The Majesty of Trees
Art exhibition concept and statements
We are all touched at some point by the beauty of trees, their significance to us and to the health of our home, the Earth. The Majesty of Trees Art Exhibition celebrates the importance of trees and forests across the globe and throughout history, portraying their relationships with other life forms through a variety of diverse associations.
All life forms on this planet proliferated, continue to flourish, and ultimately depend on the existence of trees. While the message is urgent, I consider humanity’s role on the planet as positive, with the statement that creativity is our greatest asset; that “Our carbon footprint is worthy”. Further, creative thinking is our most primal, yet highly advanced and ever-evolving contribution toward solutions to healing wrongs done and changing ingrained habits to ones that are more appreciative of the environment in general.
There’s a personal story behind that lofty assertion! In 1989 I created Earthbags (TM), individually hand-painted, fabric alternatives to plastic grocery bags. At the time, the concept was new and involved convincing people to change their awareness and habits in order to reduce plastics in landfill sites. Home recycling/collecting programs did not yet exist, so the mission was ambitious.
In shows where I sold the bags, I met a lot of angry people hating people for spoiling the planet for future generations. It was anger that motivated me to start the whole enterprise in the first place, so I confess to spewing outrage with them, but I quickly realized that passion channeled through art and beauty was much more influential than anger. As my high ideals became more practical, the adjustment in attitude changed my whole outlook on life and affected my work moving forward. I did not seize the opportunity to mass produce bags because in recognizing that my role was as an artist creating one-of-a-kind, quality products, it was easier to speak with individuals about important changes that had to take place, and have conversations about it. It’s with this gentler approach that I share a love and awe for this amazing planet the best way I know how, through Art, however it materializes.
A range of artistic expressions emphasize the character of this show, with the subject of trees as the binding influence. The accompanying website functions as the foundation where all related concepts are organized, including paintings in acrylics, photography compiled into sets, an oil pastels series, large format soft pastels on paper, watercolors, and mixed media pieces.
To say I was obsessed for years with taking photos of trees everywhere is an understatement! That enthusiasm tempered somewhat when confronted with the effort it takes to organize them in an interesting way — which is how this website and exhibition came to be. Pics here so far are from travels throughout the United States and Canada, to Mexico, Costa Rica, Singapore, Australia including Tasmania, Hawaii, China, Laos, Egypt, and Jordan.
Creativity is the excellence that humanity has to offer. We have come full circle in the sense that it plays a vital role in our present responsibilities toward our future, and possibly the existence of the living planet itself.
…our carbon footprint is worthy…
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The Art
“The Majesty of Trees” premiered at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, North Carolina in June, 2009. May 1st through June 30th, 2010, twenty-three paintings were on exhibit in the Steinhauer Trust Gallery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum.
Along with the extensive and ongoing collection of trees photography, the exhibition includes paintings, illustrations, oil pastel and soft pastel drawings, and even furniture. The works on paper have 3″ wide mats and white wood frames with crackle finish, designed so that pieces can hang closely together and still be appreciated individually.
Proposals to exhibit will resume when my right brain wants to turn left again! For now, the collection grows, recently with soft pastels on paper. The Majesty of Trees artwork page is updated on a regular basis. Also, there is a lot of work to do on the photo pages, so I’m continually trying to do that and downsize some of the groups where there might be too much repetition. When I first started this website, the photos were resized to only 800 pixels wide, but recent ones are 1000, so I’m working toward consistency. As usual with art, it’s a work in progress!
Most acrylics paintings on canvas are on sturdy home-built stretcher frames, 2 to 3 inches deep. For more about the quality of canvases, see the blog post, ‘Behind the Scenes‘. Most paintings have wrapped sides painted, some are trimmed with a narrow frame, while for some, frames are unnecessary. A great deal of care is taken to make the back of the painting look good too. Framed works on paper have white wood frames with crackle finish and plexi-glass protection.
