Harlequin Duck

Today was a wonderful day to be inside in my studio. We are having a thunderstorm,  a rare event in Western Washington and even rarer in the San Juan Islands. My off grid studio is dark, but I'm cozy from the warmth of our woodstove. 

The rocky coastline of Stuart Island provides perfect habitat for Harlequin Ducks outside their breeding season. These beautiful ducks raise their young in fast moving mountain streams. We are just seeing the first birds returning from the mountains along our beach. They will spend the rest of the year foraging along the marine coastline.  I couldn't resist doing a piece starring a male Harlequin.  The photo is not the best due to low light, but you get the idea. 

Island Life

Welcome to our first full summer of island life. We purchased a cabin on  island in the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Stuart Island is not serviced by a ferry and is totally off grid. We generate power primarily via our solar system and use our boat as our car. There is no stores on the island so the boat is an important link. It has been a lot of work getting settled in and now I have my studio set up here! Below is one of the first pieces off the easel- a Black Oyster Catcher,  Acrylic common visitor to our beach. Follow my Instagram accounts to see what we are up to! @salamanderwhisper and @salnoranstudios

Black Oyster Catcher.  Acrylic and metal leaf on wood panel. 

My new studio

Inspiration is east to find woth this view

Harriet and Burt

 

I love Harris's Hawks! Of all the raptors, they are some of the most beautiful and interesting I have come across.  These regal looking Hawks can be found along the southern border of the US and south into South America.  These are the wolves of the bird world. They stay in close family groups and cooperatively hunt together.  This piece is based on a very fine photo my sister @creativenaturenerd took. Harriet and Burt was painted with acrylic on a 30"x34" canvas.

Stella

 

Meet Stella. Although Coyotes can be found most everywhere in North America they are pretty iconic in desert habitats.  Here in Ajo, I fall asleep to the song dogs nearly nightly. I hope yoy enjoy Stella. Acrylic and metal leaf on re-purposed wood panel.  11x14.

Salush Current

 

I was honored to have Salish Current publish this article focused on The Gaze.

Salish Current

Click link to see article.

Sonoran Rabbit

 

A fresh piece off the easel. Acrylic and metal leaf on a re-purposed wood panel.  27.5"x 15". 

Phonebook Featured Art

 

I am honored to be commissioned to provide the art work for our desert community phone book. They featured "The Gaze" on the cover of the 2025 phone book. So fun!