Passionate about Abstract Pastels

Looming

11 x 14

Pastel on Pastelbord

I've been on an abstract painting binge lately. I can't keep my hands off the pastels. I'm loving every minute of it. Here is my latest one.

$375  Free Shipping

Summer in Winter

Sun Washed

18 x 24

Pastel on Pastelbord

Why do I like to paint summer scenes in winter? Is it that I want color during these bleak grey days. Do I want miss the beautiful colors of spring and summer? Do I want to play around with vivid colors because of the excitement they create within me?

Cast your vote and tell me what do you think?

Pastels Sublime Gallery Pond Paintings

Gossamer Pond

15 x26

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

I love ponds and lakes and the interplay of light and reflections on the water. If anyone knows of some beautiful ponds natural or man made in the area of Coarsegold , CA, please let me know. Here are more pond paintings.

                   Pond Currents..........  Sold

16 x 20

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

Shrimp Lillies

16 x 20

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

               Lilly Pond........Sold

12 x 29

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

Lauren's Lillies

15 x 16

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

Moody Day

Moody Heron

12 x 16

Pastel on Canson Paper

It's so nice to be a studio artist especially on these rainy days. Rain puts me in a moody painting mood. Today in class we created atmospheric paintings. Here are a couple from two of my students, Judy Andes and Jean Daly.

Winter Paintings

Winter's Cool,  8 x 6,  Pastel on La Carte Board

 $70 Free Shipping

Winter Showoff, 12 x 16,  Pastel on Linen Mat Board

  $375 Free Shipping

I've got a number of paintings in progress  right now so no new ones to show you at this time. Here is a couple of winter scenes I bougth back. The first one is a scene around the Mono Lake area east of the Sierra Nevadas. The second is from a scene in Yosemite Valley.

Here is a another winter painting also inspired by the area just east of the Sierras. As the original was sold, I'm offering this for sale as prints on Fine Art America.

Winter's Glow 

Seductive Waters

  

Original Pastel Painting $340 - Free Shipping
For prints please click on Fine Art America logo 

Seductive Waters

11 x 14

Pastel on Pastelbord

This work started out as water reflections in a nearby lake. It morphed into a high county lake. I loved the journey it took me on.

Exciting news ...My works are now available for purchase. You can buy original works direct from my blog or you can purchase prints at Fine Art America  http://www.fineartamerica.com/.  I've selected this one as the first original work for sale. 

Third Do Over

In Tu It

9 x 12

Pastel on Canson Paper

Those of you who follow my blog may remember last year I did an experimental series of works I called Mud Pies (use search bar to look up). Well I pulled what I had left out of inventory to do further experiments on. I got the idea from pastel artist Barbara Benedetti Newton ( http://barbaranewton.blogspot.com/ ) and after reading the wonderful article in The October issue of The Pastel Journal called " Infinite Possibilities". I pulled a mud pie at random and wiped it clean as best I could with a blackboard eraser. From the ghost image of the first painting I created a second painting. Not pleased with it, I erased that one and started another. This time I applied an acrylic wash of white on the lower right of the painting. Then I applied pastels. My goal was to paint an abstract painting of balarina tu tus interacting with each other ala Degas minus the figures. It wasn't working because I was thinking subjectively rather than non objectively so I changed my attitude about it and let it be what it wanted to be not knowing where it would end up. I fixed the painting at many intervals with Aqua Net clear hair spray and used an exacto knife to scraped iridescent pastels on it throughout the painting. This is the second one I have used this method on and so far I am pleased. I am enjoying the excitement of experimenting. The journey rules.

So What Is It ?

Mystery Insect about 1-1/2" long (missing a wing)

I was painting in the studio last night when it began to rain. Something was hitting the french door windows. Sounded like hail so I put on the outdoor light. I couldn't believe what I saw. Hugh fly like insects that had a reddish underbelly or wing. They seemed to glow when they flew. They had a loud buzzing sound. I've not seen these before. I woke up this morning with it on my mind. Have to know what they are. Can anyone out there tell me? Please.

Anyway back back to my studio I went and finished this painting. What do you think?

After The Rain

11 x 15

Pastel on Sanded Paper



Tailings

Les Petites Fluers II

11 x 14

Pastel on Pastelbord

I did not paint this piece on my easel but rather I laid it flat on my work table so I was looking down on it. Because of this the pastel dust instead of falling down was brushed to the sides forming tailings. I then used fixative ( actually it was Aqua Net hair spray which I have used for close to 20 years now without a problem) to keep these tailings in place.  Just thought you might be interested. What do you think?

Little Sparkles on the My Creative Jelly Roll

On High

8 x 10

Pastel on Pastelbord

My painting frenzy continues. I love when I'm on a creative roll. Being true to my words, I'm painting as much as I can while it lasts. This piece started out with water media (combination of turpenoid and acrylic textile paint) which I applied with a watercolor brush. It dried quickly but before it dried entirely I started in with the pastels using my fingers for a bit. For the finishing touch I shaved some iridescent pastels with an exacto knife on highlighted areas. What do you think?

The Perfect Prime Rib Roast

Seductive Waters

11 x 14

Pastel on Pastelboord

Creativity is a funny thing. The harder I try, the harder it is to achieve. It's like Serenity NOW! If only I could will it to happen. I have learned that when it comes it's sort of like a beautiful prime rib roast done to perfection. Over or under cook it and it loses something. but eat it now, do not wait another moment and it is heaven. If I don't use this gift while it is still in reach, I lose it and I'm thinking some other artists out there may feel the same way. What do you think?

