The PNW

What about the PNW?  I was born there; lived there most of my adult life; have my closest friends and some family there; it's beautiful even if rainy; and I love going back at least once a year for several weeks. Now when I go back I spend a fair amount of my time with a paint brush in my hand and understanding, supportive friends encouraging me on. This past July/August was no exception. Here are some paintings from that trip: 

Country Garden 8x10 oil on panel Private Collection

One longtime friend that I love staying with lives in the "north county", a couple of miles from the Canadian border. Dairy country...and all that goes with it: barns, tractors, manure, pastoral fields. She also has an amazing view of Mt Baker when the sky is clear. Very inspiring! So I paint there pretty much every time I go. This year her little raised garden was brimming with success so I set up my easel and did this small sketch, keeping it bright and painterly. I love the "BEANS" sign and thought it was a great little structure to balance out the verticals of the barn.

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Semiahmoo Morning 8x10 oil on panel $300

Semiahmoo Spit was at one time the site of busy salmon cannery and many of the old buildings are still standing. It's a lovely place to go for a walk on the rocky beach or have lunch at the Semiahmoo Resort. I found a good spot to set up my gear slightly off the beaten path and I even had some old pilings to use as a table for my paints. It was sunny and hot and the tide was coming in. Normally an outdoor painter has to avoid "chasing the light", but I was challenged to resist "chasing the tide"!  By the time I was satisfied with the result, the waters were well up over the building footings.

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Five Blue Pots 8x10 Oil on panel

​Another dear friend who graciously houses me while I'm there has one of the sweetest hidden gardens ever! We've been known to consume a fair amount of wine in that quiet retreat. She is an avid gardener and has a collection of these beautiful glazed ceramic pots in the most saturated cobalt blue color... an entire row of them on her garden wall! Well! I got busy. This painting makes me feel so happy.

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So I am quite the vagabond when I go "home to Bellingham" and am filled with gratitude for the deep and meaningful friendships that have only grown stronger in the years we are living in Tennessee. Me and my suitcase are welcome in the homes of so many friends. Now I have a new slew of reference photos waiting to be painted from this great trip. 

​Thank you for reading! Please comment!!