mae was old school white with black trim, I could spot that boat anywhere on the horizon. The Helen A had white trim against a dark green hull. The Emma C was white with red trim and a red mortgage strip. Tradition held that when the boat was paid off, the mortgage stripe, or strip of paint between the guard rail and the railing could be painted out. People that had them, liked them, and left them to be a permanent part of the boat.

Marvel's paint scheme was a little outside the norm, ivory hull, midnight blue trim, like the state flag. The accent color was raspberry sherbert, the pinkish color was definitely outside the norm. 2 bronze stars were on either side of the bow and the obligatory foot high fish and game numbers were along side both sides of the wheelhouse. The spring paint job was a time to look things over carefully, make repairs, and spiff everything up. I dutifully hauled out every year, re-zinced and bottom painting, taking several years off my life with toxic paint fumes. No toredo worms, which are actually clams, grew on the hull. Generations ago, the Seattle fleet smartly choose to over winter at Fisherman's terminal, inside the Ballard locks where the fresh water was inhospitable to any worms thinking about taking up residence.

Along with the annual bottom paint, I changed out the zincs. AnB harbor was an electrical hot spot, with power cords drug all through the water, like having a battery charger on all the time, constantly sending voltage into the water. The zincs were there to dissolve first. After the zincs were used up, electrolysis would work quickly to eat away any unprotected steel, like fasteners, bow irons, or keel bolts. Invisible forces were always at work trying to destroy my boat in one way or another.

A huge deck beam ran under the wheelhouse crossing the hull at the widest part. I discovered a small section of rot and chiseled it out. Gluing in a fresh piece of wood was as effective as a band-aid on a cancer tumor. That rotten spot bothered me. Only one word could describe the proper fix: expensive. I monitored that spot and felt lucky not to go down that particular repair road before I sold the Marvel. Now I have another section of wood rot I monitor. Behind the cabin door of my old family cabin, in the same kind of inconvenient spot is a section of rotten wood I have been watching for 20 years. Each year I note that the spot has slightly grown. What started as blistered paint, the size of a bottle cap, grew into an egg and is now larger than a bratwurst. I bring this up from time to time, how the spot is growing, but no one seems to take me or it very seriously. I can't help but worry that rotten spot might sink the cabin.

One summer day, when it was probably 80 degrees in Washington, I was stormed in Elfin Cove. A lot of shore side adventures were done in pouring rain, as our downtime was only during bad weather. It didn't matter too much, since I had the right rain gear. Getting off the water and into the woods was a sensory treat. At a beach fire, most people sat so they could see out to the water, fishermen sat so they could see the trees.

I learned that it was possible to carve into a tree fungus, let it dry and the image would stay. Back in the spruce forest behind the tiny village of Elfin Cove, I found a small fungus. Elfin Cove had 2 harbors, the inner and outer harbor, a plank board walk connected the two. I was tied up in the outer harbor facing the Brady Glacier. Marvel's classic lines looked best from the stern. I stood at the top of the dock, with an awl, and drew into the fungus, the shape of the hull, the guard rail, the stern post, the cockpit with it's high combing, the hatch on the fish hold, anchor gear all coiled next to the capstan, the open door of the wheelhouse, the mast, trolling poles, boom, rigging, front railing, anchor in place, and the little round window on the back of the cabin, near the rotten spot. I neatly lettered :MARVEL ELFIN COVE 1987 around the edge of the small fungus. It was like scrimshaw, or painting with sumi ink, no going back, put down a line, a line so familiar that it was easy. It's always easy to draw something loved.

New York City, 25 years later, about as far away from Elfin Cove and the Alaskan fishing grounds as imaginable. A groundswell runs through the Arts Student League, a current of electric creativity. Someone will have an idea, another artist will pick up on it, and make it their own. At it's best, the Arts Student League is alive with an exchange of ideas from creative minds and aesthetics from around the world. Brian, a county Cork Irishman, and road manager for Radiohead, painted by the door of the morning abstract painting group I attended. He set the pace. If he was painting yellow, pretty soon, someone unconsciously reached for their tube of yellow. By the end of the morning, yellow had made an appearance on various canvases through the studio. At the Arts Student League, people liked to glue things onto their canvases before starting. I didn't have access to my supplies of vintage and antique junk, but I did have an excess of canvas strips cut off of large stretchers. They were frayed and of varying widths, not good for anything, perfect for gluing onto my canvas.

