Jan 30 - Walking the trail to Spencer Butte

The color in the Oregon forest is so very different from the Michigan woods.

Michigan's woods are filled with warm greens whereas the lichen and moss in Oregon add many cool gray tones. This enhances the magical and mysterious atmosphere.

This painting is acrylic on canvas board and is 9" X 12".

Jan 29 - Giant Sitka Spruce at Point Perpetua

Being at the foot of this tree was an exhilarating experience!

There was an hour and a half drive to the Pacific Coast and then a two hour hike through a magical forest to get there. I was filled with a childlike enthusiasm.  

I love Oregon!

I waited to the second to last day of the 30/30 challenge to paint it because none of the images we took did it any justice. The painting still does not capture the height or girth of this gem. So use your imagination and know that it ( I should give it a name!) is over 185' tall and 40' in circumference!

This piece is acrylic on canvas panel and is 14" X 11".

Jan 25 - Zack's Birthday Cake

Sweets for the sweet!

A last minute surprise.

This was the cutest little cake. It tasted as good as it looked!

It was fun to paint because it. Brought back fond memories.

This painting is acrylic on canvas and is 8" X 8".

Jan 23 - Point Perpetua Pine

This base of this wonderful pine makes a 90 degree turn out of the hill along the side of the path!

Then it reaches straight upward towards the sun.

Such character and strength it shows us.

It lives at Cape Perpetua Park in Oregon.

This painting is acrylic on canvas and is 10" X 8".

Jan 22 - Rainforest Intrigue

The Pacific Northwest Rainforest calls to us through the mist.

I can't resist. I keep returning for another look.

This painting is more abstract but still identifiable as a forest.

The loose strokes are casual and fresh.

It is acrylic on canvas panel and is 14" X 11".

Jan 20 - Day 20 of 30 Rhododendron

There are hundreds of varieties of Rhodeodendrons at Hendrick's Garden in Eugene.

None of them really look like this except in my mind!

We were there in November and did really see berries on these large shrubs but their leaves were less colorful!

I want to visit these lovely gardens in Spring. I can only imagine the colorful blooms.

This painting started out to be more abstract but I was caught up in the leaf shapes.

It is 11" X 14" and is acrylic on canvas.

Jan 19 - Day 19 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Prairie Farms Rest Stop off Rt. 5 south of Portland - second version

Using the first and smaller version of PFRest Stop as inspiration

I scaled up the thumbnail.  I was trying to enhance the verticality of

the composition. This piece has a totally different feel because of the 

mountainous background. I still prefer the first piece.

This painting is acrylic on canvas and is 40" X 30".

Jan 18 - Day 18 Pine Cone

We brought home this pine cone when it was closed up tight. As it opened it revealed the wonderful characteristic bold spiral design. 

Painting it was a challenge. I wanted to maintain a fresh look but in order to have it look like a pine cone my drawing needed to be correct.

This piece is painted on Raymar panel in acrylic and is 8" X 9".

Day 17 of 30 - Spencer Butte Park, Looking Up!

It's difficult to walk on the trail because I keep looking up!

 I need to stop walking before I look up. The trail is not flat and the image of an old lady rolling down the hill is not very appealing! 

This piece is acrylic on canvas panel and is 12" X 9".

Jan 16 - Pacific Northwest Tree trunks Covered with Moss

It's as though the trees are covered with green velvet.

This piece is acrylic on canvas panel and is 12" X 9".

Jan 14 - Rt 5 North of Eugene

Almost there!

I was really in a hurry to get er done today. I've been working on my 30 X 40 demo piece

From my abstract demo at the Romeo Guild of Art on Tuesday night.

I am still excited to work on my 30 in 30 travelogue!

Today's piece is Rt. 5 north of Eugene.

I wanted to capture the beautiful shapes that the undulating highway made.

It's acrylic on canvas and 11" X 14".

Jan 12 - Eugene Farmers Market w/ works in progress

Here it was the end of November and the Eugene Farmers Market has loads of locally grown produce.

The varietys of Kale was impressive. All the available produce was beautiful and unblemished.

It made my mouth water! Oh, and it was all organic and priced well.

I thought I would try another still life today. I tried to keep it loose and fresh....like the subject matter.

This piece is acrylic on canvas and is 12"  X 16". 

I've included two works in progress.

Jan 11 - Day 11 Inside Crosby Creek Bridge

While on our covered bridges tour we stopped to admire the wooden structure inside.

