"National Cathedral" (oil on stretched canvas; 40" x 40") sold

 

"National Cathedral"

 

The painting is a commission for Catherine and her husband Andrew. Andrew went to St. Albans School, right next to the cathedral and practically grew up in and around the magnificent Gothic cathedral. He got married there and had planted a tree in front of the north side (entry area) with his father. It was an important sentimental project for Andrew and he chose this image personally so that his tree would be a part of the finished painting.

It was the largest oil painting project ever for me. It took about two months to draw, block in, paint and add finishing touches. I needed a little stool to reach the highest areas of the big canvas! Thank you for the opportunity, Andrew and Catherine, who were the most gracious clients. 

I must say that my patience and drawing skills have improved much because of this project. The only drawback is that I couldn't take a proper photography of the huge canvas, so I had to make do with a quick shoot with my phone. What a shame!

Work in Progress I

Work in Progress II

Work in Progress III

"Washington Monument Twilight" (oil on linen; 8" x 10") sold

sold

The Washington Monument rises against the sunset sky, while it and the dark, surrounding trees cast the reflections of unforgettable beauty.

"US Capitol from Pennsylvania Ave Night Scene" (oil on linen; 8" x 10") sold

sold

The US Capitol with its glowing dome against the dark blue sky frames the Pennsylvania Ave with its street lights and busy traffic that cast blurry reflections on a rainy night.

"Lincoln Memorial Reflections" (oil on linen; 9" x 12") sold

sold

The Lincoln Memorial glows against the violet twilight sky, casting jewel-like reflections in the reflecting pond. I have painted this same view several times and don't seem to get tired of its ethereal beauty.

"Jefferson Memorial Twilight" (oil on linen; 8" x 10") sold

sold

The Jefferson Memorial on the Tidal Basin in Washington DC is a beautiful neoclassical building. At twilight, it is breathtaking. I used the pointillist technique for the painting, pretending that my dots are stardust!

"Tidal Basin in Bloom" (oil on linen; 8" x 8") sold

sold

These days I seem to be getting quite a few commissions to copy my sold paintings. I suppose it's a good thing as it keeps me busy! Here is another commission that made me revisit my old work. The reference photo was taken on a misty, overcast day, which created a mellow, romantic mood, which the client loved. She is going to give the painting as a belated wedding gift to her brother who got married at the Jefferson Memorial. I hope he loves it too.

"Jefferson Memorial Glow" (oil on linen; 8" x 10")

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The Jefferson Memorial at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, during the National Cherry Blossom Festival becomes a lavender jewel as the sun sets and bathes the beautiful structure in golden light.

"US Capitol Nocturne" (oil on linen; 12" x 9") sold

sold

The US Capitol's dome turns golden against the dark night sky. The seat of the US Congress and the equestrian statue of Ulysses S. Grant and their blurry reflections in the Capitol Reflecting Pond make the image hauntingly beautiful.

"Bishop's Garden Summer" (oil on linen; 8" x 10") sold

sold

Tranquility reigns at the Bishop's Garden of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC on a sunny summer afternoon.

"Georgetown Key Bridge Afternoon" (oil on linen; 6" x 8") sold

sold

This is the view of Georgetown and the Key Bridge from the tiny Roosevelt Island in the Potomac River.  The undersides of the bridge arches glow in the afternoon light.  Can you believe this lovely cityscape is only 6" x 8"?  I am becoming a miniaturist!

"Abraham Lincoln Statue" (oil on linen; 8" x 8") sold

sold

The marble statue of President Abraham Lincoln inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC is always an awe-inspiring sight. I am wondering whether I should have made the head a little bigger.  What do you think?

"Lincoln Memorial Nocturne" (oil on linen; 6" x 8") sold

sold

I have painted the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC many times, usually against the deep blue night sky, because the marble Doric-temple of the memorial then glows like a gem.  I, however, never painted it as small as this--only 6" x 8"!

"Washington Monument Cherry Blossoms" (oil on linen; 8" x 10") sold

sold

On a lucky day, one can see the sky like this at the Tidal Basin during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Washington Monument stands tall and beautiful against the equally beautiful blue spring sky.  The festival just started this weekend; Washington, DC is already being mobbed.  What you don't see in this painting is thousands upon thousands of people milling around under the cherry trees!

"Vietnam Veterans Memorial" (oil on linen; 8" x 10") sold

sold

The sun rises over the wall that honors those who served in the Vietnam War. Inscribed on the black granite walls are the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing.  Early in the day, without the crowds, when the grass is still wet with morning dew, I visited to pay my respect the wall that heals.

"Smithsonian Castle Rose Garden" (oil on stretched canvas; 18" x 18") sold

sold

Then

It is with a great pleasure that I am sharing the new, better "Smithsonian Castle Rose Garden". Can you believe how much improved I am as a painter?  It is the same, yet totally different painting.  In understanding of color temperatures, the color-mixing ability, and confident brush strokes, it might as well be done by a different artist.

By the way, the painting shows the rose garden at the eastern end of the Smithsonian Castle on The Mall in Washington, DC.  If you visit the garden at the right time of the year, you will be enveloped in the thick perfume of roses in full bloom.  I am planning on visiting it next week!

"Jefferson Memorial in Cherry Blossom Season" (oil on linen; 12" x 12")

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The National Cherry Blossom Festival at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC is in full swing!  I went over there on Thursday in late afternoon to catch the sunset.  I have never seen the cherry blossom festival at sunset; I was curious how the warm lighting would affect the famous scenery.  As the sun set, the dome of the memorial glowed.  The golden light turned orangish, then pink.  The sky was the harmony of pink, mauve, and blue.  The drama lasted about half an hour.  I returned home elevated by what I had just witnessed.

Cherry blossom lit by the setting sun. Aren't they beautiful?

Even dogs love cherry blossoms!

"Lincoln Memorial Reflections" (oil on stretched canvas; 8" x 10") sold

sold

The Lincoln Memorial shimmers in the dusk.  Of all the great monuments in Washington, DC, I must say that the Lincoln Memorial is my favorite.  It is an elegant structure dedicated to a great president.

"Autumn Morning along the Potomac" (oil on stretched canvas; 8" x 10")

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On a beautiful Saturday morning last September, we took a drive to East Potomac Park, which is a small peninsula jutting into the Potomac River on the south side of the Tidal Basin.  The park is a popular place for biking, running, fishing, and picnicking.  There are also a public golf course, a swimming pool, and a miniature golf course.  Unless you know it's there, it is a place easy to miss, but once you are there, you are glad.

While my daughter's school golf team was practicing, my husband and I took a walk about. Many crew teams rowing on the river probably didn't pay any attention to the excellent view of the Washington Monument, but what a view it was!

"Jefferson Memorial Sunset" (oil on stretched canvas; 8" x 10") sold

sold

During the Martin Luther King Day weekend, my daughter, an accomplished flutist, took a flute workshop in Washington, DC.  On the way home, we were on a road right next to the Tidal Basin.  I looked out the car window and saw the above scene.  It was not a spectacular sunset. It was a mellow, exquisite sunset that we were glad to see on a cold winter day. 

"US Capitol from Pennsylvania Ave" (oil on stretched canvas; 10" x 8")

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This is a famous view of the US Capitol from Pennsylvania Ave.  It always looks grand, doesn't it?  The Capitol dome is probably one of the hardest things to draw and paint.  I have painted it several times.  I hope that I am getting better each time!