In 2026, I set out to share my painting the Sammamish River as part of my Bridges of Redmond project. Here are my adventures in January:
January 1
On January 1, 2026, I took my dog Brody to Marymoor Dog Park, and then through the gate that leads to the dock on Lake Sammamish. I was hoping to capture a scene of the sun rising in the new year. But instead of clear, the scene was cloaked in mist and gorgeous. A skein (or team) of Geese emerged from the mist flying low to the water. I wasn’t able to get my camera out in time to capture them, but I still managed to get a bunch of gorgeous photographs. I will be painting from these for months!
Here is one my paintings that I did back in my home from that morning.
Here’s the video of my adventure with Brody on January 1. It shares a little more about my vision for the Bridges of Redmond project.
On January 5
January 10th I painted this scene at my studio at our Avignon Townhome from photograhs that I had taken January 1. I was trying to capture the softness of the mist and the rich golds, blues and browns of the grass and tree.
Here’s the video of me painting that scene. It can be fun to watch a painting progress.
On January 10
On January 10th I rode my bike from our Avignon Townhome south to find a spot to paint. I set up at an alcove with a bench that looks out on the river at the Railroad Trestle Bridge. Here is what I saw from my easel.
When I paint on the river, people stop to watch, and sometime talk. Today I had a long conversation with a gal who was visiting her family and loves to paint too. Some of our conversation is caught on the video below.
Here is the painting I did that morning. You can see how I interpreted the scene. Paying attention to the red of the bushes, the soft colors of the day, and, making the bridge prominent.
Here’s the video of my adventure painting the Sammamish Rivertail that day.
January 24
January 24 was a clear and cold morning. Brody and I got to Marymoor Dog Park before the sun rose. Mist shimmered on the river. It was so cold that the water on my palette and paper was freezing, making it impossible to paint. I made a valiant effort. But I did get some beautiful photographs.
Here’s one painting I made pack in the warmth of my studio from that glorious morning.
And here is the video of my adventures.
I hope you enjoyed joining me for my adventures painting the Sammamish Rivertrail in January!