Rattlesnake Mountain at Golden Hour (sold)

"Rattlesnake Mountain at Golden Hour" 8x8 oil on board, © Laura Gable, SOLD

As the Autumn day was fading towards evening these lovely peach tones appeared on the horizon and flooded the land with it's luminescence. I was privy to be there painting this scene, and added the golden tones before they faded away. The air was brisk with a slight chill - perfect and lovely Autumn weather. A fabulous afternoon spent painting with a dear friend, was a welcome reprieve from a taxing day.

Pleased to have sold this painting while it was on display at the Anelare Winery in Benton City. A beautiful place to sip wine and enjoy artwork. Visit when you can.

Clouds Overhead (sold)

"Clouds Overhead" 8x8 oil on board, ©Laura Gable SOLD

I've been doing quite a bit of plein air painting this year. I set out around late December in 2014 resolving to complete at least 2-3 paintings a week. I didn't go so far as to require one per day, because I know what that does to me and my creative psyche. So during the cooler, less colorful months, it was interesting to see what colors I could see in these sueded hillsides and the surrounding toned trees and brush. This was painted from an overlook near the Columbia River where the Yakima River merges into this expansive waterway. The largest mountains in our area are treeless. An odd claim to fame, but even Wikipedia acknowledges that fact regarding this Rattlesnake Mountain.

Rattlesnake Mountain (Native American name Lalíik meaning "land above the water") is a 3,527 ft (1,060 m) windswept treeless sub-alpine ridge overlooking the Hanford nuclear site. Parts of the western slope are privately owned ranchland, while the eastern slope is under the federal protection of the Arid Lands Ecology Reserve, a unit of the Hanford Reach National Monument, managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Rattlesnake Mountain is often described as the tallest treeless mountain in the world, but this claim appears to be without foundation.^[2] The highest winds recorded on Rattlesnake were around 150 mph (241 kilometers per hour).[3]

Just yesterday winds up on Rattlesnake were clocked over 100 mph. Glad I wasn't up there with an easel. ;-)

Sage Bouquets

"Sage Bouquets" 5x7 oil on board, ©Laura Gable

Living in eastern Washington, we are surrounded by rolling hills complete with clumps of sagebrush. The tones of the hillsides swing towards lavenders and gold at times. This little bouquet was begging to be painted.

After the Rains (sold)

"After the Rains"
12"x12" oil on board, ©Laura Gable
SOLD

Welcome back to my blog. This is a painting I recently did in the studio. Most times my camera is with me, and I was thrilled to capture this lovely scene off Wheat Road in Kennewick, after the storms blew through in the springtime. Our horizons are mostly soft rolling hills of sage, rabbit brush and cheat grass. I love the way the clouds and their energetic movement seem to contrast with the rolling landscape. And of course, who doesn't love the orange and blue contrast. I'm pleased that this painting is heading to nearby Yakima for exhibit in the 59th Central Washington Artists' Exhibition at the Larson Gallery. It will be on display there for a month.

I painted this on an Ampersand Aquaboard (intended for watercolor). When I prepped the board with a thin wash of oil paint mixed with medium, it made for a lovely surface for oil paint--with enough tooth to catch the paint and yet still allow blending. Hope you enjoy this painting.

Coming Home (sold)

"Coming Home" 20x24 oil painting on canvas, ©Laura Gable

I painted this a few years back when I was doing a nesting series. During that time, I had discovered a sweet, private new studio, where I was starting to feather the floors and walls with things that meant a great deal to me -- ephemera, rugs, easels, art and supplies. A lovely heart centered place where I still create. The painting, though it has some apparent inaccuracies, captures a certain feeling deep within the brush strokes. For me it hits a note in the heart -- something not always easy to logically recreate in other paintings.

Don't we often go to places in this world that somehow resonate on a deeper level with us. As though we've been there before--a sense of deja' vu? Our heart strings are stirred by something immeasurable… like the sound of bird call combined with the color of the sky and rustle of the nearby grasses. That kernel of something sweet and light, that just hearkens back to happy times spent with loved ones, family and friends.

One time I gazed with tears in my eyes, at an artist's pastel rendition of soft golden wheat fields under a deep blue sky. Another time I stood in awe at Cezanne's series of small "bathers" paintings, and I was overcome. These feelings can be mysterious, noting the sublime aspect of art.

I'm pleased to send this piece off to a wonderful new home, owned by the new local hospital. My heart is happy.

On another note, I heard recently that my college art teacher, Mr. Dillon, has passed. The last time I saw him, he was hanging art in the lobby of the office building where I worked as an auditor in Lincoln, NE. I know, a far diversion from the current path I am on. He encouraged me to continue with art, but I followed those more practical pathways. Does "practicality" really translate to "fear"? Reluctantly, I wish I had reconnected with this favorite teacher of mine once I had returned to art--wondering if he would remember me? Alas, a bit late now. Ah but my heart does recall his kindness, clarity of teaching, and unflagging support. A very special person, indeed.

Distant View

"Distant View" 8.5" x 2.5" oil on panel, ©Laura Gable

Abstraction of land with hills alive with deep red tones, a distant mountain peeks out from behind.

(This is the painting featured in my masthead on this blog.)

Mischievous

"Mischievous" 6x6 oil painting on board, ©Laura Gable (not for sale)

In honor of Father's Day a few days ago, I thought I would repost this painting I did of my Dad a few years ago. He is now 84 years young, and very active and healthy. He and my mom are quite the world travelers, and recently came back from a trip to Paris and the wine region of France last year. Astonishingly, they went to the little cafe that Van Gogh painted -- luminous golds and yellows in the outdoor cafe, against the deep blues of the night sky. It is in Arles and quite the tourist destination. Ah, a dream of mine to go there.

This study was based on a photo of my Dad. He had a mischievous look on his face, as a small kitten had curled up and fallen asleep in the crook of his arm. I've been hankering to do another companion piece of my mom, so will see if I have some good source material to do that soon. 

Metamorphosis

She emerges eternal from the cocoon of the past, not knowing that she was fully bound by these constraints. Her glorious wings unfurl and a new found joy bursts forth as she rises above the turmoil of her past. The updrafts of wisdom and insight carry her to new and glorious heights she never knew were possible. Truth and clarity are her new companions.

"Metamorphosis" 12x24, oil on canvas

These insightful paintings are so much fun. Enjoying the painting process, and play of colors across the canvas - no rules, no firm preconceived direction. Just a focus on flow and movement. What experiences have you had with these sorts of "liminal" pieces of artwork you have created?