Rock Creek, Hillsboro OR, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W inches.

Weathered Trees, Netarts Bay OR, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper.
Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish.

Autumn Glow, Wilson River Hwy OR, mossy trees at the Footbridge Trailhead – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W inches.

Crescent City Shoreline, CA – view from Preston Island parking area, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish.

Blackberries, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish. With gardening and travel being summer distractions, this has been on my drawing board for many weeks. I’m actually looking forward to cooler weather so that drawing will again be a priority.

Viper’s Bugloss – Echium vulgare – beside Highway 15 near Franktown, ON  – this is the second version, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. The earlier version done in 2010 was probably my first success with soft pastels. I didn’t try them again until last year.

So cheerful and beautiful with pink buds and blue-violet flowers along tall stems, it’s tempting to pick them for wildflower bouquets, but the plant has tiny spines along the stem and leaves that are very irritating to the skin, so are best enjoyed left where they are, growing en masse in summer fields beside the highways in eastern Ontario.

I was curious about the name… according to the Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism edited by Michael Stuart (c. 1979, 1987 ISBN 0-9999-48911), they were formerly one of the most respected plants used for the treatment of viper’s snake bite venom.

Rock Creek, Rood Bridge Park. Hillsboro OR, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper.

Born in China on June 3rd, our 2nd grandson Paul-Marie – a name that honors his French-Canadian heritage, and Jiahua, his Chinese. He looks like a sweet little cherub! Jiahua is pronounced “ja (soft j) kwua (drag the k).

Day Lilies, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. After 5 days of chasing an unsuccessful forest piece, I ripped it up, broke free of the frustration and had some fun with a new subject, colors and a completely different style. Art: no rules! This is my answer to “if you’re not enjoying it, why are you still working on it?”

Stony Swamp, Ottawa ON, Canada – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 90 lb WC paper. Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish.