Anita Stoll Pastels Sublime

Two Ads in One Month

2012-01-28T11:03:00.000-08:00

Ad for website Artist's Rendezvous in the current issue of "American Artist".

"Eleanor Lake"

It just blows my mind that I never know who out there who sees my work. Of course, I have to show it first. I remember I was working my shift at Timberline Gallery about a year ago and I was in an artistic funk or slump what ever you want to call it when a middle aged man came in carrying some of his paintings. He introduced himself , said he was newly retired and wanted to devote himself to art from now on. He said that he had been following me and my art on the web that he was inspired by my work and wanted to talk to me in person. As he was talking I could see in his eyes the glow of an aspiring artist so excited to start on this new venture. I saw myself in his eyes. I knew where he was at. We talked for about an hour and after he left , my thoughts went something like this. I wished him much success and felt excited for him. I asked myself was it worth it for me. My answer came without hesitation. I asked myself would I do it over again? Same answer. I try to remember when I get into an artist's funk about that day, and when I do I am charged up again. Now to go back to my easel.

The Whole Picture

2012-01-26T09:01:00.000-08:00

"Desert Seduction"

I created this painting for the Blick pastel ad as a loose rendering knowing only a

small portion of the painting would be used. I selected a small pallet of colors that appealed to me. It was a totally intuitive process. Years of living and painting in the high desert north of Los Angeles filled my memory bank with gorgeous scenes of spring when the desert comes alive with amazing colors. Honestly, I don't think I spent more then a couple of hours creating this. It was like it was all planned out and waiting to be painted. I love it when this happens.

To see the ad go to the back cover of the current issue of "Pastel Journal".

Something Bothered Me

2012-01-11T16:08:00.000-08:00

Heron Lake Autumn, 20 x 30, pastel on Mi-Tientes Touch paper

Heron Lake Autumn (version a)

Look familiar? If you've been following my posts you'll know that I featured this painting not long ago. Well, it isn't exactly this painting because what you see is the updated version. As I came into my studio each morning I glanced at version A sitting on the easel and felt uncomfortable about it. This went on for about a week until I knew I had to do a little more work on it or so I thought. Anyway, I went ahead and put more sky in the water reflection lower far right hand corner. Also I enriched the darks with more color and lightened the darks of the far hillside across the lake. Also added rich deep magenta's to the center left. And lastly, I added another tree on the hilltop middle right side. I listened to my intuition as I worked not stopping until I felt satisfied. Living with it for a week or so I decided to call it done. I feel the composition is better and the colors more reflective of what I intended it to be. Scrubbing away, taking off layers of pastel is part of the game. It's very important for me to be at peace with my work. So if a painting isn't framed and out on exhibition, anything can happen. No, I don't make this a habit but on occasion it does happen. Looking back I realize that I declared it done too soon. Ah well, such is life with this artist.

What do you think?

Paintings Faves of 2011

2012-01-05T16:14:00.000-08:00

"It Started With Green, 15 x 20, Pastel on Linen Mat Board. (Painting from 2011)

Instead of starting off 2012 with my first new painting of the year and since I'm not ready to show a new one yet, I thought I would bring back some of my favorites from 2011.

"View From Sara Mountain", 16 x 20, Pastel on Canson Board.

"View From Rose Mountain", 16 x 29, Pastel on Canson Board.

"Moody Heron Pond Glow", 10 x 15, Pastel on Canson Paper.

"Morning Light Play II", 12 x 16, Pastel on Canson Paper.

"Autumn Chic At Heron Lake", 8 x 10, Pastel on Pastelbord.

That's it for now. Enjoy. Happy 2012. Here's to a year filled with many delights and artistic truimphs.

P.S. Oh yes, I did finish one in 2012. Here it is.

"Autumn Dazzle", 9 x 12, Pastel on Canson Paper.

Another Autumn Painting

2011-12-29T19:07:00.000-08:00

"Autumn Mood Heron Lake", 9 x 12, Pastel on La Carte paper.

I know winter is here but without rain since I don't know when and sunny days some in the 60's, it doesn't feel like winter, in fact it still looks much like autumn. I'm still going strong painting autumn scenes. I'm loving the colors this year. This is my latest painting. I used those little make up brushes and rubbed pastel my fingertips to add the highlighted colors as the icing on the cake. This painting is loaded with my DNA.

Colorful Autumn at Heron Lake

2011-12-28T09:16:00.001-08:00

"Heron Lake Autumn", 20 x 30, Pastel on Mi-Tientes Touch Board.

This is my first painting on the Mi-Tientes Touch Board.I'm very pleased to say that this paper has a pleasurable feel to it. It works with the pastels and it makes this artist feel gooood painting on it. This is a smoother lighter sanded paper then I'm use to. It's not as gritty as most. The pastels seem to glide on the surface with good adherence.

On another note, I want to let you that as of this post, I will be part of the website "Before It's News" . Check it out.

In The Mood

2011-12-18T15:18:00.000-08:00

"Moody Afternoon At Heron Lake", 10 x 14 on Mi-Tientes Touch paper.

My Mom used to keep a couple of Hershey bars in the refrigerator for when she or anyone got in the mood for chocolate. I was a thick giant bar that you could break off sections of and much away ...hmmmm yummmm. It hit the spot. Other things that I do like wake up with a mind for letting it all hang out so to speak. In other words a no make up and sweats day just because I'm in the mood. Not a bad thing just an in the mood thing free and easy as it comes. Or how about being in the mood for watching a scary flick. One comes to mind that I recently saw with the word phenomenon or something like that in the title that is really a tense film to watch. Now I have an itch I can't satisfy because I can't remember the title. Can anyone name the title? It's about a family that has a scary event happen at their house and installs cameras that the viewer sees throughout the picture. What happens is really gripping. Anyway, why am I writing about being in the mood. I guess its because there are things that we all need to do from time to time to satisfy us. This painting was very satisfying to create having just taken a walk around Heron Lake in the late afternoon as the fog was rolling in. I couldn't shoot enough photos. It was soooo beautiful. I think I'm in the mood to do another one.

Counting to 100

2011-12-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

"Morning Light Play II", 12 x 16, pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes paper

My latest painting is one in a series I have been adding to from time to time. It's about paintings with "light" in the title. It's the light that always grabs me. Soft, bright, morning, night ( I'm not fond of midday light). I love the light coming off the water, on trails, light showing tree shadows, light on grasses, on hair (animal or human), on flowers. You name it .... what's your favorite light. Here are some photos I have taken of light play at my beloved Heron Pond.

By the way, I would just love to see who the 100th follower will be on my blog. In appreciation and gratitude to all the people who have been so kind and supportive of my work and my blog I am going to send a little present to that person provided she or he is living within the continental United States. If the 100th follower is not within the continental U.S., then the first person after living in the continental U. S. will get it.

Pastels on Linen What's This?

2011-12-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

"Spring Morning Walk"

"It Started With Green" (currently showing at Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst, CA)

"Sienna's Path"

"Pond Currents" (featured in The Past Journal)

"Winter Showoff" (available)

I thought I would feature some pastel paintings done on linen mat board. These are some of my past paintings all but two hanging happily on collector's walls. I looked up in my current inventory for more but found none. Hmmmm. I think it's time to get more linen mat board.

Autumn Color Infusion

2011-11-29T14:29:00.000-08:00

Autumn Chic at Heron Lake, 8 x 10, pastel on pastelbord

My easel time lately has been shortened lately because of home repairs, holidays, travel and class starting up once again. My walks around Heron Lake have shortened along with easel time but I still manage to walk around the lake a couple days a week. I couldn't help but get inspired by this year's display of autumn fireworks. Explosions were going off in my head with each turn of the path revealing yet another breathtaking scene.

