Donna Van Tuyl Fine Art

Back to Summer

2012-01-23T13:24:00.001-08:00

The Distraction of Weather and Reworking

2012-01-20T08:01:00.000-08:00

The top photo was taken this morning in our front yard, that is ice and snow on those trees. Buckley was nearly hit by a falling branch yesterday, he was oblivious to the problem. He is now on a short leash until the problem gets resolved/melted.

The painting has been reworked a bit. After the Elizabeth Mowry workshop I decided it needed more softness. What a contrast between winter and summer.

I have three new painting going and so posting new painting is going slow. The weather has me distracted as limbs fall and I rush outside to make sure the house is okay. We have more snow/ice on the way later today and then wind and rain. I am so distracted by all this it is hard to get any painting done. Also I am shoveling snow from our drive way and off the deck every few hours. If I wait to long it just gets heavier and heavier............

Where Eagle Fly

2012-01-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

I took this photo along the Klickitat River last weekend. One of the (few) pleasures of winter, and spectacular. I spotted 14 eagles the other day driving along the Columbia River. There are a few around in the summer season, but the foliage tends to provide enough cover and they are more difficult to see. This guy was in the process of taking off when I snapped this photo.

Oh Happy Day!

2011-12-21T11:10:00.000-08:00

Since it is Christmas, and Buckley had the most perfect day, I will share. The Buckley definition of The Perfect Day, is when Pepper the neighbor dog goes with us on a walk. Pepper is a farm dog that can jump any fence, catch anything you throw in mid air, and there could not be a dog more opposite than Buckley, who cannot jump or catch. Buckley LOVES Pepper and will follow her anywhere. When she comes over to our house there could not be a more delighted dog than Buckley.

I have been trying to capture them in a photo but Pepper moves fast and so this is the best I could get of the two of them. I did this with my iPhone and so the quality is not very good, but you will get the essence of the day, a perfect day!

Merry Christmas from Buckley and Pepper.

A Winter's Tale

2011-12-09T09:06:00.001-08:00

Trumpeter Swans Today

2011-12-07T15:57:00.001-08:00

Part of being a painter means that as we drive along the highway I am always composing paintings. Constantly composing as we go along sometimes leads me to miss detail, like these Swans. But they are so bright and pretty they could not be missed. These Swans may or may not make it into a painting, but it is the seeing of things that makes the day wonderful.

We stopped along the highway and I hiked up the road to get a shot. They are very skittish and started to fly away, then came back around and right over me. I could hear them call (trumpet) as they flew by. In the upper photo they are catching the golds of sunrise, in the lower photo you can see the bright white.

Dreams of Spring

2011-12-06T14:05:00.001-08:00

Chickadee Series

2011-11-27T14:34:00.001-08:00

Golden Moments - Revised

2011-11-18T08:56:00.001-08:00

"The aspens are sensitive to air movement because their leafstalks are only narrow ribbons and set at right angles to the hanging leaf-blade. On this day the world was becalmed at ground level. Yet even in this stillness, the aspens trembled, as they always do."

quote from Your heart belongs to me, by Dean Koontz

Aspen Glow and the Glenwood Phase - Revised

2011-11-03T15:41:00.001-07:00

I am working on a Glenwood series of paintings. Glenwood is a tiny town near Mt Adams. The surrounding landscape includes many Aspen groves and big huge Cottonwood trees. Ranchers here make a living raising cattle which dot the landscape. This painting is not finished and may include some of those cattle........we will see what happens.

Summer in Glenwood

2011-10-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Magic of Un-ordinary Days

2011-10-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

Buckley took me out again today for another day in the Aspen. He has a great time. The air was crisp and clear. One of these tree's suddenly started shedding leaves, it was like snow falling. There was a soft rustle as the leaves came tumbling down. It was a magical day!

In the above photo, I was trying to get Buckley's attention, but something smelled wonderful. He had his nose buried in the grass, I caught him as he paused in his sniffing. What did he smell? It is always a mystery to me.

Happy Dog!

2011-10-21T15:16:00.001-07:00

Buckley took us Aspen Hunting today. Maybe next week they will reach peak color. In the meantime I have two paintings nearly finished and will post them soon.

More later......

The Peaceful Nature of Sheep

2011-09-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

A shift from the golds of late summer to the greens of early summer. This little herd of sheep was living close to our house. Klickitat County has a history with sheep and cattle. It is about the only thing this land will support. Even that is a rough life, but sheep make everything peaceful. These guys were grazing along the road and we stopped so I could take the photo. Since that time I have been trying to figure out how to paint them. After the workshop, ideas came to mind. There was a lump of a hill between the sheep and the far simcoe mountains. I removed the lump and came up with a nicer composition for the painting. That cinder lump of a hill was holding me back.

