"Solo"

Media: Watercolor and India Ink

This little piece was another easy and fun one I did after school one day. I love messing with the blues and the contrast with the reds and oranges is great.

If I Were A Fish...

Medium: watercolor and India ink

This was by far the most fun piece I have done in a long time. I started this as a way to relax from my reviewing of Pharmacology for NCLEX and it sure did the trick- only problem was I spent more time on this and less time studying!

These are my favorite colors to work with and the looseness of creating "water" WITH watercolor is pretty fun indeed. This was a new version of my "Mardi Gras Fish" that I painted while in Chile. This one is a bit different but the feeling I had while painting it was one and the same. Enjoy!

Life's Waters Are Rough

Medium: watercolor and India ink

Thank you dad, for the title of this peace. Life certainly has many logjams, eddies, and swirling waters....it's how you handle them that's important! :)

Open to Light

Medium: watercolor and India ink

Hagan Daaz Falls

Medium: watercolor and India ink

This is another of my favorite drops on Hagan Creek, Washington. I find the ways in which the water moves is absolutely beautiful and I love depicting the flow in art. Its twists, turns, and drops are amazing....

Me running the falls from a different angle...

50/50

Medium: watercolor and India ink

This is quite the impressive drop on the Ashlu River in British Columbia, Canada. It is called "50/50" because you have a 50% chance of flipping if you run it.

Here is the actual drop....it's massive!

At Peace

medium: watercolor and ink

"Euphoria Falls"

Media: Watercolor and India ink

I did this piece as a gift to my mom and dad this Christmas. The drop is called Euphoria Falls. One of the most fun rapids I have ever had the privilege to run here in Oregon. It's on Hagan Gorge and is a series of cascading drops.

Inferno Canyon

Media: Watercolor and India Ink

Inferno Canyon is a section of the Futaleufu River that is known for it's big-water feel. Located in Southern Chile, the Futa is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world and my personal favorite. This was just a quick "soul painting" I did the other day while reminiscing on my adventures.

Rainee Falls

Media: Watercolor and India Ink

Rainee Falls is the first big rapid on the Rogue River you come to. Most rafters and kayakers run the fish ladder or center chute to avoid the falls but a brave few buck up and run it. It's always fun to watch a boater run the falls and narrowly avoid huge Salmon jumping upstream....

"Blossom Bar Rapids"

Media: Watercolor and india ink

I did this watercolor on my first week off from school. It was inspired by my trips down the Rogue River-especially Blossom Bar rapid on the third day. I chose to use watercolor because I love the fluidity. Besides, it seems only appropriate to represent the river with watercolors! :)

"Oregon Coast Sunset"

Media: Mixed- Oil paints on masonite board with Gouche.

I actually started this piece last fall before we moved to Portland. Tonight, I finally figured out what was missing so I finished it. :)

The source of inspiration for this piece is pretty obvious- the Oregon Coast. Absolutely amazing sunsets that are frequently followed by rain. To me, the rain is the best part so I made sure to include it...hope it makes you want to go to the coast....may I suggest Pacific City?

"Standing Strong"

Media: watercolor

I'm trying something new. I haven't been painting in what seems like forever. Atleast, I haven't posted any of my work in a year! Sooooo I'm going to try and paint something each week for the month of December and see how it goes. I'm not sure if I will be successful in creating paintings I am happy with but I will give it a go!

The painting on the left I worked on late this evening in an effort to relax. I am sick with the cold and I feel that my inability to focus shows in the painting. The color choice was odd but I chose to use the colors remaining in my palette as to not waste any supplies. I am actually quite pleased with the composition. Usually when I am tired and sick, I seem to be unhappy with the finished product. This, however, I AM happy with. Hooray! :) Now...off to bed I go. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel better!

-Tina

Pepper Russell passed away on December 10th. She was very sick and we had to make the decision to let her be at peace. She was a river dog and loved going on kayaking trips. She traveled everywhere with my family. Many people treated her like their very own dog and for that reason, I feel the need to post this. We will all miss her smiling face at the put-in's and take-outs. We will miss her disgusting tennis ball in our laps, and we will most of all miss her unconditional love. Please remember all the good times we had with Pepper. She is at peace now.

-Christina Russell

Thanks to a fan!

This is a photo sent in from a fan who previously purchased artwork from me. They sure look nice on the wall. The pieces are "Rio Futaleufu" and "Yaker". Thanks for all your support!



-Christina

Inspiration Station

I've been painting right along and struggling with painters block. Every day I get a bit of inspiration and I try to put it all in to my work...but sometimes it's difficult to make these thoughts materialize on a canvas. I've had a few successes but I cant bring myself to say "alright, they're finished". For the time being they hang on the wall and I think about what to do.

Question to anyone that reads my blog...DOES anyone read my blog? ha ha ha this blog is really for me but sometimes it's nice to know that the blog isn't a TOTAL waste of time. Is there anyone out there that reads this stuff lol :P ??????

I think i'll do a bit of painting tonight while Im thinking of ideas. Stay tuned for the hopefully "finished" pieces!

Updates----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are a couple of the paintings nearing completion. I've got nine paintings going right now. Some are ready for their next coat of paint while others have been drying for three weeks and still aren't ready. Gotta love oil. I've been having a great time painting in the evenings...sure does help me relax after a long day at work. The completed versions will eventually be posted...but until then, we have to wait for things to dry out :D

Arucaria Silouettes ...this one blinds my eyes while I paint!

(Below) Arbor Tree Grove- my mom's painting for the Daff

Pyranha of Doom
Watercolor and india ink
Prints available

I did this one last week while I had the flu...icky! So it's a bit odd but I enjoyed doing it :)

Self Portrait

Medium: Oil

Stretched canvas

Before the Explosion

Medium: acrylic

stretched canvas