The canvas was heavy gauge sailcloth, serious work canvas. The feel of the cloth awakened a memory, a spring project, fixing a leak in the wheelhouse, the same heavy gauge canvas I used for taking care of my boat. And so I started a fresh 24” square, with strips of canvas glued on, in New York City, in that place, where the highest achievement was to tap into the river of creativity. I painted lines and curves, and painted over those and squeezed out colors I loved: manganese blue, Prussian blue, red oxide, a deep red hovering between copper and burgundy, white,and black. I dove into the river. And when I came up for air, an image of the Marvel started to emerge, the angle of the trolling poles, the sweep of the rail, the belly of the hull, the small round wheelhouse, port and starboard running lights, the sunlight on the water, the way Marvel rode up and over ocean swells. It was a portrait of my boat, done with all the courage and fearlessness it had taught me.

I came back to San Juan Island with that canvas and many others tucked in a roll. It was May, time to get ready for an island season. My old fishing friend George stopped by before heading up to Sitka.

“Did you hear the news?”

“No, what happened?”

“The Marvel sank, down near Port Alexander, they couldn't raise her.”

“Wow, When did it happen?”

“Just last month when you were back East. I'm sorry for the news”

How could the spirit of the Marvel come through my fingertips and out onto canvas? How could the spirit emerge as the boat was sinking?, it's life on the water extinguished? How was it that this boat was more than pieces of wood, a bow stem and a keel? Experience and my stories made Marvel alive. It took 25 years to forget about the work, the smell of the bottom paint and the sound of the jimmy diesel, and to remember what was good, and how interlocked the boat and I were.

I took Marvel to the fishing grounds of Alaska and Marvel took me to places few people experience, From Cape Ommaney to Lituya Bay, I had the best vantage point, the back deck of a salmon troller. The Marvel and I , we had a good run together.

Setting the Net

2010-07-10T20:58:00.001-07:00

Skiff Man

2010-06-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

Largest panel, Rounding the Point

2010-06-20T22:38:00.000-07:00

Fourth and Fifth Panel, close to done

2010-06-08T09:14:00.001-07:00

Early days of the San Juan Fish Co. and On the Radio

Reef Netters, Hauling Fish, Third Panel

2010-06-01T20:43:00.001-07:00

5 x 5' panel, working from old photo reference here in the San Juans, reef netting. My brothers spent their summers on Stuart Island reef netting.

Second Panel finished, Old Style Seiner

2010-05-31T20:18:00.001-07:00

Preparing Panels and getting started.

2010-05-27T15:50:00.001-07:00

First Panel Done, Waiting to Set on the Margaret J

2010-05-18T21:31:00.000-07:00

First completed panel, 13 more to go. 5' x 4' one of the smaller panels.

Panels arrive on the island

2010-05-13T11:21:00.001-07:00

Within 24 hours of ordering the panels are sitting in my studio. Imagine if all things could move that quickly! Starting to prep.

Getting my overall design figured out.

2010-05-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

This doesn't look like much, figuring out my overall mural design, using small paper versions of the images, basically to scale, moving things around. It's much easier to do it on a small scale with pieces of paper, than with giant panels. The panels are ordered, may be arriving this week.

Town Council Approves Plan for Mural

2010-04-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

Panel ideas developed from a historic 1920's seine photo, old style large crew and side roller and our lighthouse at Lime Kiln Point.

Getting Started with the Commercial Fishing Mural

2010-04-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

I'm working up designs on big pieces of paper to see how things will scale up. Using acrylic dispersion paint. For rough sketch designs on paper, for the final mural on aluminum panels.

2010 San Juan County Fair Poster are Here

2010-03-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Cut paper collage for this year's San Juan County Fair.
Posters are hot off the press, I have them now at Funk & Junk

Playing with Paper at local Blues Night

2010-03-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

Playing with paper, glue, scissors down at the local blues night....With the Duotones! Mike Adams and Bob Lyetze

Portrait in Oil, uplighting and a fauved portrait

2010-03-14T23:37:00.001-07:00

In the spirit of my Sunday art class, I decided to try a portrait tonight. The first one was painted from a 30 minute pose, from the model The second one was a 2 hour effort using a photo reference.Both with a very limited palette: one blue french ultramarine, one red, cad red light, and one yellow, cad yellow medium, and white. Such a great triad of colors. 10" x 16" on panel

Paintings from Mexico

2010-03-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

Fun in the sun, took my paints south and did these small oils on linen, easy to transport!