Mosier Plateau

2011-09-26T14:53:00.001-07:00

Revised Bickleton Highway - it is about the scene

2011-09-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

Bickleton Highway runs east of us moving from the mountain region to rolling dry land. This land for many years has been used for cattle and a few sheep. The ranchers must own many acres to support each animal. Life can be harsh out here, the summers are very hot and dry. The winters are dry with cold brisk winds.

For the painter it has all of the natural elements that allows for artistic flow of land and clouds and the sparse arrangement of trees. Light and openness draws the viewer in. Hawks are in abundance.

I hope to include some words of each painting as a gentle reminder to myself that painting is about the scene. In recent days I have become aware of the practice of talking about the mechanics of painting. The paint or the brush stroke. One does not ask a writer to describe his typewriter. I want to read the story. With paintings it is the scene, and the viewing that is important. I want this to go beyond the craft and into a dialog between the viewer and myself.

The Workshop

2011-09-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

We just returned from La Conner Washington, where I attended an Elizabeth Mowry Workshop. It was a full workshop, to include artists at all levels of work. Elizabeth was there for everyone, and it was wonderful. I highly recommend her workshop.

I took some notes, but the highest value for me was a state of mind. I had lost that sense of wonder and adventure in painting and Elizabeth gave that back to me with a few words of wisdom. One of the ideas that will help me in my work is, "what if". For me, this could be "what if" I change the shape of that mountain. For example, near our home is a stand of pine trees with two humps in the background. I love this stand of trees, but the two humps bother me. With the idea of, what if, and the artist as a creator, I can give myself license to change those two lumps or humps into a more favorable distant mountain. How wonderful, now I can take that stand of trees and have a more interesting landscape to show the viewer.

Elizabeth talks of "natural landscape components". For me this goes along with the above idea, "what if". Taking the natural landscape components and then using what if, to arrange into a more pleasing idea. This is what I needed to know!

Let us see what I can do after this workshop. The ideas sound nice but can I then turn these new thoughts into paintings? Got to get to work and see what happens, in the mean time we need food, both cars need oil changes, Buckley needs attention, got to get organized after travel, and life goes on, but now with new thoughts and inspirations.

Fire! Day Five of the Pacific Northwest Plein Air 2011

2011-08-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

I delivered my five paintings for the Pacific Northwest Plein Air 2011 show.

On the way home I spotted smoke. It is very dry and the wind was up. This looked like it could have been a train fire. How to get home? If the fire was burning on the Washington side the highway would be closed. I chose the Oregon side and was able to stop for this photo. It is amazing to see the helicopter dropping water, because it looks so tiny compared to the mountain and the plume of smoke. The wind is blowing in the 20-29 range, not good.

Day Three and Four of the Pacific Northwest Plein Air 2011

2011-08-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

Again we get to skip a day. Nothing worthy. Today the Windsurfer agreed to go with me at first light. So we were up and out the door before the sun came up. At the last minute I decided to head to High Prairie and check out this one spot, and here it is. High Prairie is on the road between Centerville and Lyle and is a wonderful combination of wild lands, cattle, wild turkey, deer, and a few snakes, maybe.........

Day One and Two of the Pacific Northwest Plein Air Competition

2011-08-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

Okay so let us skip day one. I live on the dry, hot, side of the State and going from dry to green always throws me off. Getting going again with greens and blues instead of the hot colors where I live is a challenge. Not that it was not hot, it was very hot in Hood River, but the colors are much cooler.

On day two I met up with Rachel and had a better result. Of course we had our little muse along and that always helps. Although Buckley said. (through Rachel) that it was "very hot and he thought we were going to go for a little walk, not sit around in the hot sun." I hurried right along and got the little muse home. He is sleeping it off on the cool floor, I hear little snores and snuffles as he dreams doggy dreams, where the temperature is always perfect and green grass grows.

Another day of Fishing People, Osprey's, a Black Lab, and a Cow

2011-08-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

Maryhill Vineyard

2011-08-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

Plein Air Magic

2011-08-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

The magic of plain air is not always about the painting, although that is important. Long time ago, back in my intense corporate days, I learned that what you get out of a meeting is not always on the agenda. Plein air painting is the same thing, we meet people out doing things, fishing, or hiking. They are always interesting people. We see wildlife. We encounter snakes and bugs, or you can even get injured. Plein air is complicated and satisfiying.

Maryhill Winery Day and New Friends

2011-08-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

I painted along side the highway today. The last time this was attempted I found it difficult to concentrate when great big huge eight wheelers few by, but today I simply blocked out the noise and was taken in by the scene. I like the contrast between the green of the vines and the dry surrounding desert landscape. Also, somehow vines seem poetic.

Then, a car stopped and I had a nice visit about art, nature, music, travel, and life in general. Making friends with like minded artistic people is always a treat and added to a very pleasant morning.

Beavers at Work

2011-08-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

On the Little Klickitat River. I finally found the Beavers, or rather the work of Beavers.

Gale Force Winds, Steelhead, and the Magic of Plein Air.......