Prices are based on skill level and amount of work involved.
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Dancing With Trees 03, 85H x 45W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted, dark stained trim frame. | |
| $1,100.00 |  |
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Sun Shower 04, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Sacred Sunrise, Desert Oak at Uluru, Central Australia, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Loblolly Pine, Knox Mountain Trail, Kelowna, BC Canada, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Petrified Forest, Crystal Forest Trail, Arizona, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Damselfly at Xi Niu He - Rhino's Horn River, China, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Matthiessen State Park, a surprise forest pocket in farm country, Illinois, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Elk Falls 02, BC Canada, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Kaniksu National Forest, Idaho 20H x 26W inches watercolors on 140 lb cold pressed, framed. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Montana Foothills, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Astoria OR, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Kananaskis Valley, Alberta, Canada, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Campfire Smoke, Yosemite Valley, California, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Ouimet Canyon, Ontario, Canada, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Clearcut, Tillimook Oregon 27H x 33W inches watercolors on 140 lb cold pressed, framed. | |
| $750.00 | |
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The Campsite - Ponderosa Pine, Maine, 22H x 28W inches framed size, watercolors on 140 lb. acid free, cold pressed premium | |
| $750.00 | |
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Serenity, 16H x 20W inches soft pastels on paper. 22H x 26W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $550.00 | |
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Douglas Fir, Salt Spring Island BC, Canada, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Dancing With Trees 02, 48H x 48W x 1D inches acrylics on canvas, trim frame | |
| 550.00 | |
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Dancing With Trees 01, 26 x 22 inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 |  |
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Nimkish Lake Sunset, Vancouver Island, BC Canada, 12 x 12 inches acrylics on canvas | |
| $350.00 | |
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Rocky Mountain Vista, 48H x 24W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted. Donated to VAST Arts, Denton, Texas. N/A but can be replicated in same spirit as the original. | |
| Special order. Please allow up to 14 days to create before shipping. | ||
| $750.00 | |
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The Grandfather Tree (canopy), 1800 years old, located on The Avenue of the Giants, Hwy 101 CA, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Branches 'n' Blossoms, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Downy Woodpeckers, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang, Laos, 16H x 20W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper. 22H x 26W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $550.00 | |
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Shepherds Dell Falls, Oregon, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Multnomah Falls, Oregon - watercolors on 140 lb cold press premium. Framed size 25H x 31W inches, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Mossy Melody, 14H x 20W inches watercolors on 140 lb cold pressed, 20H x 26W" white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Bigleaf Maple, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Bald Eagles, Oregon Coast, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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The Steeples Mountain Range, Cranbrook BC Canada, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Muskoka Ghost, ON Canada, 30H x 12W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted. Sold. | |
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Gold In The Mountains 02, 2H x 26W inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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Luminosity, Autumn Aspen, Taos, New Mexico, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Gold In The Mountains 01, Kananaskis Valley, Alberta 20H x 16W inches acrylics on canvas, dark stained antique frame, 28H x 24W inches total | |
| $550.00 | |
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Bigleaf Maple,18 x 22 inches watercolors on 140 lb cold pressed premium, framed | |
| $550.00 | |
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Autumn Glow, Wilson River Highway Footbridge Trailhead, Oregon, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Forest Chic, Ponderosa Pine needles draped on branches, Oregon - 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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English Ivy - invasive species, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Sugar Maple Leaves, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Autumn Leaves in the Trask River, Oregon, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Fairy Lake Sumac, BC Canada - 18H x 24W inches oil pastels on paper, white mat, unframed | |
| $350.00 | |
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Calgary In September, 26H x 22W inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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Japanese Maple, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Gold in the Mountains 03, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $550.00 | |
