Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween----Lenore

Lenore 16x20
(click on the image to read the text)


I wanted to paint a goth little painting for Halloween and this is what I came up with. Does anyone still read Poe?

I am going to hand out stuff to trick or treaters and then watch the full season of "Sister Wives". What could be scarier than that?

Friday, October 29, 2010

Columbia Valley Christmas

Finally, I have made myself sit down and paint!! This is for a christmas card competition at one of the galleries I show work at. I LOVE this old1938 power wagon. It belongs to a valley resident. It is beat-up and tough as nails and I would love to own it.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Columbia To-do

This is one of the first paintings I made upon arriving in the Columbia Valley. I was intrigued by all the bones I was finding while out walking my dog. And the notes are all pieces of to-do lists that kept cropping up. It was supposed to be an impression of my new life in the valley.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Luminara Lantern

Lacking any painting to post, I will post one of my old luminara lanterns. I really like these. They are easy to make. Going to a luminara event where numerous people are carrying their homemade lanterns is an illuminating event.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Dr. Facilier

My brother gave me the wonderful rhinestone skeleton for my birthday. I have dubbed him Dr. FAcilier.

The rains are coming...IMUST start painting.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Onward and Upward

First, I want to thank everyone who took time to visit the Virtual tour. Second, I want to thank an aquaintance who allowed me to scan wonderful images of her family in all their beach-going splendor. These are photos from the 1920's, one of my most favorite eras. I am brimming with painting ideas.

However, winter is closing in on the Flats very quickly and I am squeezing the most out of these brief last sunny "warm days" as I clean up the yard and pack in fire wood. Too soon it will be cold and grey outside and I can huddle by the wood furnace and paint all day.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Cloth, Paper, Scissors Spooky Studio Virtual Tour

I am so glad you stopped by. Welcome to the creative chaos that is Crazy Ravens Studio.

My art desk with my "familiar" and model Jinx.

Storage, stuff and books. This is where I experiment with all the cool techniques I find in the Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine.

Good old Mr. Thrifty has been with me a long time. He has intrigued countless children and greets them at the door on Halloween.

My studio is located next to my wood burning furnace. Very cozy in the winter.

Mabel models different costumes, keeps me company and occasionally scares me silly when I forget about her standing in the corner.

My large "wreck" room is a handy place to hang my work.

The sunny yellow color is cheering on cold winter days. Thank you for visiting and Happy Halloween. Check out the other studios at :

http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/blogs/in_the_studio_with_cate/default.aspx

And hey, Friday is my birthday!!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Last Fling


Inspired by the largest salmon return since the early 1900's, I made a fish painting.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Autumn Apple

Running around my brother's yard, I found his beautiful mottled apples. Now if I could just learn to focus the camera!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!


I live in a beautiful part of the world, but oh, how I miss the prairie skies.

Five quick things that I am thankful for:

One easy-going supportive husband that accepts me as I am.
Two beautiful, talented, outgoing daughters, that I would like to see more of (hint,hint)
A warm, dry, SAFE, place to live.
Being able to paint, physically and emotionally.
Not having to decide between new socks and bread.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Earl

I found this photo of this man quite some time ago. I feel like something terrible has happened inside that house. I call him Earl and he's not friendly. I especially like the ominous shadow. Brrrr.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Cravens cemetery -- Burnt Prairie

My brother, cousin and I found the old Cravens cemetary near Burnt Prairie. It is in a very isolated quiet spot on a hill overlooking the fields. It was buried in vines and weeds, dark and subdued.


Young Brookens Cravens, my great-great granfather's stone. It had toppled over. The inscription read: "This monument honors a soldier who fought to save the Union".



Stolid Jane, stands beside him.