2011-08-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Rachel, We have rocks piled up on and under our easels to keep them from flying off in the wind. My hat did fly off into the river and Rachel's easel did tip over. We both had fun, really, it was a warm wind after all.

Then this young women happily posed for me with her Steelhead. Made the day become even higher realm to see her smile.

Here we managed to move out of the wind and both of us started new compositions. It was a wonderful day with interesting fishing people, trains, birds, steelhead, and a good friend!

Confluence

2011-08-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

Celilo

2011-08-06T16:11:00.000-07:00

I painted this plein air down at Celilo Park along the Columbia River. This painting does show how rough the landscape seems.

Native Grasses

2011-07-30T14:40:00.001-07:00

Plein Air Magic

2011-07-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

The last of the grass and wild flowers at The Little Klickitat River Park. All of the rest have been mowed and weed-eaten so that the park has brown stubble everywhere. But this little tiny bit is all that is left for the artist. The actual feel and look of this spot is more golden than shows up on this photo. As I was painting I could hear a weed-eater in the distance getting closer, and closer.........

New Paintings and a Link

2011-07-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

Steven Pressfield has written a wonderful piece today. I was struck by the concept of the upper realm and the lower realm. This was very helpful to me as I struggle to paint and trying to reach excellence. The painter, writer, composer, or any creative work, is a constant mental struggle.

Attitude is Everything!

Worthy Thoughts and Unworthy Thoughts

Labor toward excellence is an antidote to the lower realm. The lower realm is mediocrity. It’s ego. It’s stuck-in-the-self. It’s petty. It’s self-concerned, self-absorbed and self-obsessed. The upper realm—forgive the cliché—is truth, beauty and justice. It’s a guy beating his brains out to write one good declarative sentence.

The lower realm is belief in instant gratification. The lower realm is distraction. The lower realm is shallowness. It’s Resistance; it’s ego-centeredness. It’s all those forces, internal and external, that keep us earthbound, timebound and ball-bearing-bound. Like Hemingway, I need to write one decent sentence. I need to think one honest thought.

By Steven Pressfield

Painting and Computer Woes

2011-07-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

Buckley as a Baby

No new paintings to show today due to computer woes. I am typing this on the old standby. This computer is old, slow and clunky and drives me nuts, but it still works.

Still painting away and soon will have many new paintings to share. The work continues, but I feel invisible for awhile.....

Independence Day - plein air day and Where Eagles Fly

2011-07-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was going to be a day to paint outside. We drove to the location, was windy and cool. I took photo's, came home, and after a nice nap painted this from one of my photo's. I felt that even though it was not plein air, I did capture the morning light.

Today another plein air day with the Windsurfer and Buckley along to keep me company. The results will be published soon. Here is the scene....

I completed the underpainting and then heat rolled in. We packed up and came home. Early morning is so beautiful in July. Enjoy your Independence Day and be alert.

Mosier Plateau

2011-06-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

Thought for the day.........."You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality." Has nothing to do with painting, but I like it anyway.

Wild Roses

2011-06-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

Today I went plein air painting at a place we call Mosier Plateau. This location sits high above the Columbia River Gorge and along with splendid views is rife with wildlife. The scent of wild roses was in the air as I painted. Wild Roses are on the list of my favorite things, along with Quail, any kind of Hawk, and Dogs, Cavilier King Charles Spaniels to be specific.

By the way Buckley has a new haircut. I am calling this his summer cut. He looks very cute. When he wakes up from his nap I will take a photo.

Lupine

2011-06-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

We are very happy that the Yakima Art Fest is over. It was good. We sold six paintings and talked with wonderful people. Nice to be back to work finding new ideas and inspiration.

More paintings on the way........

June Art Fest 2011 - Yakima Washington

2011-06-08T18:38:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, June 11th I will be showing selected works at the annual invitational Art Fest in Yakima. Located on the corner of 56th and Summitview. This link will take you to an excellent article about the Festival.

www.yakima-herald.com

Included in this year will be selected works at 1/2 price.

Rowena Crest - en plein air

2011-06-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been painting.....plein air......

2011-05-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

In case the below video does not play......please click the link below and try again:

Video of Dennis and Steve building the Deck.

In case any of friends or family have been wondering if I have been out plein air painting......the answer is yes. On the new deck we are building. Soon this will be finished and it will be back to pastels and wonderful landscapes, hopefully..

Aerial View

2011-05-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

Spring has finally sprung and the hills are alive.

One New, two reworked

2011-05-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

Catherine Creek View

The Water Way

Chelan Hills

Spring

2011-05-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

This little painting was inspired from a trip last spring to Glenwood Washington. Very near my favorite Aspen trees.
Yesterday and today I traveled to Catherine Creek State Park for some plein air work. Here are the rough results, or you could call them "painterly".

Buckley Plein Air Painting

2011-04-19T17:54:00.001-07:00

Buckley is nine years old and in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel years that is getting up there. Today was our first plein air day since last August when I broke my leg. As you can see plein air painting is exhausting. He slept the whole time. What a pleasure he is though with little cute snoring sounds along with the songs of Meadowlarks.

