Loose Does Not Mean Easy

"Meadow Dance", 11 x 14, pastel on Pastelbord

 My classes have ended until next fall and with no pressing events except a mini show I'm doing at Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst June 7th-July 6th, I have free time. I've decided it's time for me to get back to doing do-overs on some works I am not pleased with. First I wipe the pastel off with a chalk board eraser or Kleenex or wash off using my hose. Once done and all that remains is the ghost painting, I start a new journey usually with a fun, playful attitude painting until something grabs me. I see hints and suggestive images coming forth. Sounds easy but don't kid yourself, it's not. I experiment, go through twists and turns and dead alleys. I want to quit and give up in disgust but being optimistic that something good will happen, I keep on painting. I never know when it hits but eventually something happens and I like where its going.

I have turned a corner. Now I like what I'm painting and can't wait to see what I do next on my canvas. This is the scary part because it's becoming precious but ohhh sooo exciting. But I don't want to tighten up so I'm walking a tight rope. I'm pumped and the juices start flowing. It was work to get to this spot and the work goes on but with a new heightened excitement. Can't wait to see what I paint next.  I am addicted to the thrill of the ride!

There were No Trees

"There Were No Trees", 15 x 19, pastel on self sanded mat board.

I haven't posted anything since April. Why is that? Well, my classes ended in early April and hubby and I took to the road for an r and r holiday to Las Vegas but darn it, we just missed the plein air convention by a day not that I paint in plein air. I never took a liking to it. Don't like the standing still for too long when I'm outdoors. I love to hike and keep moving until I'm forced to stop for a beautiful site, one that really grabs me for a time. Camera handy, I snap away. And so it goes. It's not that I haven't tried to paint outdoors. I have and when I did, I found that the scene changes on me, shadows move, light changes, weather changes which not only frustrates me but makes me want to forget the whole thing and take a nap. I love my studio where I don't get bitten, or have a rattle snake slither by in the grasses near me or a bear for that matter. Also, I don't get sunburned in the studio. I could go on and on but I'm beginning to bore myself so I will end with saying that I don't have any insect DNA on this painting which, I am proud to say, was done completely and unabashedly in my studio.