I love the fresh crisp and brisk air and a carpet of leaves neath my feet. I love my studio facelift. The color is called tea green. Hope you like it.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Face Lift and An Uplift - New Beginnings

2011-11-16T12:05:00.000-08:00

All artists need changes. We can become stagnant, stuck in a place we need to get out of. I'm out of my comfort zone now as the new paint goes on in my studio. I'm really nervous and excited much like starting a new painting. I can feel the juices flowing but can I capture on canvas what I feel inside? I must listen to the positive voice of my muse that tells me I that I can do this and do it beautifully. I have to be true to me and listen to my instinct while muting out the other negative voices that like to chime in as a chorus from time to time. Am I talking about painting my studio or starting a new painting? Once the painting is finished and I have the newly painted bare walls staring at me isn't it like looking a blank canvas?

"It Started With Green" 16 x 20 pastel on linen mat board

"It Started With Pink", 9 x 12, pastel on sanded paper

Reconnecting With Home and Easel

2011-10-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Zion National Park

Recently my husband and I returned from a ten day vacation road trip to Zion National Park. I vaguely remembered the place from when we took our children there some 40 years ago. It was beautiful and inspiring. I was not a professional artist at the time. I noticed that I was seeing it now with a different pair of eyes, the artist's eyes. I was awestruck with the colors , light, shapes and patterns. I was consumed with its beauty and while still fresh in my mind, I wanted to start a large format painting which I did . It seems to me that the older I get, the harder it gets adjusting back to home life routine after being away and I came down with a bladder infection to boot, but nevertheless I did start the work. I'm looking forward to its completion. Doesn't look like much now. Here it is.

Zion, Work in Progress

The support for this painting is a BFK Reeves white paper. I applied Golden Acrylic Ground for Pastels which I tinted with orange acrylic paint. At this stage (first layer) I'm applying mostly Dick Blick pastels. Here is the reference photo for the scene.

It's good and comforting to be home again. I'm enjoying the beauty of where I live and it feels good to reconnect with the easel and home.

The Smells of Nature and A Piece of Sand Paper.

2011-10-07T14:37:00.000-07:00

"Summer Morning Tahoe Basin", 12 x 16, Pastel on Canson Paper

I love the wilderness. I love lands unencumbered by man made structures. I get a feeling of connectedness to my spirit within. I am at peace, I am joyful, I am exhilarated. I love being there, the smells, the sounds of nature abound. I am at home.

I try to paint these feelings into work ( if you call it work). In the creative process of this painting it came to me to try a technique I enjoy doing from time to time. In this case I took a small piece of sand paper and selected a pastel of a color I wanted to gently integrate into part of the painting. I stroked the pastel stick on the sand paper to get the loose fragments. Then I laid the painting on a table, took a watercolor brush and the sand paper and gently brushed these fragments onto the painting.

In this case I chose a warm peach/pink pastel to integrate into the piece. To fix it in place so the fragments wouldn't fall off when I lifted the painting, I very gently sprayed the fixative down onto it holding the spray can about a foot above it. I allowed it to dry for some minutes before putting the work back on the easel to continue on with the painting.

Wild Lands Wild Painting

2011-09-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

"Chamisa Essence", 18 x 24, Pastel on Pastelbord

Our wild lands are free, unabashed, driven by nature. I always feel it bit intrusive when I'm in them, feel like treading where I shouldn't be but feel blessed and touched by a spiritual wand while I'm there. Wild lands have always appealed to me. When I'm there it's like going to my spiritual home. I try to capture the beauty I see there and how I feel when I express myself through my art. This painting was inspired by a scene from the Lake Tahoe Conservancy Land.

Sierra Art Trails ttp://www.sierraarttrails.org/index.html announced that they will have a national exhibition in November called "Our Wild Lands". I hope I get accepted. This is one of two paintings I'm entering for the show.

The Praying Mantis and Me

2011-09-12T18:33:00.000-07:00

I had a spiritual connection with a praying mantis a couple of weeks ago. I was at our rec center pool where my husband and I go to water aerobics class. I put my towel down on a table and noticed a white/straw colored (maybe she was albino) praying mantis sitting at the edge of the table looking, staring deeply at me. She looked right into my eyes. I felt an instant communication between the two of us. What was being communicated I did not know, but I know some exchange had taken place between us. At the end of class, I went to shower off and when I walked out of the shower/bathroom I felt my head itching. I reached up to scratch when whoooops....out jumped the mantis. She landed on the cement deck then hopped away. Very strange I thought. I went up to a very wonderful and spiritual artist friend who is also in the class. I told her of my experience with the mantis. She explained that the mantis seeing my hair color as the same as her eggs( I don't have green hair, the mantis pictured here is not the one I had the encounter with) thought it to be a good place to which to plant her eggs and that it is to be taken as a good sign for she entrusted in me the care of her precious creations and contribution to life. It is said that when one looks into the eyes of a praying mantis one feels the presence of god and this is exactly what I felt. Needless to say, she did not leave her eggs in my hair but I felt as if I had been touched by a higher essence. I felt blessed. Just remembering the incident sends chills of a good kind through me. OK so are words necessary for spiritual or divine connectivity? Does instinct that goes against all logical reason have a purpose? Does our creativity have to follow accepted/approved guide lines? What are your thoughts on this please.... ?

Feelings, Memories and Emotion in The Painting

2011-09-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

"Chamisa on High", 12 x 16, Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes paper.

Recently, we had a family reunion in Lake Tahoe, California with our children and grand children to celebrate my husband's 75th birthday. During my time there I drank in the beauty and joy from being in such a beautiful place with my beautiful family. I brought these feelings home with me plus around 200 photos to spark my memory for I knew then I would paint a series of works focused on this place and time. I incorporated my feelings not only of the beauty of the land but also the joy of being with my family into these paintings. When I look at the completed ones now, I feel an over whelming sense of peace and serenity. Stay tuned for the second in the series.

Breaking Away From Solitary Confinement

2011-08-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

"Elation", 8 x 10, Pastel on Pastelbord

Last night I attended a Flash Mob Artist event in Oakhurst, California about 25 miles from where I live. This was the first Flash Mob event in Oakhurst put on by a few of my dear artist friends Joyce Wycoff, Vivian Helena Amond-capone, Julie Mitchell and Kathleen Mattox who, I thought, did a fantastic job. It felt so good to be among other artists and town folk who came out to have fun, create, get caught up with people, meet new people and simply enjoy the evening and.... even a few sales were made at Timberline Gallery to boot. As a solitary studio artist, I find I get into my own head too much too often. When this happens, my creativity gets stifled. Last nights outing was just what the art doctor ordered. Oh, about the painting. I started it last night at the event. I finished it this morning. How's that for getting my juices flowing again?

What is The Perfect Time to Paint?

2011-08-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

Morning Light Play

12 x 16,

Pastel on Paper from Canson's new Earth Tones Art Pad

I am captivated by light especially early morning and early eventing light. I love the way the it plays in and out of shadows. Its tantalizing qualities captivate me. For me, this is what inspiration is all about. So I painted this work because I loved the light. But not right away after taking the photo.This is a scene from one of my early morning walks around Heron Lake last spring. The time was not ripe for me to paint until now. Why, I do not know exactly but upon return from a trip to Lake Tahoe a little over a week ago, I knew it was the right time. I was ready to embrace it and paint it with gusto. Is there a right time to paint a particular painting? Is there a wrong time? What's your opinion?

Building and Tearing Down Three Times on The Same Canvas.