Early Morning Shadows

2011-04-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

Transitory Season

2011-04-14T16:41:00.000-07:00

Queen Anne's Lace and the Epiphany

2011-04-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

It has been a long winter. Not a particularly hard winter, but long. Getting outside to paint this winter has not been possible. The leg has slowed me down some as it seems to want more time to heal.

Plein air painting is a very important part of my process and suddenly the thought about the connection to the land came to mind. Painting from screens or paper photo's can not be the same as painting directly from the land. The epiphany that hit me was in comparing different activities with the idea of watching these same activities on a screen, or on YouTube.

For example, is it the same to ride a horse through the sagebrush or watch someone else ride on a TV screen? I would say that the actual ride is going to give you more satisfaction. The sounds, the clip clop of hooves, the feel and sway of the ride, the smells of sage. I can imagine those things, or merely watch it on a screen, but there is nothing like the actual experience, the actual smells, and the personality of the horse. It is one of life's most satisfying pleasures.

Such is plein air painting. There are sounds and smells that go beyond the mere screen. The air flowing around me as I stand stationary. The sudden surprise of hawks, or Osprey gliding by. These things cannot be reproduced on a mere screen, but they can be a huge influence in a painting. To include these surprises is one of the great pleasures of plein air. Plein air is not about the completed painting, it is about the experience. It is about getting away from the screen and into the land. It is about the smell of sage, the clip clop of hooves, and even the buzz of insects, all of the things that cannot be recorded in a photo, or successfully felt on a screen.

This week I am going to get out there.

Equinox

2011-03-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

I took this on Saturday, two days ago!

This morning, the morning of the Equinox! I am happy!

Spring Chickens

2011-03-02T13:51:00.000-08:00

I am having some fun.

Hidden

2011-02-24T11:27:00.000-08:00

Hidden

9"x12"

Pastel on Panel

A couple of summer's ago Buckley and I came upon this little fawn in the grass. He stood there long enough for a few photo's and then in a flash he was gone.

Photo Shoot @ Catherine Creek

2011-02-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

The Grass Widows were out today at Catherine Creek along the Columbia River Gorge.

Inspiration and Creativity

2011-02-17T13:49:00.001-08:00

One of the big issues we painters struggle with is what to paint, and/or the presence of creativity. One of my friends has a blog titled "Inspiration is for Amateurs". I think it means that you paint even though you have no inspiration or sense of creativity. The idea is to go to the studio and work. I have done this with disastrous results and have found that I show up for work but my Genius has not. I show up the next day and the next until my Genius returns and then we get some real work done. The Genius is that mysterious thing that makes the work creative and more than it possibly can be without the Genius.

Working without the aid of your Genius turns the work into something you create simply to please or to sell. It is not a part of you. You risk becoming a hack.

I believe the saying, "Inspiration is for Amateurs", is suggesting that you show up for work and become available for the Genius. I think that inspiration and creativity is for the professional. Show up for work every day. And a great day is when that inspiration and creativity comes through you in a rush and you know that great moment, that wonderful moment of pure delight, of brushing up against something great.

That thing, that Genius, is best described by Elizabeth Gilbert. Here is a video of her idea of creativity.

"Each day, life presents us with much more than we can understand. If we chase after everything that makes us curious, we would have no time for the part of life we do understand.

An Understanding of what is important comes to you if you are patient." Quote from Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

Day of the Eagles

2011-02-13T15:20:00.001-08:00

Five immature Bald Eagles.

Spring Creek

2011-01-26T10:49:00.000-08:00

I have been working on this one. I think it is finished or very close. 18" x 20".

Flotilla

2011-01-14T10:26:00.001-08:00

Quack Quack

2011-01-12T10:56:00.001-08:00

It is winter and this was fun!

Winter Willows

2011-01-07T17:22:00.000-08:00

Whew......

New Work on the Way, Quality, and a Resolution

2011-01-07T07:43:00.001-08:00

I am working on two paintings. This slows the process down significantly. One is a winter scene and the other a summer scene, both paintings include water. Hopefully sometime today these will be completed. Taking a photo during the winter months is a challenge. The lighting is odd with cloud cover and even in full but low angle sun, I do not get good photo's of paintings indoors or out. Spring, summer and fall everything works splendidly.

I am also reading two art books. One is called "Brushwork" by Emile A. Gruppe. Wonderful book about painting, composition, and brushwork. I am struck by the simplicity of the Table of Contents. The chapters are titled, Rocks, Trees, Skies, Water, Roads, Buildings, Boats and so on. Simplicity in names and writing and most importantly, painting. The names of his completed paintings are also named with simplicity, for example: Shadows, Dairy Country, and My Daughter. Direct and simple, but extraordinary work as is this book.

The other book is by Edgar Payne and is called "Composition of Outdoor Painting". I have quotes all throughout this blog by Mr. Payne. Here is the first couple of sentences in the first chapter. This sets you up for his style of writing and his approach to painting.