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Birch Stand, 18H x 22W inches watercolors on 120 lb cold pressed, white frame with crackle finish | |
| $550.00 | |
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Moon Over Cypress - Bald Cypress, Lewisville, Texas 26H x 22W inches oil pastels on canvas. Sold. | |
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Cedar Silhouettes, 16H x 20W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper. 22H x 26W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $550.00 | |
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First Snow, acrylics on canvas, painting extends onto box-frame, 39H x 30W x 1D inches total. Sold, a similar piece can be replicated. Special order, please allow 2 weeks to create before shipping. | |
| $750.00 | |
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The Sound of Silence, 36 x 24 x 2 inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted, narrow trim frame | |
| $550.00 | |
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First Snow 02, 12H x 12W inches acrylics on canvas, frame unnecessary. Sold. | |
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Hypnoflakes, 12 x 12 inches acrylics on canvas, frame unnecessary | |
| $300.00 | |
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Winter Spirit, 12H x 14W inches watercolors on 140 lb cold pressed, wihite mat, unframed | |
| $350.00 | |
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January Thaw, 26 x 22 inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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January Thaw 02, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Snow Day 02 - Rose Bush, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Winter Forest: Dogwood, 14H x 20W inches watercolors on 140 lb cold pressed, 21H x 26W inches framed size | |
| $750.00 | |
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Pacific Northwest Winter Palette, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Moss Season, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Golden Hawaiian Bamboo Forest, Botanical Gardens in Honolulu, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Spruce, 24H x 24W x 1D inches acrylics on canvas, painting extends out onto narrow frame. | |
| $250.00 | |
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Salt Spring Island Fog, 18H x 24W inches, graphite, dry pastels, colored pencils on paper, 3" wide dark brown frame 29H x 35W x 3D inches | |
| $750.00 | |
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Cape Meares Fog, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Heber River, Vancouver Island, BC Canada, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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March Winds: Ode to Jackson Pollock via oil pastels, 22H x 26W inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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Blue Gum Eucalyptus Tree, Australia, 26H x 22W inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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Coconut Palm, Costa Rica, 26H x 22W inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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Cedar at Stony Swamp, ON Canada, 26H x 22W inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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Fallow Field with Red Clover, Hillsboro OR countryside, 14H x 20W watercolors. Framed size approx. 20H x 26W inches, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $550.00 | |
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Lake Louise, Alberta Canada, Lake Louise, 16 x 20 inches acrylics on canvas, frame unnecessary | |
| $400.00 | |
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Lake Louise AB Canada, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Queenstown Peaks, New Zealand, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Mt. Hood Summit, Oregon, 11H x 14W inches soft pastels on paper, mat only, unframed. | |
| $350.00 | |
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Dawn at Bell Rock, Arizona 24H x 18W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted, trim frame | |
| $350.00 | |
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Dawn At Bell Rock 02, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Pacific Northwest Sunset, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Norway Maple, Madison, Wisconsin, 36H x 48W x 3D inches acrylics, gel paste on canvas, wrapped sides painted, navy colored narrow frame | |
| $750.00 | |
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Deciduous Forest - Washington State USA - 12H x 16W inches watercolors on paper, white mat, unframed | |
| $250.00 | |
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Spring Light, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Polypore Fungi, acrylics and sculpted, carved modeling paste on canvas, 3 dimensional, 58H x 41W x 2D inches, sides painted with trim frame | |
| Detail images: | ||
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| $950.00 | |
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Cormorants and Turtles share a log, Whiterock Lake, Dallas, Texas 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Fireweed and Forest, Yorkton, Manitoba, Canada, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Summer Leaves, Trask River OR, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Morning Light, 48H x 36W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, framed. Sold but can be replicated in same spirit as original | |
| $1,100 special order | |
