One off collaboration on the theme ' Blue '

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' Blue '

Oil on Canvas

18" x 18"

Ann

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' Blue too '

Boston Harbor, Washington

jim

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Catalina Viewpoints.....the iconic ' Pleasure Pier '

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Ann

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jim

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30! Self-Portrait and Project conclusion

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' self portrait '

Not my favorite subject. Would have liked to have more 

time to explore a self-portrait but the spirit of our

project is what counts. And it has been a great

experience. Hat's off to my partner here, Ann, for

her dedication, discipline and enthusiasm! And,

wonderful paintings.

jim

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‘Self Portrait in the 30th Day’

oil on canvas

14” x 11”

Omg 30 paintings in 30 days. This one almost killed me. Nothing like a self portrait to make you test your insecurity and self judgement. But I wanted to note the end of this project and how much it consumed me. Jim (my partner in the 30 day challenge) and I worked through holidays, family celebrations, bad weather, sickness and frankly sort of exhaustion at the end.

Ann

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29...

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'Studio Props 2'

oil on canvas

10" x 8"

Maybe this is an odd choice but I was touched my partner's pick yesterday, a beautiful gravestone with a poignant story. That brings us to tomorrow which is Day 30.  Had questions about sales, shows, thoughts. All the paintings are hanging in the studio. Maybe it's an excuse for a party.

Ann

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' No Man's Land '

This was shot at Mima Mounds, south of Olympia WA.

It is a preserve of thousands of low, undulating mounds,

which have been noted in the historical record going 

back to the early 19th Century. No one is sure exactly 

how they were formed. There does seem to be 

agreement that this area was once an inland sea left by

receding glaciers. One historical account describes seeing

these mounds over a distance of 20 miles. 

In the spring with the wildflowers blooming everywhere,

the occupation of many birds and the shadow patterns

left by the sun - it is beautiful. However in the dead of

winter it is desolate, quiet, and haunting - as I found it

this day.

jim

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Twenty-eight

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'Studio Props'

oil on canvas

8" x 8"

I arrived at the studio this afternoon and once again I have a security problem. My storeroom door was smashed and the lock to the main studio was jammed and I couldn't get in. Eventually all calmed down and I went around the studio gathering objects that I love - kinda like comfort food.

So here we are at Day 28 with only two days to go. If you haven't clicked on Timemaking to see the month long collaboration with Washington State photographer  Jim D'Evelyn it's worth a look. As we progressed the works start to hang together. And the humor is the best. Check out 'There's Always One.'

Ann

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' Monument '

Continuing inclement weather here, Managed to make

this image at a large cemetery, quite old, in Olympia.

I often stop at out of the way cemeteries and wander.

I'm fascinated to imagine who these people were, and

what their stories are. To honor them in remembrance;

particularly the veterans. It is important to remember

those who came before us.

Rarely does a grave marker indicate the cause of death,

so this headstone is unique. Nelson Barnes, was evidently

a logger here in the Northwest and ' died instantly '

while felling a tree, in 1852; age 21. Today Jan. 8th,

2018, we remember Nelson Barnes.

jim

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27

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 ‘Winter Beach’

oil on canvas

8” x 10”

It rained this week end. I went out and no one was there - just the life guard towers.

Ann

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" Bus Stop "

Been under the weather with limited opportunities. This bus stop is

one I look upon from my 5th floor apartment. A month ago a 

near-do-well, late at night, smashed out all the glass. This night

was all quiet; deserted, as the beach in Ann's depiction.

jim

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Twenty-six

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‘Yellow House at 12 th and Cedar’

oil on canvas

9”x 6”

I went out with my friend Sarah Arnold who just loves this yellow house. There’s a lot going on -lots of gingerbread .

Here we are with only a few more days to go in the 30/30 project. Yeah, I can leave work after class and get up on a day off and not think about what or where I’m going to paint but that’s probably what I could be thinking every day. Will consider all of this in the days to come. 

