Flower study

Flower Study 9x12 Pastel

Here's  a quick flower study of some of the flowers that were in the bouquet I bought myself. I tried to limit the the color palette to 3 oranges, 3 greens and 2 blues.  I really want to try this again using different colors for the flowers and background.

My new easel arrived today!  It was much easier to set up than I was trying to make it, so it took a little while - I just automatically thought it would be hard - I was wrong... It was on sale at Dick Blick's and I'm anxious to try it out!  I can't wait to pack away the cheapo easel I've been using. I've had a pair of my flipflops on the bottom legs of that easel so it wouldn't slide around - now I get my flipflops back, and just in time....it's supposed to be 75 degrees tomorrow here in Maryland!

Just for fun

 God's Poetry 5 1/2 x 12 3/4 Pastel

I had a scrap piece of  canson mi-tentes paper and I thought I'd have some fun with it.  I had a very dull reference photo, and decided to use my imagination and punch up the color!  I have to say I'm very pleased with how this one turned out. 

The scene is a field in Preston, Md not far from my home - for some unknown reason I find myself drawn to rows of trees- maybe it's the mystery of what's inside the woods. I don't know.... but I find myself taking lots of pictures of just rows of trees, and I'm full of artistic energy tonight, so I think I'll do another one. 

I had a request for a specific painting so I think I'll get to work on that right now - I won't ruin the surprise- check back for the revealing. 

My go to place for naming paintings

 Unveiling Mist 9x12 Pastel SOLD

Today I worked on more sky holes - practice makes perfect, but the whole time I was working on this, I was thinking of what the perfect title would be.  I thought back to when I took this photo.  I was visiting family in Hardinsburg, Indiana and woke up long before anyone else.  I decided to go outside for a walk, and boy was it foggy! I walked for quite a while before deciding to head back and see if anyone was up yet and the fog, I noticed, was finally lifting.  The scene of this unmowed field was just beautiful!  Each flower slowly making it's presence known.  I just had to take some pictures!

I completed this painting and still a title just wasn't coming to me.  Sure, I had a couple of words in mind, but they were ordinary words and just didn't express what I felt back on that morning walk.  So where do you go to find extraordinary words?  The thesaurus!  This is my favorite place to find words!  You can take any word - like "fog" in my case, and the thesaurus will give you a handful of other words that mean the same thing - the mother load of painting names.  If you don't have a thesaurus, I highly recommend you run down to the bookstore and buy one.  It will save you hours of "thinking" and give you more time to paint!  Where do you like to find ideas for titles?

Sky holes

First Date 9x12 Pastel

I've been reading through a book by Albert Handell, and I'm on the section covering sky holes.  Sky holes are the little spots where you see the sky through the leaves of the trees.  In his book he says the holes closest to the trunk are much smaller than the holes you would see at the end of the branches, and that the sky holes should be a darker value than the sky itself.  I thought I'd give it a try using this information.  I decided to make the sky a light lavender/blue and using my new Terry Ludwig pastels, I chose a slightly darker value of the lavender/blue.  I really enjoy testing out the techniques I read about. 

This is the book I'm currently reading:

This painting is a scene from Oxford, Md.  I was told by a fellow student in my pastel class that the couple in the scene goes there every night (weather permitting) to watch the sun set, and that many many artists have captured them on canvas.  I'm happy to be added to that list.  I chose the title "First Date" because I feel that's what they're really doing - - recreating a "first date" night after night.  How romantic!

The Importance of Family

Day at the Beach 9x12 Pastel

I am well known for having tunnel vision at times (well most of the time). I start a "project" be it crafting, Girl Scouts, exercise and yes painting - and get so immersed in that particular project that I forget and often ignore those around me.  I don't intend on this happening, but it does, and I have to be reminded to give attention and thanks to those that have to sacrifice parts of themselves for me.  Those people are my family and friends but mostly my family.  My children have been complaining of not "seeing" me or giving them attention because I'm at the easel it seems "ALL THE TIME" and I need to thank them for allowing me to pursue my dream of creating art.  And my husband, for his support and help with setting up and understanding the world of electronics and trying to be as patient as possible in teaching me computers - because with out him, I don't think I would even know how to turn a computer on. And for his understanding and ability to turn his head when painting is coming before dusting. I  just want to say a special thank you to all of my family both near and far and my closest of friends for your support and kind words of encouragement.  I love you all! If you personally are involved in "projects" don't forget to thank those around you.

The painting above is of my children when they were much younger than they are now.  We love to visit Assateague National Seashore, and this is from one of our visits there. The wild ponies that roam the shores are a must see for anyone!

