- Art and ConservationIdaho Conservation League Artist in ResidenceThrougout 2013 and 2014, I partnered with Idaho Conservation League to create bodies of work that celebrate the diverse and beautiful landscapes of Idaho. In 2014, I was ICL's first Artist in Resident, a program that I worked with the organization to develop. 2014's project featured exhibitions in Sandpoint, Ketchum, and Boise. 25% of sales from works for these projects goes to support ICL in their efforts to "keep Idaho, Idaho." My residence with ICL took me to the White Clouds, Priest Lake, the Scotchman Peaks, the Boise Foothills, and the Owhyees as I explored the state's most vulnerable and amazing landscapes. Read more about ICL's Artist in Residence program here. Read Rachel's guest blog for ICL here.Upcoming ExhibitionsIdaho and Beyond"tinyExpanse Marin"A Plein Air Pop-up ShowHosted by Trouve51 Bolinas Road, Fairfax, CaliforniaFebruary 26th, 5-8pm
"Reductions and Elaborations"
All new paintings, and a sculptural debut!
2870 W State Street, Boise
January 13th-March 11th, 2015
Exhibit available to view during non-dining hours upon request.
"Primavera IV"
One-night only group exhibition
Beside Bardenay
612 W Grove St, Boise
May 1st, 2015 7-9pm
(participating artists TBA)
- 2015This year has kicked off with an exhibition at the Boise restaurant, State & Lemp. This body of work consists of 33 paintings and 7 sculptures created specifically for the space. All works spung originally from the inspiration of 7 "tinyExpanse" daily paintings.
![Elaboration - Lost River in Snow 48"x32" Oil and wax on linen]( "Elaboration - Lost River in Snow 48\"x32\" Oil and wax on linen")
![Elaboration - February 1st 2014 16"x16" Oil and wax on linen]( "Elaboration - February 1st 2014 16\"x16\" Oil and wax on linen")
![SOLD Elaboration - January 19th 2014, Muir Beach 30"x18" Oil and wax on linen]( "SOLD Elaboration - January 19th 2014, Muir Beach 30\"x18\" Oil and wax on linen")
![Elaboration - October 5th 2013, Gray's Peak 24"x96" Oil and wax on linen]( "Elaboration - October 5th 2013, Gray's Peak 24\"x96\" Oil and wax on linen")
![Elaboration - January 2nd 2015, Boise 24"x14" Oil and wax on linen]( "Elaboration - January 2nd 2015, Boise 24\"x14\" Oil and wax on linen")
![Elaboration - November 26th 2014, Kirkham Hotsprings 51"x35" Oil and wax on linen]( "Elaboration - November 26th 2014, Kirkham Hotsprings 51\"x35\" Oil and wax on linen")
![Elaboration - November 23rd 2013, New York City 24"x14" Oil and wax on linen]( "Elaboration - November 23rd 2013, New York City 24\"x14\" Oil and wax on linen")
![Snow Study 1 6"x6" Oil and wax on panel]( "Snow Study 1 6\"x6\" Oil and wax on panel")
![Snow Study 2 6"x6" Oil and wax on panel]( "Snow Study 2 6\"x6\" Oil and wax on panel")
![Snow Study 3 6"x6" Oil and wax on panel]( "Snow Study 3 6\"x6\" Oil and wax on panel")
![Snow Study 4 6"x6" Oil and wax on panel]( "Snow Study 4 6\"x6\" Oil and wax on panel")
![Snow Study 5_12"x12" Oil and wax on linen]( "Snow Study 5_12\"x12\" Oil and wax on linen")
![Reduction - January 2nd 2015, Snowbow 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe]( "Reduction - January 2nd 2015, Snowbow 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe")
![Reduction - November 26th 2014, Kirkham Hotsprings 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe]( "Reduction - November 26th 2014, Kirkham Hotsprings 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe")
![Reduction - October 5th 2013, Gray's Peak 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe]( "Reduction - October 5th 2013, Gray's Peak 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe")
![Reduction - February 1st 2014, Sun Valley 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe]( "Reduction - February 1st 2014, Sun Valley 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe")
![(detail) Reduction - February 1st 2014, Sun Valley 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe]( "(detail) Reduction - February 1st 2014, Sun Valley 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe")
![Reduction - December 17th 2014, Boise 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe]( "Reduction - December 17th 2014, Boise 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe")
![Reduction - January 19th 2014, Muir Beach 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe]( "Reduction - January 19th 2014, Muir Beach 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe")
![Reduction - November 23rd 2014, New York City 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe]( "Reduction - November 23rd 2014, New York City 8”x8”x5” Oil paint, wax, clay, steel pipe")
- 2014In 2014 I created many projects composed of multiple pieces, often created on consecutive days. Each painting in these works honors a specific time and place. Together, the grouping reveals the passing of time that these individual moments compile.
