Thomas Cole: Study for Catskill Creek

Thomas Cole. Study for Catskill Creek. Oil on Wood. 1844/45. National Gallery of Art. Avalon Fund.

There's a wonderful permanent installation in the east wing at the National Gallery of Art in DC, Small French paintings. But there are also a few gems by American painters such as Church and Cole. This one is really special.

Whistler up close and in person

Whistler. Nocturne in Blue and Gold: Valparaiso. 1867/74.  Freer Gallery.

When you live on the west coast, far from the world's great museums, you end up learning a lot about art from books. For instance, Whistler. While I'd probably seen paintings by him in museums in years past I'd only become truly interested in his work in the past two years. 

Last week I had the opportunity to take a trip to Washington DC and spend several days in the museums. The first one we went to was the Freer Gallery to see the Whistlers. In person, his nocturnes were not what I expected them to be. They were more layered, more painterly on the surface than I'd read. So below are closeups shots of the above painting. 

Red Mountain Altar

Red Mountain Altar. ©2010 Lisa McShane. Oil on Linen Panel. 9" x 12"

Another view of above.

Red Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain along the Yakima River in eastern Washington is one of my favorite subjects and I especially like it in this wonderful altarpiece frame from Mountains Edge Frames in Texas.

I created this special piece for the December show at Smith & Vallee Gallery, opening tomorrow in Edison, Washington - objectifications 3. 

Small Treasures at the Little Gallery

Clouds Above the Snake. Oil on Linen Panel. 12" x 12".

Crab Creek. Oil on Linen Panel. 9" x 12".

Both Clouds Above the Snake and Crab Creek are on display and for sale at the upcoming show Small Treasures at The Little Gallery in downtown Bellingham.

The Little Gallery is a lovely small space at 1220 Bay Street that's new to the Bellingham art scene this year. It's owned and operated by an exceptional local artist, Lanny Little.

I'm very fond of the space for two reasons: first, it was the site of my very first show a year ago - Babes and Byways, held by fifth on sixth (thank you Marisa Papetti!) and second, it was one of the offices we rented for a campaign in 2008.