The end of a great pastel class

Morning Meeting 5x7 Pastel

My current pastel class has come to an end.  What a great class that was! So many talented students and each willing to share and learn from each other.  Katie Cassidy was the instructor and really gives that one on one attention - her work amazes me- the way all her paintings sparkle! If you ever have the chance to take a class at the Art Academy in Easton, Md. I highly recommend it.  My next class starts next Wednesday with Nick Serratorre as the instructor.  We're going to be working on various underpainting methods so stay tuned- I'll share all that I learn.

Here's Katie giving me some pointers

I'm super late posting tonight- I had to register for the next pastel class and order more supplies.  Dick Blick was having a great sale and I couldn't resist- 5 days from now I will receive a new easel! I'm excited!  No more having to use my flimsy walmart easel - I've had a pair of flipflops on the front legs of the easel so it wouldn't slide around - it looks like the easel will walk off at any given moment - kind of embarrassing when people come to visit and want to know why the easel is wearing a pair of rubber flip flops, but I'm (almost) sure all artists start out this way.......

Trash to Treasure

Discarded Bushel Baskets 16x20 Pastel

Sometimes a change of plans can be a blessing in disguise.  My son and I had planned to go hiking up in Fairhill, Md. but we got a late start out of the house and decided to stay close to home and ended up at Terrapin Beach Park.  We'd never visited this park before, but we'd soon regret not checking this little gem out sooner.  The hiking trail follows through some marshes, woodlands and naturally as their name claims - a beach.  Beautiful beach along the Chesapeake Bay.  The scenes along the trail were absolutely filled with photo opts. I took a ton of photos!  Right along the beach I spotted these bushel baskets (no owner to be found). I loved how the light was shining through them and was excited to see how they'd turn out in a painting.  If anything represents the Eastern Shore (other than blue crabs, that is...) it's bushel baskets!  So don't get upset when plans don't go exactly how you wanted them to, because there just might be a treasure waiting to be found. 

My favorite hiking spot

Mountain Bliss 5x7 Pastel

This is the perfect title to this painting- I looked up the definition of the word bliss just to see if I had chosen a good word and it states: supreme happiness; utter joy or contentment.  Yes, the perfect word for the most perfect place.  Table Rock mountain in South Carolina is my utmost favorite of hiking places!  Now I have to admit I haven't been to every hiking location out there, but for me, this is my favorite.  If you were to visit Table Rock, this is the scene you would get to see at the trail head.  They have a really nice bridge with a sitting area so you can just sit and admire this little waterfall.  And I could just sit here all day - - well not ALL day, after all I love to hike - - but after the hike, then I'd sit and admire.  Hopefully this summer my family can visit Table Rock again so I can do some plein air painting of this beautiful place. 

Fishing Pier at Martinak State Park

Martinak Memories 9x12 Pastel

Here's my homework to be turned in on Wednesday at my pastel class.  I'm calling it finished for now, but we'll see what suggestions my instructor Katie has for me. My son and I visited this park last weekend to hike and get some photos, and let me just say.....I'm loving this WARM winter! I'll take more like this one anyday! Although the sky was a bit on the gray side - we still had a great time together and got a few photos for upcoming paintings.

My Cows

Send in the Cows 9x12 Pastel

When the weather is nice, my son and I take long walks along the country roads - we walk, discover new roads to try out, take in the scenery, talk and talk about anything and everything and take photos for future paintings.  When we're short on sunlight I will just say lets go check on my cows.  They're not really my cows, but I fell in love with this little calf from the day it was born.  I drive by this farm everyday on my way to work and have watched this little guy grow and grow. Don't you just love his little face?  Usually when we walk to see them they're a little too far from the fence to get a good picture, but this particular day I lucked out.  What a big smile they bring to my face! 

Smoky Mountain Overlook

Smoky Mountain Whisper 9x12 pastel

Whispering Pines

The wind blows,

and the trees whisper my name.

A sound of serenity bounces on and off my ear drum.

I hear peace,

and nothing else.

The soothing sound relaxes me as the trees dance with the wind.

Inhale,

Exhale,

I take a deep breath.

My eyes open as I finally comprehend,

It all depends,

if  you're ready or not,

but it will come.

~name of author unknown

There is nothing more breathtaking than standing at the top of a mountain overlook. I could just stand in one spot for hours and take it all in. This painting is of a photo I took at one of  the many overlooks in the Smokies. The places where you just pull your car over and stop briefly.  I took my Girl Scout troop to Pigeon Forge this past summer to camp and to experience Dollywood of course, and we stopped here at this overlook for some photos on our way to Cherokee NC. Special memories.