![tinyExpanse 365 SOLD]( "tinyExpanse 365 SOLD")
![]()
![Table Rock Glow SOLD]( "Table Rock Glow SOLD")
!["Twilight is the most elegant form of leave-taking (John O'Donohue)"]( "\"Twilight is the most elegant form of leave-taking (John O'Donohue)\"")
![Evening Stroll on Crestline Trail]( "Evening Stroll on Crestline Trail")
![Seasons of Sage - Summer SOLD]( "Seasons of Sage - Summer SOLD")
![Seasons of Sage - Fall]( "Seasons of Sage - Fall")
![Seasons of Sage - Winter]( "Seasons of Sage - Winter")
![Seasons of Sage - Spring]( "Seasons of Sage - Spring")
![Foothills Glow]( "Foothills Glow")
![Yellow - SOLD]( "Yellow - SOLD")
![Boise Foothills Summer Morning]( "Boise Foothills Summer Morning")
![Boise Foothills Autumn Splendor - SOLD]( "Boise Foothills Autumn Splendor - SOLD")
![East from Mores Mountain (Fall) 8"x10" Oil and wax on panel]( "East from Mores Mountain (Fall) 8\"x10\" Oil and wax on panel")
![Railroad Ridge 5am-11am]( "Railroad Ridge 5am-11am")
![Railroad Ridge 5am-11am (vertical orientation) SOLD]( "Railroad Ridge 5am-11am (vertical orientation) SOLD")
![Elkhorn Slopes - SOLD]( "Elkhorn Slopes - SOLD")
![Baldy - SOLD]( "Baldy - SOLD")
![Soldier Mountain - SOLD]( "Soldier Mountain - SOLD")
![Smokies - SOLD]( "Smokies - SOLD")
![Boulder Front 5am-12am SOLD]( "Boulder Front 5am-12am SOLD")
![The Boulder Front 48"x72" Oil and wax on canvas 2014 SOLD]( "The Boulder Front 48\"x72\" Oil and wax on canvas 2014 SOLD")
![Redfish Lake - July 25th, 2014 30"x48" Oil and wax on panel, 2014 SOLD]( "Redfish Lake - July 25th, 2014 30\"x48\" Oil and wax on panel, 2014 SOLD")
![Priest Lake Morning - 30"x48" Oil and wax on panel, 2014]( "Priest Lake Morning - 30\"x48\" Oil and wax on panel, 2014")
![]()
![August 22nd Sunrise Sunset - 12"x24" Oil and wax on panel, 2014]( "August 22nd Sunrise Sunset - 12\"x24\" Oil and wax on panel, 2014")
![August 23rd Sunrise Sunset - 12"x24" Oil and wax on panel, 2014]( "August 23rd Sunrise Sunset - 12\"x24\" Oil and wax on panel, 2014")
![August 24th Sunrise Sunset - 12"x24" Oil and wax on panel, 2014]( "August 24th Sunrise Sunset - 12\"x24\" Oil and wax on panel, 2014")
![August 25th Sunrise Sunset - 12"x24" Oil and wax on panel, 2014]( "August 25th Sunrise Sunset - 12\"x24\" Oil and wax on panel, 2014")
![August 26th Sunrise Sunset - 12"x24" Oil and wax on panel, 2014]( "August 26th Sunrise Sunset - 12\"x24\" Oil and wax on panel, 2014")
![Reeder Bay 5am-11am - 8"x48" Oil and wax on panel, 2014]( "Reeder Bay 5am-11am - 8\"x48\" Oil and wax on panel, 2014")
![Selkirk Crest from the top of Chair Six (Schweitzer) - 18"x24" Oil and wax on panel, 2014]( "Selkirk Crest from the top of Chair Six (Schweitzer) - 18\"x24\" Oil and wax on panel, 2014")
![Birch Trees, Morning and Evening - 6"x8" Oil and wax on copper, 2014]( "Birch Trees, Morning and Evening - 6\"x8\" Oil and wax on copper, 2014")
![Midsummer - 4"x6" Oil and wax on copper, 2014]( "Midsummer - 4\"x6\" Oil and wax on copper, 2014")
![Camas Prairie - Corral I - SOLD]( "Camas Prairie - Corral I - SOLD")
![Camas Prairie - Corral II SOLD]( "Camas Prairie - Corral II SOLD")
![Camas Prairie - Corral III SOLD]( "Camas Prairie - Corral III SOLD")
![Untitled (commission) 48"x100" Oil and wax on panel 2014]( "Untitled (commission) 48\"x100\" Oil and wax on panel 2014")
![Blossoms on Grey - Apple I SOLD]( "Blossoms on Grey - Apple I SOLD")
