Corvallis Artist, Oregon Artist. Creating Every Day…paintings, web sites, and courses Oregon daily painter, murals and portraits. Corvallis Web Designer / Web Developer. Original abstract landscape oil paintings
Here we are, working on web sites and doing school work, from the Starbucks on 82nd in Portland. I signed up for the national annual TMobile coverage, which is fast and easy. The only problem seems to be that we can’t both be logged in at the same time. When I have time, I’ll see if they can give Maya a break, since she’s just a kid.
We’re awaiting repairs on the RV while we work. We discovered this morning that I do not have to replace the linoleum in the RV; it goes all the way under the couch! So the carpet comes out easily and cheaply. Sorry Brownie; you’ll have to pee outside now (duh).
My brother has been remodeling a Z car (he has 4 I think). It’s beautifully painted will get new upulstry (sp) today. He and Elena will be showing it at the Z show in Vancouver BC this weekend.
Maya is whipping through her schoolwork. Next week we’ll start working on the interesting stuff, like the quilt, poetry, painting, etc.
Thank you so much for the gifts Cindy, Virginia, Bekki, and Erin! And thank you to the rest of you for supporting our dream! We really enjoyed the bon voyage party; thank you for coming to give hugs!
We left for Portland after the party and a teary goodbye with Martin. Martin, thank you so much for helping out yesterday.
Right now we’re parked at Johnson RV on 82nd and Division. Repairs were to start today, but they’ll now start tomorrow because we can get the carpet ripped out and replaced now rather than later in the month. Then they’ll fix the leak on Thursday.
Apparently there is a Borders bookstore around here, as we have an internet connection with them. So I’ll see how much work I can get done while we sit here. Maya’s reading her world history book, completed two pages of her English book, starting Chapter 1 of her Math book, and will add to her blog later in the day.
We’ll walk to the park soon, as well, then park at Reuel and Elena’s for the night.
The entire design is sketched in pencil on all four walls. These lines will be obscured and drawn again as the paint covers. Short and tall plants and trees will be layered in front of the waterfall and monoliths.
Day 2
The first blocks of mid tone greens are added. At the top of the stairs a light sky is added as far as I could reach. The wires will become vines in various shades of green (unless someone moves them to a new location). Sky is added to the top sections. It’s hard to reach the top area without scaffolding. I enlisted Kyle’s help for the East side.
Day 3
More mid-tone greens are applied, as well as a bit more sky, cool rocks, and mist above the canopy. The cave begins to show in a cool blue.
Up to this point all color has been laid down with a large natural sponge, allowing transparency. At least one more layer of green and cool blues and purples will be laid down with a sponge before brushing begins. The sponge texture is currently swirls and straight wipes, which may show through the last layers to add texture and interest.
Day 4
I was craving detail, so I improved the monoliths with trees and more mist. Then added foliage to the middle and foreground on just one wall. Still need to get the ladder to finish the sky and tops of the waterfall and cave scenes.
Day 5
I refined the Day 4 foliage and added more to the foreground. I began to work on the orangutan and the tree she’s hanging in. There is much more contrast and a feeling of cool shade down below and warmth at the top near the cliff. I’m finally using masking tape to finish off edges and make less mess.
The orangutan is beginning to show herself hanging from the tree.
Day 6
The lively flowers and leaves are brightening up the foreground below the hand rail.
This is Marca (femine for Marco), named by Quincy, the youngest Levien. Her hands and feet are not done, but the face and body are. She’s got a friendly gaze.
Day 7 and 8
I’ve officially lost track of the days, so this is a guess. It took 2 or 3 days to get the bamboo and waterfall completed. And on day 11 I decided the middle waterfall needed help, so I’m revising.
The cave recedes behind the tree.
Day 9
I added giant bamboo stalks and foam to the bottom of the fall. These touches add depth. The crack in the rock where the stream falls now recedes into the distance.
Day 10
I washed this corner fern off three times and may do it again! I’m finally able to work on the other wall, now and like how the composition is holding up.
There’s an environment evolving downstairs!
Day 11
I refined the details of the right falls, middle, back, and some foreground. Played around with the left falls again to improve the middle fall.