All creative endeavor is toward a definite purpose. Therefore, it is imperative that we have a definite conception of this purpose as well as a clear understanding of the means that accomplish this end. Quality in fine pictures is dependent on a knowledge and a respect for the elements which create it.

These books and this blog are about painting and not about selling, bragging, marketing, all are boring and tiring subjects. Painting. Whenever a group of painters from my area get together conversations turn to marketing and bashing galleries. My resolution for this New Year is to focus on painting and quality, and to talk about painting and quality. When I am near, I will not brag or talk about selling, marketing or even gallery bashing.

We sell to keep going, but quality in painting comes first. That is what this is about and it is the only thing, oh and of course Buckley.

2010 in Review

2010-12-21T19:48:00.000-08:00

A review of a year in painting along with some plein air setups, some surprises, and then of course Buckley, the star of this blog.

Queen Anne's Lace

2010-12-15T08:11:00.000-08:00

For any of my artist friend's out there who occasionally crash and burn in this business of painting, read this link. I found this most helpful to pick myself up and start again.

Stephen Pressfield when-it-crashes

On a cloudy day we went out painting and after my little study I turned around just as the sun hit this little meadow of flowers. I snapped a couple of photo's.

Did a little rework on this.

Buckley's Deer

2010-12-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

This deer attacked Buckley, who is oblivious to everything. What a dog!

Rock

2010-12-08T09:25:00.000-08:00

The Reality of Painting

2010-12-01T06:04:00.000-08:00

I have been struggling (since I started painting) with the many different concepts of art or painting. Some people like what I do and other's not so much.

My reality is that I like beauty and want to paint something uplifting and lovely. I see the natural world as being bright sparkling and clean. It is so bright and brilliant to me that most paintings I see, although maybe technically sound, fail to bring me my sense of nature. However, seeing a painting that simply brings forth brilliance without being faithful to the natural world is not what I have in mind. The brilliance of nature is how I see. It is not a gimmick nor is it a style. How to bring about the bright sparkle of nature is my job.

Some artist only think that a painting with a message or a mood, or vague atmosphere constitutes good art. I have been told that painting something uplifting is a mood. I still take umbrage with this idea. Moods seem to come and go whereas beauty, happiness and pleasure are my reality.

A Quote from the writings of Stephen Pressfield...

The only reality that exists is the one we socially construct for ourselves and others of like mind.

There exists no one reality that can be accessed through empirical research. And, we can’t be sure that the reality we observe exists independently of our observation of it. All human associations, social identities and the interests of purposive actors, are continually shaped, and guided primarily by shared ideas and biases. Furthermore, all relations are socially constructed and given form by social practices and interactions.

Why this matters?

Often, ideas are discounted because they don’t mesh with someone else’s concept of reality.

End of day, we have to consider the different realities—because the one thing I think we can all agree on is that, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, because the realities vary so greatly.

Aspen

2010-11-27T10:50:00.000-08:00

I know that posting pictures has been slow. After the broken leg I seem to be working larger and slower. Caution maybe? Still have fun painting, it is just a different pace.

The Deschutes River

2010-11-12T11:11:00.001-08:00

Junco's

2010-11-11T13:06:00.001-08:00

Pelican Point

2010-11-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

This is as close as we could get to the Pelicans.

The Vines

2010-11-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

2010-10-31T08:58:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken before the broken leg. We went out in our kayaks with Buckley of course. Currently I am working on a painting from this day. It will be titled "Pelican Point" and features the river, basalt, and some Pelicans. I am excited about it and nearly finished. Please stay tuned. In the meantime..........

"Life presents us with much more than we can understand. If I chased after everything that makes me curious, I'd have not time for the part of life I do understand".

Quote from Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

Rowena and the Miners

2010-10-13T14:09:00.001-07:00

I cannot help myself. The miners are coming up out of the mine in Chile one by one. I feel the need to watch and worry each and every miner to the top. It is so wonderful and frightening all at the same time. Then once they get to the top watching the families unite, makes me cry. Only once in a great while does something wonderful and inspiring so captivate the world. This is a day of celebration and thankfulness.

Oh, back to painting. Plein air at Rowena with my cast on.

Thank You for a Night of Basalt and Discovery

2010-10-10T10:58:00.001-07:00

Last night was the Vintage Evening of Fine Wine & Art. The location of this event was the Discovery Center in The Dalles, Oregon. The Center is an interactive museum with cultural treasures of the Gorge and Wasco County. We have long enjoyed the Center along with the basalt rock used in the architecture of the building and a waterfall cascading down basalt as you enter the building. I have completed many paintings from the grounds and very much enjoy the painstakingly restored native vegetation. Basalt rock dominates the landscape and as visitors drive along the Gorge from both directions basalt formations prevail. Thus the influence on all of us last night was basalt from the landscape to the building itself and I heard many comments to that effect.

