Monday, March 31, 2008

New Kalama Neighbor


Lake Sacajawea ~ Longview Washington


Pool reflection in the Japanese Garden at Lake Sacajawea in Longview, Washington.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Lake Sacajawea Bridge to Japanese Garden




This walking bridge at Lake Sacajawea in Longview, Washington goes to the Japanese Garden.











Saturday, March 29, 2008

Kalama Washington Snow ~ Yes, it is March 29th!

It's hard to believe, but it snowed last night. March is definitely out like a lion!


Blue Sunshine

Friday, March 28, 2008

Columbia Theater ~ Longview, Washington

This is a painting of Longview's Columbia Theater.

Throw in an abstract work!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The "ART KITTY" March 2008

When my wife, Marie, brought this bedraggled creature home many years ago, I let out a big sigh. She found it on a dark and stormy winter day at the local port. Marie is not nurturing by nature, but she is a champion of the underdog. The little girl inside her wanted to save this wild eyed, calico-like scaredy cat. She spent months under our bed. At least she was quiet. Marie’s daughter, Mary, gave her the unofficial name of Abby. This name didn’t stick.

Physically she seemed challenged. She was skinny and round faced. She had a poor excuse for a tail. It wasn’t formed right, and it had a crook. Her thin coat was uneven. Her name was often Funny Face or Hey You, Kitty. Funny face was at the bottom of a feline pecking order that started with Misty and went through Snow Kitty and Oreo.

When she finally ventured out to our world of teenage boys and her nemesis, Misty, she kept her eyes darting for danger. Soon it was just Hey You and Misty. You’d never find them in the same room. After eight months she finally made her way outside. Any commotion would find her under the deck. Marie gave me the job of flashlight duty to find her in the dark recesses. She was pathetic.

Our boys, Rigel and Sam, flew the coop to college. Hey You finally relaxed enough to find the living room. Mary, Marie and I were not that threatening to her. Mary’s job was to feed the cats and take care of their litter box. Misty was Mary’s favorite, but she came to like “Youey” too. Misty loved to scrap with the three young grandchildren that came to visit, but Hey You ducked for cover.

Hey You became an affectionate kitty after Mary went away to college. We moved into a rental house while our home was being built. Funny Face was now at the top of the pecking order at home as Marie would get annoyed at Misty’s bossiness. Funny spent a good deal of time gallivanting around the neighborhood in fields of tall green grass. She thrived on her encounters with other cats.

Marie reeled her in by making her the “Art Kitty”. It became her duty to sit with Marie while she painted her oil paintings. They became very close during Marie’s sacred creative time.

When we moved into our new home, “Youey” became the upstairs kitty. Misty was relegated to the basement. Marie’s new Art Studio had a permanent fixture, the “Art Kitty”. She enjoyed her time as the designated “Art Kitty” by night, and my companion by day after I retired. She loved her world as deck lounger as she accompanied me doing crosswords and reading, and coffee.

Marie loved her “Baby”. Art Kitty was treated royally as she helped Marie with her masterpieces. Last autumn, Misty and the “Art Kitty” started a downward spiral. They seemed to be in a race toward death. Misty was getting dementia and Baby was getting weaker. Baby’s kidneys were failing and the vet told us she wouldn’t be with us much longer. Misty was plain crazy. In November, Baby finally gave her last breath. Marie is still sad for her.

Miraculously, 16 year old Misty is now the “Art Kitty”. Marie had a change of heart, and Misty is now the top and only dog, upstairs and downstairs. We miss our little Funny Face a lot, crooked tail and all.

Figure Studies

watercolor study
Marie and I go to Portland for drawing studio

March 27,2008

Bud vase
Analagous painting
A good place to put junk

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Monday, March 24, 2008

Columbia River Tugboat at Kalama ~ 3/24/2008



I painted this from a bench in Marine Park at the Port of Kalama. This tugboat headed upriver hauling a barge. A few sprinkles fell on me. The hills in Oregon are interesting and the cottonwood trees across the river are showing a first color.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Lake Sacajawea ~ Longview, Washington March 22

Lake Sacajawea Longview, Washington

Marie and I painted these pictures today. My watercolor is of a structure in the Japanese Garden on an island in the lake.


Marie's oil painting is painted from the structure I painted. To find out more about her work visit her website.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Happy Good Friday.....Is It Spring yet?





















My daffodils are in bloom, but it seems so cold to be Spring yet!
Marie and I enjoy the blue glass in our windows. It's like having a blue sunshine.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Longview ~ Kalama ~ Watercolors






Ayle Point on the Columbia River is a peaceful place near Kalama, Washington. The Longview Theater was constructed in an Art Deco style over 80 years ago. The Longview Public Library's Cupola is interesting architechture.

A Squinting by Allan Wise

Eyelashes prismed against the sun
Filtering light through a squint
Casting my eyes like the crack of a gun
Without the weaselest hint

To six gulls painting black on sky's blue
And silver stroking cloud white
Climbing the heavens threads of a screw
The course of a stringless kite

Friday, March 14, 2008

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Kalama View of Columbia River

Japanese Garden ~ Lake Sacajawea ~ Longview Washington



This is the view from my home in Kalama, Washington overlooking the Columbia River.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Newest Grandson, Silas


This is my newest grandchild, Silas Roman Wise. He's almost two months old.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Lake Sacajawea - Longview, Washington

March 8, 2008 - Allan Wise

Marie and I did plein air paintings at the south end of Lake Sacajawea. This lake provides many opportunities for painting subjects. Marie did an oil painting of some fresh iris stalks. This is an acrylic painting 11"x 14". I painted from a bench at the very south end of this manmade lake. Lake Sacajawea is very scenic, and has many beautiful old trees. The lake is over two miles in length and is a favorite local walking and picnic place.

Friday, March 7, 2008

New Orleans Plein Air Watercolors

Saxaphone Player on New Orleans Riverfront

On the Mississippi River in New Orleans. Riverboat in background




St. Louis Cathedral
Andrew Jackson Park
New Orleans




These Plein Air Watercolors done on vacation in new Orleans




Thursday, March 6, 2008

Sunflowers: After Vincent Van Gogh


Still-life with Four Sunflowers by Vincent VanGogh. This is my attempt to copy a master.

I love his work!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Columbia River at Kalama



This is a watercolor painting from our home in Kalama, WA. The Columbia River view is spectacular.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Longview Community Church / Lake Sacajawea


This is the last vase from my class.
March 3,2008

Marie & I did plein air paintings at Lake Sacajawea. My work is acrylic.