Day 12
I added detail to the bottom right panel and began to climb the wall, so to speak, on the inside right panel.
Day 13
Now we’re getting somewhere! I’m continuing the background textures up around the right panel and adding more red flowers. It’s time for the banana trees and bird of paradise flowers. I’ve got five more days of vacation, will I run off to the beach, or stay and paint?
Day 15
I’m finally able to resume painting and am nearing completion. The high foreground is coming together and the low foreground backdrop has been laid. The atmosphere is hazy above the canopy and dark and cool underneath, amongst the birds and lizards.
Day 16
After taking at least 2 weeks off from painting, I saw the last work with new eyes. Either I’m attached to it, or it looked just fine. So I began to add birds, bugs, and lizards.
I took Hwy 34 to Waldport last weekend instead of Hwy 20. I’ve been stressed all week and was crabby getting ready, so treated myself to the slow road, which was worth all the twists and turns! Since the traffic was low, I could go my own pace and look around. The river was very peaceful in the evening light. We landed at King Silver RV and Marina, a slightly run-down place with a few perminent (alias trailer trash) residents, but the staff and neighbors were quite nice and helpful. My brother Don joined us for the rest of the weekend, just after I finished painting a landscape of the field of yellow daisies and the bright blue river. We enjoyed the beach at Seal Rock and whatever the beaches are called just south of that. We were able to keep climbing over rocks to get to the next beach. We found two dead seals; one very young and still white and the other much larger. The next day we went to the North side of the bay so I could paint the bridge and Maya and Don could walk around the village there. We ate fresh fish and chips at the Rogue Ale place on the Historic Bayfront, perused the galleries, and stopped in at Riplies Believe it or Not. The highlight was Ona Beach, which had lots of “creeks” for Maya to explore, a footbridge like Monet’s, and a misty fog that kept rolling in just under the blue sky. The beach was quite large and easy to get lost in with the mist.
That storm we weathered while at Chinook Bend put a lot of water on the slide out and consequently leaked into the celing. It’s now got an ugly water stain. Hope the warranty will fix it!
We had a wonderful time at Chinook Bend on the Siletz River, between Depoe Bay and Lincoln City. We saw eagles, red winged black birds, a wren, two families of mallards, a great blue heron, and a white bird we could not identify. The llamas came by when we were painting along the river. We met some parents and kids and enjoyed ;-) some [questionable] country music/karoke. Friends joined us on Saturday, so we ate at Mo’s and layed around on the beach.
When I return to Oregon, I’ll be sitting there again to make another attempt. Perhaps the light will be more interesting–in the previous lighting the water looked muddy. I don’t really care to paint brown. Not sure that can be helped if the water is in shade on an overcast day.
Later, in 2007, I painted another rendition with bright colors on canvasboard. This summer I hope to try again.
I was commissioned to design a logo, brochure, web site, and poster for the 2005 first annual Harvest Music Festival. In addition, the art for the promotional materials was commissioned to me and auctioned at the event.
My first experience at the The Cauthorn Home, where the event was to take place, was a photographer and artist’s paradise. I shot numerous photos on a sunny day. Each corner of the property had rich details; nothing on the property is overlooked. This painting incorporated the gazebo and lavender field seen as you drive into the main gate. I added Mary’s Peak in the background to show the regional location.
I just joined FMCA, in addition to Good Sam Club, Choice Camping, which gives me Passport America, Enjoy America and Resort Parks Int’l. I bought a commercial membership as well, which allows me to advertise on their site.
We spent a lovely, relaxed weekend at my Brother and Sister-inlaws, where we slept, ate, and ate some more. I was able to sit on the bank of Crystal Spring were it meets up with Johnson Creek and paint for an hour or so. A new father came by with his 5-day old son and decided he must have the painting of the creeks I was working on. It will be nice reminder of the joy he was feeling taking his new son for a walk in the neighborhood. The painting will hang in his newly remodelled basement where the mother-in-laws will stay while helping with the new baby.
The joy of selling a painting before it’s even finished solidifies the knowledge that I’ve made many right decisions lately. Dreams do come true, so be sure to ask yourself what you want out of life and grant permission to do it!