The wooden beams are massive and the pattern that the structure makes up is beautiful.

This is painting number two for day 11! I'm catching up for yesterday spent away from my

Studio.

It's difficult to stay loose with all these straight lines and obvious perspective to get right.

Jan. 10 - (really the 11th) Voodoo Donuts, Eugene

Voodoo Donuts? Really! Eugene has some very unique shops.

We arrived at Voodoo Donuts with a powerful hunger for donuts.

We bought donuts to eat immediately and a box to go.

It took a while to explore the goodies case there. We needed a

Voodoo translation because some toppings were available only there, of course!

I am playing catch up today. I need to make two paintings to be on schedule with the challenge.

I knew painting a box of Voodoo Donuts would be fast and fun!

The pink and blue donut is cotton candy. I could not come close to the actual electric blue of the real donut, so use your imagination!

This piece is 12" X 9" and is acrylic on canvas board.

Day 9 Spencer Butte

Spencer Butter Encore

This piece is 11" X 14" and is acrylic on canvas.

This is day 9 also the ninth consecutive painting with an Oregon theme.

Several have been of Spencer Butte.  For me it is a magical place filled with inspiration.

The three main trees make a strong vertical statement overlooking the horizontal 

sprawl of rock.

Trail to Spencer Butte, Eugene, Oregon

Day 8 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge.
To find out more about Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge
Click HERE

Today's piece shows branches bending under the weight of mosses and lichens.

It was difficult to go far on the trail without stopping to enjoy the unusual growths covering the branches.

I am from Michigan and we don't have flora like this!

This painting is 11" X 14" on canvas board.

Crosby Creek Bridge, Oregon

One of the many covered bridges in Lane County, Oregon.

We learned that the bridges were covered to protect the wooden structure.

The engineers found the bridges lasted longer when the structure was protected from 

the wind, rain and sun.

Sure makes them look more beautiful as well!

Today's painting is 16" X 20" and it is acrylic on canvas board.

Spencer Butte, Eugene, Oregon

It's getting harder to find time for the 30/30 challenge.

I need to paint more efficiently. Life is getting in the way.

Can you imagine....I had to stop painting to take down 

the Christmas tree!

The wheels kinda came off the bus today while painting.

I'm not entirely happy with my effort. 

Tomorrow is a new day.

Oh, the details...

Spencer Butte with three trees, acrylic on canvas, 16" X 12"

I've included two works in progress.

Moss and Lichen covered Pine on Spencer Butte. Eugene, Oregon

My Oregon theme continues for the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge.

I was short on time today so I chose a smaller canvas. It is 14"X 11".

I also chose a simpler composition which saved time.

I was inspired by the scraggly pines clinging to rocks near the top of the butte.

These wind battered survivors are also covered by moss and lichen. I actually didn't recognize that it was a pine because of its furry covering!

It was a misty day so the evergreens in the distance were mere shadows.

I've enhanced the color for my personal expression.

Almost to the top of Spencer Butte, Eugene, OR

I was inspired by the velvety green moss growing on the rocks. 

I wanted to capture the steepness of the trail and the trees in the mist.

Spencer Butte is a magical place in Eugene. The trail to the top leads you through

an evergreen forest with a lush fern floor. The trees are dripping with moss and lichen.

I'm loving being part of Leslie Saeta's   30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge.

The links on her blog are exposing me to so many fine artists!

Web address

You'll find my web address at  :  www.deniseidunn.faso.com.
Still trying to figure out how to put a link on this blog.
Thank goodness for Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge.
Not only am I getting a jump start on painting but I am learning how
to have an internet presence.

Prairie Farms Rest Stop on Rt. 5 south of Portland, Oregon Jan. 3

This rest stop on Rt. 5 was amazing to me. It was my introduction to the trees of the Pacific Northwest.

Their height impressed me immeasurably. I was in awe. I loved it!

This rest stop was unique in that it had an arboretum of trees which were gifts to the state of Oregon from Governors of the other states of the union.

This painting is acrylic on canvas board and is 14" X 11".

January 1, 2015 30 Paintings in 30 days challenge

Happy New Year!
Painting every day and posting the result at days end is a challenge.
I accept and I'm ready to go!
This is a great way to start the year.
I've chosen a theme this year. I'll be using drawings and photographs
From our Oregon trip.
Today's painting is The Oregon Coast.
It is acrylic on canvas, 16" X 20".