![Blossoms on Grey - Forsythia I SOLD]( "Blossoms on Grey - Forsythia I SOLD")
![Blossoms on Grey - Forsythia]( "Blossoms on Grey - Forsythia")
![Cusp of Spring I SOLD]( "Cusp of Spring I SOLD")
![Cusp of Spring II SOLD]( "Cusp of Spring II SOLD")
![Cusp of Spring IV SOLD]( "Cusp of Spring IV SOLD")
![Foothills Dusk SOLD]( "Foothills Dusk SOLD")
![Foothills Little I SOLD]( "Foothills Little I SOLD")
![Foothill Little II SOLD]( "Foothill Little II SOLD")
![Mount Tamalpais Glow SOLD]( "Mount Tamalpais Glow SOLD")
![Foothills Sunset SOLD]( "Foothills Sunset SOLD")
![Table Rock Northward - SOLD]( "Table Rock Northward - SOLD")
![Foothill Little IV - SOLD]( "Foothill Little IV - SOLD")
![Foothill Little III SOLD]( "Foothill Little III SOLD")
![Foothill Little VI SOLD]( "Foothill Little VI SOLD")
![John O'Donohue Series #2 "Beauty awakens under the heart some layer of forgotten brightness"]( "John O'Donohue Series #2 \"Beauty awakens under the heart some layer of forgotten brightness\"")
![Hoar Frost Triptych - SOLD]( "Hoar Frost Triptych - SOLD")
![Hoar Frost and Foothills]( "Hoar Frost and Foothills")
- 2011-2013These two years marked a return to landscape painting for me after several years working in my "kaleidoscope" style. In 2011 I focused on developing my daily painting practice with tinyExpanses - 3"x3" paintings on canvas in the Plein Air (on-site) style. These tiny paintings helped me familiarize myself with the wide variety of landscapes surrounding the Boise area. In 2012 I partnered with Boise-based environmental law firm, Advocates for the West in an exhibition focusing on vulnerable landscapes of Idaho. In 2013 I collaborated with Idaho Conservation League in a similar project. 25% of the proceeds from sales of all works from 2012 and 2013's collaborations goes back to the these partner organizations.
![First Light Touches Mindbender]( "First Light Touches Mindbender")
![Transform]( "Transform")
![Trail Creek Triptych]( "Trail Creek Triptych")
![Kirkham Quadratic]( "Kirkham Quadratic")
![Lewis Street Landscapes]( "Lewis Street Landscapes")
![Owyhee River Panorama*]( "Owyhee River Panorama*")
![First Light on Foothills*]( "First Light on Foothills*")
![Antz Basin*]( "Antz Basin*")
![Lost River in Grey and Green*]( "Lost River in Grey and Green*")
![Red Cliffs Panorama*]( "Red Cliffs Panorama*")
![Big Horn Basin Study*]( "Big Horn Basin Study*")
![Proctor*]( "Proctor*")
![Harris Ranch Winter Morning*]( "Harris Ranch Winter Morning*")
![Teton Afternoon*]( "Teton Afternoon*")
![Boise River Autumn*]( "Boise River Autumn*")
![Elkhorn Hills*]( "Elkhorn Hills*")
![Lost River Diptych with Mount Borah*]( "Lost River Diptych with Mount Borah*")
![Owyhee River Canyon Diptych*]( "Owyhee River Canyon Diptych*")
![Bighorn Basin 360*]( "Bighorn Basin 360*")
![Foothills Sunset 360]( "Foothills Sunset 360")
![Boise Foothills Winter Palette*]( "Boise Foothills Winter Palette*")
![Boise River*]( "Boise River*")
![Lost River Autumn II*]( "Lost River Autumn II*")
![Lost River Autumn*]( "Lost River Autumn*")
![Trail Creek Towards Ketchum*]( "Trail Creek Towards Ketchum*")
![Redfish Canyon*]( "Redfish Canyon*")
![Slick Rock 5"x7" Pastel on panel]( "Slick Rock 5\"x7\" Pastel on panel")
- CaliforniaThe six years I spent painting the landscapes of Marin County, California, were very influential and dear to me. I return whenever I get the chance to paint more oak trees, beaches, and rolling hills.
