Heidrich Girls Surfing

© Pam Van Londen 2010, Heidrich Girls Surfing, oil on claybord, 8x8 NFS © Pam Van Londen 2010, Heidrich Girls Surfing, 8×8 oil on claybord

To complete a set of beach pictures for the Heidrich Family.

Happy Birthday Chef Elena

© Pam Van Londen 2009 Chef Elena 24x18x1.5 in acrylic on gallery-edged canvasNFS © Pam Van Londen 2009 Chef Elena 24x18x1.5 in acrylic on gallery-edged canvas

I adore my sister-in-law, Elena Mark, not just for her cooking, but for her heart, head, and higher self. I’ve had many good times in her kitchen watching her multi-task the making of magic (like a perfect gravy) while consoling me, and directing family traffic.

This piece is finally done–2 years later than when I started! Or has it been 3? Almost in time for Elena’s 50-yr birthday!

Thank you for the surf lesson

© Pam Van Londen 2010,  Randy Heidrich Sur?ng, oil on claybord,  8x8
SOLD © Pam Van Londen 2010, Randy Heidrich Surfing, 8×8 oil on claybord

Thank you for the surf lesson, Randy. Now you can hang this painting in the TV room next to the other two. We really enjoyed our family surfing lesson and hope to join you again next summer. Some of my family are getting new wet suits for Christmas!

Is Cape Kiwanda the best place for a lesson or should we try Beverly Beach?

Commission for charity auction

© Pam Van Londen 2010 "The Kite Flyers" acrylic on 18x14-inch gallery-edged canvas.
© Pam Van Londen 2010 "The Kite Flyers" acrylic on 18x14-inch gallery-edged canvas.

Josephine County’s CASA program asked me to paint something with a heart to donate to their fundraiser auction. I put two kids in a field with a heart-shaped kite and used as few brush strokes as possible (to keep from over working it) to render an abstracted scene in acrylic.

This piece will be part of the “Hearts and Heroes” art exhibit and auction to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center and CASA program in Josephine County, OR, which starts April 1, 2010. April is National Child Abuse and Awareness month. Each piece to be exhibited includes a heart.

All work will be auctioned May 7, 2010 at a benefit dinner. One-hundred percent of the money raised goes towards Child Abuse Advocacy in Josephine County, Oregon.

Oooh, such a pretty baby!

© Pam Van Londen 2009,  Portrait of Kenneth Tatum Jr, oil on clayboard,  8x8x1
NFS © Pam Van Londen 2010.  Oil on 8×8 archival clay panelframed in ready-to-hang black laquered wood.

Meet Kenneth, a new baby of my cousin Naomi and her hubby Kenny Sr. It is a great joy to paint a new being.

When the face and its personality finally emerge with the last brushstroke, something special is revealed to the painter. I call it magic because I don’t have a better word for it yet.

Different Strokes Challenge
annual portrait painting

© Pam Van Londen 2009,  Portrait of an Artist 2009, oil on clayboard,  8x8x1

Purchase this painting via PayPal's secure payment system
$64 © Pam Van Londen 2009, Portrait of an Artist 2009, 8x8x1 on oil on claybord

2009’s annual portrait challenge for the Different Strokes from Different Folks project is done and being highlighted on Karin Jurick’s YouTube channel. The portrait I painted is of Violetta Smith from Canada.

Junior Stars of Basketball

© Pam Van Londen 2009, Junior Stars of Basketball 3: 45 checks 33, acrylic on gallery-edged canvas, 16x20x1

Purchase this painting via PayPal's secure payment system
$320 © Pam Van Londen 2009, Junior Stars of Basketball 3: 45 checks 33, 16x20x1 on acrylic on gallery-edged canvas

Whoo hoo! It’s basketball season. This one of #45 is third in a series. I hope to do each player on the Future Spartans team before the end of the season. See last season’s paintings: She Flies (With A Ball In Her Hand) and Junior Stars.

Coast Fun 2 from Taft.