I had only two paintings left over from the long summer season that included our basalt cliffs, and both were popular items. As I reflect on the evening it is clear to me that influences lead to inspiration and clarity, and then on to a final painting . For others I think they are transformed and influenced to stop at a painting and reflect and enjoy. Below is quote about the enjoyment of a painting and what matters. To each and every one of you that stopped and reflected on my paintings last night, I thank you!

All art is a gift, it is first of all a gift that the maker can do it. It is then a gift to someone else, whether they pay for it or not. The wonder of it is that we cannot get the production of these gifts stopped. Art is life seeking itself. It is our intractable expressions of love for the beauties, ideas and epiphanies we regularly find. "I have walked this earth for 30 years, and, out of gratitude, want to leave some souvenir." Robert Genn

The Fun Factor !!

2010-10-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

www.donnavantuyl.com

Today is the official launch day of my new web site. Fine Art Studio Online (aka FASO), has splendid templates for the artist along with the ability to send newsletters for marketing, and a wonderful events page where old events fall off and new events move to the top.

Not only will this new service save the artist time and frustration as it is all automatic in nature, but it has a huge fun factor!

Try it out and sign up for newsletters. I promise not to deluge you with trivia, but I will update with events and new art.

Falling Away on The Dalles Mountain Road

2010-09-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

Early Morning Song

2010-09-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

The Art of Healing

2010-09-12T09:29:00.000-07:00

Finally a day almost free from pain. A day to celebrate. Almost walking now with crutches. The next big goal is to get free of the crutches and then maybe I will be able to paint. Even though this has been an ordeal and something I would not choose to have happen, each day has brought a new challenge to overcome. Those first goals were simple, like learning how to use crutches. All of the weight that the left leg carried was being transferred to my hands and arms. I am now almost feeling graceful on crutches. Next, being able to stand without crutches then on to walking.

This is my favorite time of year for painting and so I am dealing with the disappointment of not being able to get outside. How I handle this problem will have a ripple effect on the whole year. My logical mind tells me that I can simply paint from all of the photo's that I have accumulated. This time of year is magical tho, and this disappointment must not be allowed to fester.........

The Show Must Go On!!

2010-09-03T06:09:00.001-07:00

Here are four of the six paintings we are allowed to have in the show. With 40 artists there will be many fine paintings to look at. Not all of these shown are mine, there is another artists work included in the photo. Guess which four are mine. The other two are hung in another location in the gallery and I do not have the photo. Thank you Celeste!!

Fibular Fracture Lands Donna Into Fine Fix

2010-09-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

Healing is slow. When the pain is gone I wish to post a discussion on how artists get into this kind of jam. Several stories have come my way about the dangers of plein air painting. I have some ideas that I will share, soon.......

The War of Art or The Fallen Woman

2010-08-29T14:53:00.001-07:00

Today's paint location was The Dalles Mountain Ranch Columbia Hills State Park. A beautiful day and we were up early and I was painting at first light. I got the under painting done and stopped to take a few photo's. The last photo before the big event. You can see that I am up on a hill and looking down. Came down the hill twisted my ankle and now I am in a cast. What a big day. One would think that plein air painting is not very dangerous. A big day for us.

The Fire Fight

2010-08-28T17:33:00.001-07:00

Today we painted up on a high plateau above the Columbia River. Directly across from us a wildfire was burning and firefighters were busy trying to get things under control. A couple of helicopters were flying from the river to the fire with big buckets dropping water on hot spots. All of this activity was amazing to watch. The terrain where the fire is located is extremely rough land. Not only are the hillsides steep and rocky, but infested with rattlesnakes. All added to the drama of the day.

We came to this location with the influences of the fire and found a fire hose laying out on the ground. I wondered if it had been abandoned or if it was there for easy access? Everything is extremely dry here, however, there is beauty in all of this. As I type this, all of the windows are open and we hear thunder off in the distance. A bit of a worry............

P.S. Buckley does not like thunder!

A Flying Leap

2010-08-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Those of you that read this blog and/or paint with us, know that Buckley likes his chair. One reason he has a chair is that he tends to get into difficult situations. Today the paint-out which was scheduled to be on Mt. Hood was changed and we were on our own. I took the Windsurfer and Buckley with me to a place we like. Since we were all alone Buckley roamed around and eventually as predicted found trouble. The grasses are very high and from his perspective he cannot see ahead more than a few inches. He came upon a big log and after trying to get over the log, took a big flying leap and ended up splash landing in a very deep and cold ditch. Back in the chair to get warm and lots of love after his huge adventure. The chair is not so bad after all.

Aspen Grove

The Foraging Squirrel and Plein Air Painting

2010-08-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of the Pacific Northwest Plein Air Competition. The location for today's paint-out was The Gorge White House.

