Deb Sterk, A daily painter

Finding the Deep Hole

2011-04-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

Underwater salmon in a series I'v been working on. I concentrated on the light coming through the water-it reaches down in rays of refracted light.

Working My Way

2011-04-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

Another in a series.

Working Upstream

2011-04-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

Was in love with the bright colors of the spawning salmon. Using the compliments red and green. Problem solving involved getting the look of the underwater reflections. Using my imagination-what fun.

Melting Snow

2011-01-31T15:53:00.000-08:00

Last of my winter excercises. In the Olympics snow dosen't last long and the air is heavy with moisture.

Olympics

2011-01-31T15:51:00.000-08:00

I see this mountain out my studio window every day. Am I lucky or what!

Winter Road

2011-01-31T15:45:00.000-08:00

I did a series of winter scenes. Actually it was an exercise in painting snow. Difficult, as the values are so close. Of course, I forget to not copy value for value but edit, edit, edit to make a well read composition.

Gotta Go

2011-01-04T17:59:00.000-08:00

I wanted to play with composition and point of view in this one. Also used the compliment blue in the shadow.

Milkweed

2011-01-04T17:56:00.001-08:00

Another attempt using only burnt sienna and white. I think I like it better. Feels more like fall.

Milkweed Pod

2011-01-04T17:53:00.000-08:00

Thought I would try painting this milkweed pod I found. Challenging to get the transparency and downy texture of the milkweed seeds.

Baby Blue

2011-01-04T17:51:00.000-08:00

Baby bird with an attitude.

Don't Talk To Me

2011-01-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

I usually hate "cute", but sometimes....what the heck.

Whats Up

2011-01-04T09:34:00.000-08:00

Some cute pictures I found in my grab bag of photos. Something fun to paint.

Last Piece

2010-11-26T20:17:00.000-08:00

The last piece of cheesecake everyone is to polite to eat.

Nothing Left

2010-11-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

Another little chickadee trying to find some seeds left from a dried out weed head.

Fast Food

2010-11-26T20:11:00.000-08:00

I grew a patch of sunflowers this fall and left a few standing. Of course the chickadee's and common wrens are making a banquet out of the sunflower heads.

Nuthatcher

2010-11-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

Cold and snowy today so I dug into my box of images.

Hanging Out

2010-11-26T20:06:00.000-08:00

A pair of gulls.

Lilies

2010-08-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

I tried once again to get the effect I was after, and got a little closer this time. Still not happy with the results. My biggest fault I think is not slowing down. I rush right in and want to get everything down NOW. Something to work on.

Day Lilies

2010-08-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

Some day lilies I thought would be interesting to paint. The thin washes of color got covered up with thicker paint so I lost visual dept. When you paint thicker paint over a wash it gives the illusion of dept. A visual trick you might say.

Dirty Paint

2010-08-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd have a little fun. At the end of a day painting I decided to paint my dirty palette.

What's Up

2010-07-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

Love painting this white ceramic pig. Had him up on my still life shelf next to a blue cup. Tucked in there so no dramatic lighting-which is a tool I'm studying.

Yellow Petunias

2010-07-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

Another quick painting of flowers. Yellow petunias(not my favorite color to paint).

Hollyhocks

2010-07-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

Really getting into painting flowers. Love getting into the colors. You don't get this intense or varied hues painting landscapes.

Spring Blooms

2010-07-25T12:08:00.000-07:00

Some spring blooms on my apple tree. Loved the contrast between the "light family" and "dark family". For readability you have to keep them seperate I'm learning.

Little Pig

2010-07-07T11:37:00.001-07:00

I took the same white object and put it under a cool light bulb. The difference was so dramatic..wow. This was time well spent and fun painting something whimsical for a change. I need to have more fun!

Little Pig

2010-07-07T11:33:00.000-07:00

An exercise I wanted to try without investing to much time. This was a white object with a warm bulb illuminating it. Amazing. The colors were sooooo warm on it.

Tea Pot

2010-07-07T11:31:00.001-07:00

Having a difficult day painting so I grabbed this tea pot and did it in black and white. A simple exercise that made me feel like a wasn't a total talentless hack. You have those days.

Abandoned Car

2010-07-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

An old car I came across. The element I found interesting was the colors in the patina. I'd like to have another go at it as I think I could do a better job showing its age.

Castcading Water Falls

2010-07-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

A water fall that I came across while picture hunting in the Olympics. Not much in the way of variety of color(my bad) but design wise I thought it was interesting.

This and That

2010-07-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

Stack of still life props I have. Once again in the waning daylight hours. I tried to concentrate on edges and getting color in the darks.