2011-07-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

"Day Hike in Pneumonia Gulch"

19 x 28

Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes Board

There is a story behind this painting. First off, I lied when I made the following statement near the end of my post on April 20, 2011 which was about a painting in progress. I said "I will continue on my next post". I didn't do that until now. Referring to that post, you will see quite a different painting going on. You will see where I left off. So, what happened between now and then... life... traveling, death of a close friend so when things settled down and I went back to the painting, I found that I lost interest, I wasn't happy with it anymore, I didn't like where it was going so I started the mutation process into quite another painting

This is where I left off.

This is my second vision inspired by an interesting place at the edge of Heron Pond. Working on and off for the next couple of weeks, I found myself wanting to change direction again but could I do this a third time on the support I was using. I challenged myself to do this but this time letting myself go into a black hole with only my intuition to guide me. It was a scary place to be but I pursued none the less. The support held up which pleased me as this was on a sanded paper. Being self guided had its frustrations and pit falls, but I liked where it was going and stuck to it. So, once again I show you the third and final painting.

Another Journey

2011-07-14T16:02:00.001-07:00

Another Journey

2011-07-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

"Sun Washed II"

19 x 25

Pastel on BFK Reeves Paper

You know how sometimes your looking for a nice Sunday afternoon ride (not so much anymore with gas prices what they are) but you want to see some beautiful landscapes with beautiful colors and you want to feel your cares dissipating as you venture further and further on down the road. Somewhere into the trip you find yourself on a dead end road (you forgot your new generation phone and your car didn't come with navigation included). Nerts, oh well, you turn around and trace you course back to where you turned off the main road. OK now so you're back on track. Think I need to stop this analogy here, it's getting too wordy hope you get the idea. So what does this have to do painting? EVERYTHING!!! It is rare for me that any painting goes as if it paints itself. My paintings are stained with my sweat and tears and I'm sure my fingerprints are being worn off by the pastels ( I don't paint with gloves). I like the tactile feel of the medium and I express myself better without covering my hands. This painting started off with a support paper I had never used before but having seen some impressive results using pastels, I decided to try it. I started by laying it flat on a table and spraying with water here and there. Next, I applied some Black Sumi Ink using an ink brush. Then sprayed more water on it and moved the paper around enjoying the effects of the ink doing its dance. After it dried, I started painting with pastels creating pleasing shapes, patterns, colors, whatever my intuition told me to do. I did not have a focus or end result in mind. My goal at this point was to stay in the here and now and enjoy myself planting in colors and shapes putting in the first layer covering the paper. Now what? So now I'm ready for something to emerge that would tell some sort of a story. Frustration is setting in now along with negative feelings. I know it is time to find an objective, time to tell a story. I'm lost, nothing is coming to me but I paint anyway. I know I need to stop and look around for ideas. I need direction and a plan so I start looking at some favorite books from my art library for ideas and inspirations. I tried several ideas that came to me which brought me a little closer to my journey's end but still no winning ticket. I closed the books and went back to the painting refocusing and trying new out new directions once again. As I'm painting, now I'm looking for a story to emerge with would lead me to the final stages of the painting. I looked at the painting from every angle. I had worked on this piece for several days by now and I went to bed on yet another day without completion. That was yesterday. Today I work up refreshed and ready to go once again. It's amazing how a night's sleep can do wonders. I think I process paintings in my sleep and I'm not sure how this works, but after four more somewhat frustrating hours of work on it today.....I AM DONE! I knew I had come to closure because that feeling of completeness and serenity came over me. I felt good about the piece and I was glad that I stuck with it through the hard times. I' done with this piece for now (maybe down the way I may do a tweet or two on it) but I have reached closure once again and I have a smile on my face.

On With Painting

2011-07-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

"View from Linda's Patio"

18 x 24

Pastel on Pastelbord

If you read my last post you know of the grieving process I had been going through since the death of my dear friend Linda. I found that I had to put closure to the phase I was in before I could continue to paint. I am so happy and please to announce that closure came and I am once again painting. So this painting I just finished is in memory of my dear friend Linda. Linda's house about a mile from mine sits on a hill slope. In the back of her home is a steep down slope to where a beautiful creek flows when the rains come, the slope going up on the other side combined with the far view offers a lovely landscape scene. One could sit on her patio for a good length of time absorbed in the view ( I know Linda did). There are homes and roads in the scene which I left out. I used a lot of artistic license and embellishment in the creation of this painting rearranging the far off mountains as I saw fit. Nevertheless, I believe Linda would have like this painting. I know I loved creating it.

Closure

2011-06-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

Random Frieze with Dahlias

10 x 26

Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes Paper

A dear friend of mine (who was recently widowed) passed away over a month ago following open heart surgery. I went over to visit and bring her some groceries. When I arrived at her house I found her in her favorite lounge chair having passed away. My griefing process has been a difficult one. I shall miss her forever as we were close good friends who confided in each other a lot. Last Saturday a close knit group of friends of hers had a get together to celebrate her in a way she would have liked, having dinner and enjoying each other's company. We dressed up in her honor as she loved to dress up. It was a beautiful evening. I felt much love and belonging being with these wonderful ladies who are also dear friends. I believe our friend who passed was there in spirit and that she too loved this time we spend together that evening. After getting home and through the days that followed, I felt a big lifting of my grieving and a sense of joy and peace for the first time since her passing. Needless to say, a lot of things went to the wayside during my time of grieving including any urge to create. I believe I needed to be still and allow myself to grieve which I did. A couple of days after our get together, I wanted to paint again. I started a new painting but found myself being drawn to a work that had been sitting around since last winter. An incredible desire to finish it came over me. I finished it and realized that I put closure to it, and that was because I had put closure to this phase of my grieving process. I am at peace.

A Painting and It's Process

2011-06-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

"Going In"

9 s 12

Pastel on Sabertooth Pastel Paper

Still coming out of a stagnation period but so glad to see this work come to completion.

I wanted to paint something peaceful and soothing with an non objective beginning that was all I knew when I started this this piece. I started by focusing on shapes and colors. As the painting progressed, I indulged myself by using water color pencils (dry or dipped in water), pastel pencils, Prismacolor pencils and regular pencils alternation with the pastel. I used the pencils to add curved lines and draw shapes where ever my instinct prompted me to go. Next I thumbed through a creative painting book for more inspiration which resulted in my adding a waterway to draw the eye in. From this point on I adjusted and tweeted here and there until I felt at peace with this work.

Repeat Performances

2011-05-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

"Fecilia's Blue Meadow"

16 x 20

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

Please bear with me while I come out of my current stagnation. I'm beginning to feel the inspiration and motivation come back so hopefully it won't be long until I will be posting new paintings. In the meantime I've brought back some works previously shown on my blog. Those of you who are new will be seeing them for the first time and those just checking in may have missed them in the past. Hope you enjoy this little showing of mine.

"Confetti"

8 x 10

Pastel on Canson Mi-Teintes Paper

"Into My Gourds"

8.5 x 11.5

Pastel on Pastelbord

"It Started with Pink"

9 x 12

Pastel on Sanded Paper

"It started with Green"

16 x 20

Pastel on Linen Mat Board

"Dance of The Koi"

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Paper

A Bit of Braggin

2011-05-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled .....Shown: Earth Tones Pad

Gray Tones Pad

Up to now it's been hard to keep this under my hat but now it's ok to let the news out. Canson Mi-Teintes has come up with two new pastel pads one in earth tones and one in gray tones. They come in sizes 12" x 16" and 9" x 12". I'm so excited to have my artwork on these products. This is a benchmark acheivement in my career. I have used most if not all of the colors in the gray pad throughout my career. So I was very pleased with the selection of colors. I've used some of the earth tone colors before. Now I can't wait to try the rest of them. By the way, the artwork on these covers were done on one of the colors in each pad.

