Coyote Crossing

Watercolor on paper, 6" x 6"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
SOLD


Okay, I didn't actually see the coyote. But I saw his tracks. That's usually the way with these elusive animals, they stay below the radar most of the time. I tried to catch that phantomlike quality in this painting.

I hope you all are enjoying the holidays. We had a snowy but uneventful drive to Portland on Christmas Eve. It was a real winter wonderland there with about two feet of snow in the city. We had a great time with our kids--lots of laughter and love--just how Christmas should be.

Breakfast

Watercolor on paper, 5" x 7"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
SOLD


This will probably be my last post until a few days after Christmas. If the weather gods permit, we'll drive to Portland Christmas Eve and spend the holiday with all three of our children--a rarity these days. Much of the drive is on I-84 along the Columbia River gorge, which recently re-opened after closure for several days due to heavy snow and wind. Another storm system is due to come in, so...we'll see.

I think we'll make it fine. Despite my "softy" years in southern California, I am an Oregon boy, after all. I've got a four wheel drive truck, tire chains, flares, flashlights, matches, blankets, gloves etc. etc. Am I forgetting anything? Oh yeah...Brenda!...and the gifts!

May this be a wonderful holiday time for you all--Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

Christmas Wreath

Watercolor on paper, 6" x 6"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
Email don@dailyartwest.com for purchase


The small town of Baker City, Oregon is about 35 miles from where we live. It's a classic western-American small town, poised at the edge of a gently rolling valley and flanked on either side by snow-capped mountain ranges. There are some lovely Victorian homes here, reflections of Baker City's heydey as a support community for the region's mines. There are also a lot of well-kept little middle-class homes like this one, probably built in the 1950's. I loved the graceful lines of this old front yard maple.

December Sun

Watercolor on paper, 5" x 7"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
SOLD


After a pretty mild fall, winter suddenly came calling. It has been cold but spectacularly beautiful. I do love how snow suddenly transforms a familiar landscape, giving it simplicity and clarity.

Baby Moccasins

Acrylic on board, 6" x 6"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
SOLD


What a gorgeous sunny day it was today, but cold enough to turn you into a popsicle if you stood still a couple minutes. I took a drive this morning and shot a few photos (from my truck window, heater on high,) then I holed up in the relative warmth of the studio for the rest of the day, painting these tiny antique mocassins. The tops are thin patent leather, fragile and cracked but still shiny black.

Open Lead

Oil on canvas, 12" x 16"
$900 unframed plus $12 shipping in U.S.
$1000 framed, plus $25 shipping in U.S.
Email me for purchase.


It's cold out there! Nighttime temperatures are dropping into the single digits, with about 6" of fluffy white stuff on the ground. It's shaping up to be a white Christmas after all.

This larger painting was done last year, but seems appropriate to post now.

Keep a log on the fire!

Little Big Man

Acrylic on board, 5" x 7"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
Email me for purchase

These little leather boots are about 3 1/2 inches long. I can almost picture the little boy who wore these long ago. He would have been strutting proudly, feeling he looked "just like dad."

I'm proud to have a page in the beautiful new Daily Painters book colour, obsession, joy and torment. Priced at $39, the 165 page book is 8" x 10" and features over 500 images by 146 artists from around the world.

Follow this link to learn more about it at Dailypainters. You can also order direct from Amazon.com or Createspace.com.

Pink Booties

Acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.

Email me for purchase

Another pair of antique baby shoes from the museum's collection. I noticed after I began painting that I had reversed the shoes. Remember doing that as a child--getting your shoes on the "wrong" feet?

Well Worn

Acrylic on board, 6" x 6"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
Email me for purchase


The toes of these little girl's leather shoes are worn completely through. I think they may have had bows on the front at one time. Any guesses on how old these are?

NEW PRINTS!

I've added a couple of new giclee prints to the print collection. Check out this line of archival, reasonably priced reproductions of some of my favorite paintings at http://dongrayprints.blogspot.com/. They are all hand-signed and titled by yours truly!

Old Baby Boots

acrylic on board, 5" x 7"
$125 plus $6 shipping
SOLD


My studio is above the county historical museum, and some of their holdings are still stored in cupboards up here. There are several shelves of old shoes from all eras, including these wonderful little child's leather boots. I'm guessing these are probably late 19th/early 20th century. I'd like to do a whole series of shoe paintings--we'll see if it materializes.

This painting and Saturday's post were done with Golden Open acrylics. I bought a sample set and am experimenting with it. The paint stays wet much longer on the palette and canvas than conventional acrylic. It takes some getting used to--I'm just learning how to handle it. The paint has a much more resinous, gooey feel, almost like honey. Still, I'm thinking I could learn to like it...time will tell. I would love to hear reactions/tips from any of you artists out there who are using it.

Twilight

Acrylic on board, 5" x 7"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
SOLD

The sun settled behind the mountains at the end of a cool and cloudless day. For a few minutes we basked in this beautiful rose and yellow afterglow.

Above 8

Acrylic on paper, 12" x 24" (approx.)
Email me for price

It's been difficult lately to get to the dailies, due to other commissions, as well as two shows opening this week. The reception for Above, my show of aerial landscapes (mentioned in the previous post) was held last night. Many old friends came and welcomed us back to the area--it was very heartwarming.

I have another regional show opening this Friday, December 5th, in the galleries at Clark and Company, 1924 Broadway St. in Baker City, OR. I'll be exhibiting about 22 works of all sizes. The show will be up throughout the month. The opening Friday evening corresponds with their First Friday Artwalk. Come on over if you're in the area.

Forgive me if this blog is starting to sound more like a bulletin board!

Up Starkey

Oil on board, 6" x 6"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
SOLD


The Starkey region consists of beautiful forested hills and canyons along the Grande Ronde River, about 20 miles from our valley. I've been coming here since I was a kid. Early in our marriage, Brenda and I even lived here for a time in a log house with outdoor plumbing--how's that for romantic!

On another subject, I have a small show of aerial landscape paintings, titled "Above," opening December 3rd at Arts East, corner of 6th and L on the campus of Eastern Oregon University.
Reception is 5:30 to 9:00 PM. If you're in the area please stop in and say hi.

PRINTS!

Please take a look at my new blog, "Don Gray Prints" to see a selection of reasonably priced Giclee prints from the daily painting project. The prints are archival pigment inks on heavyweight, acid-free art paper. Each print is hand-signed and titled in the lower margin.

To order in time for Christmas gift-giving, visit http://dongrayprints.blogspot.com/.