Category Archives: Nature

Switch

Saturday we went in search of SUNSHINE! We’ve been socked in for days (weeks) in the valley. Grey days with little temperature change makes for depressing winters. We drove to the coast range and up Mary’s Peak. From the  upper parking, situated at around 4,ooo feet,  you can look out over the valley to allContinue reading “Switch”

Ink change

Today, my finger joints were bugging me so I chose to do limited work on the block. Gripping the dry point needle is very uncomfortable. There remains quite a bit to resolve on the bird and fingers but I’m feeling good about the whole image. A proof using thickened oil based ink (a bunch ofContinue reading “Ink change”

Bird continues

The little bird continued today. The more I work, the more frustrated I become. I seem to recall this sort of feeling when learning new things. The print has started to move in it’s own direction and probably won’t even come close to what I had envisioned, but that’s probably ok.  Proof #4 is below.Continue reading “Bird continues”

Bird in the Hand

I’m back at it for day 2 of trying a new technique. This time around I’m using gold linoleum which certainly cuts differently than the battleship grey. Like yesterday, a dry point needle is the tool utilized and I’m and scratching with the flow of the work. The block is 6″x 6″. Block is inkedContinue reading “Bird in the Hand”

Cold

Bone chilling temperatures are not part of our typical winter vocabulary here in the  Willamette Valley. Our normal December highs are in the mid 40’s, lows in the mid 30’s. Over the past 10 days we’ve been below freezing (day and night) with several nights reaching low single digits and even sub temps. Tuesday wasContinue reading “Cold”

Slogging & Release!

Another one bites the dust! That’s the problem with artwork, sometimes it just doesn’t survive critters or husband. The Oregon Rain vessel took a nose dive off the windowsill thanks to overly barkey dogs yesterday. Dave went to open the window to yell at them and the vase jumped. Maybe it’s a good thing. ItContinue reading “Slogging & Release!”

You’re not supposed to be in the house!

We’ve had a variety of animal/bird/reptile visitors in our home over the years. I typically don’t freak out too much and approach the situation as calmly as possible once the dogs/cats are out of the space. I’ve removed snakes, baby rabbits, voles, field mice, flying squirrels, numerous birds, frogs… but today’s visitor was new. We’veContinue reading “You’re not supposed to be in the house!”

Becoming a Ctenophore

Along our coastline one will sometimes encounter little spherical jelly balls on the beach. I always loved running into these guys because I understand how beautiful they once were out in the ocean. In a past life, prior to the animal & art world, I wanted to be a marine biologist and Ctenophores were oneContinue reading “Becoming a Ctenophore”

Setting Records and the Cone of Shame

Both dogs made it through their surgeries and are home. The vet and crew experienced how stubborn Mr Moby can be. He went into “freak out” mode which involves a high level of adrenaline running through his body. This made it more difficult to put him under than expected.  In the end, he set aContinue reading “Setting Records and the Cone of Shame”