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Happy Together

ink and oil painting of a pair of cardinals in the forest — Happy Together (4″ x 4″ ink and oil on raised panel)

I decided to try painting a couple of cardinal pairs leading up to Valentine’s Day. Did you know these gorgeous birds mate for life? So this mini and the one I’ll share next time are ear-marked for a local seasonal “Romantica” art show. I’m not sure if this is what they are expecting for the theme but seems appropriate to me! 😀 (and now let’s hope they dry on time…)

Goldfinch Pair

I enjoyed painting the previous goldfinch so much I decided to paint a pair of them amongst the thistles. I think they must like the seeds …and of course complimentary colours are always fun to play with. 🙂

Goldfinch

It doesn’t often happen – hardly ever really – that a painting turns out just how I envisioned it. I wanted the goldfinch to glow against a dark background and he really does! Maybe I should have kept him but he sold right away so I’ll just have to enjoy him while he’s still drying. 🙂

Summer Evenings

oil painting of a sunset viewed through the trees — Summer Evenings (8″x 10″ oil on panel)

I’ve had a bit of a slow start to the year but here’s my first oil painting of 2026. It’s a nostalgic piece based on remembered summer evenings where I grew up. Usually when painting, to get a sense of depth the background recedes with cooler colours and the foreground has warmer tones but here, I wanted to capture the light glowing through the trees with the cooler shadowed foreground with the warmer light in the background.

On the Wing

Oil painting of four geese flying across the late day sky — On the Wing (8″ x 10″ oil on panel)

Well, looks like this is my very last painting of 2025. I have found both joy and solace in painting this year. It has been a pleasure and honour to have you along for the ride.

I wish all a peaceful and fulfilling New Year!

Morning Flight

ink and oil painting of great blue heron in the early morning flying across the ocean — “Morning Flight” (24″x36″ ink and oil on canvas)

A larger piece painting largely intuitively. It was lovely to let it flow. A couple of details below.

detail from ink and oil painting of great blue heron flying over the ocean in the early morning — “Morning Flight” detail left side

Poised!

ink and oil round painting of red squirrel on a mossy stump — “Poised!” (5″ diameter ink and oil on raised panel)

This little red squirrel looks ready to leap!

Getting ready to paint some larger pieces soon but in the meantime, hope you enjoy this little 5″ diameter tondo!

Winter’s Coming

ink and oil painting of a puffed up bush tit perched on a branch — Winter’s Coming (4″x 4″ ink and oil on raised panel)

This tiny bird is called a bushtit – the smallest bird around here except for hummingbirds. This one is all puffed up to keep warm …winter’s coming!

I have been having some fun with the contrast between the representational birds and a fairly abstracted background.

Jaunty Junco

ink and oil painting of a dark-eyed junco perched in the forest — Jaunty Junco (4″x 4″ ink and oil on raised panel)

I am getting ready for an open studio in about 10 days so I’d better get painting …and cleaning lol!

This new mini is inspired by the juncos that are still darting about the garden.

Berry Point View

plein air oil painting of a rocky shore looking across the ocean to other islands — Berry Point View (8″x 10″ oil on panel)

It’s been a while. I haven’t been able to paint for one reason or another recently but decided this week to kick start myself by going to the ocean to paint. Just a quick sketch but it’s a (re)start.

Green Tea Doodles

take some time for tea and check out my doodles