One of our favorite RV parks in Oregon is on the Siletz River. I think it’s called River Bend, cause the river makes a corner here.
The tide rolls in and out everyday while the llamas stroll around the pastures. They will wait your permission before passing on the trail. A pair of immature eagles can be seen from the bend; listen for their call. A heron lives next to the creek and when some of the native grasses and flowers are blooming, the butterflies are plenty.
I tried capturing the water during a hazy afternoon when we were there in June or July. After a few more tries at fixing it, I finally like it!
I drove over the water meter box today and broke the pipe. So, I get to pay a plumber to fix it! What else not to drive over…people, dogs, boards with nails, etc. Also, check your RV regularly for damage; you’d be surprised about the damage the corner of the roof of a house can do when you bump into it, or the branches of a tree. Check gutters, window casings, and the roof. Use touch up paint where you see bare metal.
Up stream from the mouth of the Alsea River are numerous RV parks with boat launching facilities. The park we stayed in for a weekend had fields of flowers blooming just outside the door. The sky was clear that weekend, hence the water was a brilliant blue as well, with just enough current to look cold and ominous.
To get to Waldport, I drove the spectaular Alsea Hwy, which had no traffic!
Friends from church have offered to let us stay on their property until we leave in August! It looks like a national park without the traffic. We’ll see how things work out.
Well, it’s happened. My cheap and easy lifestyle comes to an end next week; I’ve been evicted! The grumpy lady next door has called the city/cops to make sure I get moved. Apparently Cindy and I got wrong info from the police about lodging in an RV in a driveway. It’s not allowed and now we have the ordinance to prove it. They “inspected” the situation today and left me a citation. I have to move the RV to an acceptable lodging location by Wednesday.
It was too good to last, I guess.
What really NICE thing could I do for the neighbor to help her realize what a MEAN thing she’s done for us?
Should I let her karma takes its course or should I help it along?
Apparently it’s normal to have water pour into the house when moving the slide in after a heavy rain. Hmmm. I’m not too thrilled with this, especially if the carpet doesn’t dry quickly.
I’ll have to remember to squeegy off the top before moving.
I also see that spiders are comingin from the gaps between rubber and metal on the slide. Not sure I can fix that. Perhaps I need to apply baby oil more often to soften the rubber. I haven’t done this yet, but it may be time. We’ve had some hot days, which seems to effect all the plastics, glues, and rubbers outside.
I’ve read in forums that applying spay kitchen oil, such as Pam, or wiping dryer sheets onto the front of the rig can help make removing bugs much easier.
We’re 4 to 5 months away from leaving the car behind and hightailing it out of Oregon. Our new tandem bike is a joy to ride and I am confident it’ll be a sound replacement for the car.
I’d like to have our party at Cloverland or Starker. Starker has a large parking lot and lots of biking area. If it rains, there is a covered area. Wonder if I can plug in there?
Cloverland feels like our neighborhood, and I like the playground. The batherooms are new. There isn’t much parking if lots of people come.
I think we’ll make it a potluck instead of catered.
I’m thinking August 14 (Sun) might work. Lot’s of folks will be on vacation. Should I wait until Sept? Maybe the weekend after Labor Day? I may want to leave before that.
Here’s my list for the Service Dept at Johnson RV:
Most important:———————————————
1. Why does the gas line hang down so low under the chassi? Not sure why but it’s been fixed.
2. How do I get hot water for dishes and a shower? I think it goes like this… 15 minutes before I want a shower, turn on the LP Water Heater. This heats faster than the Electric Water heater. DO NOT RUN THE MICROWAVE WHILE THE WH IS ON or the circuit breaker will flip. Supposedly, I could take a shower after 15 minutes of heating up. But, if something comes up and I don’t get to take the shower then, I believe the temp goes down. Or will it stay warm if I switch to electric? Can I leave it on all the time?
3. The locks and keys for every cargo space. The troublesome locks have been adjusted.
4. How do I fill the fresh water tank? Nothing got labeled while in service. So I drew my own diagram. Valves are ON when parallel to the line they are on. So, if I want to fill the fresh water tank, leave the top valve pointing up. Now, if I overfill it, I guess the line leaks. At least now I can pump water, since I can’t use the shore water hose without losing gallons of water. When the tank is empty, I’ll try the hose again. If the Service tech forgot to fix it, then they can buy my gas and rental car to get it fixed!!!
