Bluebird skies

Oregon is, for the most part, decidedly gray. But we have been experiencing the most beautiful, clear, crisp weather for the past four or five days. Just gorgeous. But cold. Which is okay with me; we used to live in Montana and I swear I can handle 20 below as long as the sun is shining.

The pros of this unseasonably good weather:

• I can send the kids outdoors All Day.
• There’s better lighting in my studio for painting.
• Everyone’s in a good mood.
• Days seem longer.

The cons:

• You can see every cobweb and window smudge that has gone unnoticed through the winter.
• The discovery of these cobwebs and smudges tends to interfere with my making of art. (Can’t paint ’til house is clean. I’m crazy like that.)

My daughter and I had a coffee/hot chocolate date Friday morning at the park. We took photos of the river and some geese that will probably end up as a painting someday. My husband was downright shocked that I actually took initiative to go outside, but here’s the proof.

She always wants to have her photo taken on these steps.

We saw some geese. I think I'll paint them.

We also saw the Wienermobile, which is less artistic and more Americana.

I took advantage of the time the kids spent outdoors and finished a slew of paintings. One is so cute, but I can’t show you because it’s a gift and I can’t spoil the surprise. Here are a couple of others that I finished up.

Title: Katie

Completed: February 20, 2010

Soundtrack: Grease

Beverage: Banrock Station Shiraz-Cab

Title: Westin

Completed: February 21, 2010

Soundtrack: Grease

Beverage: Starbucks iced mocha

Next week I’m painting a Tibetan Spaniel puppy, oh my god, so cute. And a catamaran. After that, I’m all caught up and will just sit around and eat bon-bons and wait for the universe to send me more puppies to paint.