2026, Forest, Miniature Art, Water Study

Gently Down the Stream mini

February 26, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Please welcome the fifth 4×4 painting in my 2026 collection of mini treasures. This little gem will be living at The Maker’s Mall in Veneta, Oregon, until it finds its forever home.

This piece was inspired by my larger 9×12 painting, Gently Down the Stream. I was so captivated by the original I felt compelled to explore it again—this time on a much smaller scale. There’s something magical about discovering that a scene can hold just as much presence and emotion in miniature. I’m truly delighted with how this one turned out.

The setting could be almost anywhere in western Oregon. It isn’t modeled after one specific river, but rather represents the mountain streams that wind through both the Cascade and Coastal ranges. It’s not uncommon here to stumble upon a quiet stretch of water where a family of ducks drifts peacefully beneath evergreen trees, mountains rising softly in the distance.

This painting flowed from me with surprising ease. Perhaps because this landscape feels like home. I can almost hear the water moving over stones and feel the stillness that settles in when you pause long enough to listen. I especially love how the magenta tones in the mountains echo the wildflowers near the stream, creating a gentle harmony across the canvas. The river’s subtle reflections bring the whole scene together in a way that feels calm and alive at the same time.

The most challenging—and slightly nerve-wracking—part was the ducks. I’ve committed 2026 to studying birds in nature, and every time I add them to a painting, I feel both excited and unsure. They stretch me. My hope is that by the end of the year, birds will feel as natural to paint as trees and rivers do now. This little mama duck and her ducklings feel like a sweet step forward on that journey.

My hope is that this landscape brings its new owner a deep sense of peace and tranquility. Life moves quickly. The river reminds us to slow down. Step outside. Listen. Enjoy nature while we can.

Price: For Sale at The Maker’s Mall, Veneta OR

2026, Forest, Miniature Art, Sold, Water Study

Newport, Oregon; v2

February 25, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Please welcome another 4×4 painting in my 2026 collection of mini treasures. This little gem will be living at The Maker’s Mall in Veneta, Oregon until it finds its forever home.

This piece was inspired by my deep love of the ocean. One of my favorite Oregon coastal towns is Newport, though truly, breathtaking views of the Pacific can be found all along our western border.

Oregon is home to eleven historic lighthouses, and in Newport you’ll find the iconic Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Completed in 1873, it remains the tallest lighthouse in the state. There’s something about a lighthouse that feels both grounding and hopeful, and I love the quiet strength lighthouses bring to my coastal artwork.

With each ocean painting, I grow more comfortable capturing the rhythm of the Pacific—the shifting highlights, the shadows within the waves, the subtle changes in color that create depth and movement. At the same time, I never want to lose that sense of whimsy… which is why a few gulls have made their way onto the beach.

The most unexpected gift in this piece was the sky. I have never painted clouds quite like these before. There is a movement between the sky and the sea that feels alive to me—almost as if they are in conversation. It has quickly become one of my favorites in the 2026 collection.

My hope is that this little ocean scene carries a piece of Oregon’s coastal beauty into its new home, bringing with it a sense of calm, wonder, and possibility.

Price: SOLD $50.00

2026, Forest

Pacific Northwest Waterfalls

February 23, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Please welcome the fourth 4×4 painting in my 2026 collection. This little piece will be living at The Maker’s Mall in Veneta, Oregon, until it finds its forever home.

This painting is my tribute to the many breathtaking waterfalls scattered across our beautiful state of Oregon. We are so fortunate to have places like Silver Falls State Park, where forested trails lead you from one cascade to another—including the magical experience of walking behind a waterfall. I can sit and watch falling water for hours, mesmerized by both its power and its rhythm. It’s no surprise that waterfalls continue to find their way into my work.

This piece feels especially unique to me because it holds two falls within such a small space. I’ve been focusing intentionally on composition lately, and I’m pleased with how this scene unfolded. It feels balanced and alive. Staying true to my 2026 goal of working with birds, I added a lone duck resting in the lower pool. He feels completely present—unhurried and content. If I close my eyes, I can imagine myself sitting on those sun-warmed rocks in the lower right corner, brush in hand, painting the majestic view before me.