Work in Progress Using Pastel and Other Media

2011-04-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

Work in Progess- stage 1

I've done very litle basic sketching using a grey pastel stick attached to a water color brush to extend my distance from the painting. I use minimal lines to set the composition. Next I fill in the darkest areas using the broad side of the pastel stick. I use an assortment of the fatter rectangle and round shaped pastels. On this painting I'm useing mostly Terry Ludwig, Sennelier, Richeston and Unison pastels.

Stage 2

I continue filling in the canvas which is sanded pastel board.

Stage 3

More filling in.

Stage 4 - Introducing Other Media

Once the canvas is covered, I start playing by introducing liquid mediums (water and hairspray) painting before they dry. Next I added pastel,watercolor and lead prismacolor pencils. I don't know what I'll do next. I will continue in my next post.

Just recently my husband and I got back from a very nice trip to San Francisco. I love the pastel buildings.

View From the De Young Museum

Two of my favorite paintings at the De Young Museum

'Tulip Culture'

George Hitchcock (1850 - 1913)

Oil on Canvas

''Spring Winds'

Joseph Raphael (1859-1860)

Oil on Canvas

Farmer's market along the path to city hall.

Trudge

2011-04-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

View from Sara Mountain

16 x 20

Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes Pastel Board

This is an intuitive painting. It took two previous do overs on the same support to steer me on to a path that intrigued me to go further. It was a trudge at times but I knew I on a journey of discovery.

Anticipation

2011-03-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

Open door in anticipation along the Heron Lake Trail.

My husband and I took a much missed and needed walk around Heron Lake this morning. It's been raining for most of a week now. Good news! As of today there is no rain in the forecast for the foreseeable future in fact it's going to warm up substantially. Suppose to be in the low 80s later on in the week. There's something about anticipation whether it be the outcome of a painting or the weather that makes my heart and my art sing.
I have been posting a selection of completed paintings on facebook with the word 'Spring' in the title in anticipation of the return of the warm, sunny weather I love. I've selected a few of them to show you here.

Spring Morning Walk

8 x 10

Pastel on Linen Mat Board

Sometime in Spring

12 x 16

Pastel on Sanded Mat Board

Mariposa Spring Gold

12 x 18

Pastel on Canson Paper

High Desert Spring Fling

18 x 24

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

Completed Work

2011-03-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

Joshua Ranch Spring

19 x 25

Pastel on Mat Board

The momentum I had came to a halt when I got sick so the painting rested while I recouperated. When I got back to the easel I found myself lacking in the level of enthusiasm I had going for me before. I continued on in spite of my negative attitude. It wasn't too long before I was back in rhythm. I brought out my Prismacolor and watercolor pencils and added them to the mix along with some watercolors and water miseable oils. I used a lot of Aquanet hair spray here and there not just to fix but as a liquid I worked in with my fingers and pencils. In the final stage I ask some of my students for a critique. They said the background mountains were not reading well. I agreed with them and changed it before I pronounced it done.

Work in Progress, Spring Has Sprung

2011-03-12T11:43:00.000-08:00

Work in Progress

The flowers are blooming. Spring has sprung. Love this early surprise. Experimenting with some new media and tools( shown here are some of them). I'm trying to keep an attitude of un preciousness as long as I can during the painting process so as to give myself permission to not fear trying something new, be daring no matter what. Working with razor blades, do dads from my hardware box. Adding liquid media now. Will tell you more about it on my next post.

Fill My Shopping Bag Please

2011-03-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

Up Stream

18 x 24

Pastel on Pastelbord

Heron Lake sits a half mile from my house. I have come to know this lake through the seasons and different times of day in all kinds of weather. It never fails to fascinate me with its many moods and its beauty. I have painted it so many times because I never get bored with it. Of late I have been painting scenes of the lake in a more abstracted manner and with mixed media added into the mix. I use all kinds of tools to create interesting effects, among them are pallet knife, razor blade, pipe insulation, little do dads from my hardware box to mention a few. I've added water media, Pam spray, water, water color pencils, resists papers of all kinds, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, shopping bag paper, etc.. My list keeps getting longer as I think of or hear of new things. I feel like a kid in a candy store. I'm loving every moment of it. Hope you will feed me with any creative tools in your shopping bag. Please let me hear from you.

On A Creative Binge

2011-02-22T20:18:00.000-08:00

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.

2011-02-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-16T07:34:00.000-08:00

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"

2011-02-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

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.

The Journey Continues

2011-01-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Heron Pond Glow

10 x 15

Pastel on Canson Paper

Referring to my blog of January 8th you will see the the first two legs of the journey this painting took. It happens to me from time to time that I pronounce a painting done before its time. I get an uneasy feeling and the thought enters my mind that the piece has more of a story to tell. Slowly at first, the idea begins to build in my mind until I reach a point where I can't stand it. Curiosity drives me to continue on. All I knew was that I wanted to increase the warm areas and in general give the painting as a whole more punch. I guess you could say that I wanted to change the mood of the painting yet another time. I'm allowed to do this. As an artist, I have permission to practice my artistic license. Do you?

Moody Heron II

Moody Heron

Painting In My Studio

2011-01-23T13:58:00.000-08:00

Marcia's Lillies

16 x 29

Pastel on Canson Paper Sold

Prints availabe at fine art america

It's great to be able to take a few steps down from my kitchen and be in my studio. It's always there for me no matter what I'm wearing, no matter the weather , no matter what time it is. It's where I love to get in touch with me. Outside the studio, I am wife (of a wonderful and supportive husband), mother to my wonderful kids, grandmother to five fantastic grandchildren, friend to some people I hold dear in my hear, etc. etc.etc.etc. .... but in my studio I am not labeled. I am there with me and my muse and or my spiritual advisor who puts me in touch with me and says paint from your heart , your emotions and your intuition. Forget the rest of the world and the judgments of others. There are no rules in my studio for how I express myself. My muse/spiritual guider is all I need listen to. Any others comments that my head congers up are not allowed here. Here I am free to express myself on canvas any way I want. No judgements. Rules be damned. Here I need only listen to what's in my heart.

Winter Mood

2011-01-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

Moody Heron II

10 x 15

Pastel on Canson Paper

I took a painting I posted before as "Moody Heron" and gave it some more life and color today just because I felt like it. It used to look like this.

Moody Heron

Am I sorry? I don't think so. After living with Moody Heron for a while, it began to look unfinished to me. It's so nice to know that as an artist, I can and do give myself permission to alter a painting and to paint it anyway I want. This is called artistic license. Every artist has this license. Some use it more then others. Some not at all. Where do you fit in?

A Serenade of Frogs

2011-01-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

Sometime in Spring

12 x 16

Pastel on Sanded Mat Board

The rain had finally stopped. Yesterday was filled with bright sunshine. Everything sparkled. Last night the stars were at their brightest, so clear, so beautiful. Lots of new frogs have emerged since the rain and it's a delight to my ears to hear their serenade. I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. I am so grateful to have found my passion as an artist (certainly not a writer).

I'm happy to show you my second painting of the new year. Finished yesterday, it is a transition painting that went from this

to the painting "Sometime in Spring" above. It was a 20 x 26 work in progress that sat around most of last year unfinished. I decided to do a rework on it. First, I hosed it down but the pastel did not come off (I guess because it was so well fixed with hair spray). While it was still wet I took a piece of pipe insulation and began scrubbing and moving the pastel pigments around on the board. The painting started to have an ethereal feel to it but after an hour of experimenting it didn't seem to be going anywhere until I sprayed water on it and played using my fingers to move the pigment around. That felt good. I didn't like the painting as a whole but the upper right hand corner section intrigued me so I focused on that area playing around until it came to be "Sometime in Spring" So the 20 x 26 work in progress became a 12 x 16 work transformed. I was surprised and pleased how things turn out. One never knows.

