On A Creative Binge

View From Rose Mountain

16 x 20

Pastel on Canson Mi-tientes Pastel Board

Ever since I got the book "Painting the Spirit of Nature" by Maxine Masterfield" I have been on a creative journey along with my classes. We're using lots of fixative, water, alcohol, Pam spray,hardware doodads such as framing and other metal clips ( for creating shapes and tailings) sponge brush, pencils (pastel and otherwise) shipping popcorn, crushed plastic wrap and other assorted papers, even some oil pastel, etc. I'm finding that the relatively new Canson Mi-Tientes Board can withstand a tough beating so using all these tools without damaging the paper is possible. I would love to hear from you out there telling me what tools you use.

Reflections

8 x 10

Oil Pastel

It happens that once in a great while I get the urge to do an oil pastel. On this painting I used primarily Sennelier Irridescent and Metallic oil pastels because they give off such a beautiful glow.  This is a dreamscape influenced by many of the beautiful ponds I have visited.

On The Easel Unfinished and Uninviting for Too Long

It Started With Green

18 x 24

Pastel on Linen Mat Board

This painting started out as an abstract floral. I started with a large Sunflower in the upper right quadrant. Other then a few playful strokes of greens and black that's all I painted on it. It sat in my studio untouched for about 6 months when I decided the heck with it, I'm never going to finish this. Something about it was uninviting. So I wiped off as much pastel as I could using tissues, then scrubbed it with a toothbrush. Now I'm ready to start the new work. Recently I checked out a book from the Timberline Gallery lending library called "Painting the Spirit of Nature" by Maxine Masterfield. This is a book describing some of her techniques along with photos of her works as well as other's works. All I can say is WOW. I was blown away, inspired and energized, I want to say like I've never been before although I'm sure I've been this inspired before. Just can't remember when.

So this is the first painting I've done since I got the book. I'm returning it back to Timberline this week or next as I have it on order. I don't want to give it up until I get my own copy.

Mud Pie Becomes "Sweet Place"

Sweet Place

8 x 11

As some of you may remember, last year I undertook a project with my class to do 20 plus paintings variation on a same theme composition using the same size paper. I called it Mud Pies because it was to be a playful creative adventure in experiment. It was fun. I experimented with liquid media even used garlic flavored olive oil in the process. Looking back it was fun, therapeutic and revealing to me. I came out the better for it. It loosened me up. Here's a few of the mud pies.

Mud Pie #9

Mud Pie #7

Mud Pie #15

The reason I am telling you this is that I did a do-over on one of them. Sorry, I forgot which one. I took a kleenex tissue wiped off the pastel and scrubbed it a little with a toothbrush. It left a faded ghost image behind. So I started a whole new painting. With a vague idea of what I was doing I just started applying pastels picking colors that appealed to me and thinking of some sort of landscape scene in spring or summer. I started it some 2-3 months ago. I remember having three sessions on it spread over the 2-3 months. It sat around waiting for me to get my next inspiration which happened last week when I finished it. I felt at peace with it and called it done. I was in a sweet place at the time.

Painting in Progress, Sunset in Progress

Painting in Progress  Stage 1

Stage 2

Stay tuned for the continuing saga of this painting. I'm on a journey.

Speaking of journeys - My husband and I had an E ride for the eyes coming home from Oakhurst yesterday. We saw an amazing sunset happening. It changed with every turn of the mountainous road. It was like listening to a symphony all the way home. Darn, wouldn't you know I didn't have my good camera with me but I did have my antiquated cell phone. Here are the photos I took.

 

In a way isn't it like creating a painting that has its way with you. It controls you from beginning to end. It captures you, like what you're doing or not. It beckons you and says just keep going. Thoroughly frustrated you keep on going. Your muse is sitting on your shoulder chuckling because she/he knows that  it will turn out to be a satisfying experience, maybe even awesome.