Ann

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' Blue House '

This was made in a neighborhood of older homes near

the Capitol of Washington, in Olympia.

jim

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25

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' There's Always One '

Beaver pond near Olympia, WA

jim

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‘Wilshire and Western’

oil on panel

8” x 8”

I went out on the deck after class yesterday. It was just about to start raining but the gray sky made the color of the Wiltern even more turquoise.

Ann

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Twenty-four

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‘Wilshire and Oxford’

oil on canvas

8” x 8”

Ann

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' Colored Pots and Bird Feeding '

Found this whimsical window and accompaniment

in a nearby neighborhood of older homes. The

bird was a great volunteer.

jim

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23 - ' Windows '

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' Studio Window ' 

oil on canvas

10” x 8”

Our theme today was 'windows'. This is what I see out the window of the studio almost every day.

Ann

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' Follow the light '

This was made in the basement floor of the 

Washington State Capitol Building. I imagine

for some working down there the window in

the distance, to the outside, seems a long

way away.

jim

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Twenty Two...

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' Watercolor Sky #3 '

Again, a tough choice. We seldom look long at the sky, yet, it is

often such a marvel, to be appreciated more fully.

jim

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' Stairs to Pismo Beach '

oil on canvas

6” x 6”

We arrived at Pismo Beach last week  just in time to see the sun go down.

Ann

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21

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“Still Life with Wheel Barrow and Hummingbird Feeder”

6” x 8”

oil on canvas

This is my last painting of 2018 done on an absolutely icy day in Oakland. I found a little shelter from  the wind in Ashley’s gardening shed and had a really nice time in spite of the cold.

Ann

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' Rose Ranch '

Tough choice today. I've passed here many times during trips to the

Oregon Coast from western Washington. It's always pleasant to see

when driving by. Below, just for kicks, it's location from above.

jim

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Twenty!

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 Ashley's Backyard 3

oil on canvas

8" x 8"

Our challenge has meant painting no matter what. So I had to wait until the very end of the day but the evening sky made the trees stand out dramatically.

Ann

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' Morning light on the Chehalis '

The sun had just broken through the clouds as I saw this image

below the bridge on the Chehalis River, WA, near Montesano.

jim

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19

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 ' Hydrangeas in Ashley’s Backyard '

oil on canvas 

12” x 6”

Ann

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' A Quiet Place '

Weather and schedule have presented a challenge, so today I shot

inside. The photo depicted is a favorite from a few years ago; simple

and fully realized. It says all I intended. And, happily coincides with

Ann's ' backyard ' depictions. Shot in Laguna Beach, CA.

jim

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Eighteen...

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' Ashley and Scott's Backyard '

oil on canvas

6" x 6"

This is the first of several paintings I want to do here. There's an ancient apricot tree that is just about to fall over. It will be gone soon. Scott mentioned that I should include. Not sure about it it. Btw it's freezing in Oakland. 

Ann

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' Telephone poles '

This Central Oregon shot reminds me of of how much open

space there is if you just trend away from the cities. If you expand

the photo you will notice four telephone poles in the foreground, and

some behind them to the left. This is what first caught my attention, besides

the wonderful colors, shapes, and lines.

jim

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17

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'Big Sur Near Esalen'

oil on canvas

6" x 6"

We got out so early that it wasn't really light and nothing was open but did find some coffee and then passed this lookout. The 30 day challenge is the best because in another circumstance I would have said 'Whoa..." and moved on. Not today. We stopped Mia read for a whole then signaled it was time to go. 

Ann

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' down and up '

I passed over some oh-ah landscape photos

because I like the feel of this. Visitors hiking down

into the Crooked River Gorge at Smith Rocks, OR.

Note the trail continuing above the bridge in the

background, and the folks going up where my

daughter and I are headed. 

jim

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Day Sixteen

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' Moon over Fort Rock '

Fort Rock is the remains of a volcanic cinder cone in central Oregon.

My daughter and I had the place to ourselves and amazing early morning views

 of the surrounding valley.

jim

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 “Big Sur”

6” x 8”

oil on canvas

We stopped along Highway 1 as the sun was shinning on the water. It was so bright it was hard to see but I didn’t want to pass up the drama of the cliffs and the ocean. 

Ann

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