Water, Water Everywhere

2011-01-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

Down Levee

11 x 14

Pastel on Pastelbord

I'm on a water painting kick. Could it be all this rain we're getting. What influences an artist to paint on a particular subject? Would like to hear what you have to say about this.

Passionate about Abstract Pastels

2010-12-29T11:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-23T19:07:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-21T09:28:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-20T15:25:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-13T15:49:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-09T08:42:00.000-08:00

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 ?

2010-12-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-02T20:26:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-30T19:19:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-18T19:26:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-18T08:50:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-16T16:23:00.000-08:00

"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

2010-11-14T13:48:00.000-08:00

"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

2010-11-14T09:05:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

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 ?

2010-10-20T21:11:00.000-07:00

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

Day Trip to Yosemite

2010-10-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Yosemite Valley Morning Mist

8 x 10

Pastel on Canson Mi Tientes Paper

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a trip into Yosemite. The weather was great and the scenery awe inspiring as always even if the water falls were all but gone. Here's some photos for your viewing pleasure.

Going in we had a couple of not very long delays going in due to road improvement work. Here are scenes from the valley floor.

View looking up from the valley floor.

Merced River ambling through the meadow on the valley floor

Another view looking up at those marvelous hunks of granite.

Merced River view another view

And another

Facelift

2010-10-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

Confetti

8 x 10

Pastel on Canson Mi Tientes Paper

Work in Progress

8 x 10

Pastel on Canson Mi Tientes Paper

About the cover painting on the blog Mardi Gras : This is 15 x 19 Pastel on Canson Board. I created this work to express feelings of celebration and joy. The painting , once started, took on a life of its own. It was pure pleasure to paint. I did not put too many layers of pastel on it so as to allow the texture/pattern of the paper to show through. I used mostly Terry Ludwig pastels. They work so well to help me express a loose free form style that I like.

I was pleased with the results and wanted to do more so I continued on with two more paintings as shown above.

What I Like About Car Shows

2010-10-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

Cool Color

They all look so inviting

Nice Rear

Saturday my husband and I did our usual walk aroung the Lake. When we came to where we could see the clubhouse and parking lot we were met with a a delightful scene along with do wop music playing over the loud speaker. I felt happy all over humming along and quickening my pace. What is it about car shows that I love? Is it the great colors of the cars. Is it the shinyness, is it the music. Is it that it takes me back to my teens and fun times like going to the local drive in for burgers and flirting with the guys ( our local one was called Bob's Big Boy) . Could it be that it reminds me of my husband's first car a 38' Chevy held together by godknows what? Could it be all of the above. In anycase, it's something I enjoy. I was thinking about this when I realize that art has a lot in common with car shows. I noticed that often times someone will pause at a painting of mine for quite a while and when I approach the person they will say something about the painting that reminds them of a place they have been to at sometime in their past and how it brings fond memories to the forefront of their mind.

When I hear such comments, I feel a deep satisfaction , a profound pleasure that makes my endeavors worth every minute of the times of struggles and frustrations I go through as an artist.

Tamed Joaquin

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Mi Tientes Paper

About My Cover Painting

2010-10-07T16:13:00.000-07:00

High Desert Seduction II

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes Paper

When I first moved to a place called Palmdale, California in the high desert about 65 miles north of Los Angeles I said " The day has come when snowballs fall in hell". I said that because up to that time I said " What a god forsaken place this is, this ugly, ugly desert . The day it rains snowballs in hell is when I would move to this place. Who would want to live there." Well folks, the day happened in 1990 when my husband's job took him there . But what happened was that over time I came to love this high desert with its fabulous sun rises and sun sets. I became familiar with the beauty brought on by the different seasons. I specially loved the spring bloom. It inspired me to paint, paint and paint some more. I felt an intimacy with the land that I never felt before.

Here are a couple more high desert paintings.

Blue Barn and Poppies Sold

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes Paper

Here's another one

Poppyhill

Pastel on Suade Mat Board Sold

8 x 10

Sierra Art Trails Weekend is Over - The Aftermath

2010-10-05T17:05:00.000-07:00

Heron Lake photo taken this morning.

Sales were definitely not brisk for me this year at Sierra Art Trails but the attendance was good and my upcoming class appears to be full. The people had many wonderful things to say abut my works and I enjoyed speaking with my visitors.. Enough said about that because as an artist, I have learned to take something good out of every showing I have. Yes, I go into my corner for a little while and lick my chops but I come out very soon knowing it's time to get over it and go on, and it's time to get back to my easel and paint with more enthusiasm the ever before.

We had an amazing thunder storm throughout the early am hours Sun with over 1,000 yes 1,000 lightning strikes . People living here a long time are saying they never experienced anything like this before.. The lightning strikes lasted for span of several hours. It poured at times and we had hail to boot. Very exciting indeed . Today is Tuesday and for the first time in a long time my husband and I hiked around Heron Lake this morning in the misty light rain. Steam was coming off the lake. It was very beautiful. I took some photos that I'm sharing with you today. Here are some more.

Sierra Art Tails Home Studio Open House

2010-09-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

Foothill Spring Rhythm

28 x 19

Pastel on Canson Mi Tientes Paper

Heron Lake Winter Glow

17 x 24

Pastel on Sabertooth Paper

The Grand View

21 x 29

Pastel on Suade Mat Board

Busy getting ready for Sierra Art Trail coming this weekend. Lots to do. At least my home is getting a well deserved cleaning. Here's a glimpse of the home part of my home and studio gallery.

Stay tuned more to come.....

A Pastel and an Oil

2010-09-14T17:05:00.000-07:00

Confetti

8 x 10

Pastel on Canson Mi-tientes Paper

Packman's Lillies

24 x 38

Oil

Two more paintings that will be featured at my studio on Sierra Art Trails Weekend.

Oct 2nd and 3rd for more information click on http://www.sierraarttrails.org/

Redux of Some of My Works

2010-09-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

Sienna's Path

27 x 21

Pastels on Linen Mat Board

I am looking forward to Sierra Art Trails this year. For more information click on http://www.sierraarttrails.org/ . The event takes place Oct 2nd and 3rd. For the time being over the next couple of weeks my posts will be showing some of the works that will be on display at my studio. Here are a couple more:

Lily Pond and Gardens

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Mi-tientes Paper

Morning Rays II

18 x 24

Pastel on Sabertooth Paper

A crop of apples on my oak tree?

2010-09-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

Close up of oak tree in my backyard.

Another view

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what was growing on one of our oaks in the back of our property a few days ago. Was the oak really a peach or apple tree?. How could I think that could be but there they were and they looked almost ready for plucking. I walked closer to touch them. They were hard and smooth. What the heck I thought to myself. They were absolutely beautiful. I had to leave to go to an appointment and so could not stick around to do some investigation. When I got home , I went to my computer as soon as I could. Oak Apple Galls!!! It seems several species of gall wasps are the cause. They insert their eggs into a vegetatve bud on the tree. A protective surrounding forms around it. When the galls mature females emerge from some of the galls and males from the others. They mate and the gall shrinks and blackens. I felt let down because I wanted so badly for it to be a fruit tree. It was so lovely and I wanted to eat the fruit. Yet, in all in all the beauty remains no matter what caused it. Sort of like finding beauty in high desert thorny wild thickets or green algae on a lake surface.

High Desert Seduction

Pastel on Canson- Mi Tientes Paper

19 x 25

Tree Shadows Sold

19 x 25

Pastel on Colorfix Pastel Paper

A Walk in the Woods

2010-08-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

Lewis Creek

It's good to be back after a summer break of vacations, swimming, reading and just taking it nice and easy. It has been a mild ( not too many days over 100deg) summer yet it was quite warm but very bearable. My husband and I took a hike today at Lewis Creek because it was the first day in the 70s since last spring. Lewis Creek is a few miles short of Yosemite National Park. I took photos but apparently deleted them from my cell phone before downloading into the computer. Don't know what I did but oh well I did something wrong, so I substited a photo from last spring instead. The creek is wonderful no matter what season we hike it. There's something about being on a trail that sends wonderful messages from the ground to my boots and through my body that makes me feel so good and connected to a sense of awe and inspiration.

