February Fumblings

Anyone else a bit confused that we’re almost to the end of February? How did that happen? I’m not sure. The snow is off the ground in most of Spokane, but out here in Deer Park, we still have a stubborn foot or so of crusty snow on all unplowed surfaces, but there is a regular dripping sound of thaw and I’ve been watching the cedar waxwings have a riot in our ash trees, eating the red, weather-worn berries, and swooping about in a mini-murmuration. The flowing, rhythmic motion is utterly fascinating. If you’d like an extraordinary example of murmuration, google- starling flock murmuration. It is incredible. I saw a huge flock doing this over the streets over Rome well over a decade ago (it was my first time seeing this phenomenon) and I’ve never forgotten it.

Speaking of birds-here’s another beloved favorite-the noble (and adorable) quail! Male quail will perch up high to keep watch over the ladies and babies. What gentlemen!

More birds! This is a painting from my Mythology/Geology series that I spoke about at the Hive. Thank you to everyone who came to the talk-it was a great success and I loved talking with you all.

This painting in particular is inspired by the rock outcroppings you find in sparse ponderosa pine forests (Seen most often by me in the Dishman Hills, but also in the Bowl and Pitcher Area) and the Sunburst Light at the Fox Theater, whose large Art Deco panels reminded me of basalt columns. I’m pleased to say that this piece already has a new home on the walls of a dedicated nature and Fox Theater lover!

Here’s some studies of turkeys from my sketchbook. Turkeys may look mostly black/grey (especially females) but there’s actually quite a bit of color there if you look.

Doing a small study of the whole scene to figure out placement of the figures.

Another sketchbook study from the large train painting I had on display during my talk at the Hive. This painting was inspired by seeing a train racing along on the tracks as I was driving home around sunset. To me, it seemed like the train was pulling evening along behind it.

As for this, I was cleaning my flat files to accommodate a newly acquired set (a lucky find that my husband spotted for me), when I found this painting I did years ago tucked in a drawer in a pile of collages! It seemed to fit well with the series I am working on now and I was delighted to rediscover it and wanted to share it with you.

Spring classes have all been submitted and I’m waiting for the catalog to go online for the Corbin Art Center and Parks and Rec. I’ve listed all of my classes under the event tab on my website and my next email to you all will be my whole spring selection of classes. There’s been a lot of requests for urban sketching/plein air painting so that is on the docket for late spring/summer and I hope you’ll be able to come paint with me!

Spokane Summer Heyday!

We’re in the heyday of summer here at the Perkins’s household! I’m trying to make the most of it.

Strawberry picking up at Green Bluff. I picked a total of around 36 lbs in June to eat fresh and to make fruit leather that I treasure in the winter (if it makes it that long!).

Doing some house cleaning and assessing things found in the back of the closet.

Enjoying a rainy summer day, painting some salmon berry leaves photographed in Priest Lake in a sketchbook.

Plenty of Plein Air sketching with my Garland Sketchcrawl classes at the Spokane Art School.

Demonstrating how trick it is to draw the Garland Theater sign at last week’s class, haha!

Playing with a colored pencil with a multi-colored lead (orange, blue, green, yellow) and drawing an interesting intersection of buildings downtown by the Parkade.

Completed this painting last night ask the sun went down behind the trees to the west of a volunteer sunflower in the rocks by the edge of the deck. Did this sitting on my deck, barefoot, listening to cricket buzzing and the sound of the neighbor’s goat. Peak summer joy! What have you been up to this summer?