“Battle Ground” doesn’t sound very enchanting, but the clouds that hover over this community are consistently gorgeous. One evening in January as I dropped my daughters off for basketball practice I had to wander the parking lot, relishing the beautiful sky.  And I took photos, one which became the base for this painting.

I chose a ballet studio in Washougal for my daughters’ lessons just so I could enjoy driving along the Columbia River.  Washougal is the gateway to The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and is rural and rugged in contrast to the city in which I live.  I feel transformed each time I drive out there!

This painting began as a photo I took last fall.  The trees stood bare with dry grass beneath, but in my mind  their gifts of glorious, golden and tangerine leaves covered the ground. So, a little paint, a little ink and, voila! Autumn vibrance!

It had been raining for months.  I love the rain, but once the sun has disappeared for months and months dreariness does set in.  As I drove out to Washougal there was a lovely half hour sun break!  I revelled, I basked, I took pictures! However, by the time I printed my photo and began to paint, the sun had gone away again – therefore the dark and stormy mood.

One of the first joys I experienced when moving to the Pacific Northwest from California was the snow!  A dream come true!  So enthralled was I that I transformed non-snow images (as this one was) into snowy wonderlands.

My favorite coffee shop has this beautifully creative table:  wood and glass. So delightful for gazing while sipping my tea which inspired the title “meditation.”

Funny thing happened one afternoon when my husband and I dropped our daughters off in Portland for their French lesson.  Looking for a coffee shop, we walked the neighborhood and found this cozy spot.  But once inside, we realized it was actually a wine bar – a 1960’s iconic tavern!  Goose Hollow Inn offered us the most serendipitous hour and a half. Do you see the goose?

Snow in my very own backyard inspired much photo taking.  I’m not sure I’ve seen this exacty bunny, but I thought he completed my painting.