Friday, May 29, 2009



Bower

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

This little Victorian style cottage in Union has this wonderful trimmed-hedge entry. I looked up the word "bower" in the dictionary and found it can mean a leafy shelter or arbor, as well as a rustic cottage, so the title seemed appropriate.

We just returned from a week-long trip to southern California, where we proudly watched our oldest daughter Heather receive her masters degree from the University of Redlands. We also took care of some unfinished business--finally closing out the storage building we've been renting down there for the year and a half since we moved to Oregon. We hauled our stuff back in a U Haul behind my truck...whew! Doesn't it feel good when you finally tie up some nagging loose end from your past?

Sorry these posts are so sporadic, but it's going to be that way for some time. I won't bore you with the list, but this spring/summer has grown hectic, with multiple projects that all seem to need doing at the same time. I'll try to check in with a new painting as often as possible. Thanks to all of you who so faithfully (and patiently) follow my postings--it means a lot!

14 comments:

Art By Erika said...

It's definitely a big load off the shoulders when you finally get rid of storage! Congrats on your college grad, I'm sure you're so proud :)

And I just LOVE this painting! It's amazing how all your artistic fibers all got together once again just to point out how special this view appears to you. And I see exactly what you're trying to say and I agree!

Anonymous said...

I always have to look again at your work. How can such work be achieved in watercolours and so precisely? Congratulations on your daughter's graduation. And you sharing your paintings mean a lot us, and I am sure I other bloggerw would agree. r.

Lynne said...

Thank you Don for sharing so much of your life with us. This is a jewel of a painting for sure. I just want to duck under the arbor and visit a dear friend who lives in that house - of course!
I too am clearing up some major loose ends this summer, so I most definitely understand that it will feel very good indeed.
Carry on and we'll await new work of yours with high interest!

Dogs by Bri said...

Welcome back. We'll have to ride our bikes over to see you soon.

Bri-

love the Bower you painted. I'm always amazed by that hedge whenever we're in Union.

Sheila Vaughan said...

A beautiful freshness and vitality in this one Don. Sounds like a busy summer coming up for you. Hope you find lots in it to enjoy and look forward to seeing the occasional painting.

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

This painting has a great sense of place. I want to walk thru to the house.

Don Gray said...

Erika, you're very kind--thanks!

Don Gray said...

Very nice of you to say, Rahina, and thanks for the congrats to our daughter.

Don Gray said...

Thanks so much, Lynne. I've appreciated your encouragement a lot. It gets really hard to stay in the present moment if you have too many loose ends, doesn't it? good luck on tying them all up.

Don Gray said...

Hi Bri--yeah, come over when you can. Glad you like that painting--it is a pretty cool hedge, isn't it?

Don Gray said...

Thanks much, Sheila. Hope you have a great, productive summer too!

Don Gray said...

Thanks, Onpainting. That leafy gate does invite one to walk through, doesn't it?

Dean Grey said...

Don!

I love this one!

The black of the shadows in the "bower" is what makes everything pop.

So much detail in the hedges, from the tiny leaves to the bottom branches. Great job on all of that!

Congrats to your oldest daughter too!

-Dean

Don Gray said...

Thanks a lot, Dean--glad you like it.