Glads

2010-07-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

It was toward evening and I loved the shapes of color these glads made. No highlights, just shapes of grey color. Lovely

Fallen Tree

2010-06-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

I came across this old fallen tree among spring wild flowers. Beautiful day to be out picture hunting.

Back Up

2010-06-21T07:23:00.000-07:00

I came across this small abandoned irrigation dam. What I was trying to capture was the colors in the waters bottom. Hmmm....don't think I quite got it.

Razor Clam Digger

2010-05-04T21:14:00.000-07:00

I did a quick study of this clam digger a few years back. Thought I'd paint it again with more detail and control.

Lazy Summer

2010-05-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

Slow running creek in southern Wisconsin. Hot, buggy, no shade, but I did persevere. Some days its a test to get the painting done.

Fall Hunting Shack

2010-05-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

Came across this hunting shack while painting in Idaho. Beautiful sienna and ocre colors at the end of fall.

Yellow Irises

2010-05-04T20:54:00.000-07:00

Some yellow irises that bloomed in my backyard. I had fun laying the paint on thick. Oil paint is such a joy to play with.

On the Run

2010-01-31T17:23:00.002-08:00

Tried to get the feel of movement.

Summer Nasturtiums

2010-01-31T17:23:00.001-08:00

Sticking Together

2010-01-31T17:19:00.000-08:00

A small group of chickens. Safety in numbers.

Laying Pair

2010-01-31T17:15:00.000-08:00

We buy our eggs from a local source, so when I went to pick them up I snapped a few pictures.

Barn Door

2010-01-31T17:14:00.000-08:00

Apple Bloosms

2010-01-31T17:10:00.000-08:00

Nasturtiums

2010-01-31T17:07:00.000-08:00

Tired of winter so I dug out pictures I took this summer of flowers. Summer nasturtiums.

Breakfast Eggs

2009-12-26T18:56:00.000-08:00

How interesting. The most wonderful thing about being a artist is noticing things most people just pass over. Who looks at a cracked egg before it goes into an omlet?...no one but an artist.

Vase of Roses

2009-12-26T18:54:00.000-08:00

I painted these roses this summer outside under a tree. It changes the temperature of the colors dramatically.

Red Roses and Hosta

2009-12-26T18:50:00.000-08:00

Tried using different temperatures of the red hue. Hosta is to yellow but tomorrow is another day.

Pink

2009-12-26T18:48:00.000-08:00

Another study in creating depth. I've tried to use both thin washes of color and thicker passages of paint.

Columbine

2009-12-26T18:45:00.000-08:00

Some deep pink columbine that grows against my fence. I never bother with them and they come up every year.

Hot Peppers

2009-12-26T18:42:00.000-08:00

Different variety of peppers. Some yellow hues lean toward green and others toward yellow orange. Lots of interesting transitions.

Peppers

2009-12-26T18:39:00.000-08:00

Peppers on the vine. Lots of fun with color.

Lunch

2009-10-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

Painting of a little donkey I came upon in Eastern Washington. He was cruising the fence line grabbing the good stuff.

Sunset San Juan Islands

2009-10-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Painting says it all. Sunset on the San Juan Islands.

Three Amigos'

2009-10-18T10:06:00.001-07:00

Sisters

2009-10-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

Sunset

2009-10-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

Painting of a sunset over the Pacific. Emphasis on the reflective color under the clouds.

Peppers

2009-10-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Quick study of peppers. Concentrating on values and transition of color in pepers.

Red Roses and Vase

2009-10-14T09:24:00.000-07:00

Another little painting of roses with vase. Not even close to being dramatic like previous post. I think I like dramatic.

Flower Pots

2009-10-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

The light was the subject here.

Red Roses

2009-10-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

Another painting of roses.

Red Roses in Vase

2009-10-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

I love this painting for some reason. I think its the value contrast that I'm attracted to.

Day Lily and Sunflower

2009-10-14T09:09:00.000-07:00

Another little painting of a day lily and sunflower. Once again yellow is my nemesis. The shadows always look green to me???

Stack of Plums

2009-10-05T15:36:00.000-07:00

I love to paint plums with the blue grey "plum dust" on them. So much fun.

Red Rose

2009-10-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

Burr.....cold outside today so up to the studio for a quick sketch of a rose. I'll thumb through my photos and work on a painting inside today.

Yellow Day Lily

2009-10-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Yuck,fall is here and it starts raining in Washington from October through April. So....up in the studio painting flowers. Yellow day lily today.

Farmland

2009-09-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

Little painting with emphasis on atmospheric perspective. Yellow is the first color to disappear as things recede so everything has to be cooled as you go further back. The picture doesn't show the graduation as well as the original painting. Maybe I'll have to exagerate the recession.