We positioned ourselves under a very large pine tree which provided Buckley with shade and also he had a nice relaxing spot for his chair. Suddenly pine cones started raining down and hitting a friend's car with loud metal popping sounds. This lasted long enough that I started to worry we would be driven out of our ideal location, when the noise stopped as suddenly as it started. We drifted along in our artistic haze, when suddenly the popping sound and raining pines cones started again. The owner came along and asked me if I made a new friend and then explained to us about this wonderful foraging squirrel. He knocks the pine cones off the tree, gathers them all up and stores them away for winter. We tried to find him, but he was busy. I made a new delightful friend and not once did he bang me on the head. A careful and considerate squirrel, except for the friends car (sorry Bonnie).

Buckley Under the Pine Tree

Gold and Chasing Rainbows

2010-08-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

Oddly enough, I love books that feature the landscape as a character. Books like Hemingway's "Islands in the Stream" where the gulf stream becomes a very important part of the story. Early in my reading life, I read "Green Grass of Wyoming". In this book the author describes the grasses and the land in the opening chapter. It reads.......

"the trains chug through an empty wilderness of low hills, dunes, plains; green in spring and early summer, fading to taupe and fawn as the season wears on. The ground is broken here and there by black bearded ridges and cones, or sharp profiled mesas of red granite, or huge pines standing solitary and twisted by the winds, like sardonic old men who know a thing or two."

As a painter and not a writer it becomes my obsession to try and bring to a painting what I feel about the land. Every time I think I am creating my personal best and it will be a master piece. Each time when it is finished I wonder if I could not have done a little better here and there. Every time it is like chasing rainbows.

Art Day with The Master and Commander!

2010-08-15T14:53:00.001-07:00

An art day does not always include painting. Sometimes a good art day is simply spent in nature. My favorite activity (besides painting ) includes a nice hike on a high mountain trail. Buckley has reached an age where some activities are no longer viable. To accommodate his advancing age we took him for a kayak trip. He seemed to enjoy his commanding view. For me the water reflections, views of the basalt cliffs and the Pelicans created images to feed my soul.

We saw a bunch of Pelicans. For some reason Pelicans are both humorous and beautiful. Buckley (The Master and Commander) was captivated!

Road to Insitsu en plein air

2010-08-12T11:50:00.001-07:00

Grasses of Summer - Two Paintings

2010-08-10T10:50:00.001-07:00

Queen Anne's Lace

Layers of Catherine Creek

New Web Site and Upcoming Events

2010-08-10T08:31:00.000-07:00

I started a new Web Site. The address for the site is temporary. Give it a try and let me know what you think. I do not think the contact page works correctly at this time. I am still in the trial period and not a paying customer so some more features will be available soon.

www.dvantuyl.fineartstudioonline.com

August brings the Northwest Plein Air Competition. We will be painting at various sites up and down the Columbia River. This year will also include painting at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. I think that will be a spectacular location for painting. Here is a link to the plein air blog.

http://pleinairhoodriver.blogspot.com/

Shaded Lane en plein air

2010-08-09T06:36:00.001-07:00

Maryhill is the location of the first paved road in Washington State. Originally built by Sam Hill back in the days Model T's, it is one of those roads with blind curves and steep hills. These trees bend low over the road providing a nice respite from the blinding sun. I think there must be water here a rare thing in Eastern Washington.

Mitchell Point en plein air

2010-08-04T16:32:00.000-07:00

Mitchell Point is in the Columbia River Gorge. This point was named after a trapper way back in the days of trappers.

I want this blog to be about painting and about painting thoughts and things like that. Fortunately or unfortunately when I am gung ho painting, words do not exists. When the painting is slogging along the words come more naturally. So less words means more painting and in my view that is a good thing.........

Klickitat River Canyon

2010-08-01T14:54:00.000-07:00

Plein Air at Catherine Creek

2010-07-28T12:51:00.001-07:00

Warm Winds

2010-07-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

High over the Columbia River.

Field of Yarrow

2010-07-22T13:43:00.001-07:00

Another From the Trout Lake Art Festival

2010-07-21T11:55:00.001-07:00

Another from the day at the Trout Lake Art Festival. I started this one at the festival and it was not working for me. Brought it back and reworked it some and now I am happy.

Trout Lake Art Festival

2010-07-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Today we drove clear across the County to the Trout Lake Art Festival. We arrived early and I started scouting around for things to paint. My muse decided on this very sunny hot location and a view of the festival canopies. I argued the idea thinking that another location under some huge shade trees would be much nicer and more pleasant. I had huge doubts as this seemed to be the most difficult scene to paint. A complex arrangement of pure white canopies and a jumble of flowers? What was my muse thinking? I struggled on and half way through the scene I started thinking that maybe my muse was right. It turned into a fun little painting and so I started another one. This was a slight shift from the festival to the right with a field and these same flowers. My muse had left me by then, moved on to another and the resulting painting was a failure. But the day was good and the first painting made me happy. Listen to the muse!

