Instant Inspiration

 

 

"Morning Embrace", 16 x 20 pastel on pastelbord.

 

The original scene that inspired this painting was a section of shore line on Heron Lake where my husband and I take our morning walks.  The support I used was Amphersand pastel board which seems to bring out a loose creativity in me. This painting is the one I chose to be in the 2013 Sierra Art Trails catalogue which comes out sometime this summer. Sierra Art Trails is a once a year open house studio event that takes place in early October here in the foothills of Yosemite National Park http://www.sierraarttrails.org/. The event attracts people for afar as well as local. I'm grateful and proud to be one of the participating artists. More to come on my art and this event in future blogs.

I Keep Going Back

"Moody Heron", 10 x 14, pastel on Canson paper.

 

I've changed my cover image. I love Heron Lake. I don't know how many times I've painted it. Don't care. It continues to intrigue me. I keep going back to it for it's a place of healing and  inspiration. Its many moods create a desire to paint what I see and feel. Here's another painting of Heron Lake. 

 

"Moody Afternoon at Heron Lake", 11 x 14, pastel on Canson paper.

 

Both of these paintings are currently showing at Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst.

http://www.timberlineartgallery.com/

 

 

 

BeforeThat First Stroke

 

"Into The Light, 19 x 25, pastel on Mi-Tientes Touch board.

 

I don't just select a photograph from my collection and start painting simply because I think it looks nice.There are lots of questions I have to ask myself about the scene before I'm ready to commit to painting it. Here are some:

What do I want to bring out in the painting?

What do I want to convey to the viewer?

What is my focus all about?

What is it I felt when first looking at the scene in real life?

Where do I want the eye to travel in the scene?

What support, pastels and other media do I want to use for the painting ( what paper, board, brand, color )?

How large do I want the painting to be?

What method and process do I use? 

These are just a few, but I think you get the idea. Some paintings take a lot of forethought and planning, while for others the answers come almost instantly without decisions to make ( I love to paint these kinds, but it doesn't happen too often).

The painting "Heron Lake Loop Trail II" was one of those that the photo of the scene sat around for a while first as something intriguing but passed over. It was several months before my decision was made. I knew I was inspired by the morning light,  shadows and pallet of the scene. When I knew what my ingredients were for the painting, I was committed and ready to start. Was or is this particular recipe a success?  Now.... that depends on the viewer.

Don't leave

 

"Heron Lake Loop Trail II, 18 x 24, pastel on Mi-Tientes Touch board.