Plein Air study

2009-09-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

Another painting done at the "Plein Air US Open" on Whidbey Island, WA.

Plein Air study

2009-09-25T07:03:00.000-07:00

Another painting done at the "Plein Air US Open" on Whidbey Island, WA.

Plein Air study

2009-09-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

I've been attending quite a few plein air events this summer which explains the lack of posts. They're a lot of work as we camp, and by "we" I mean my husband and dog "Mocha". I don't know if these events are for me as I'd rather concentrate on being a better painter than an entertainer. Anyway, here is a study I did at the "Plein Air US Open" on Whidbey Island, WA.

Plein Air study

2009-09-17T17:42:00.000-07:00

Small study with emphasis on values.

Neighbors Backyard

2009-09-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

I spent the last week on Whidbey Island at the "Plein Air Painters US Open"(cheezy I know). Had a great time and what a learning experience. This is the first painting since coming back.

Plein Air Study

2009-08-31T13:51:00.000-07:00

Painting along the Dungeness river today. About two months of good weather left.

Shed

2009-08-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

Interesting shed. Full of textures.

Charlie

2009-08-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Here he is again. Emphasis on texture.

Charlie

2009-08-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

Little donkey of a friend. Shaggy, dirty, happy little fellow.

plein air study

2009-07-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

I'm practicing painting rocks. Its hard to get a rock to look like a rock if you know what I mean. Most beginning artist make them look like potatoes. You have to keep the edges crisp and be mindful of the angles.

Wind Blown

2009-07-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

Study of a coastal fir tree.

Yellow Onions

2009-07-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

Quick study of onions. I read if you practice a skill right before bedtime you learn faster. Giving it a try with some quickies.

Koi Pond

2009-07-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

Another painting of the local Koi Pond. A little more developed composition wise. Trying not to make them to sweet looking.

Clay Pot

2009-07-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

A little something on my patio.

Lily Bulbs

2009-07-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

Another painting from the lily pond. These were all floating under a tree so no sharp edges or bright spots of light.

Lily

2009-07-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

I've got a huge lily pond in my town so you will just have to bear with me.

Visitor

2009-07-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

Little frog sitting on a lily pad. Sometimes silly things are a refreshing change.

Boat Reflections

2009-07-01T23:32:00.000-07:00

The center of interest is the reflections from the sailboat. I tried to concentrate my highest color and value contrast there.

Water Lily

2009-06-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

Another water lily. It's not so much a painting of a "water lily" as a study in reflections and light.

Central Oregon

2009-06-08T21:57:00.000-07:00

Drove through central Oregon last week to paint in Modoc National Forest, California. Beautiful country with huge vistas, sun, and blue green sage. Loved it.

Red Peonies

2009-06-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

Red peonies from the neighbors yard. First paint them, then pick them!

Yellow Yarrow

2009-06-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

Yellow yarrow growing on the side of an abondoned cabin. Beautiful day to be out painting. How lucky I was to be there at that particular time, to see the light dancing on the yarrow. Thats the joy of plein air painting.

Yellow Iris

2009-05-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

Yellow iris from an arrangement. I have a hard time painting yellow for some reason, and this little iris didn't get enough contrast between the front and back petals. It looks flat to me. Practice, practice, and more practice.

2009-05-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

I had some cadium reds out on my palett so I decided to paint these Koi fish. Fun

Reflections

2009-05-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

Pond lilies at the local park. Interesting study of reflections and transparency.

Still Life

2009-05-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

Cold and rainy today so a quick still life will get the creative juices going. Painted another picture but photo turned out blurry. Maybe some sun tomorrow and I'll try again.

Road To Nowhere

2009-04-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

Out on the outskirts of town catching the sun setting. Yes there were bugs!

Sunset Central New Mexico

2009-04-20T20:06:00.000-07:00

Wonderful colors as the sun sets. Sunset skies look viridian to me out there. Love it.

Machine Shed

2009-04-19T16:57:00.000-07:00

Interesting little painting done on a painting trip to Winthrop. WA. Timing was just perfect as the weather was warm and the fields were full of delicate yellow flowers.

"Spring Plow" detail

2009-04-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

Detail of the painting, "Spring Plow".

Spring Plow

2009-04-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

Plowing up a field with the Olympics in the background.

Green Apples

2009-03-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

Vase of Flowers

2009-03-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

Trying something different. A different perspective and dramatic lighting.

Salsa Time

2009-02-18T20:10:00.000-08:00

Had to paint these tomatoes before making salsa.