Cat with Blue Eyes

Oil on linen on panel, 8x8 inches, $400

This is another portrait of a cat I saw at our friend's house. I was drawn to his beautiful blue eyes. I used a small palette knife to enhance the texture of his fur.

Springtime Morning at Crater Lake

Oil on linen on panel, 8 x 8 inches --

This is another painting I did at Crater Lake in the spring on my way back from California to Washington. There was still snow along the rim, but the road was cleared enough to drive up to the Village. The North end of the access road was still closed. Basically, the park was off-season, and there was no camping or lodging available inside the park.So I took an advice from a park ranger, and slept in my car, in the parking lot of a nearby recreational area, half way down the mountain. Fortunately I had a very warm sleeping bag and a blanket. It got almost below freezing overnight. I drove back up to the rim village where did an evening painting at, and painted this piece. It was cold and windy. But my Best-Brella stayed intact on my easel tripod with extra weight.

Springtime Sunset at Crater Lake

Oil on linen, 8 x 8 in.

This is a plein air painting I did at Crater Lake National Park two weeks ago. After taking Kathleen Dunphy's plein air workshop in Murphys, CA, I was driving through Oregon toward my home in the central WA by myself. I was originally planing to spend a night in Bend, but I decided to swing by Crater Lake for the heck of it. I figured, if nothing else, I might get some good photos along the way.

I ended up painting by the Rim Village almost till sunset. I couldn't resist the breathtaking scenery. I did get a possible camping spot outside the park from the visitor center first. There were no accommodations open within the park until the Memorial weekend. Anyway, I thought about the possible morning painting opportunity as well, and figured it would fun to try it. There was a lot of snow on the ground except the pavement. I put my good hiking boots and jacket. It was actually my first time to paint on the real snow.

By the time I left the park, it was already dark. I arrived at the nearby sno-park which the park ranger suggested, and slept in the back of my car. I knew it's always a good idea to drive with a decent sleeping bag and big ice chest with plenty of food and drink for a cross-country drive like this, just in case. I tried calling my husband from the parking lot, but there was no cell service there. It was a cold full-moon night, and it was so quiet. All by myself. To be continued...