What Lies Beneath

2010-07-15T16:56:00.001-07:00

Buckley Boy

2010-07-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

Dry Heat and Aspens

2010-07-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

Dry Heat

Very early in the morning this is a beautiful place to paint. Painting is done early and very quickly. The sun becomes more and more powerful until it is unbearable. Heat radiates off the basalt in waves and then the light turns flat and uninteresting. But that first early light is spectacular. I leave the house before the sun comes up and finish painting before 9:00.

Aspen

I realize I am jumping around with different themes here. First heat and then on to the cool of this aspen grove. The last time I stopped here, which was a couple of weeks ago, water filled this road so it could only be viewed from a distance. I think this is an old homestead and so a road was build through this grove. Most of the groves around here are to dense to even begin to sort out. This particular place allows for entry into the grove and room to compose and find many different ideas.

Beaver Dams and Mountain High

2010-07-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

Beaver Dams

I am fascinated by Beaver's. In the last couple of years this little river has become re-populated with Beaver's and happily all of the activity of these busy animals has opened up the river. In the past there was so much brush and trees that it was impossible to see the river. But now with several Beaver families, very busy clearing out and building dams building dams, the river has become visible.

Below is a painting from a trip to Viento State Park. This seems to be a popular fishing spot.

Mountain High

Family Outing

2010-06-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

Buckley took us on an outing today to Viento State Park. I hauled his chair and my painting gear to this sheltered beach. Buckley and I are getting the gear thing down to one trip, it is a heavy trip, but a single trek. Most doggies would not be very impressed with having a chair, but a Cavalier King Charle Spaniel is a special little dog and used to comfort. He enjoys his chair and gets lots of love and attention from all kinds of people. When I forget the chair, he is not happy and will lay down on the hard cold ground and give me stink eye. I have learned my lesson.

My Windsurfer joined us today. Buckley found this to be a little confusing. First, my Windsurfer goes down the path and then suddenly appears on the water. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (at least this one) are not fond of water. Buckley went out into the water until if reached the top of his toe nails, about a 1/2 inch or less and decided that was far enough. My Windsurfer had to wade onto shore to give Buckley the required attention that a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel expects.

A grand day!

Summer Solstice

2010-06-24T15:47:00.001-07:00

Buckley and I walked down to this location on the first day of summer.

Sunlit Lane

2010-06-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

This is a little plein air study that I completed the other day on a painting trip with the Tuesday plein air group. The painting site included a panoramic view of Mt. Hood along with layers of blue violet mountains surounding the main event. I became enchanted with this little lane and turned my back and painted the thing that drew me instead of "the big view".

The lighting of "the bit view" seemed flat as compared to the splendor of facing into the light and finding this sun filled lane with flowers blooming and birds singing.

The View

Donna Van Tuyl Fine Art

Back to Summer

The Distraction of Weather and Reworking

Where Eagle Fly

Oh Happy Day!

A Winter's Tale

Trumpeter Swans Today

Dreams of Spring

Chickadee Series

Golden Moments - Revised

Aspen Glow and the Glenwood Phase - Revised

Summer in Glenwood

The Magic of Un-ordinary Days

Happy Dog!

The Peaceful Nature of Sheep

Mosier Plateau

*Revised* Bickleton Highway - it is about the scene

The Workshop

Fire! Day Five of the Pacific Northwest Plein Air 2011

Day Three and Four of the Pacific Northwest Plein Air 2011

Day One and Two of the Pacific Northwest Plein Air Competition

Another day of Fishing People, Osprey's, a Black Lab, and a Cow

Maryhill Vineyard

Plein Air Magic

Maryhill Winery Day and New Friends

Beavers at Work

Gale Force Winds, Steelhead, and the Magic of Plein Air.......

Confluence

Celilo

Native Grasses

Plein Air Magic

New Paintings and a Link

Painting and Computer Woes

Independence Day - plein air day and Where Eagles Fly

Mosier Plateau

Wild Roses

Lupine

June Art Fest 2011 - Yakima Washington

Rowena Crest - en plein air

Yes, I have been painting.....plein air......

Aerial View

One New, two reworked

Spring

Buckley Plein Air Painting

Early Morning Shadows

Transitory Season

Queen Anne's Lace and the Epiphany

Equinox

Spring Chickens

Hidden

Photo Shoot @ Catherine Creek

Inspiration and Creativity

Day of the Eagles

Spring Creek

Flotilla

Quack Quack

Winter Willows

New Work on the Way, Quality, and a Resolution

2010 in Review

Queen Anne's Lace

Buckley's Deer

Rock

The Reality of Painting

Aspen

The Deschutes River

Junco's

Pelican Point

The Vines

Rowena and the Miners

Thank You for a Night of Basalt and Discovery

The Fun Factor !!

Falling Away on The Dalles Mountain Road

Early Morning Song

The Art of Healing

The Show Must Go On!!

Fibular Fracture Lands Donna Into Fine Fix

The War of Art or The Fallen Woman

The Fire Fight

A Flying Leap

The Foraging Squirrel and Plein Air Painting

Revised Bickleton Highway - it is about the scene