You can hear the Red Wing Blackbirds in the brush along the river edged field. Soon we'll all be able to abandon the fleece and down jackets, but for now, just a nice stretch of the legs along Big Valley's melting trail signals springtime.

The only remaining patches of snow are around the north side of the studio. Not exactly your typical NE Washington winter, as we here in Winthrop seem to be bypassing the traditional "mud" season and going right into dust. Some folks have threatened to wash their cars and I think one of my neighbor's started a lawn mower. Now that's March Madness!

  
Gold Country by Frank Webb                                 Rustic Reverie by Frank Webb

Plans are set, rooms reserved and its time to make reservations...
This October 11 - 14 I will be hosting Frank Webb for a 4 day watercolor workshop at the wonderful mountain top Sun Mountain Lodge & Resort near Winthrop.

I encourage those of you watercolor artists who have wanted the opportunity to study with this internationally know teacher, author and DVD instructor to reserve a place now. You can find the full workshop description by clicking this link:
Frank Webb October 2010 Workshop

When you scroll down through the testimonials, you'll read how other artists, myself included, have benefited from Frank's focused and generous instruction.

We'll take full advantage of the fall scenery as we paint both near the lodge and off site, weather permitting.
Come out of the studio and join us as we take our work to new levels.

If you have any questions after reading the workshop description, please email or give me a call.
Cheers,
Paula

We are in the Olympic spirit!  As our northern cousins in Vancouver BC are busy giving an international party for the next two weeks, this valley is celebrating winter sports February 12 - 28th by hosting the Methow Olympic Festival.

Starting with Friday night's torchlight ski parade and fireworks, you can participate in snowshoe hikes, Biathlon testing, lighted night skis, but be sure to see "Winter Cowboy" races. Check out the full events schedule at Methow Valley Sports Trail Association.

Spectators in Vancouver won't be able to spin any dog tales like you'll find at the Doggy Dash - a 6 leg ski race for the canines and their best friends on Sunday February 14 at the Winthrop Town Trailhead. Races start at 8:00 am. Costume creators and dogs have been working hard to give their best. Bring your camera.

You're not done yet! After the race, head to the Winthrop Gallery. There are two shows - Dog & Cat Photo show and the Celebration of the Methow Valley Winter. Reception is open to the public 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. See you there!

I'm guessing by the big grins on both my friends - Jan (left) and birthday girl Terry (right) that the gift of the print "Mazama Mail Run" was a big hit!
Terry grew up not far from where the painting inspiration came from; the road between Lost River
and Mazama, just 15 miles up the road from Winthrop.

I recall at the original painting's debute showing, a long time local chided me because "the mail carrier never used a truck like that". True enough, but they darn well should have!

Long live artistic license.

Each March I get hooked into watching the Academy Awards. I'm so impressed with that huge room of talent and their ability to remember thousands of script lines. People -there are days when I'm hard pressed to remember what I ate for breakfast!

February brings the announcement of which movies, actors, producers and the like are singled out. The participant always says what an honor it is "just to be nominated". I thought that was false modesty until I experienced being juried into a national show. That mental high knowing  "Till the Cows Come Home" would be included in the Kansas Watercolor Society National Exibition this fall had me doing a dance for days. Even though it wasn't going to include my purchase of a Vera Wang dress for the a trip down a red carpet, I was still pretty pumped just to be choosen.

Today, UPS delivered the painting back to me and I smiled. No, it didn't receive any blue ribbons or gold plated  Oscar-like statue to accompany it home but I'm still smiling. It REALLY WAS an honor to "just to be nominated".  And now I'd like to thank the Academy.....

 In the upper Methow Valley, Mother Nature has been most generous in providing an abundance of sun, sparkling rivers and inspirational landscapes. Her benevolence does not stop there. She also is quite lavish in her “gift” of rocks; boulders, pebbles and stones. Yep, we sure have been bestowed upon in that department! 