Very Productive Day Today

It Started With Pink

9 x 12

Pastel on Sanded Paper

It's one of those no makeup, wearing sweats days for me today.  It's been raining (close to snowing but not quite). I love it. Been doing a number of things in the house side stepping into the studio now and then to do some work on this painting I started yesterday.  It was an exercise in experimentation that I had my class do.  Just finished it in time to share with you before I start dinner.  

Photo Freebees Return by Popular demand

I have some 12,000 photos in my collection. From time to time I offer some of them copyright free to you as my way of sharing some of the beauty I have seen on my many journeys. Here are some. Hope you take them and enjoy. If you want more information on any of them. Please reply and know I will get back to you with answers as soon as possible.



Repeat Performance

Currents,  8 x 10, Pastel on Pastelbord

Currents II, 5 x 7, Pastel on Pastelbord

I'm having trouble sharing the previous blog to facebook so I'm repeating the images only. So no you dont have double vision, your seeing double.

This Artist's Journey

Currents

8 x 10

Pastel on Pastelbord

Currents II

5 x 7

Pastel on Pastelbord

Every once in a while I veer away from my traditional style and format into a world of unknowns. It's so exciting stepping into new territory. I focus on the moment not knowing where this will play out, what the final picture will be. I focus on each stroke. Anything is game. It's playtime. It's the sandbox or the swing . I do it for the sheer joy it brings me. Every once in a while I screech with joy. The pleasures go deep in my soul. I'm loving what I doing. I'm singing. I'm a kid again. The more I play, the more I want to play. Sometimes, not only do I like the journey but I like where it ends.

My First Painting on Canson Board

"Heron Pond Enchantment III"

20 x 16

Pastel on Canson Board

My first painting on the new Canson Board comes with a new process for me. I painted this piece not on my easel as usual but with it lying flat on a table so that I was looking down on it. I placed in on the easel when it was about 90% finished. The last 10% was done alternating between table and easel. Let me know what you think.

Multi Tasking

"Jerusalem Gardens"

21 x 25

Pastel on Sanded Mat Board

So I've been working on 7 paintings at once. I think I like this because I'm in my studio more then usual. Get bored or in a rut with one- go to another. Also my problem solving skills are improving. Any input from you out  there, I would love to hear from you.

"Water Source of Light" Reception

Fellow artist Toby Raetz with his first place acrylic sculpture.

 

Fellow artist Vivian Capone

 (see her blog at http://vivianhelena-creates.blogspot.com/ )

Jon Bock and water bottles

Last night I attended the Sierra Art Trails special exhibit "Water Source of Light" Reception in Oakhurst. Wish I could show you more of the exhibits as it was a delightful show full of intriguing and delightful pieces. The installation pieces were amazing. The show runs through Dec 5th. Do come see it if you're in this part of the country. Click on http://www.sierraarttrails.org/exhibits/water.html to find out more.

Withering Passion

Lilly Pond Fantasy II

9 x 12

Pastel on Pastelbord

I'm in a very creative spurt right now. I want to be at my easel all day and night. This was the case 20 years ago when I was younger and just starting out. It dosesn't happen near as often as I would like it to these days. I am so very grateful when it does. Much of the time I force myself to go to the easel. Hard getting started but start I do anyway.

I don't know about you artists out there, if you always feel the passion and if you are one of those artists, please, please, please tell me your secret. For the rest of you...please let me know your thoughts on this subject.

Yes, There Really is Breakfast at Tiffany's

High Desert Pink and Blue

12 x 14

Pastel on Canson Mi Tientes Paper

ANITA AND BRUCE'S ADVENTURE TO

My husband and I took a trip to Beverly Hills while staying at our daughter's house this past week. We're both natives to L.A. and have been to Beverly Hills zillions of times before BUT here's a new on us. Right next door to the famous Tiffany & Co. there actually exists a restaurant that features breakfast.

Breakfast anyone? and you're right next door to

We dropped into the William Karges Gallery to find this outstanding painting by Granville Redmond (1871-1935 ). This comes with a sticker shock price tag over $200,000. 

Granville Redmond"s  "Poppy Landscape"

Here's another very beautiful painting we saw by contemporary artist Dennis Doheny

(b 1956).

Dennis Doheny    "Morning Palms"

Sonny's Obsession

Sunglow

8 x10

Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes Paper

Two days ago Sonny was at his usual spot in the dining room on the lookout for the two cats who live next door.

 It seems that lately he's become quite obsessed with these cats. He interrupts his meals to walk over to the window to see if they have returned.  He's forever staring out that door. The dear are now taking a back seat to the cats. Don't get me wrong, he barks at them also ,in fact he seems to bark at anything that moves.

He's making us crazy lately with the addition of these cats.  As it happens, this time it was the deer who showed up. Sonny's an equal rights barking dog so the deer got the same barking time as the cats.

Why Winter Scenes Now ?

Winter at Fishslough    Sold

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Mi Tientes Paper

Why winter scenes now? Because I don't have any autumn scenes to show you except one and since I have about 5 works in progress, I thought why not show my winter paintings whose title starts with winter. Makes sense to me. If you don't get my logic, don't lose any sleep over it. Here are some more "Winter........"  paintings.

Winter's Glow   Sold

16 x 20

Pastel on Sanded Board

Winter at Fishslough II  Sold

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Mi Tientes Paper

Winter at Fish Slough IV

23 x 27

Pastel on Suade Mat Board

Winter Show Case

12 x 16

Pastel on Linen Mat Board