Coming in March, Portrait Painting Class

2010-02-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

2 hour pose, Woman with hand Oil on linen

STARTING MARCH 14TH,
As a continuation to our Sunday morning drawing group, we will move to a new step in portraits. This next series will be painting the portrait. We will work simply with single color paintings, working in values, shapes and edges. See our drawing class at www.sundayart.blogspot.com/

If you are not on San Juan Island and would like to participate, let me know. I'd like to be able to include online learners.

Big Big BIG News!!!!!!!!

2010-02-06T13:01:00.000-08:00

My proposal for a big mural project......... 12 feet by 40 feet........ was accepted. I will be working on panels this spring for this project and hope to post here as things progress.
The focus will be on the history of commercial fishing in my area of the San Juan Islands.

First plein air of 2010

2010-01-18T18:12:00.001-08:00

After last night's big storm, I didn't think we'd be able to get outside and draw today. Linda, Sharon and I headed out to San Juan County Park, and found beautiful light. The yellow lichen grows on the offshore rocks. Small prismacolor drawing.

2 canvases, One painting

2009-11-24T17:11:00.001-08:00

I didn't upload these very well, they are the same 24" high....painted side by side to make one long piece. Earlier this month, I was visiting Shaw and sketched the view back to San Juan Island. These 2 canvases are the results of that experience. 24 x 72" overall.

Getting out on location can be Challenging......

2009-10-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

I was out by White Point this week, looking to to paint a spot I'd seen earlier in the summer. The sun was too low on the horizon, shading the barn I had hoped to capture in paint. I had forgot my usual small dishes to pour in medium, so I improvised with this clam shell

Fall Colors, San Juan Island Shoreline

2009-10-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

I started this out on location, but moved inside, as our weather has turned to fall, wet, in other words. I'm getting canvases stretched, and others brought to completion (or ruin), in preparation for my December show at the San Juan Community Theater.
Other news, received a letter of acceptance as a member of the Arts Student League of New York. That makes me happy.

Reverse Painted on Glass, windows in place

2009-09-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here in place are 3 reverse painting on glass windows. I used oil paint, playing with transparent and opaque paint. Today was sunny, I think the look will be quite different on cloudy days. Size about 5 feet tall.

Glorious Weather in September, Mosquito Pass

2009-09-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

Painting out on the north end of San Juan Island, looking towards Mosquito Pass,and Henry Island. First one, 20 x 24" and second one 11 x 14" plein air oil paintings

September Workshop, Day Two

2009-09-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

The September weather was beautiful for our weekend workshop. On day 2, Debra Nolan hosted us, with fantastic views across a small valley, pastoral San Juan Island. We tried a new technique, starting our paintings with black gesso, then glazing with a transparent color. This gave everyone a good "road map", and a lot of layered information. We talked a lot about mixing color. One artist found a nice shady spot and worked at creating a color wheel for himself, he said it was magic to mix color. Everyone participated in a demonstration of mixing greens. We used various blues and various yellows, and even some red to mix our greens. In looking at today's paintings, I see that everyone got a good grasp of mixing a variety of greens. We talked about the Fauves and the idea of brightening up the colors in the landscape. Some artists enjoyed playing with bright colors, and today's results were very exciting.
The first painting started as a very bright, fauve landscape demonstration. It was pretty bad...so I thought I'd see if I could make something happen by going back out on location. I used the bright under colors to help liven up the naturally dull colors of the natural palette. The sky was bright yellow at first, some of that flickers through to jazz up the sky. Everything was fine until my box of heavy paint slid over onto the surface of the wet canvas mushing about half of the painting...oh well, back to the easel....

September Workshop, Day One

2009-09-12T18:18:00.000-07:00

Day One of this workshop was terrific!, Great weather, and unlimited subject matter down at Jensen's Shipyard. Jensen's will be celebrating 100 years next year. We might have to organize of show of all the paintings that have been done there over the years. Everyone got a good start today, finding interesting views, and doing well working with the paint. In particular, all artists had a good grasp of mixing color. Tomorrow we will go to a pastorial location and try our black gesso underpainting.

Blue Nude

2009-09-11T12:40:00.001-07:00

Life size blue nude, acrylic on collaged surface, extra-button envelopes 38 x 42"

September Plein Air, View to Mt. Dallas

2009-09-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

Started the morning with fog hanging over the trees, painted thru a small squall, and ended up with these 2 paintings. The first one is a 6 x 8" and second, view to Mt. Dallas is a 16" x 20". Click thru for online demonstration of this painting.