© Pam Van Londen 2009, Coast Fun 2, oil on gessobord, 8x8x1 SOLD © Pam Van Londen 2009, Coast Fun 2, 8x8x1 on oil on gessobord

I sketched this painting months ago after a trip to Taft, Oregon. I have several in this series and will paint many more over the years.

People watching provides endless entertainment at the beach. In general, everyone and their dogs are happily running/walking/catching.

Red-winged Blackbirds
add a splash of color

© Pam Van Londen 2009, Ring Wing Blackbird 1, oil on gessobord, 8x8x1
SOLD © Pam Van Londen 2009, Ring-winged Blackbird 1, 8x8x1 on oil on gessobord

For years I’ve wanted to paint birds, so I’m holding off on other series until I get a few painted.

Here is a red-wing blackbird, which we saw at the Minto-Brown Island Park in Salem.

Painting Progressions…fun to watch.

Sometimes I take photos of paintings as I’m painting them. See how three paintings looked at each major step.

If you are like me, you like to watch others paint. I will eventually have a video of me painting from beginning to end with time-lapse or perhaps narration. That seems like a big job but might be fun one day.

Waiting for the Wave

© Pam Van Londen 2009, Waiting for the Wave 1, oil on claybord, 8x8x1
SOLD © Pam Van Londen 2009, Waiting for the Wave 1, 8x8x1 on oil on claybord

These two kids enjoyed skimming the waves two summers ago. I guess I’m feeling a bit sad that summer is over again. We do have such great adventures then.

Painting a wonderful memory helps it last. Consider commissioning a painting of your favorite memory. An original painting can stay in the family through many generations, adding to the family history and leaving an impression for your descendants to enjoy.

Me and Mini Me

© Pam Van Londen 2009. Self Portrait 2009 Me and Mini Me. Oil on 8x8 claybord
© Pam Van Londen 2009. Self Portrait 2009 Me and Mini Me. Oil on 8x8 claybord

Here is me and my granddaughter having a great time at the duck pond.

I smile bigger when she’s around…such a delightful kido.

Challenge: Songwriter 2

© Pam Van Londen 2009, Songwriter 2, 12x12x2 on oil
SOLD © Pam Van Londen 2009, Songwriter 2, oil on 12x12x2 gallery-edged canvas.

I set up a weekly challenge for other Oregon Daily Painters a few weeks ago.

My assignments are quite hard for me; so far I have challenged myself to paint with one color in a specific style. Last week I couldn’t do the style as I wanted and this week I could not stick to one color!

As long as what I end up with is enjoyable to look at, it doesn’t matter. However, I am determined to loosen up and paint in other styles to stretch my imagination. Practice!

Man resting in NYC

© Pam Van Londen 2009, Man Resting in NYC, 8x8x1 on oil on claybord

Purchase this painting via PayPal's secure payment system
$64 © Pam Van Londen 2009, Man Resting in NYC, 8x8x1 on oil on claybord

Today’s image is for the Different Strokes project. I’ve placed the original figure in New York overlooking the Hudson (I think), which gives him something to gaze at.

I enjoyed working with a limited palette. I used cobalt blue, yellow ochre, alizerin crimson, and white with just a touch of turquoise. The scheme is much more subtle than I normally work with. My usual green and purple are missing….I like it!

Weekly challenge for Oregon Daily Painters

The Songwriter © Pam Van Londen 2009 oil on 9x12 gessoboard.
The Songwriter © Pam Van Londen 2009 oil on 9x12 gessoboard.

Today, the Oregon Daily Painters web site officially opens for business. If you are an Oregon painter creating work every day, join the group!

In addition, daily painters in Oregon can participate in weekly challenges where I assign a mode of expression, color scheme, and subject. Members of the group can upload their own challenges to the site, along with their regular daily offerings.

To join the group, fill in the Subscribe field or contact me.

Lake Michigan Rower

© Pam Van Londen 2009, Lake Michigan Rower, oil on 8x8-inch archival Claybord panel. Unframed.

Purchase this painting via PayPal's secure payment system
$50 © Pam Van Londen 2009, Lake Michigan Rower, oil on 8×8-inch archival Claybord panel. Unframed.

