This large painting has been on my easel for some time. I tried working on it while I was recovering from 7 broken ribs and a shattered collarbone, but since the injuries were on my right side, I found it challenging to even lift my brush. By September, I was feeling more like my old self and summer was hanging on so my buddy Mark and I rode down to Lincoln City on the Oregon coast, then across the Cascades to just north of Bend where we turned north on 97 to The Dalles, on the big river, then back home; a real nice 3 day motorcycle trip. I was a little apprehensive climbing back on that bike but I felt it was necessary to confront the fear. I do ride a little slower now and more cautious. Nancy and I also drove up the Mountain Loop road out of Darrington in a driving rain for a camping trip on the Sauk river. While we were there we drove to Barlow Pass and from there hiked in to the now abandoned town of Monte Christo. It was fascinating seeing the relics of this once thriving town high up in the North Cascades. It was home to five hotels, several saloons, churches, a school and all the trappings of civilization in the late 19th century. The lure was gold, the mines and town were financed by J.D.Rockefeller and Trump’s grandfather was involved as a land speculator. So this painting is a typical forest scene while hiking in the North Cascades on a sunlit day. The painting is not yet complete; I’ll be back in the studio this week for the final finishing touches.
This year I was pleasantly surprised when I got the phone call from Bellingham Alive magazine that I had won silver in their Best of the Northwest Readers choice awards. As a studio artist we spend much of our time toiling in solitude, so public recognition and validation is a big boost, plus they throw a great party at the Bellweather for all the winners–so thank you for any of you who may have voted for me. Bellingham is a very art centric, culturally rich town crawling with talent in all the arts, so to receive the public nod is pretty great.
The Morgan Block Artist Studios and Galleries has been opening up to the public on Fourth Fridays each month from, so if you want to see what this creative collective is up to, come on out to downtown Fairhaven and see for yourself. The next open studios will be November 28 and will coincide with the Fairhaven Association’s Christmas tree lighting and all the holiday festivities.
