Blog

For the next 24 hours, this painting is specially priced at $135! 
After 24 hours, it will return to its retail price of $225. 75% of the proceeds will go to a wildfire relief fund.

This painting is 10" x 7". If you would like to purchase this watercolor, click here.

What a special place Mazama is in the Methow Valley of North Central Washington, especially in October. We stopped and looked at the view from the bridge, then hiked down to the edge of the water where we found two other women from our watercolor workshop. They were so smart to get down there to paint when the sunlight was glowing in the trees. I took several pictures, and I'm going to give you fair warning that I plan to paint about five more from my time there for this project. There's something about autumn that we seem to want to hold onto.

Starting in September, with the kids heading back to school, I always feel an internal shift. Cool mornings and evenings, warm days, and the feeling of needing to go to a high school football game. Anything to just be outside for a couple more months. Conservationist John Muir said "The world is big and I want to get a good look at it before it gets dark." I totally agree!

And yet, here I am in my art studio with the curtains drawn, focusing hard on the painting in front of me. I know, it doesn't make sense, but maybe this is one of those seasons that we go through. A time of drawing into oneself to find out just how far we can push. Some days there are failures, and I turn the paper over and use the back for practice. Some days, I hit my stride and I can feel the release; somehow things just flow. When I finish, I can step back and feel the excitement of knowing that this one is good. I push myself hard by studying and practicing and learning from others. I make my share of mistakes. I don't know why it is, but sometimes everything I have ever learned flies out the window and I just bumble through.

People will comment, "you are so talented," but I would say, talent has nothing to do with it. Someone asked how long it took me to paint my watercolor, "It's Nature's Way," which is hanging in an art show. Truly, it took me my whole life. Everything I have ever experienced, every place I have lived or traveled to and every person I have ever met, I pour into each painting. It isn't just about brushstrokes or bright colors. For me, being an artist, painting a watercolor is about creating a work that resonates with someone, or reminds them of a place or time. I hope to paint something that helps the viewer feel calmed by the scene in front of them. And to do that I need to feel relaxed and calm too. I want to paint from my heart so it can touch your heart. That is why I paint, and that is why I paint landscapes; to share the beautiful and the peaceful, all of nature that God has created.

I hear the children knocking on the door, looking for their Halloween treats. Gary is manning the door so he gets to see them in all their cuteness. 

Enjoy your Halloween evening, and thanks for reading. I appreciate you allowing me to share my world with you and for helping with the wildfire relief at the same time.

Sending hugs to you,

Kristi