Many if not all of my works eminate from some wonderful place in the outdoors on the trail. I love painting what I see and how I feel when out there. Here's a few paintings done from trail inspirations.

The Grand Sunrise Study

8 x 10

Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes paper

Study for Morning Rays II

6 x 8

Pastel on velour pastel paper

The Old Cabin Site

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes paper

Follow Up to Previous Post

2010-07-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

Aspen Glow

18 x 24

Pastel on Rough side of Canson Mi-tientes paper

After the previous post, I was contacted by Canson and honored to be asked to share the post on their facebook site http://www.facebook.com/CAnson?v=wall . I encourage you to check it out. Their site is very interesting and informative. It is a very good venue for pastel artists or anyone interested in the medium.

First in a Series on a New Surface For Me

2010-07-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

Mardi Gras

15 x 19

Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes Board

This is the first of four in a new series being done on Canson Mi-Tientes Board. This is also my first experience with Canson Board. I am thrilled with one of my favorite pastel papers now available on board. Maybe it's been available for a while but I wasn't aware of it. Anyway, hope you enjoy.

Don't Flip Out - Flip It Upside Down

2010-07-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

Topsy turvy Work in progress

Pastel on suede mat Board

Topsy turvy work in progress

Pastel on Canson Mi-tientes paper

Topsy Turvy work in progress

Pastel on Sabertooth pastel paper

Now Back to Right Side Up

Oh I can't tell you how freeing it is to paint with the canvas upside down. It's an anti anxiety pill for artists no matter what medium your into. It's a great way to start a painting and get it going on good footing. I started teaching a new class today. We all ended up turning our canvases upside down. I started this method with my last class. It turned out to be very successful for all of us. I paint as long as I can without doing the flip. With the cow painting, I hope to do it all the way through (I will keep you posted). Anyway, it's great to be back in my studio painting again.

I'm Back , Had a Great Vacation

2010-07-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

Excuse me but I've been brain dead since getting back Sunday from my great vacation in in the great state of Washington where we spent 11 days with number two great offspring son Wayne and great family who I think are all very great. Since the trip is fresh in my mind I must share it with you before it goes into that maize of my brain memory bank. . Photos and comments as I see it. Oh yes I did include an art journey on my itinerary. So here goes. Hope you enjoy.

On our first day taking a walk in the neighborhood with homes getting all decked out for the 4th of July, Lake Stevens, Washington style.

Went to Kayak Point for the opening of crab season

Yum.

Granddaughter Rachel looking for shells and barnacled rocks to take home and paint on.

Back to the crabbers on the pier. Much excitement going on.

Rachel and grandson Jonathan displaying their creations.

Some of their creations and mine also. We had fun!!!

Rachel and Jonathan posing with one of our honored veterans while at the naval base in Everett on the one day that the public is allowed to tour the U.S.S Lincoln. What an honor and thrill it was for me to go there with my family. Had a great day as you can see in the following pics.

Daughter-in-law Michelle, Granddaughter Lauren and Jonathan (backs to camera) walking toward the U.S.S. Lincoln

Here we all are. Me and my wonderful family aboard ship. Again, what a great day.

One of the many beautiful forest scenes on our hike to the snow caves in Mt. Baker National Forest.

A smiley face in the forest.

Snow Caves with Grandpa in the foreground . Chilling, stunning, gorgeous.

Scene from the beautiful stillaguamish River recreation area. Anyone care for a floatee. Another great day.

Son Wayne, Grand kids Rachel and Jonathan tossing rocks into the "Stilley"

Here I am on a visit to the Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes where the Northwest Pastel Society is having there signature member invitational show. It was inspiring getting to see the art of my fellow signature members.

All in all, a great vacation spending time with my wonderful family.

* note the author used the word "great" 11 times. Author admits to not being a great writer. Now that's 12.

And now to get back to my studio. I am ready to paint.!

Gecko in My Studio

2010-06-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

Untitled

work maybe in progress

what do you think?

8 x 11

Pastel on Art Spectrum Colour Fix Paper

For the past two years I have had a spring/summer visitor living in my studio. The first year I tried to shoo it out , catch it and take it outside somewhere, I scolded it...... ....nothing worked. After many countless vain attempts I gave up . He wasn't there all the time . He would come and go. Sometimes I found him sleeping behind a painting set on the floor or in a lounge chair I use to have in the studio and other times in one of my two storage/inventory rooms. After a while. I became use to him. When winter came he disappeared . I missed the little guy. He came back last year and then again this spring. I found myself welcoming him back like an old friend. I remember during our Sierra Art Trails last October when he made one last appearance. I remember it well. I had just sold a painting to a visitor when I looked at the lounge chair with the stains so cleverly covered by a hand made afghan and found two beady eyes and a nose staring out at us. I pointed it out to the lady and we both had a good laugh. I introduced him as my friend, my studio buddy which is what he had become. I am please to tell you ...he is back again!. Now I have given him a name, I don't know why but when I first saw him about a month ago I thought to myself "Terrance that's it". He actually came back around the time when my muse returned ....hmmm.

I was finally able to get a photo of him in my studio....

Terrance The Gecko

The High Desert

2010-06-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

Indian Paints

14 x 28

Pastel on Canson Mi-tientes Paper

Indian Paints ( detail )

I created this painting sometime ago when I lived in the Antelope Valley High Desert North of Los Angeles. And speaking about the Antelope Valley I found out that they had their first artist studio tour this past May. You can check out their blog at http://highdesertart.blogspot.com/. Personally, I was very impressed with the site and the preponderance of so many fabulous artists.

Sisters 7 Presents "Tropical Breeze" Show in Oakhurst

2010-06-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

Today is Art Hop day in Oakhurst and I'm entitled to put in a plug for a special show put on by Sisters 7 which is an eclectic group of fabulous artists ( me included). Hope you don't mind and if you do... too bad because I love this group and the art they create. So here are a few pics of our first group show called Tropical Breeze. The show will run for a couple of months. It's at The Mind Shop Book Store located at 49269 Golden Oak Dr., Oakhurst, CA 93644 Phone 559-642- 4614.

Hours are Wed 10:00 AM - 2:00PM, Thurs 11:00AM -1:30PM, Fri 10:00 -2:00 PM and Sun 11:00AM - 1:00PM. Call Kim Haley at 559-760-6165 to verify hours or get additional hours. Here are some more pics of the show.

The Completed Painting and The Return of My Muse

2010-06-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

Morning Rays II

18 x 24

Pastel on Sabertooth Paper

Morning Rays II (detail)

As we approach summer I'm spending more time each day painting. Somehow I feel so much freer in body, mind and spirit. The days are easy flowing and my desire to create increases 10 fold. I'm taking time to relax and get caught up in my reading. Taking more time to go back through some wonderful art books and review some past and present Pastel Journal issues that I was "too busy at the time to absorb and enjoy . With all this freeing of the mind I have magically become more inspired and motivated to paint. It feels sooooo Gooood! Hope I can keep up this frame of mind. Summer Travel is coming soon which puts me in a whole different mind set. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing and being with my family more then words can say, I love going to places I'vee been to before that keep calling me back and I love going to new places that call to me, but I also love coming home to my studio. It's there that once refreshed from my journey that I'm back again with my muse sitting there on my easel posed like Aguste Rodan's Thinker only she's smiling and winking at me saying "Come here, come here, have I got something for you!". Aaaaah, at last I'm home.