Final Summer Workshop, Paint the San Juans September 12 & 13

2009-08-31T11:18:00.000-07:00

September is my favorite time of year with it's beautiful light. September 12 & 13 will be the last outdoor painting workshop for 2009. We will go out on location and develope our compositions,and then work on a larger canvas. My workshops are open to any media, though I demonstrate in oils. Outdoor or plein air painting lends itself to any medium. With oil paints, a painting is usually completed in 2 to 3 hours.
Demonstration painting from August workshop 15 X 30" oil over black gesso.
Call me at 360 378 2638 or stop by Funk & Junk in Friday Harbor if you would like to sign up. Scroll down to see photos of previous workshops.

Day One August Plein Air Workshop, Paint the San Juans!

2009-08-24T14:47:00.000-07:00

Our August workshop was terrific, great people, and wonderful plein air paintings. We started by talking about a variety of approaches to getting started, looking and thumbnail sketching on location. We talked about a traditional academic approach, doing an under painting in a single color. Next we did a color study to determine what our color palette was going to be. By the time we started our painting, we had gathered a lot of information, making it easier to concentrate on the actual act of painting. Towards the end of day several artists worked on making a color wheel, giving them a deeper understanding of the pigments, and color mixing. Lisa McHugh hosted our first day, down near Cattle Point.

Day 2 on San Juan Island

2009-08-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

The second day of the our workshop was quite remarkable, perfect weather, no wind, and 360 degrees of beauty. Everyone was inspired, and much more comfortable with painting and using the materials. We introduced a new technique, a non traditional approach,starting with a black gesso underpainting, followed by a transparent glaze to tone the canvas. All this before starting in with the regular opaque oil paint.This technique worked very successfully for everyone.

Portrait Painting Demonstration, San Juan County Fair 2009

2009-08-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

Sue Schirmer was very gracious to sit for her portrait during my oil painting demonstration at this year's San Juan County Fair. During the Fair, many artists demonstrate their craft, and it gives people a chance to witness the creative process in action. The first thing I like to do is draw the model. Drawing helps me get familar with the shapes, and helps me to really look at the model.
I started this painting in a traditional manner, using a monochromatic underpainting. I used Terra Rosa, a warm brown pigment,and thinner, turpenoid, to draw in the form. In the beginning, I was concentrating only on shapes, edges and values. The second phase of the painting was to spot in color. Developing color becomes so much easier once the shapes and values are well established. This method makes the final phase of the painting, so much easier and fun. During my upcoming workshop we will be plein air painting in this traditional manner, spliting out composition and values from color. Stay tuned to see the results of this weekend"s workshop.

2 Late Summer Workshops August 22 & 23 and September 12 & 13

2009-08-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

2 summer workshop are coming up here on San Juan Island. During the workshop, We will first work with a quick value study. Artists will pick a view they like and create a paint sketch in one color, to understand composition and the value structure, that is the lights and darks. Then we will do a color study, not worrying about shapes or form, just mixing colors. By the time we get to our painting, we will have gathered a lot of information. This will allow painters to concentrate on painting, putting down large bold strokes of color, Artists may simplify their compositions, working towards more abstract shapes. Beginning artists will enjoy this classic process, making it easier to understand visual information and then get it onto the canvas. There will be painting demonstrating both mornings. In the afternoon each artist will be working on their particular view, I will discuss issues that come up with each person at their easel. Each day we are in different and beautiful locations here on San Juan Island. Click here for materials list, Cost per 2 day workshop, $175. Call at 360 378 2638 for questions, or to sign up. Limit 12 people.

New Abstract Drawings and an Abstract Collage

2009-07-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

This summer my regular painting group took a break from figure painting and tried out different ideas. We worked in a clay studio, tried print making, did abstract drawing, developed ideas with text, and last, worked on collage. Here are some of my efforts. With my text piece, I continued to develope it with collage.

Photos from Our recent Workshop, Day 1

2009-07-19T22:08:00.001-07:00

Our plein air, outdoor painting workshop began by the shore at Pear Point. We talked about oil painting supplies, how to begin a painting on location by sketching first. Next everyone saw a quick demonstration of painting with a palette knife. Everyone found intriguing views, and created wonderful paintings.

Photos from Our recent workshop, Day 2

2009-07-19T21:57:00.001-07:00

Demonstration painting which started as a morning painting and ended as a late evening view of San Juan Valley.

