Marty Rogers "Shadows and Old Roses"

This painting was done from a tiny thumbnail sketch I did many years ago and came across while looking through my sketch books of the years I have lived in the Pacific Northwest. I was challenged to give it a try with such a small amount of information, makes a couple of changes to make the piece work, and believe it did. As a result I can see the possibilities of doing more work from old notes and sketches.

Marty Rogers

Age 74 and 3/4

"Shadows and Old Roses"

Watercolor 19 x 22 framed

February, 2009

Leslie Stadnichuk "Wisdom"

In January, I was part of a short term missions team that visited Santa Rita in Guatemala, a community built underneath a bridge and home to the very poor. We were there to assist with a building project and provide some medical help. Word got out that we were there and people came from far and near. On the third morning, I saw a young girl in the distance assisting this woman who was her grandmother down the steep slope from the street level to the church/school/feeding station where we were working. I knew I was witnessing something extraordinary.

In spite of her age (94) and circumstances, she was in perfect health and had a peace and beauty about her that is rare. She gave us permission to photograph her and although many shots were taken, this candid one seemed to best capture her grace and wisdom.

I began with much fear and trepidation, wanting to do justice to the subject. Fear was quickly replaced with excitement as this dear lady began to appear on the paper. The experience was a delight from start to finish and God willing will be the first of many portraits for me.

Leslie Stadnichuk

Age: 52

"Wisdom"

Pastel 18" x 24"

March, 2009

Gretchen Rohde "Ware Walk Pond"

This beaver pond off the White River in North Central Washington has been a favorite painting spot since my first visit there in 2001. In 2004 it was officially named Ware Walk Pond, after a local longtime resident of the area, Mary Ware, who discovered the pond in the 1940's. Mary Ware and her husband John were full time residents of the Lake Wenatchee area, John being the USFS Ranger through the 1950's until John's death in 1995. When Mary died in 2007, I made a visit to the pond and found the pond drained dry. This painting was done in June of 2009, and I was so thrilled to see all the water back in the pond ( thanks to the local beaver population).

What a perfect day to paint - the water back in Mary's pond, the sun out the birds singing and the great feeling of pushing oil paint around.

Gretchen Rohde

Age: 60

"Ware Walk Pond"

Oil on panel 12" x 9"

June, 2009