On The Rerun and Summer Classes

2010-06-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

The Grand View

22 x 29

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

I had a wonderful time with class this past year and what a great group of artists. So I'm trying a new thing this summer. Starting now I will be offering individual or class sessions without any set schedule since people are traveling or don't go out too much in the heat my self included. This sounds alot like and advertisement doesn't it. Hmmm I guess it is.

Here's some of my works taking an encore for your viewing pleasure or pain which ever. Enjoy.

Aspen Glow

17 x 24

Pastel on Canson Mi-tientes Paper

Winter at Fish Slough IV

23 x 27

Pastel on Linen Mat Board

Sunset Serenade

17 x 20

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

Blue Lagoon

17 x 23

Pastel on Canson Mi-tientes Paper

Spring Rythm

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson-Mientes Paper

A Good Day ( 1 hour ) at The Easel (Work in Progress)

2010-05-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

Untitled - Work in Progress

Some days are an hour, some days are 10 minutes, some days are 10 hours, oops, did I just say 10 hours, well they were at one time. Nowadays the head wants to but the body won't cooperate. I think it's called "slowin down' but you know what........I'm glad to just be doing it. It's always a better day when I create. Anyway, today I thought I would let you into my studio to see a sample of a typical set up when I'm working on a painting.. Did you think it would be one of those artists that has his pastels arranged all grouped neatly by value or color in a large custom pastel organizer? No, I'm not one of those people who can easily undo established habits. Probably because it's easier to keep it the way it's been and also because I've memorized each brand's texture and colors and know somewhat what it will do when applied no matter how they're arranged. What I do is keep my pastels in their original boxes on rolling carts and on a work table. As I acquire a new set, I simply added it to my set up. So now that a have quite a few ( I pretty much use them all), I have a large assortment from which I select to put on the carts or table in my current set up. Here is my table ensamble that I'm using as my current set up for this particular painting.

Current assorment in use for" work in progress".

Another View

I've found some neat tricks over the years like coffee filters for current pallet uses and meat loaf containers with rice or corn starch to cushion the pastels( the pastels don't really stay clean unless I wipe them off individually hence the roll of toilet paper).

If anyone out there has any neat tricks with pastels that they want to pass on then send them on over. I would love to hear from you.

Honored

2010-05-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hillslope in Spring sold

(Originally called Blooms on Hillside)

11 x 13

Pastel on Sanded mat board

I was wondering about what to post this morning on my blog so I started surfing the blogs I follow to get my brain going hoping something would inspire me when I got to "Artists in Pastel" an amazing blog devoted to exhibiting very fine, exceptional pastel artists with links so one might see their works, anyway I got to the site.....and lo and behold ......there was my work featured . All I can say is that it's a great way to start my day and many thanks to the blogs creator.
Click here to visit the site http://artistsinpastel.blogspot.com/

Heron Lake Winter Glow in Progress or Not

2010-05-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Heron Lake Winter Glow

25 x 19

Pastel on Sabertooth pastel paper

Here is a time old question - When is a painting done? I usually have a sense of completeness, one of being at peace with a painting. This one stymies me. It sits and I feel frozen about continuing. I don't want to go too far for fear that it will appear overworked. I want it to stay fresh and maybe with a bit of an unfinished look to it.

What do you think? I really want to hear from you out there, don't be bashfull, say what's on your mind about it please. I welcome your comments and opinions.

Back in Touch

2010-05-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

Untitled -work in progress

19 x 26

Pastel on Sabortooth pastel paper

I've discovered a new paper I'm thrilled about. To me the texture is something between a sanded paper and a watercolor paper. It's luscious to work with. Light and color show off very well on it. This work is a larger version of one featured on April 19th. Let me know what you think of it so far.

Ok, so my life is moving along. Art classes ended May 3rd and it was a good time to end as the weather was beautiful. So husband and I resumed hiking on trails in the countryside not too far from where we live and in Yosemite on some days instead of walking on the Heron Lake Loop trail all the time. This is so good for the both of us in that we can still do it! It has rekindled our enthusiam for hiking and invigerated us at the same. I'm here to tell you that Yosemite is as beautiful as ever. Snow pack this year is something like double normal and the water flow is amazing. Haven't seen the waterfalls yet this spring but intend to do so soon. Painting has gone a bit to the wayside and that's ok but I'm working on the completion of today's featured painting plus another small one and I am painting some every day. It feels good to be blogging again. Glad I'm back for today. Now to check out your blogs...........Bye for now.

A Night Out in Oakhurst

2010-05-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

Heron Pond Enchantment II

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson-Mi-Tientes Paper

Went to the reception for our Annual Tri-County Western Yosemite Artists Show last night in Oakhurst to find that my painting Heron Pond Enchantment II won 2nd place in the pastel category. I was very pleased and proud. Had a lovely time. Forgot to take my camera for picks to show you but it was nice mingling with the other artists and seeing their works. Makes me want to paint today so I think I will. BTW, I haven't mentioned my website for a while. Check out my works athttp://www.anitastoll.com/

Aaaah Spring!

2010-04-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

Springtime in Coarsegold Sold

19 x 26

Pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes Paper

There's something about spring that turns me on, brings me out of the winter blues. I scream with joy at my first flower sighting. It's uphill from there. I love the light, I love the flowers. I found out yesterday that Springtime in Coarsegold would be featured on the County of Fresno's website at http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/ . There are times (as you all know ) that we artists get down and discouraged with painting. I paint for the joy of creating. I would not stop even if I never sold another work again, but it's so nice when something like this happens.

Spring Morning Light Walk

2010-04-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

Spring Morning Walk II

8 x 10

Pastel on Linen Mat Board

Several weeks ago my class met in the early morning at The Heron Lake Trail very near where I live. We met to walk aroung the lake and take photos to use for paintings we will be doing in class. It was a beautiful morning. The light couldn't have been better. We took a lot of photos from which to paint. Here is the third one in the series. You can see the first one under "I Won the Lottery" post. The second one is the last post just below. I hope you enjoy them. I'm loving painting them.

Spring Light

2010-04-19T14:07:00.000-07:00

Morning Walk on Heron Lake Trail

8 x 10

Pastel on Velour Paper

As much as I dislike velour paper, I used it this time because because I love painting on it and I am usually pleased with the results, also I needed a quick lift at the time. I don't like velour because it doesn't grip and hold the pastels unless I fix it a lot which is ok I guess but most fixatives will yellow the painting to some degree. In this case I fixed it with a common hair spray which does not yellow near as much as pastel fixitive will.

Spring is here in all its wonderful glory. I love spring light and escpecially early morning light spring light.

If you like this painting here are some others showing the spring light.

Spring Rhythm

19 x 26

Pastel on Canson Mi-Teintes Paper

Morning Rays

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson-Mi Teintes Paper

Leona Valley Panorana

12 x 16

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

Facelift

2010-04-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

Royal Lilly

20 x 26

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

There's a lovely lilly pond that sits in the foothills of Yosemite National Park in the town of Oakhust a 20 minute jaunt down the road from where I live. The pond sits in the hills overlooking the town center. Being there is like being in a Garden of Eden. The pond is surrounded by are beautiful flowers and mountain landscaping lovingly tended by the owner of the property. The day I was there, everything seemed to have a special glow in the warm late spring sunlight. I must have taken a hundred photos of this pond and surroundings. I've done several paintings of this location and I treasure the memories of this place in the "precious pond" file section of my heart.

