Still Standing II (6"x6")

It seems that both my dd Kim and sil Stephanie each left a bit of her heart on the West Coast of the West Coast. So, to keep the family peace, I agreed to paint another little scraggly tree as viewed from Pacific Rim National Park. Kim gets to pick which she wants.... She was, as she pointed out, with me when we spotted this tree. The other I will mail to Stephanie in Wausau, Wisconsin (home of the Woodson Art Museum).
Here's my second try at the little twisted pine. This time I toned down the sky by using warm ultramarine blue instead of cool pthalo blue. The tree has just a bit less foliage and I like that. However, my first attempt is, in my opinion, wilder and reflects the mood I was in when I painted it (see July 23rd post). Six of one, half dozen of the other.... Enjoy!

Lennard Island Lightstation

I snapped a photo of this view of Lennard Island Lightstation when Kim and I visited there in March of 2006. We were out on the "west coast of the west coast" whale watching this particular day. I admit that I messed with the sky color... and I'll even admit that there is too much sky for proper composition but for now this is how it looks. I loved the Canadian flag proudly waving....

I found a great little poem penned by Donna Phillips Roberts when she was asked by RR Wolf, the editor of the Splash series "Why do you paint?"...

I paint to share that part of me that marvels
at mountain lilies
drenched by morning yellow light

I paint to share that part of me that gasps
at giant cedars
glittered by filtered lace-like light

I paint to share that part of me that sings
at pristine waters
shimmered turquoise by skies reflected light

I paint to share that part of me that jubilates
at jumping trout
jeweled, gilded gold by day's late light

I paint to shre that part of me that awes
at earth abundant
filled with feeling, pure delight

Have a wonderful day friends!!