The second day we tried a new technique, underpainting with colored gesso, glazes and then painting with regular opaque paint. This gives a lot of layered information quickly. Most people used black gesso, Lisa tried blue gesso. We painted overlooking San Juan Valley on this beautiful day.

July 18 and 19th Workshop filling up August and September Workshop Added

2009-07-12T18:59:00.001-07:00

This coming weekend's workshop is filling up. I'm adding a second summer session August 22 and 23, as well as the September 11th and 12th dates. Workshops are open to artists of any level. I demonstrate with oil paint, though artist may work in the medium of their choice. Typically, we go out on location, often a farm followed by a shoreline. I try to pick scenic and diverse locations. There, artists will sketch and paint a completed plein air painting each day. Through out the workshop, I help each artist individually at their easel. Call me at 378 2638 or stop by Funk & Junk for more information.

Large Abstract , Hiking at South Beach

2009-07-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

Large, 60" x 60" oil on canvas. Abstraction based on many beautiful hikes along the shoreline of San Juan Island.

Painting Workshop, July 18 and 19th Plus new painting of our island Haybales

2009-06-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

If you would like to learn about painting, or further your skills, come join us for a great weekend, painting in the San Juan Islands. This plein air painting was done last July at the Robert's farm, in San Juan Valley, as a class demonstration. During the workshop, we go out on location, talk about setting up, finding a composition,and making a thumbnail sketch. I will demonstrate getting started on a painting and color mixing. Each person will get going on their own canvas. I circulate, easel to easel throughout the day with one on one help. On the second day, we paint in a different kind of environment. I will introduce a new method of establishing an underpainting. In general, our second day is more expressive, as I encourage people to step outside the natural color palette. Click here to learn more about the workshop and see photos from years past. Come see me at Funk & Junk for questions and signing up. 360 378 2638

Words, Words, Words, Abstract in Acrylic

2009-06-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

Words, 26 x 26" abstract acrylic inspired by a drawing by my friend Lora Meyer, contemporary artist working in New York.

Jadite and Beach Glass, Abstract paintings

2009-05-28T11:43:00.001-07:00

New work, 36" x 36" (Beach Glass) and 24" x 24" (Jadite) both oil on canvas.

A Day at the Beach, San Juan Island

2009-05-25T20:42:00.001-07:00

Pencil thumbnail and small oil study also included.
Lg painting sold. Small available at Funk & Junk. 360 378 2638

Abstract in oil,

2009-05-24T21:57:00.000-07:00

24" x 20, current exploration using oil paint, in abstraction.

Several small Plein Air Paintings, from one island to another

2009-05-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

Recent outdoor paintings, oil on canvas, small sizes

New Turn, Abstraction Based on the Figure

2009-05-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

Mixed media on paper, Abstraction taking a new turn, based on observations from the model.

Drawings from Life, Working at the Arts Student League

2009-05-04T06:30:00.001-07:00

Drawings from the model, pencil and oil portraits.

Abstraction Based on the Figure

2009-04-18T03:54:00.000-07:00

Working from the model, abstracted forms, mixed media on paper, 18" x 18" and 14"x 18"

Recent Abstracts

2009-04-17T04:30:00.001-07:00

A couple of underpaintings in Burnt Umber

2009-04-15T05:48:00.000-07:00

Late afternoon sketch class at Arts Student League. Oil underpainting. oil on linen pad.

Recent Portraits

2009-03-22T18:26:00.001-07:00

Been working on portraits lately in preparation for my trip to the Arts Student League.
Very excited to return to NYC!!!!!!
9 x 7 oil on panel.

His and Hers....

2009-03-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

As a companion to the image below, His and Hers...cowboy boots! I was inspired after seeing a great painting by William Nicholson of gardening boots.
20" x 20" oil on canvas

Sweetheart of the Rodeo!

2009-02-27T12:47:00.000-08:00

Why didn't I have boots like this when I was a girl?
Late night still life painting at Funk and Junk, painting and boots available.
20 x 20" oil on canvas

First Plein Air Painting of 2009

2009-02-18T13:03:00.000-08:00

What a treat to be outside painting in Washington on Feb 18th! Super day at my favorite place, the beaches along the coastline, west of South Beach, at American Camp, San Juan Island. 16 x 20 oil on canvas.
The 2009 Schedule is now posted, check out Paint the San Juans

Andrew McLaglen

2009-02-17T09:02:00.000-08:00

Today, Andrew McLaglen entertained us with stories of his days in the film industry. He was a wonderful model.
Acrylic, mixed media on old piloting chart
and quick sketch with felt pen.

