This painting was inspired by a visit with college friends at our last reunion.  It is important to note, that I did not intend to make this a portrait (it does not look like her), I just wanted to capture the energy of the scene. 

The back story is that right before our college reunion, the State of NH had held a contest where you took pictures of you (and friends) with this sign while vacationing in NH and posted it on their website to enter to win a prize.  We of course we loved that idea and took photos of us with the sign all over campus. 

This painting is from a photograph of one of my friends by the bear skin rug in the lobby of the bed and breakfast we stayed in.  I have to say that I had allot of fun painting this scene and it still elicits a giggle when I look at it.

Original watercolor 16x20 with mat.

This is a painting of a friend who's always smiling and going a mile a minute.  I bet the Waif's song "Gillian" was written about her:-)   It's great to have wonderful friends (and beautiful) to inspire my paintings. 

16x20 watercolor including mat.

 This painting was selected as 1 of 4 "Paintings of the Month" by the Hood River Art club on May 26, 2016.  It was ranked number 2 out of 30 submissions.  For this honor, it will hang in the Hood River Jewelers for the months of June and July and then move to Trellis Flower and Gifts in White Salmon Washington for the months of August and September. It also hung for January-March at the Providence, Hood River Hospital, where it was purchased.

The painting was inspired by seeing a couple enjoying their wine at a wine tasting event.  The watercolor is 16x20 including the mat.