Shadows

2010-04-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

Koi Pond Shadows

7 x 51/2 $85

Coated Pastel on pastel paper board

I have created a process whereby I can put apply a clear finish over the pastel painting thereby protection it from the elements and eliminating the need for glass thus avoiding that drattit glare and reflection. So far it's working but it does have its downside. It does darken the painting somewhat and it will take away some depth that an untreated pastel painting has. I have applied this method to smaller works only thus far. I am fairly pleased with the results and I have had success with this process. I used to spray varnish on it but that does tend to yellow the painting. Now I use an acrylic crystal clear coating that does not yellow. In the case of Koi Pond Shadows , I like the way the finish darkend the work. I like what it did to the shadows. Hope you enjoy.

Here are some recent photos of places around here with some lovely shadow patterns.

I Won the Lottery!!!

2010-04-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

Morning Walk

6 x 8 $100

Pastel on Velour Paper

I wish.

It was the rolled up carpet that did it, no it was my coming down with a nasty chest infection, no it was the trip to our daughter's in Southern California that did it.

It all started when I came down with whatever is going around in our part of the country. It starts with the raw nose, the itchy throat and then comes the cough and the mucous, the nasty mucus. O.k. so I'm sick like go to bed sick. Wish I owned a laptop so at least I could keep blogging thru this, but I don't,( this is where the lottery thought comes into the picture). So now I'm sick in bed but seem to be getting better. I have to get better soon so my husband and I can go to my daughter's and have a nice visit and celebrate our birthdays (one week apart, won't tell you how many years).

So it's time to go visit her in a few days when I'm in my studio painting and bend down to pick up something under my easel on the carpeted floor of my studio. I do that, I get up and notice my knee is cold. I look down to find a wet spot on the knee of my jeans. What the fudge is this I say to myself, I test it lick it...yup it's water but where the heck did this come from? I bend down on all fours now ( not easy to do at my age) but anyway I'm down there and sure enough the carpet is very damp. Horrors, oh horrors I've got a leak somewhere, but where, next thought it's the water heater in the closet/supply room adjoining the studio. I go into that room and sure enough, the carpet is damp. So I call Mark who does our house repairs( Mark fixes anything and everything, he's great). He come over, rolls up half the carpet and we put fans on it to start the drying process. We have the water heater replaced and he comes back to check it out. It's drying nicely but not yet completely dry , but now it's time to leave for our daughter's in the morning. That morning I take Sonny our black lab out to pee walking carefully through the studio with all the furniture and pastel roller carts moved so the carpet could be rolled up. Sonny does his thing, we come back through the studio and the back my flip flop slipper gets caught on the rolled up carpet. Down I go straight onto the cold cement floor.I'm stunned for a few seconds. Upon coming to my senses, I find all my moving parts still move, yeah that's a good beginning. I'm not too sore, just stunned but able to move around. We leave for our daughter's. In a couple of hours, the adrenalin wares off and I'm hurting, but I'm ok. So we continue on going south to L.A. where we have a great visit and a great time and we come home. I'm slowly getting my studio and my body back in shape. I'm still sore and coughing but glad to be home and back to blogging. By the way, we went to see the Renoir exhibition at the Los Angeles County Art Museum while we were there. It was wonderful!!! I'm back painting again and that's the best.

More Freebies -Copyright Free Images from Me to You

2010-03-14T14:57:00.000-07:00

Koi and Lilly Pond available

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Paper

Since we're on the subject of koi and lily ponds I thought I would share some more from my fabulous photo collection. Again all copyright free. One catch, I would love to hear from you now telling me what you plan to use them for and then send the completed work to me so I can post them on a future blog. Happy painting everyone.

Refer #100_1529

Oops, how did this get in here?. Anyway this guy was hanging around the koi pond so I left him in Refer #100_1520

Another view of this guy. Refer #100_1521

Refer #100_0943

Refer #100_88

refer #100_0753

Refer Shinzen Lake

Refer 100_0806

Refer #100_0800

Refer 100_0078

Refer #100_0065

Copyright Free Images from Me to You

2010-03-10T21:06:00.000-08:00

Rooster on The Ball Sold

18 x 24

Oil

Animals can be so full of personality. Don't you agree? I was looking through my own photo collection of animals, birds, sea life when it occurred to me why not share them with you so I'm giving you some copyright free images from my collection. I think they're pretty neat. You can download and use them for whatever you want with my blessings. I know I can't force you to comment on them but I would sure like to hear from you on what you're going to do with them and when the completed project is done come back and comment on the result inviting everyone to check out your blog to see it. I will answer any questions about the photos. So please let me hear from you aaaannndddd...... hear they are..... .

Refer to # 100_1522

Refer # 100_1323

refer # 100_1322

Refer# 100_1340

Refer # 100_2303

Refer # 100_2362

Refer # 100_2379

Refer # 100_2396

Stay tuned for more to come from time to time.

Road Trip

2010-03-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

Work in Progress

18 x 24

Pastel on Canson Paper

My husband of 51 years took me on a delightful weekend road trip for my birthday to California's Gold Country along Highway 49 (called the miner's highway named after the 1849 goldrush). Our destination was Sonora which is in the heart of California's Gold Country.

Highway 49 runs through the heart of Sonora.

We stayed at the Gunn House Hotel built in 1850. The rooms had a Victorian theme.

We went to an art reception that night at Alloft Gallery where I met Diana Boyd whose art I was very impressed with.

Alloft Gallery Reception

Painting by Diana Boyd http://dianaboyd.com/

The next day we toured Columbia State Park which is a nicely preserved typical gold rush town. Then went on to Angeles Camp where we toured the museum with its amazing carriage exhibit.

From there we drove around the lovely country side taking in the beauty of the land. The next morning we ate breakfast in the hotel's charming victorian themed breakfast room

where I spied something hanging on the wall.

Any takers?

Coming home the weather cooperated so we drove through Yosemite with a little stop at the Swinging Bridge.

View from the Swinging Bridge.

We had a great time.

Facelift

2010-02-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

Heron Pond Enchantment II

17 x 25

Pastel on Suede Mat Board

A new trail has been added at one end of Heron Lake. My husband and I took a walk there on Saturday the day after heavy rains. It was a beautiful day. I took some photos .

New trail area of Heron pond

Other end of the Heron Pond

Btw, my website got a beautiful makeover. Check it out.

Other Peoples' Trash

2010-02-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

A Zen Place

14 x 12

Oil Pastel on Board

When my husband and I moved to Coarsegold, we delighted in exploring out new neighborhood. I'm always on the look out for new surfaces to paint on, such as, other peoples discards on trash pick up day. One day we were walking down our street. A house was under construction and I spotted construction materials left by the curb. One little board caught my eye. I especially liked the flow and patterns of this grainy composite board so I took it home. I knew it was going to be a painting, but not just them. Some months later I got a bright idea. I would use regular and irridescent oil pastels as my medium to highlight the patters in the board I left laying around my studio. What resulted is what you see.

Where do new ideas and inspiration come from? For months I had no plan to make use of the board but suddenly inspiration stuck. Where do you get your ideas? Let me hear from you.

Be sure to check out my new website at http://www.anitastoll.com/ .It was created by friend and fellow artist Kathy Holland and I am thrilled with it.

Happy, Happy Day

2010-02-19T09:44:00.000-08:00

Long Lake Glow II

Pastel on suede mat board

15 x 16

We had the most beautiful sunshine filled day yesterday and I realized how much I missed the warmth and healing sensation. I reflected on the events of the past two weeks events concerning my husband who went in for cancer surgery ( it seemed that his cancer had returned). But please do not despair, I held faith that this would not be the case and it was not the case. When the surgeon came out into the waiting room to update me I looked to his eyes and that were joyfull eyes. I knew all would be good. He said he didn't believe it was cancer, "could be scar tissue or an old dead tumor from before" he said with a slight smile and those beautiful happy eyes. The final result is in and .... his eyes were right.

It's a happy day.