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Back at it
We traveled through 13 states and 5,000 miles.
Minnesota 
Napa 
San Antonio del Mar 
Tijuana estuary 
New Mexico 
Mesa Verde 
Border Fence MX 
Mesa Verde I painted only twice
Los Carneros 
Pacific Sunset But I have a number of photo references.
The title photo is from the Mexican side of the border at Tijuana.
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Up close
The vine was the focus here.
Close vines, distant hills. It is easy to get lost in details. It’s also easy to get lost in all the greens. As any painter what they think about greens in the landscape. I prefer to mix mine.
On the easel Here is the result.
Vines Up Close I hope to try this in harvest season with mature grapes and colored foliage.
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Elmaro June 20
Sunday was pleasant but mostly overcast. I wanted a view of Brady’s Bluff and Mt. Trempealeau from the vineyard.
A start It was as a passerby heckled, “Are you sure you have enough green?” He was joking, I think.
The sky only vaguely suggested blue with small cumulus clouds.
In the end it needed some ink and color splashes.
If you paid attention, I did paint this from the other side during Artists Along the Trail.
Refuge view So, Monet had his haystacks and I have green hills.
The painting at Elmaro and the art show end on Sunday, June 28 with a reception with the artists.
I’m thinking of this view.
Vines and hills I hope you stop by and say hello.
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Lupinus perennis
The Wild Blue Lupine is a native plant that emerges from disturbed land. That is why it appeared so prominently at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge in an area that was burned
Field of Lupine Several painters were drawn to them. I took a few pictures.
Close view My friend, Mary Lou Ferguson, told me about a butterfly that is attached to the lupines, and requires them to feed on.
aka Lycaeides Melissa samuelis The butterfly is endangered for a variety of reasons, including fire suppression and development.
So I decided to join the crowd.
Symbiosis Do you see the butterfly?
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Portrait
Artesa studio at the Rivoli Arts District hosts a weekly portrait session, one pose, three hours.
I came with Mi Tientes drawing paper and pastel pencils. I find that I can sneak into proportions easier with pencil work.
Working I found the paper a bit too textured to get even shading. Next time I’ll try acrylic paints or watercolor.
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Market Day
Sunday, June 7 at Elmaro Vineyard.
I did this little ink and wash in the shade of a tree.
Market Day The market and artists are here every Sunday in June. The Crush Pad gallery is open also
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Artists Along the Trail
It was foggy after an overnight thunderstorm.
Kiep’s Island But within a short time the sun was out.
So the challenge changes from fog and slowly drying paint to the opposite.
I decided to turn the other way and paint Trempealeau Mountain.
Trempealeau Mountain By then the water plants were blooming
We had 19 artists at the Refuge and the day was a success.
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Crush Pad 2026
12 artists who are participating in Artists Along the Trail will be displaying works this month, June 5 to 28 at Elmaro Vineyard.
My works The Plein Air event is Saturday, June 6 starting at 7am at Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge.
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Artists Along the Trail 2026
Starting this weekend! Watch for updates.
Observation Deck -
Sketchbook
I finished a sketch book yesterday. They are nice for all those drawings and paintings that are studies or just playing around.
Port Orchard Shore Bird At the Y there is a sign indicating special days, like Dad Joke Day. Wednesday it was Draw a Bird Day. I thought of my photo file of birds. This is the original image.
We were visiting family in my home town on the Puget Sound. There is a lot more wildlife there now since when I left home in the 1970s. It is a credit to the environmental movement that the herons are back, along with eagles.
In the old days the ships at the Naval Shipyard used to dump waste overboard. I remember warnings not to eat the fish caught in the bay, especially bottom feeders.
If we forget these things and fall back to our old ways, our feathered friends will not stay.
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Two Book Reflections 