Pastels on Linen

Winter Showoff 

12 x 16

Pastel on Linen Mat Board

Yes that's right it is on linen. If you haven't tried painting with pastels on linen then your missing out on something thrilling. I work on linen mat board remnents when ever I can get my hands on some. And yes it is archival because it's the same linen mat board one uses to mat paintings whether it be pastels or watercolor. This painting was inspired from a scene in Yosemite Valley. It was a perfect winter day. The atmospheric lighting was pristine. By the way, I live about 40 miles from the park entrance. Am I lucky or what?  Question...What kind of weather do you like best to paint scenes from?  Tell me why. I look forward to your comments.

Getting Hooked on Wet Pastels

Mud Pie # 12

9 x 12

Jack Richeson Premium Paper Sanded Paper

For this mud pie I started the painting not knowing where it was going to go. Early on, I applied turpenoid to the 1st under layer then sprayed some on here and there throughout the painting process ending with irridescent pastels on the final layer for the highlights. Time frame 40 minutes.

Mud Pie #9

9 x 12

Jack Richeson Sanded Pastel Paper

This may be the first one, if not one of the first of the mud pies where I applied liquid. It was alcohol, then turpenoid and then for the first time I believe I added the garlic roasted olive oil. The results were instant love for here I'm fingerpainting with pastels and what a pleasurable sensation that was. It really brought me back to my childhood. I loved the act of moving my fingers around in wet pastel. Joy, yes that was what I felt, I was a child again feeling pure joy and that my friends is a priceless experience.  I got carried away on this one; time frame 1 hour.

Small Wonders

Gossamer Pond II

I'm bringing back some small images shown on my blog this past summer so I can tell you about a show coming up in March at Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst, California called 100 Small Wonders Under $100. I am bringing these works back to show you so if you live around here or are passing through on your way to Yosemite National Park, please do stop in and take a look. They are from a collection of small works I was doing for my painting a day last summer. Many of them will be shown in this show.  Enjoy. Oh by the way every painting in the show including the framing will be under 10 inches.

Please clink on the link for more information on Timberline Gallery at

http://www.timberlineartgallery.com/

New Header Image for Now through February

Simon's Lillies

                              18 x 24                       sold

Because this painting reminds me of this month's header, I thought I would share it with you. I really love the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California not only for it fabulous collection of art but also for its wonderful gardens and lilly pond. February's header is titled Norton's Lillies ( ha ha Norton and Simon..get it). This painting also sold. I'm posting it a bit early this month because I don't know if I can blog over the weekend. If I can all the better.

I Am Honored

Pond Currents

16 x 20

Pastel on Suede Mat Borad

Some months ago I was contacted and invited to be included in the publication of  Best of America Pastel Artists Volume II  http://www.bestofartists.com/ The book is now published. It is a beautiful book containing images from pastel artists throughout the United States. They selected three of my paintings to be in the book. Pond Currents, Sunset Serenade and Marcia's Lillies.

 

Sunset Serenade

17 x 20

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

     

                           

                                                                      Marcia's Lillies

16 x 29

                  Pastel on Canson Paper            Sold

Latest Mud Pie and Back to Olive Oil

Mud Pie #20

8 x 10

Richeson Premium Pastel Paper Mounted on panel

I used a lot of liquid for this mud pie. Because foam core backing bowed on the last mud pie  that I applied a lot of liquid to, I thought I'de try mounting a sanded paper to masonite board. It appears to work. I started with saturating the paper with turpenoid then applied the pastels. With gloves on I blended, finger painted and scratched with my nails for effects. I was really getting messy and having a lot of fun. Next I dipped my fingers in garlic roasted extra virgin olive oil and smeared it aroung. I let it dry somewhat then painted  over it with Terry Lugwig pastels. What do you think?

And The Winner Is???????

Reflective Elegance

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Paper

A very large thank you goes out to all who sent me their suggestions for the title of this painting.

See blog of Janurary 14th. The winnah goes to KAH for her lovely inciteful title. You can view her blog on http://www.blogger.com/profile/18089042680629451922 KAH Creations.