Painting falling snow

Winter's Song 5x7

I was reading a post by pastel artist Karen Margulis about painting falling snow and I was very anxious to give it a try.  By chiseling chunks of pastel off the stick with an exacto knife and then pressing them in with a palette knife, you can give the impression of falling snow.  I absolutely love this technique! 

This is a scene from my backyard -  I have the most beautiful stream that runs the entire 6 acres, so there are many many photo ops just steps from the back door.  I first painted the scene minus the cardinals, but it was missing something..... color!  I found a reference photo from the Wet Canvas website of some cardinals and popped them right in. Since my yard is usually filled with cardinals, they were a perfect fit.  Then I added the falling snow technique that I just couldn't wait to try and voila!  I'm very happy with the result. A couple of students in my pastel class thought it would make a great Christmas card...hum.....something to think about. 

Chasing sunsets

My current pastel class is titled Painting the Light in Landscapes.  For our first homework assignment we were to scavenge the area and take as many reference photos capturing light that we could find.  I was coming home from work around 4:30 and could not believe the beautiful sky ahead of me - I wanted some reference photos of water scenes, but I was still about 20 minutes from the docks!  I had to move fast - - the sun was almost fully set by the time I parked the car.  I was able to snap about 5 different photos before I was standing in the dark.  I chose this one to do for class first because the light on the boat was so dramatic, but after I had it back home and gave it time to sit on the easel a couple of days I decided to do the painting again but using a different color palette.

This is the second attempt using only violets and yellows.  Red violet, blue violet, plum...you get the idea. I'm thinking I like the second one better. What makes me smile about this painting though, is remembering that when I first came up to this boat there must have been 25 seagulls sitting on the flat top - they were making such funny noises. I was laughing out load while rushing from here to there trying to get their pictures and hold the camera steady - All I could think of was what a mess someone was going to have to clean up.

Ready for Spring

Just because it's the winter season doesn't mean you can't enjoy the beauty of flowers.  The amazing colors and scents~ something to remind you that spring is just around the corner.  A quick trip to the local grocery store can fulfill all your flower needs.  That's what I did for this painting.

I was passing the flower shop on my way to the produce section when a bouquet of beautiful assorted flowers caught my eye. I just had to treat myself, and at $5.99 I felt it was a bargain that couldn't be passed up.So here is the first flower chosen from the bunch.  The sunflowers that are on display right now are amazing! So stay tuned..... the rest of the bouquet will soon be emerging.

Happy Valentines Day!

I don't feel any other species of birds reflects the feeling of love more so than the swan and I was excited to find this photo that I took years ago. This particular swan lives at my favorite restaurant. The restaurant of course is waterfront - and after over-stuffing myself with all-you-can-eat Maryland crabs we went outside to walk the pier and look at the boats and lucky for me the swan was in picture-taking distance. I could hardly wait to put this swan to pastels - and was so surprised that I finished in under 30 minutes! That's extremely rare for me. I'm hoping my husband has Valentine flowers for me tonight... I feel like painting some flowers.... I'll let you know tomorrow, but until then - show some love to those around you and have a very happy Valentines Day.

#Painttime2017

                 "I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart." Vincent van Gogh

Back in January, pastel artist Karen Margulis challenged all artists to pick one thing and in any medium, create a work of art. I've chosen skies as my subject, more specifically clouds, and following Karen's lead will paint at least one painting of skies every week for 1 year. I feel I need a lot of practice with clouds so hopefully in one year's time I will have mastered them.

This is my view from my front yard. I am very fortunate and overwhelmingly thankful to live in the country. I grew up in the city, but always swore that one day I'd be a country girl - and here I am... lucky to live on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

What will you pick to paint today?

Sprouting Wings~ taking the plunge

I thought it fitting to paint this beautiful little wren for the grand unveiling of this blog. I say grand because to me, technology is frightening.....but I'm pressing on. This will be a great tool for me to keep track of my progress in pastel painting and I'm making a pledge to myself to paint everyday.

This poor little bird flew into my house one afternoon when a sliding door was left opened. My son and I ran from room to room trying to capture it - they're so fast! It unfortunately flew into the wall and fell to the ground. We were sure the poor thing was dead. My son gently picked it up in his hands and after about a minute it lifted it's head. We quickly took it outside and set it down on the ground. It rested there for a long while giving me plenty of time to take a couple photos. I doubt this will be the last time you see this little guy.