![West Marin Foggy Morning]( "West Marin Foggy Morning")
![Limantour Dusk I]( "Limantour Dusk I")
![Giacomini Ranch]( "Giacomini Ranch")
![Blue and Green of West Marin]( "Blue and Green of West Marin")
![West Marin in Green and Gold]( "West Marin in Green and Gold")
![Drakes Bay Evening]( "Drakes Bay Evening")
![Mount Tamalpais Spring SOLD]( "Mount Tamalpais Spring SOLD")
![Mount Tamalpais Glow]( "Mount Tamalpais Glow")
![Mount Tamalpais Sunrise with Fog SOLD]( "Mount Tamalpais Sunrise with Fog SOLD")
![Olema Twilight]( "Olema Twilight")
![Sand and Sky at Santa Maria Beach]( "Sand and Sky at Santa Maria Beach")
![Stinson SOLD]( "Stinson SOLD")
![Tamalpais Valley Morning]( "Tamalpais Valley Morning")
![The Pacific from Mount Tamalpais]( "The Pacific from Mount Tamalpais")
![Tomales Bay]( "Tomales Bay")
![Limantour Dusk III]( "Limantour Dusk III")
![Limantour Northward SOLD]( "Limantour Northward SOLD")
- tinyExpanseDaily Reminder's of Nature's VastnesstinyExpanse paintings are a daily practice of meditation and contemplation through visual journaling. These works are a reminder that beauty is available everywhere, you just have to pay attention! Each oil painting is 3"x3" or 2.5"x3.5" and is done on stretched canvas. TinyExpanses are completed on-site in the Plein Air style of painting and thus represent a direct experience from that particular day. I carry my tinyExpanse painting box with me everywhere I travel - most recently through Finland and Iceland! What freedom my little painting box affords me! One of the sweetest things someone has said about tinyExpanse: "Her ability to capture the essence of an expansive landscape on such a small canvas is like a haiku in oil." Please note that the paintings below are for examples and not all available. Visit my Etsy shop to view and purchase available inventory.
![Two sizes of tinyExpanses - 3"x3" and 2.5"x3.5"]( "Two sizes of tinyExpanses - 3\"x3\" and 2.5\"x3.5\"")
![January 13th, 2014]( "January 13th, 2014")
![October 10th, 2013]( "October 10th, 2013")
![February 1st, 2014]( "February 1st, 2014")
![November 25th, 2013]( "November 25th, 2013")
![january 17th, 2014]( "january 17th, 2014")
![December 6th, 2013]( "December 6th, 2013")
![December 28th, 2013]( "December 28th, 2013")
![December 2nd, 2013]( "December 2nd, 2013")
![December 12th, 2013]( "December 12th, 2013")
- On siteI love to rise before the sun comes up and head out with my paints in time for the first light. In the winter, I stuff a hot water bottle into my coat to keep warm. I even have a guard dog while I work - a job that Blue took upon herself and takes quite seriously. I work wet-on-wet, or "alla prima," meaning that I complete a painting in one sitting and don't go back and rework details. For me this is in harmony with my focus on immediacy - experiencing and expressing a specific moment in a specific place. Read more about my Plein Air process on my guest blog for Idaho Conservation League.In the studioWorking in the studio allows me to focus on paint itself, rather than racing to capture a composition before the light changes as Plein Air painting necessitates. This slower pace allows me to develop techniques that I can then apply when I work outside. Working in the studio is an introspective, intimate process where I am allowed the time to integrate all the imagery I am exposed when out on site.
