Painting The Town

When the weather is good, a few of us get together to paint the town in the evening  We decide where to paint and spend about two hours drawing and creating a cityscape. This is great practice with perspective, simplifying and being decisive. The sun sets fast so you can't fuss with your work. Here are a few of Eva Marie Tanner Klaas' pieces from the last two weeks.

"Quaint Porch"  8x10 Oil on Canvas Board

"Lawn Ornament" 8x10  Oil on Canvas Board

More Work By Audi Stanton

Audi Stanton paints and creates everyday in her studio. Here is more of her work where she uses a limited palette. Amazing.

Painting Instead of Posting

We have all been painting instead of posting this week. Excuses, excuses, excuses. 
Here is another version of the Chetco River Bridge by Eva Marie Tanner Klaas. This bridge is part of the well known highway 101 that runs through the states of California, Oregon and Washington.

"Chetco River Bridge" 8x10 Oil with palette knife

New Work All Over Town

We have new work all the time showing at the Winchuck Gardens and Nursery, the Manley Art Center and Crescent Harbor Gallery.  Currently, Audi Stanton is also showing work at Wright's Framing.
Stop by any of the listed businesses to see our latest artwork.

Latest work by Audi Stanton.

Day 5 - Smith River and the 5 Days 5 Rivers Plein Air Event

Smith River

It is finally the last day of the 5 Days and 5 Rivers Plein Air Event. We were all waiting for the sun to come out. I headed to Audi Stanton's studio where we painted from photos.  
When it quit misting, Kathy  and I went looking for Trude at  at the mouth of the Smith. We just missed her. It was overcast and no contrast.  We watched the seals, otters, walked the beach, talked about art and God. When we were all talked out, we headed home to our families.  What  a creative week. 
The Brookings Coastal Plein Air Artists  would all like to thank Vi and Len Burton for creating this wonderful event. We all had memorable experiences.
Thank you, again, and thank all the local Brookings/Harbor businesses that displayed signs welcoming the plein air artists.

Day 4 - Winchuck River and The 5 Days 5 Rivers Plein Air Event

Winchuck River Bridge

We headed out in the misty fog this morning and met with the other plein air artists at the Winchuck River. It was the same group as yesterday. Verna Pooler, Jennifer Thompson, Kathy Huxley, Trude Zmoelnig, and, myself, Eva Marie Tanner Klaas. We started painting for about an hour and half. My oil paint would not stick to the canvas because of the mist. Kathy had the same problem. The watercolor artists' papers were soaked.
Audi Stanton called and invited us to come to her studio. We all agreed it would be a better paint out indoors. We spent the afternoon finishing our work and enjoying Audi's hospitality.

We decided to have dinner together at the Superfly Restaurant in Brookings, OR to have time to socialize a bit and enjoy this popular dining spot. We all ordered something different and it was wonderful. The food, the atmosphere, the service and, most of all, the company.


We are already planning  to get together next year to paint. All we need is a theme.

Day 3 - Chetco River and the 5 Days 5 Rivers Plein Air Event

Today we were at the Chetco River with lies between Brookings and Harbor, OR. The plein air painters were Jennifer Thompson, Verna Pooler, Kathy Huxley, Trude Zmoelnig, Audi Stanton and, myself, Eva Marie Tanner Klaas.  We started at the port but decided to drive back over the bridge and down a dirt road to the river. It was a good spot.
Afterwards, a few of went to the port to paint buildings. There is an adorable pink house that sits at the port and surrounded by an old apple tree. Audi, Kathy and myself couldn't resist painting it.
It was another good day.

Chetco River Bridge

Chetco River Fog

Audi Stanton starting her drawing.

Jennifer Thompson with her foggy watercolor from this morning.

Audi's watercolor.

Audi's completed watercolor.

Verna and Chetco River watercolor.

Myself, Eva Marie, with my Chetco Bridge painting.

My pink house study.

Day 2 - Pistol River and the 5 Days 5 Rivers Plein Air Event- UPDATED

Day 2  of the 5 Days 5 Rivers Plein Air Event was at the Pistol River located about 15 miles from Brookings, OR. The plein air painters that showed today were Verna Pooler,  Jennifer Thompson, Kathy Huxley, Trude Zmoelnig, and, myself, Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas.
As we were setting up to paint, our gear was almost blown away by the high gust of winds so it was a challenge. (It is the best place on the West Coast for wind surfing so that gives you some idea what me and other plein air artists were up against).
Kathy Huxley and  I stuck it out near the bridge and decided to block in as much as we could while holding down our easels and pallets.  We would finish our studies in our studios later.  The watercolor artists took cover  and some, after drawing their landscapes,  headed home to finish their work.
It was fun despite being sand blasted and exposed to the strong wind gusts.  Best part was painting with friends and then heading over to Rollin in Dough Bakery and Bistro for lunch where we shared  stories and a slice of lemon cheesecake.