This week’s challenge for the Different Strokes from Different Strokes project was a fun change of pace for me. I haven’t painted a boat since high school.

Several lighthouses adorn the Lake Michigan shore; I picked this one because of the lovely red roofs.

Who knows the name of the lighthouse?

Diana Sculpture challenge

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Diana Sculpture 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard SOLD © Pam Van Londen 2008 Diana Sculpture 8x8x1 in oil on claybord

I broke the rules this week for the Different Strokes Challenge. I wasn’t interested in painting the entire sculpture; too much detail. I prefer a closer crop. The subject is of a marble sculpture of one of the goddess Diana’s companions, a nymph and her hound.

First I painted a transparent background with thinned oil paint, then used the brush to block in the lightest values of the sculpture. Then added in the darkest values. Then I worked the middle value. To add more depth, I went back to each value with thicker paint and hue variation. I chose not to pencil in the figure…just not in the mood!

If I remember that the subject is a set of light and dark planes, then I am not intimidated by the details and subject likeness to the point where I must painstakingly draw it first.

Joy at the beach

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Joy at the Beach 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard
SOLD! © Pam Van Londen 2008 Joy at the Beach 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard

Can’t get to the beach this week? A painting of the beach might help while you’re waiting.

I have a few hundred more like this planned.

Send me a photo of your family playing on the beach if you want one for your living room or office.

This painting was completed for the Different Strokes from Different Strokes project.

Mannikins and Wigs

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Mannikins and Wigs 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard Purchase this painting via PayPal's secure payment system$64 © Pam Van Londen 2008 Mannikins and Wigs 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard

When the term ends, I look forward to painting every day again. Due to the amount of scoring (and number of basketball games my daughter has lately), I am unable to paint more than a day or two per week.

I was able to squeeze in my bi-weekly assignment for Different Strokes today. I could spend more time with it, but the spontaneous look it has appeals to me.

She flies with a ball in her hand

© Pam Van Londen 2008 She Flies 20x16x1 in acrylic on gallery-edged canvas Purchase this painting via PayPal's secure payment system$320 © Pam Van Londen 2008 She Flies 20x16x1 in acrylic on gallery-edged canvas

I’m watching a lot of girls basketball lately and marvel at how the girls can fly, dive, roll, jump, etc. They have no fear and take jabs with almost no tears.

How the new generation is evolved!

This piece will be hung in the Oregon State University’s Memorial Union later this month for a show, “She Flies with her Own Wings,” sponsored by the Women’s Center on campus.

The show runs January 30 to February 23. The public reception is February 4 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

Hurrah for Title IX!

Junior Stars of Basketball
cheers to our health

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Junior Stars of Basketball 1 20x16x1 in acrylic on gallery-edged canvas Purchase this painting via PayPal's secure payment system
$320 © Pam Van Londen 2008 Junior Stars of Basketball 1 20x16x1 in acrylic on gallery-edged canvas

Not only am I enjoying watching some great middle-school basketball, but I’m painting the player, too. The looseness with which I can allow myself to work is helping ease the stress of starting a new term of teaching.

I have forgotten that when I’m feeling tired, lazy, and depressed (because I’m tired and lazy), that painting will completely change my mindset and make me smile, have energy, and change my outlook on life. It is a great accomplishment to not only create something but to improve myself in the process.

Portrait of an artist

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Portrait of Brian Kowalski, Artist 8x8x1 in oil on canvasboardSOLD © Pam Van Londen 2008 Portrait of Brian Kowalski, Artist 8x8x1 in oil on canvasboard

This gentleman is Brian Kowalski, an artist. He has painted a portrait of me and I of him. See both together at the Different Strokes project blog.

For this painting I focused on color and shape instead of personality…since I had no background information with which to take artistic license. I learned about him after the work was done. He resides in Canada where he paints and farms.

“very very cool. great job pam” ~ Karin Jurick.

If you are interested in original portraits in oil or acrylic, let me know. They are quite fun to paint!

