A Journey to Oregon’s Carnivorous Plants

A Journey to Oregon’s Carnivorous Plants

I finally decided to get serious in my search for Oregon’s cobra lily, Darlingtonia californica. I have been looking for specimens in local nurseries for several years to no avail. So where to start my search? Well…Facebook of course! I found group of dedicated, talented and generous carnivorous plants lovers and as soon as I […]

Garry Oak Meadow–Mid-April (2)

Garry Oak Meadow–Mid-April (2)

The Camassia are peaking a little early this year because of the recent warm weather. The meadow stretches out blue into the distance, with swathes of pink rosy plectritis and dots of yellow buttercups and lomatium. Tiny native bees and big fuzzy bumblebees seem frenzied as they go from blossom to blossom. The meadow has […]

Wildflowers and a Gray Card in the Wallowas

Wildflowers and a Gray Card in the Wallowas

I recently spent a week in what is locally called “the Wallowas”, a pristine mountainous region in the uppermost northeast corner of Oregon far from any population centers, traffic and noise.  Because of the high elevation, wildflowers peak in mid-summer when the weather is sunny and mild rather than during our rainy, cold spring here […]

The Primaries: Oregon Grape

The Primaries: Oregon Grape

Pigments Used For those of you who are interested, the pigments I used were primary colors as well. I added a few dabs of other pigments here and there but the basics were my brightest yellows for the blossoms, Hansa Yellow Medium, Winsor Yellow, Winsor Lemon with Gamboge for the shadows. The leaves were Hansa […]

A Wild Rose, Rosa nutkana

A Wild Rose, Rosa nutkana

Something catches your eye and you just have to take your chances with it…that’s how it was on a bleak winter day when I was walking across a field of dried grasses. The dense cloud cover made everything look even greyer than it would have otherwise appeared. But I noticed something glowing red in the […]