Category Archives: Water Study

2026, Water Study

Partly Cloudy Float at Fern Ridge Reservoir

April 25, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

This is my second painting of Fern Ridge Reservoir here in Lane County, Oregon—one of those places I find myself returning to again and again.

It captures a familiar kind of Oregon spring day: partly cloudy skies where the sun slips in and out, never staying hidden for long. Around here, a little cloud cover doesn’t keep us indoors. In fact, it’s just about perfect weather for getting out on the water.

Fern Ridge Reservoir is our local lake, and it draws all kinds—boaters, paddle boarders, kayakers—each finding their own rhythm across its wide, open surface. At roughly 9,000 acres in the summer months, it’s large enough to feel expansive, yet welcoming. Tucked into the shallows, especially among the tall grasses that rise from the water, you can still find quiet pockets where it feels like you have the whole place to yourself.

Beyond recreation, the reservoir plays an important role in the region. It was created in the 1940s as part of a flood control project, and today it also supports irrigation, wildlife habitat, and seasonal bird migrations. In fact, it’s a popular spot for birdwatchers, especially in the spring and fall.

This painting reflects that sense of calm—the slow drift of a warm afternoon, the gentle movement of water, and the way time seems to soften and stretch when you’re out there.

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

Price: $45.00 Available at The Maker’s Mall, Veneta Oregon

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, 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

2026, Sold, Water Study

Fern Ridge Reservoir Sunrise, Veneta OR

February 13, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

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.

Price: SOLD $40.00

Exploring Creatively… One Art Piece at a Time