I was pleased to sell these new paintings to a local collector. Apparently social media is still working! She stumbled across my Facebook site a month ago and decided she needed some of my art. It was nice avoiding the shipping charges!
I have been growing hops for over 5 years now. These are Cascade Hops. I like the hoppy fragrance and enjoy the way they mark the seasons. It is spring when the vines finally start to bust out of the ground. Sadly the conclusion to summer when the hops are ripe.
I have not grown them for any practical reason just a decoration. This year a brewery in town, MickDuff’s Brewery, is collecting hops from private growers for a special brew. So I harvested 4 lbs of hops and delivered them to the brewery. I now have a $20 gift card for MickDuff’s… so professional farmer?
I have just finished this large commission. I am not taking many commissions this year as I am focusing on my solo show work. Winter inspiration everywhere in the snow country I live in… half a foot more coming over the weekend.
December 1st, it seemed like the last day to hike up Gold Hill without snow. So I made the 6 mile round trip excursion this morning. It’s such a beautiful view and great exercise, sorry I didn’t make more hikes to the top this year. As I type this the snow is piling up outside. At this point it is on the ground for the season!
It was in the low 20’s during the hike. By the end I pulled my water bottle out of my jacket and it had frozen!
We are preparing to enter our 4th winter living in North Idaho on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. I realize the calendar says winter starts well into December but that’s not really the case here.
The mountains are accumulating snow and the lower country, where I live, is supposed to get around 10″ of snow next week! I call it the forever snow as it will be on the ground until sometime in April.
The lake drew me here, a muse, an endless source of inspiration. Nature on display in grand fashion. Though winter is long it is exceptionally stunning. I love the snowy silence of winter in the studio. The good time summer vibe is over, but Lake Pend Oreille remains. It turns out I much prefer the desolate waters of winter.
Note: By February I will be pretty excited about summer…
brian sostrom 