"Washington National Cathedral Summer Day" (oil on linen; 14" x 11") sold

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Looking up from the summer flowers of the Bishop's Garden, the beautiful Gothic architecture of the Washington National Cathedral with its flying buttresses and pointed arches appear almost immaterial in the glorious light.

"Tulips in a Dutch Vase" (oil on stretched canvas; 12" x 9")

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Danni Dawson gave her portrait painting class a homework last week: paint an interesting tulip still life.  So did we, as she must be obeyed!  This is what I came up with.  I arranged five tulips from my garden in a small Dutch vase on a reflective metal serving platter, then painted them against a muted gray background.  Sadly tulips are pretty much done now.  My husband and I are going to plant lots of specialty tulip bulbs this fall for my painting fun!

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

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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

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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!

"Clare" (oil on stretched canvas; 16" x 12")

I was happy to be back in Danni Dawson's portrait painting class yesterday.  The beautiful model who was dressed in a tutu got me all excited.  Regretting not having a larger canvas, I finished off a 16" x 12" one as a sketch.  Next week I will work on a more decent-sized canvas for real!

By the way, Danni gave me a high rating to the spring break homework, "Primavera".  She found in the painting nothing to criticize and everything to praise!

"Primavera" (oil, 18" x 24")

"Smithsonian Castle Magnolias" (oil on linen; 12" x 12")

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Near the Smithsonian Castle on The National Mall, the administrative headquarters of many national museums in Washington DC, there is a beautiful garden complex called Enid A. Haupt Garden. Visit it during the magnolia season.  As hundreds of mature magnolia trees become heavily loaded with big, pale pink, cup-shaped flowers, the garden is transformed into a fragrant pink heaven!

"Central Park Spring" (oil on stretched canvas; 12" x 9") sold

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On a sunny spring day, take a walk in the cherry tree tunnel at the Central Park in New York City.  Tread lightly as the pavement is covered with pink petals.