Monthly Archives: February 2026

2026, Sold, Water Study

Fern Ridge Reservoir Sunrise, Veneta OR

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I’m excited to share that I’ve been given the opportunity to consign a wall in our new local collective, The Maker’s Mall, here in Veneta, OR. Being part of this creative community has inspired a new direction in my work — capturing moments on canvas that celebrate the beauty and spirit of the place we call home.

If you live in Veneta, or find yourself visiting our charming town, I hope these pieces will feel both familiar and meaningful.

One of the first locations I chose to paint is Fern Ridge Reservoir Sunrise, our local boating lake. Kayaking is one of my favorite summertime rituals. In this piece, a lone kayaker greets the sunrise — a quiet, peaceful moment that so many of us who cherish this lake can recognize.

This painting also marks a few personal firsts. It’s the first time I’ve included a dock in one of my landscapes. Perspective can be challenging, but I embraced it — and I’m especially pleased with how it anchors the composition and invites the viewer into the scene.

And then there’s the sky. I’ve shied away from bold orange sunsets, unsure of how to handle their intensity. This time, I decided to lean in. The result surprised me. The orange feels radiant rather than overpowering — and I’ve officially made peace with orange skies.

This little painting is the first of many local-inspired works I plan to display at The Maker’s Mall in the coming months. If you’re nearby, I would love for you to stop in, experience the collection in person, and perhaps take a small piece of Veneta home with you.

Below, you can see the stages this piece went through as it came to life.

Original Artwork by DVD ©2026

I used a 4 by 4 inch stretched canvas, and Golden Heavy Body acrylic paint for this piece. ‘Fern Ridge Reservoir Sunrise, Veneta OR,’ an original acrylic painting by DVD © 2026.

Price: SOLD $40.00

2026, Bird Study, Sold, Water Study

King Tides

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King Tides Original Artwork by DVD ©2026

This expanded version of Jan’s Windy Beach surprised me. Though inspired by the original, it quickly developed its own voice. The intensity of the king tides became the heart of the composition — strong, untamed, and alive.

Including multiple figures for the first time allowed me to explore movement in a new way. The sweep of their skirts carries the wind across the canvas, echoing the energy of the Pacific Northwest coast where I live. Seagulls dot the shoreline, aligning with my bird-focused theme this year and adding a quiet moment beyond the crashing waves.

At one point, the large clouds began competing with the waves for attention. I realized the true drama belonged to the ocean, so I softened and lightened the clouds considerably. That shift allowed the power of the water to remain the focus, where it felt most honest.

I’ve truly fallen in love with this piece. It feels less like a painting and more like an experience.

I used a 9 by 12 inch canvas board, and Golden Heavy Body acrylic paint for this piece. ‘King Tides,’ an original acrylic painting by DVD © 2026.

Price: SOLD $120.00

2026

Jan’s Windy Beach

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It doesn’t take much to distract me from my bird-painting goals this year. Over dinner recently, a friend mentioned how much she would love a painting of the ocean—and just like that, a new idea took root. A few days later, I found myself back in the studio, beginning the creative process once again.

Whenever I create a painting for someone, I like to spend time quietly reflecting on that person as I work. This time, Jan was on my mind. As the ocean scene began to come to life on the canvas, I felt inspired to include her in the painting itself. This is only the second time I’ve ever painted a person into one of my pieces, which made the process feel especially meaningful.

What truly sets Jan’s Windy Beach apart from my previous ocean paintings is the sense of movement. The waves feel alive, full of energy and motion in a way I haven’t captured before.

This little painting has sparked inspiration for my next project. I plan to recreate the composition on a larger 9×11 inch canvas board, expanding on the idea by adding a child and seagulls along the shoreline. I’m excited to see where this new direction leads.

Below, you can see the stages this piece went through during its creation. It is a 3×3 inch miniature on stretched canvas, and I’m looking forward to gifting it to Jan as soon as I can part with this treasure.

Original Artwork by DVD ©2026

I used a 3 by 3 inch stretched canvas, and Golden Heavy Body acrylic paint for this piece. ‘Jan’s Windy Beach,’ an original acrylic painting by DVD © 2026.

Price: Not For Sale