Pistol River Bridge

Jennifer Thompson with her beautiful Pistol River watercolor

Mother and daughter plein air pair.

Verna Pooler with a successful Pistol River watercolor.

Eva Marie Tanner Klaas blowing in the wind.

Kathy Huxley blasted by a huge wind gust and trying to hold onto her painting

Kite flying weather.

This was the first time I had painted at this site so here are  the pros and cons.
Pros: There are dunes, mountains, grasses, river, the ocean and  a bridge. Cons: It is very windy, you have to hike your gear  and the nearest restroom is about 1/2 mile away.

Day 1 - 5 Days 5 Rivers Plein Air Starting At the Rogue River By Eva Marie

Gold Beach Rogue River Bridge

The first day of the 5 Days 5 Rivers Plein Air Event started at the Rogue River. I have never painted at the Rogue River and after today, I think it is one of my favorite painting places on the Oregon coast.  There are so many beautiful things to paint  including the bridge, the Mary DeHume, the marshes, mountains, trees, boats, etc, etc.  The list goes on and on.  Oh - there are restaurants and restrooms. It is a plein air paradise.
Kathy Huxley, Trude Zmoelnig, Jennifer Thompson, Verna Pooler and, myself, Eva Marie Tanner Klaas spent the day painting, talking with visitors, eating bagels, dates and drinking tea.  We ran into Pat Renner and a few other artists including a plein air artist from Canada.  Here are few photos. 

Kathy Huxley with her plein air artwork

Mary De Hume

Verna Pooler with her new folding, palm watercolor palette

Verna's lovely  and talented daughter, Jennifer Thompson

Kathy's work in progress

Trude's work in progress

Jennifer's watercolor of the Mary De Hume

My work in progress

Audi Stanton's Work In Progress

Here is a  larger art piece Audi Stanton has on her easel in her studio. She studies her artwork for a few days to determine if it needs any changes before she puts it in the galleries.  You can find Audi's work at the Manley Art Center, Winchuck Gardens and Nursery, Wright's Framing in Brookings, OR, and Crescent Harbor Gallery in Crescent City.  You may, also, find her work online here or at http://www.wildriverscoastart.com/

More Still Life Work By Verna Pooler

Verna Pooler is a dedicated watercolor artist. If the weather doesn't allow her to paint outdoors, she sets up a still life.  Here is another example of her work.

Verna Pooler's New Work

Verna Pooler has new work this week. She painted a still life of a  vase filled with sunflowers. Isn't this beautiful? As always, all work is available for sale.

The Sun Brings Out Painters

Eva Marie Tanner Klaas headed to Lone Ranch when she saw the sun shining yesterday morning. We have had a marine fog hanging around the last couple of weeks. So early in the morning she took off to paint. Here is her painting of  the two sisters.

"The Sisters"  8x10 Oil on Board

Kathy Huxley and Plein Air

"Changing Light" 6x12 Oil on Board

Kathy Huxley paints plein air landscapes where she lives or where she travels. She has a recognizable style with her color and brushstrokes. Sometimes, Kathy adds additional texture with a palette knife such as with her grasses.  Here is one of her pieces she painted of the Brookings' coast. Remember, if you are interested in any painting or have questions,  please email us or go to our website link above.

Verna Has New Art At The Manley Art Center

Verna Pooler has new art at the Manley Art Center for the month of August. Here is one of her watercolors from a plein air outing at Azalea Park in Brookings, OR. 
This painting shows, again, that Verna is a talented watercolorists. Notice, how she leaves the white of the paper and her use of values. Also, the New Zealand flax in the pedestal clam has movement as well as the trees in the background. She captured the day perfectly.

"Protected"

Kathy Huxley painted this wonderful oil with the Tuesday Painters at the Manely Art Center in Brookings, OR.  She sets up a still life to create her original art.
Remember, all artwork is for sale.

"Protected" 20X20 Oil On Canvas

"For the Birds"

"For the Birds" 10x10 Oil on Gallery Wrap

Sometimes you can get into a art rut.  Eva Marie experienced this the last couple of days. She scraped several paintings, overworked a few watercolors and was very frustrated. Finally, she decided paint her way through it.  Here is a piece she calls "For the Birds". 

"Beach Tomb"

Here is another one of Audi Stanton's acrylics for sale that she calls "Beach Tomb". Again, Audi is one of Brookings most popular artist and instructor.  There is a reason for this. Just look at her artwork.

"Beach Tomb"  11x14 Acrylic