king tides

King Tides *Original Artwork by DVD ©202*6

This is the third painting in my King Tide series, created as a special commission for my friend Kathy. The figures represent Kathy and her two children, and I’m especially pleased with how they emerged. They feel more naturally integrated and in scale with the landscape than in my earlier King Tides piece, which made this painting particularly rewarding to bring to life.

This work also marks a milestone for me—it’s the most figures I’ve included in a single painting. I’m still in my “figures from behind” phase, which feels true to where I am in my artistic journey. Someday, they may turn and face the viewer, but for now, there’s something meaningful about capturing these quiet, shared moments from this perspective.

I continued my 2026 bird study here by incorporating seagulls. While I’m not yet painting them from memory, I can feel that shift getting closer with each piece. It’s exciting to notice that growth unfolding.

The wave in this painting is intentionally large, inspired by the powerful King Tides along the Oregon coast. If you’ve ever witnessed them, you know how awe-inspiring they are. I wanted this painting to honor that sense of scale and movement. While the beach itself is more imagined—something that could belong to many places along the Oregon shoreline—the lighthouse was inspired by Yaquina Lighthouse in Newport, one of Kathy’s favorites.

As I painted, I held Kathy and her children close in my thoughts. Painting often becomes a meditative space for me, and this piece was no exception. It carries with it my wishes for their joy, connection, and happiness in the years ahead. This truly was a work of the heart.

If you’re interested in a King Tide–inspired painting of your own, feel free to reach out using the contact information below.

Price: SOLD $180.00

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.