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Sarsaparilla Trail, Ottawa, Ontario Canada, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Summer Forest, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Summer Breeze, Paper Birch Stand, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Gale Creek, OR, 12H x 12W x 1D acrylics on canvas, sides painted, frame unnecessary | |
| $300.00 | |
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Shadows of Summer - Maple leaves, 60H x 40W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas, sturdy home-built stretcher, wrapped sides painted, trim frame | |
| $950.00 | |
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The Angel Oak, Johns Island, South Carolina, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Colville's Glory Tree and Rainbow Lorikeet, Brisbane, Australia, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Chinese Pear Blossoms, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Egrets Roosting, evening in Chapala, Mexico, 18H x 24W soft pastels on watercolor paper. 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Flowering Eucalyptus Bush, Australia, 20H x 16W inches acrylics on canvas, framed | |
| $500.00 | |
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The Great Ocean Road, South Australia - oil pastels on paper, sold | |
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Vancouver Island Blues, BC Canada, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Redbuds, foggy Spring morning in a Texas forest, 22H x 26W inches soft pastels on paper, off-white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $750.00 | |
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Moon Over Myrtle, morning moon and Crepe Myrtle flowering tree in Lewisville, Texas, 26H x 22W inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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Flamboyant Tree Flowers and Seed Pods, Chapala, Mexico, 9H x 12W inches oil pastels on paper, 22H x 26W" white frame | |
| $500.00 | |
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Windswept - Cypress, Kitty Hawk, Outer Banks, North Carolina, oil pastel on paper, 24H x 18W inches, off-white mat, unframed | |
| $350.00 | |
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Multnomah Falls Cedar, 18H x 24W inches oil pastels on paper, mat not framed | |
| $350.00 | |
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Eastern White Pine, 26H x 32W inches oil pastels on paper. Sold. | |
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Silent Witness - Juniper, Grand Canyon, Arizona, 26H x 22W inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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Lake Cote Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica, 26H x 22W inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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White Pine Bows, 20H x 34W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas. Sold. | |
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Quaking Aspen, Maine, 50H x 28W inches acrylics on canvas, narrow trim frame. 1996 | |
| $300.00 | |
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Bald Eagles nesting in Hemlock, Prince Rupert, B.C. Canada, 44 x 30 x 1 inches acrylics on canvas, narrow frame | |
| $550.00 | |
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Poplar Stand, a 24H x 36W x 1D inch acrylics on canvas mounted on a 36H x 48W x 1 inch outer canvas, trim frame | |
| $500.00 | |
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Galahs in Traffic, 26H x 22W inches oil pastels on paper white double mat, white wood frame with crackle finish. | |
| $500.00 | |
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Red Kangaroos and Wallabies among Eucalyptus Trees, Cleland Park, South Australia, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Noisy Stellars Jays, 11H x 14W inches watercolors on 140 lb premium, off-white mat, unframed | |
| $350.00 | |
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Raccoons, 20H x 26W inches watercolors on 140 lb cold pressed, framed | |
| $550.00 | |
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Koala and Eucalyptus, 16H x 20W inches acrylics on canvas, framed | |
| $350.00 | |
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Red Squirrel, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 27H x 33W inches soft pastels on watercolor paper, white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish | |
| $750.00 | |
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Emerald Tree Boas, Dallas World Aquarium - 24H x 59W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted, trim frame, | |
| $950.00 | |
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Keel-billed Toucans, Dallas World Aquarium, TX, 29H x 20W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted, narrow frame | |
| $550.00 | |
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Magic Hour, The Gitxsan Pole in Thunderbird Park, Victoria, BC Canada, belonging to Chief Wiha of The Wolf Clan, Kitwancool, 60H x 40W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas, gallery wrapped sides painted, trim frame | |
| $1,100.00 | |
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What Big Leaf Maples Do At Night, 2 canvases each 57H x 10W x 4D inches acrylics on canvas, led light system in back. Can be hung vertically or horizontally. | |
| Sold, but similar pieces can be replicated. | ||
| Detail images: | Special Order. Please allow 2 weeks to create before shipping. | |
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| $2,500.00 | |
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2D Pinecone, diagonal 24H x 24W x 1D inches, acrylics on woven canvas strips | |
| $350.00 | |