One of the challenges in this painting was creating depth. I’m learning how color temperature and value shifts help move elements back in space. I’m especially delighted that the distant rocky mountains truly feel far away, allowing the foreground to breathe and the waterfalls to shine.

My hope is that you can get lost in this tiny landscape the way I do.

This is the fourth in a growing collection of locally inspired works I’ll be sharing at The Maker’s Mall in the coming months. Perhaps it will carry a bit of Oregon’s wild beauty into someone’s everyday life.

Price: Fore Sale at The Maker’s Mall, Veneta OR

2026, Whimsical

Mystical Forest

February 18, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Please welcome the next 4×4 painting in my 2026 collection. This little piece will be living at The Maker’s Mall in Veneta, Oregon, until it finds its forever home.

For this painting, I returned to the forest path I love so dearly. There’s something about that winding trail that keeps calling me back. I brought along the familiar wishing well and, this time, added a hidden spiral portal tucked among the trees. While these elements may feel like they belong in a fairytale, I truly believe our Oregon forests hold a quiet magic of their own — the kind that gently eases the stress of everyday life.

The spiral portal represents change and growth. It’s an invitation to step forward, even when the path feels mysterious. The small child walking the trail is a reminder to hold tightly to the wonder of our inner child — to stay curious, open, and willing to believe in something just beyond what we can see. And the cottontail rabbit has made another appearance. She was first spotted in Forest Bunny in 2025, and apparently she isn’t finished guiding us just yet.

This piece carries more detail than Forest Bunny, especially with the addition of the child. In fact, this is only the third time I’ve attempted a human figure. Each time feels like a quiet act of bravery. One day, I may even turn my characters around so we can see their faces. For now, I love the mystery of walking alongside them rather than looking directly at them.

I also added soft rays of sunlight filtering through the trees. They partially veil the portal, inviting you to pause and look twice. I enjoy that subtle concealment — it mirrors how magic often works in real life. It doesn’t shout. It whispers.

I’m certain I’ll wander this forest path again in another variation. Who knows what we might discover as we travel deeper into the trees?

This little painting is the third in a growing collection of locally inspired works I plan to share at The Maker’s Mall in the coming months. I’m excited to see where this path — both on canvas and in life — leads next.

Price: For Sale at The Maker’s Mall, Veneta OR

2026, Water Study, Whimsical

Ladybug Magic

February 15, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

My second 4×4-inch painting is complete. Lately, I’ve been painting with extra intention as I prepare for the opening of The Maker’s Mall in Veneta, Oregon, where I’ve secured my very first vendor booth. Watching this new chapter take shape feels both exhilarating and deeply affirming.

For this piece, I returned to my ladybug series for inspiration, creating a smaller version of a familiar and beloved scene. There’s something about this composition that feels especially serene to me. The greens are calming, the flowers inviting, and the still water carries a quiet sense of safety.

I was genuinely delighted with how this version came together. I included the mystical floating bubbles once again. Their soft presence adds another layer of calm and wonder. Where are they coming from? Where are they drifting to? What do bubbles have to do with ladybugs? Absolutely nothing — except that they are two of my favorite things to paint. Sometimes that is reason enough.

This piece also became a thoughtful study in reflection. Painting reflections can be deceptively challenging. You aren’t just painting a flower — you’re painting a flower transformed by water, softened and turned upside down. I’ve found that physically turning my canvas upside down helps me see the reflection more clearly and paint it more convincingly.

This little work is the second in a growing collection of locally inspired pieces I plan to display at The Maker’s Mall in the coming months. In Veneta, the appearance of ladybugs feels like a gentle announcement of spring — a promise that summer is just around the corner.

Price: For Sale at The Maker’s Mall, Veneta OR

DVD's Creations

Monthly Archives: February 2026

Gently Down the Stream mini

Newport, Oregon; v2

Pacific Northwest Waterfalls

Mystical Forest

Ladybug Magic

Exploring Creatively… One Art Piece at a Time