Dogs in the snow

2009-02-16T10:01:00.001-08:00

This oil painting and the pug below were created as a donation to the animal shelter at last year's Wag's to Riches auction. I donated a blank canvas with the idea that I would paint the owners's dog. There was a lot of enthusiasm for that at the auction, so I offered a second blank canvas. Just under $3000. was raised for the shelter! All for a good cause.

Sadly, I just learned that both of these dogs are gone, within the last month.
I'm glad to have spend time looking at their wonderful faces....My condolences
to the Brunkows for their loss.

Connie's Little Pug

2009-02-10T09:51:00.001-08:00

16 x 20 oil on canvas, with copper leaf....
Connie's little pug. Cute!

Dodie Gann sits for her portrait

2009-02-09T17:18:00.000-08:00

I did 2 versions of Dodie today, she was a wonderful model.
Mixed media on old piloting chart, gesso, pencil, acrylic, aquarelle pencils, matt medium.....about an hour pose for each drawing.

A Bowl of Cherries.....

2009-02-07T22:45:00.001-08:00

Fred Yockers, Island Icon

2009-01-26T16:17:00.001-08:00

Fred Yockers, well loved Drama Instructor and Director.
Mixed media on old piloting chart: grease pencil, acrylic, prismacolors, 18" x 24"

Drawing project from Wetcanvas, Tricycle!

2009-01-23T23:35:00.000-08:00

Funky old tricycle, mixed media, pencil, acrylic, and old stickers from an estate sale. What am I going to do when I run out of these stickers????

Calling Islanders to sit for a Portrait

2009-01-15T13:13:00.000-08:00

Calling Islanders who would like to sit for a portrait. I would love to draw you. If you have some free time, sunday mornings, we could use models for our drawing class. Call if you would like to be immortalized in paint or pen! 378 2638. Don't worry, nude modelling not necessary!
We had a great session with Dennis Willow this week. He entertained us with stories of ice diving under the South Pole, Simplified Neurobiology, music recorded on garage band by his daughter, differences between jazz and rock drumming, and his current research about finding the neurological bases for the internal magnetic compass of sea slugs!
I brought a pile of old arial pilot's charts to use this week, which by chance worked nicely as Dennis is also a pilot.
Mixed media, actually no paint, felt pen, gesso, sumi and walnut ink, colored pencil, plus weird little stickers I found at an estate sale....
Available at Funk & Junk. $300.

Daily Oil Painting, Yellow Field

2009-01-15T13:02:00.000-08:00

I'm always drawn to yellow fields, I guess it reminds me of France. Here's a small oil, 8" x 10", part of the online group at wetcanvas. Available at Funk & Junk $195.

San Juan Island, Winter....... Sunday Art Class to Start

2009-01-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

It's a wet winter here with a kind of a quiet beauty. The wild roses are burgundy, the trees stay green and the lichens revive on the fence posts. Here's 12" x 16" oil on canvas of an island barn. Available at Funk & Junk $425.

Sunday Art Class will begin Jan 18. This 6 week session we will be concentrating on the basic building blocks of drawing, line, observational skills, light and values, shapes and textures, perspective, & composition. Each week we will have a take home project. Looks like a great group so far, Sharon Lannon, Wendy Woods with her daughter Echo, Mya Burnett, and Virginia Van Camp. Look for our drawings on this blog, Only simple supplies, call for more info 378 2638

Wetcanvas Weekly challenge

2009-01-04T11:12:00.001-08:00

During this dark wet, and cold weather, Sharon, Linda and I have been doing the weekly challenge over on Wetcanvas, that is to pick a photo from their uploads, and in 2 hours do your interpretation of it. It's great fun to do.

Avery

2008-12-30T16:10:00.000-08:00

Nice to finish the year with a painting of my son.
20 x 30 oil, Thanks Ave.

Michael and Avery Playing at the Fair

2008-12-23T18:58:00.001-08:00

What a good memory of Michael and Avery playing music at the San Juan County Fair this past summer.
24 x 30 acrylic, copper leaf on canvas.

Portrait Drawing, Wet Canvas!

2008-12-20T09:29:00.001-08:00

Working with the On-line group over at Wetcanvas, for the weekly drawing event. Here's last night's efforts on a portrait done with prismacolor pencils. 9" x 7"

I'm working on getting the Sunday Morning Art class up and running for January and Feb.
More to follow as to times and location. Also considering an afternoon painting class on Sundays too.