The place I call home devastated

This is my friends home that burned to the ground. So very sad.

The Talent and Phoenix area in Oregon is very near my home base. We had a large devastating fire that came through this week. It is still burning but is now 60% contained. Alameda Fire

My home is safe but so many people are displaced and have lost everything.  It is terribly sad. :(

Please click on the link below to donate or volunteer to help. If you know anyone here who needs help please point them to this link to get help as well. Oregon Recovery

South Jetty Beach, Florence, OR

I highly recommend taking the road on the South Jetty in Florence, OR. Drive to the very end and then park and walk out to the beach. Its so pretty and a great place to see boats coming in and out from the ocean to the Suislaw River.

Seal Scuptures in Florence

Love all the seal sculptures in Florence, OR

Oregon Coast Discoveries

Well, I began getting out of the house and exploring Prius Camping with my Prius. My first trip was around August 1st. I spent the better part of July preparing by researching and buying products to make living out of my car comfy. I also moved out of my art studio and downsized my possessions to live even more minimally.

My first week in August was definitely a learning experience and was primarily about how to sleep comfortably in a car, what was important and what was a nuisance,  etc. The 2nd week I brought my 30something daughter with me, who decided she doesn't enjoy camping so we made it only a week. The rest of August was thoroughly enjoying the coast and the portability of camping this way and being pretty confident in my ability to social distance and stay safe during Covid, all while enjoying my state's beautiful coast.

Prius Camping Setup

Exhilarating Pacific Ocean

Siltcoos Beach

North Jetty

Scoping out Sites with iOverlander

So I spent some time checking out the iOverlander app. This is a great app for finding dispersed camping spots and boondocking spots. My first stop was the Ashland Ski Park. They report you can stay the night. I didnt actually find the campsite but there is a nice parking area from the ski lodge that you could probably park for just overnight. There is a great view of Mt. Shasta from there.

Next stop was Castle Lake. The coordinates for the multiple sites is N 41.24385, W 122.38410 I wrote a review of it on the iOverlander app. It is called before Castle Lake. The view of Mt. Shasta was spectacular there as well.

I checked out the trailhead for Mt. Shasta which was reported close to town with lots of sites. I didn't find that to be true. The parking lot was fairly small and it wasnt that close to town.

I checked out the Mt. Shasta Ski Area and found a pretty nice free camping area. Coordinates are N 41.31947, W 122.20482 I also wrote reviews for this on the iOverlander app. Large rigs can use this site as well. 

All in all I enjoyed using the iOverlander app for sites that get cell phone coverage.  Others are on it but are harder to find if you don't have a wifi booster or an actual physical map.

One of my latest Vintage Women portraits

This is a portrait of Carroll McGomas in 1905. McComas began acting while still in her teens, playing more than two dozen roles on the Broadway stage. The original is 8x24 and is for sale for $300. Prints are available at Prints.

Happy Mother's Day

I'm celebrating my mother by sharing a painting I did of her recently.  She is 18 here. She passed in 2012 at the age of 83. Miss you Mom!!

My most popular painting on Pinterest

Floral Peace Pop Art: Find prints and products here

Allergies

Allergies are completely knocking me out this year. Whew! 🤧

Travel

I haven't been traveling for awhile but hope to get back on the road soon, even if it means short 2 to 3 day trips. I'm using this isolation period to figure the best way to get back out on the road. I've been following lots of folks who car camp in their Prius,  which I happen to own one. This does appeal to me. As I make decisions about it, I'll keep you informed. 

BTW, the photo above is a painting I did that makes me yearn for the coast. That's the 1st place I'll head as soon as the isolation is over with.

Back with a new blog.

It's been awhile since I published a new blog and lots has happened. I am back in Ashland, creating art and working part- time. Well, at least I was until the coronavirus happened. Anyway, we are pretty much in the same boat as far as isolation goes, although I am fortunate that I have a studio and can paint my time away. I'll be posting paintings I've been working on and show you the portraiture that I have been learning how to do.

This painting is of Helen Keller. You can find prints of this portrait at: Helen Keller

BTW, this is a new blog and the old one can be found under Past Blog on the menu under Blog.