We went painting along the Deschutes last Monday and the willows were beautiful just begging to be painted! BUT it wasn't that easy! It was an overcast day and when I brought my painting home it looked so dreary. I tried unsuccessfuly to brighten it up but still am not satisfied. I will keep on working on it.
I'm calling it finished now. Just have to figure out a title.

Last Monday on the 12th Gordon and I painted at Cove Palisades State Park on Lake Billy Chinook. It was a great day and I came home with two plein air paintings!!! The first didn't need any touching up and the one in this photo took just a bit of finishing in the studio.

I made several changes to this painting - brightened the trees at the top of the stream, added more color on the rocks near those trees, added more color in the ground on the left side of the painting, and changed to color of the water with more suggestions of the rocks below the water.  I'm happier with the painting now.

I think I'm finished but will let the painting "rest" for a while in the utility room. Then I'll decide.

You'd never know it was spring here in Bend. It snowed most of the day but at least the sun is shining now and a lot of the snow has melted. It was a perfect day to stay home and paint. I'm hoping to finish this one tomorrow. I still have more work on the rocks and the stream. Tonight is First Friday Art Walk so we will be going downtown in an hour to see the new paintings.