5. Why is the water pump so loud? The new one still sounds like a jackhammer. Is this normal?
6. Why doesn’t the black water tank guage say full when I can see the stuff 8 inches from the toilet bowl? Must be clogged. I’ve switched to disinigrating paper and use lots more water.
7. Can we move the fuse box? Nope, but it can get strengthened and used as a step.
8. Fix the hole in the bedroom floor. Sealed now with wood and calk.
9. Fix three drawers and prepare all drawers for future driving. Tabs were adjusted and stronger brackets were added to all drawers. I vow not to use heavy glass dishes for traveling now and will resort to very unhealthy plastic baking dishes.
10. Replace the dropdown speakers above the cab bed with flat speakers.This cost me way too much and we now have very ugly black speakers that stick out just an inch rather than 5 inches. Too bad they didn’t have any to match the flat white speakers.
Maintence questions———————— 1. What’s the best cleaner for the sidewalls and roof? 2. At what pressure do the tires need to be? 3. Do I really have to check the lug nuts before every trip? 4. Can I move the spare tire over to the left? Yes. 5. Why does the sock drawer stick? Tabs need adjusting. 6. What do I do to the slide to maintain it? Baby POWDER (not oil).
New things to do————————– 1. Can we remove the big speaker under the dining seat? Nah; leave it. 2. Can we drill a hole in the side of the panels under the dining seat? Yes. Thank you. 4. Replace some light bulbs with lower wattage for reading. Order them from Jayco. Steve what’s the number? 5. Add cupboard shelf and doors beside refridgerator. What will this cost? 6. Hook up the iPod to the house speakers. Stereo King added a receiver and new CD player that handles an auxilary device. It’s working great. 8. Add mud flap on back from Camping World. 9. Add bug sheild on front from Camping World. 10. What instahot system can I install on the shower if I am unable to get enough hot water for a shower?
It’s already got that lived-in feeling, where only some of the decor matches, stuff is sprawled on every surface, and the dishes are always in the drainer. But it’s home.
As a new motorhome owner, the RV dealer gave me a free weekend at Thousand Trails in Pacific City. The location is just beautiful; a natural setting, complete with bunnies (though guests are encouraged to feed them; guess they aren’t wild anymore). The staff and guests were very friendly. I am considering a membership, though I have this feeling they like their guests to be all white meat. In all the ads, magazines, and posters I saw while there, only one had African Americans represented and I didn’t see any Asians represented. Besides the cost, this may keep me from signing up.
Dumping the tanks was no fun today. I got water all over the bathroom and runnig down into the living room. I think it’s all dried out now.
None of the valves are labeled so I am still trying to remember what’s what. The design of the water system is, imo, lousy! The pump sounds like a jackhammer, the hose to help flush the toilet is a bit too short, and unless you leave the bathroom to look at the control center, you have no idea if you’ve filled the tank.
When I was all done, I decided to fill the tank. Well, then I realized I’d filled it with “dangerous” water. Hope we don’t get sick. Not sure where the the water filter is on our rig; I see a loose one rolling around in the bathroom cabinet; am I supposed to install it or is it an extra?
I’ve been waiting for the service tech to call back for 2 days now. I’ll have to be more aggressive.
The first blocks of mid tone greens are added. At the top of the stairs a light sky is added as far as I could reach. The wires will become vines in various shades of green (unless someone moves them to a new location). Sky is added to the top sections. It’s hard to reach the top area without scaffolding. I enlisted Kyle’s help for the East side.
More mid-tone greens are applied, as well as a bit more sky, cool rocks, and mist above the canopy. The cave begins to show in a cool blue.
I’ve officially lost track of the days, so this is a guess. It took 2 or 3 days to get the bamboo and waterfall completed. And on day 11 I decided the middle waterfall needed help, so I’m revising.
There’s an environment evolving downstairs!
A new father strolled by with his newborn son while I was sitting along the edge of Johnson Creek in Portland this summer.
