Tag Archives: Pacific Northwest

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: $45.00 For Sale at the Maker’s Market, Veneta OR

2026, Miniature Art

Oregon Sunset Kiss

April 13, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Oregon Sunset Kiss

I’m continuing my series of 4×4 paintings for my Maker’s Mall collection, and this piece began with a memory I hold close to my heart.

In the summer of 2011, when Ryan and I were still dating, we went on a camping trip with my sister and her kids to one of our family’s favorite spots—Cottage Grove Lake. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, my sister captured a photo that would later become the inspiration for this painting.

What drew me in most was our silhouette—the way we naturally leaned into each other, forming a heart shape without even realizing it. Recreating that moment on such a small canvas felt incredibly meaningful, and I’m especially happy with how that connection came through.

The sky gave me room to play. The clouds became loose and expressive, full of movement and color, echoing the warmth of that evening. Painting them was pure joy.

Even at just 4×4 inches, this piece holds a big feeling. Every time I look at it, I’m taken back to that quiet, golden moment—and it fills me with the same warm, fuzzy feeling I felt then.

Price: $45.00. Available at the Maker’s Mall in Veneta, Oregon

2026, Bird Study

Laurel’s Retreat Take 2

April 9, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Laurel’s Retreat – Take 2

I often return to the same idea or image, painting it again and again. After enjoying the first version so much, I felt drawn back to reimagine my childhood beach.

This time, I began with a focus on color—specifically orange and purple. Purple has always been my favorite, while orange has long been a color I struggled to connect with. With this piece, I set out to make peace with it—and I feel like I finally have.

What emerged is a more expressive, light-filled interpretation, shaped by warm shades of orange. The waves carry greater movement, the sky glows with a deeper warmth, and the reflection of the setting sun dances across the water in a way I hadn’t quite captured before.

This painting feels like a step forward—not only in technique, but in my relationship with color.

The dune grass returns as well, adding texture and grounding the shoreline. And of course, my little bunny remains—quietly tucked into the grasses, watching the tide roll in. Along the Oregon coast, it’s not uncommon to catch a glimpse of wild rabbits.

This painting is deeply rooted in memory. It was inspired by a beach my mother took me to as a child, once known as Devil’s Elbow, now called Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint. It is a place filled with both joy and reflection—a place where we later returned her ashes to the ocean. It remains a sacred and cherished part of my family’s story.

My mother, Laurel, loved the beach—for its quiet, its beauty, and the time we spent there together. With this second version, Laurel’s Retreat captures the numerous sunsets my family has enjoyed on this beach. Always breathtaking, and I leave in awe of our beautiful planet.

This piece is not just a painting of a place, but of connection, remembrance, and the gentle rhythm of return.

Price: $140.00

2026, Bird Study, Whimsical

Laurel’s Retreat

March 30, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

This painting took time to find its way into the world. It began as just another ocean scene, but slowly transformed into something much more personal—a tribute to my mother, Laurel.

The first canvas for this idea now sits tucked away in my closet. I resisted the urge to take scissors to it, choosing instead to set it aside for another day. What you see here is canvas number two. I often talk about the painting I want to create and the painting that wants to be created. There’s a delicate balance between the two. I set out to paint a realistic ocean, but a more whimsical version insisted on emerging. What resulted is a piece that lives somewhere between those worlds—and I’m truly happy with the dance between them.

I’m especially excited about my progress with seagulls. This year, I’ve set a goal to focus on birds, working toward painting common species from memory. This piece gave me a wonderful opportunity to practice that intention.

Another new element for me is the dune grass. This is the first time I’ve included it in a beach painting, and I love the texture and movement it brings. And of course, there’s my little bunny—quietly watching the surf and the seagulls. Here in Oregon, if you’re lucky, you might spot families of wild rabbits along the coast. They’re always a delightful surprise.

This painting is also deeply rooted in memory. It was inspired by a beach my mother took me to as a child, once known as Devil’s Elbow. In 1998, it was renamed Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint. It’s not only a place of childhood joy, but also where we returned her ashes to the ocean. It remains a cherished place for my family.

My mother, Laurel, loved the beach—both for its peaceful solitude and the memories made there together. It feels only fitting that this piece, Laurel’s Retreat, honors that connection.

Price: TBA

Exploring Creatively… One Art Piece at a Time