After years cursing those round edged rollers and giving up gardening because of them, I now have come to admire the rocks in a whole new light, thanks to fellow artists, Larry & Linda McWhirter, owners of Mountain Style Mosaics. What they do with ordinary stone is truly art.

Using found rocks and slate they create decorative, as well as functional art pieces. Each one is unique, trimmed out using old barn siding, cedar and rusted metal roofing.  My current favorite is “Mountain Sky” pictured above.  I love its night time scene and full moon. You can see more of their work online or in person at the Winthrop Gallery. Rock on McWhirters!

It's been my suspicion for years - Santa only says his favorite cookies are Gingerbread. (It must be a part of the North Pole Cookie Makers Union sponsorship.) Truth is, the hand held baked treat Santa most favors are Snickerdoodles. Leave fresh ones piled on a platter before turning in Christmas Eve and I can guarantee there will not be one single rich buttery crumb left. 

For those of you who have been a little "bad" this year, Snickerdoodles are your best bet to get on the "good" list in time.

I'm passing along my Mom's recipe for the best Snickerdoodles ever. These cookies are easy to whip up with basic ingredients and will fill your home with a delicious cinnamony aroma.

   Fern's Fantastic Snickerdoodles
   2 3/4 c. sifted flour                  1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
   2 tsp. cream of tartar               2 eggs, unbeaten
   1 tsp. baking soda                   1/2 tsp. salt                             
   1 c. soft shortening (no subsitutes)
   
   2 Tbl. granulated sugar (put into small bowl with cinnamon)
   2 tsp. cinnamon (put into small bowl with sugar listed above)
 
1.   Sift together first four ingredients
2.   With electric mixer at "cream" thoroughly mix shortening with sugar and eggs until very light and fluffy. When you pinch a little between your thumb and finger, you should feel no "grit".
3.   At low speed or "blend", beat in flour mixture until batter is doughlike; chill until easy to handle.
4.   Heat oven to 400 degrees.
5.   Form dough into walnut-size balls; roll in mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Kids love to do this part!
6.   Place 2 inches apart, on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
7   Remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire rack. And remember to save some for Santa!

Happiest of Holidays to everyone!
Paula

I thought I had experienced life in the mountains, then I visited the Lauterbrunnen valley in Switzerland. Those are SERIOUS mountains rimming the floor with sheer cliff walls rising 1000 meters. Breathtaking!
Prints of this painting are available.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. What I like best about it is the simplicity - giving thanks. (Ok, maybe it's a little about my mom's pumpkin pie.) No glitz or gifts. It is distilled into family and friends gathered for a sitdown dinner to enjoy each others company. There may be some cut throat Scrabble games, but it's all in fun.

In a year that has been smutched with the media's reporting on the economy, home foreclosures, the Bernie Madoff scandal and swine flu it's hard to find something going right. Thank you Chesley B."Sully" Sullenberger,III Hero of the Hudson for giving us something to remember and celebrate by just doing your job.

So here are the top three things on my personal gratitude list:

         
         A country home with too many deer in my yard
         Freedom to create, bringing out pieces of me that have no words
         Family that has given me a strong foundation, sense of humor & freckles
         Friends that inspire, make me laugh & know when I need wine
      
Yes that was four things and the list could go on. Care to share what tops your list of gratitude for 2009?

Uncork the champange and fill the glasses! On Sunday October 25th the world celebrates "International Artist Day". This date is also the birthday of Picasso, who as an artist of his time, brought art to the masses.

History defines its civilizations by the people and culture. Without the contributions of artists, writers and musicians we are just a generic tribe. Artists contribute to the quality of our lives. Look around you now. Almost everything you use on a daily basis had an artist root.

Here are some suggestions to celebrate IAD:
   *  Visit a gallery or artist studio.
   *  Take in a live concert or theater performance.
   *  Make a coffee or a lunch date with a local artist. Learn about their life.
   *  As a business, sponsor an artist by hosting a show in your lobby.
   *  Enroll in a weekly craft, writing, musical or art class and skip the TV for those couple of hours.
   *  Support the art programs in your school and community.