Shadow play

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Shadows on the Sidewalk 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard SOLD © Pam Van Londen 2008 Shadows on the Sidewalk 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard

This week’s Different Strokes project is about shadows. For me it is also about the color and texture of shadows. I used a “funny brush” to get the textures; boy was that fun!

I’ll have to pull out more shadow photos from my bank and make a few more paintings like this.

One of my favorite shadow painters is Linda Apple.

This one’s for you, Obama family

NFS © Pam Van Londen Nov 1, 2008 NFS © Pam Van Londen Nov 1, 2008. 8×8 Oil on clayboard.

The Obama campaign has been encouraging the making of art works all year. What campaign has ever done that? We all need inspiring and Obama provides that to many of us.

In addition, the Different Strokes project is inspiring. Here is my assignment for the week.

This painting is a gift to the Obama family. If you’d like a print, please order online at ImageKind.

Husky in Sante Fe

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Maya and a Husky.   Oil on 8x8-inch archival Claybord panel. Unframed. Purchase frame separately. Purchase this painting via PayPal's secure payment system$50 © Pam Van Londen 2008 Maya and a Husky. Oil on 8×8-inch archival Claybord panel. Unframed. Purchase frame separately.

I’m not sure how this husky in Sante Fe can stay cool in the summer; perhaps this shady porch does the trick.

We happened upon her when there in 2006 and had to cuddle up for a minute. She hardly noticed Maya as she sat down. I suspect she had something more interesting in her sites…perhaps a small critter.

Reuel and his Datsun 240z

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Reuel and his Datsun 240z 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard NFS © Pam Van Londen 2008 Reuel and his Datsun 240z 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard

My brother, Reuel Mark, is president of the Z club in Portland.
He adores his 240z, here, so I had to paint them together.
He also loves his 280z, which I’ll work on later this year.

Need a car portrait? Write me and send a photo.

Merry Christmas, Reuel.

Different Strokes Alabama Cow

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Alabama Cow 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard SOLD © Pam Van Londen 2008 Alabama Cow 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard

This week’s Different Strokes assignment is Bessy the Cow, from Alabama. She’s my first cow and probably not my last now that I’ve tried it.

I typically don’t paint animals (except my dog; who seems to be in every photo) because I don’t see them as thought provoking.

But any self-respecting artist would realize that it’s our job to make the subject matter thought provoking. I know now I can paint a cow, so the remaining challenge is to make it interesting with something to say.

Maya and Claire surfing

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Maya and Claire Surfing 8x8x1 in oil pastel on clayboardSOLD © Pam Van Londen 2008 Maya and Claire Surfing 8x8x1 in oil pastel on clayboard

Because the kids enjoyed being in the water so much during our vacation in August, I had a lot of time to paint and take hundreds of pictures.

The kids were freezing but obsessed with catching waves. I caught them shivering here along with a teal wave.

This painting is created with oil pastels. This new brand is almost creamy and not at all like a chalk or Crayola crayon. They work well on gessoboard and clayboard. And they are easy to paint with while on the road.

Willamette River again

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Maya Piloting the Willamette 8x8x1 in oil on gessoboard Purchase this painting via PayPal's secure payment system$50 © Pam Van Londen 2008 Maya Piloting the Willamette , oil on 8×8-inch archival Gessobord panel. Unframed.

Sticking with my plan to paint only pictures with people in them has been a challenge. So I combed through my photos again to see who I could find.

Of course my daughter loves to have her picture taken so I found a good one of her piloting a boat with Rich Brainard on the Willamette River, Oregon.

We enjoyed that trip so much. I will have to arrange another one next year!

Cloud Gate and granddaughter

© Pam Van Londen 2008 Cloud Gate 1 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard NFS © Pam Van Londen 2008 Cloud Gate 1 8x8x1 in oil on clayboard

For week 5’s Different Strokes project, we are using the Cloud Gate “bean” sculpture in Chicago. I added a bit of fun with another granddaughter image since she’s on my mind all the time! She is the essence of cuteness.

I am not happy with clayboard for portraits; it is hard to blend even if I add walnut oil (all I have on hand).