Tag Archives: 4×4 inch

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: $40.00 Available at The Maker’s Mall, Veneta Oregon

2026, Commissioned Art, Miniature Art, Sold

Iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse Viewpoint, Lane County, Oregon

April 24, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse Viewpoint, Lane County, Oregon

For the rest of 2026, I’m centering my 4×4 paintings on the landscapes I return to often here in Lane County, Oregon. This piece captures one of those in-between moments—the pause along the drive where you have to pull over and take it all in.

Heading north on Highway 101, the central coastline delights with wide, dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean. Then, almost suddenly, Heceta Head Lighthouse appears—perched above the ocean, steady and unmistakable against the shifting sky.

It’s more than just a scenic stop. Whales pass the Oregon coast year round, with peak migration seasons being mid-December to mid-January (southbound) and late March through May (northbound). Nearly 20,000 gray whales travel south in winter, while spring brings mothers and calves north. If the light is right and the ocean is calm, you might catch a distant spout rising and disappearing back into the horizon.

I’m drawn to this spot not just for its beauty, but for that feeling of movement—of traveling through, slowing down, and noticing.

If you’d like to commission your own Heceta Head Lighthouse 4×4 painting, feel free to reach out at Donna@dvdscreations.com.

Price: SOLD $40.00

2026, Bird Study, Commissioned Art, Miniature Art

Heceta Beach, Lane County, Oregon

April 19, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Heceta Beach, Lane County, Oregon

I’ve decided to focus my 4×4 paintings for the remainder of 2026 on familiar landscapes in and around Lane County, Oregon—where I live. This beach is a favorite destination along the central Oregon coast.

When the tide is out, the rocks invite exploration. If you’re lucky, you might spot a starfish or a sea anemone tucked into the small pools of ocean water. Seagulls are always nearby, ready to swoop in and steal a bite of your lunch—they’re endlessly entertaining to watch.

It’s a place where you can play with your dog, or on windy days, fly a kite against the coastal sky.

This isn’t the first time I’ve painted this beach, and it certainly won’t be the last.

To commission your own Heceta Beach mini 4×4 painting, please reach out at Donna@dvdscreations.com.

Price: $40.00 For Sale at the Maker’s Market, Veneta OR

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

Exploring Creatively… One Art Piece at a Time