The Surprise Element

Shrimp Lilys

16 x 20

                    Pastel on Suede Mat Board         $700

So this afternoon I went to the pool to do a workout. I went to use the restroom. I went into the stall, when I opened the door something big scampered across the floor along the back wall. It zoomed by so fast I couldn't make out what it was. Turns out it was a hugh frog. Well needless to say I was all shook up. I'll never forget this. What does this have to do with art? Well when you think about it there was a suprise element here. Something happened to make this memorable. Something out of the ordinary occurred. When this happens in art I wonder what that means. You out there in blogland what do you have to say about this.

When Do You Call a Painting Done?

The Completed Painting (see September 10th post)

Winter's Glow     SOLD      

I called it done two nights ago.  When do you know when a painting is done? I would love your feed-back on this subject. Since this is not exactly a new painting for you the viewer but rather a follow up on a previous blog, I have added a second painting to show you . I did not paint this today, but it is a recent painting completed a short while ago..........and the painting is......Drum Roll da da da dum da da!!!!

Solitude

11 x 14

       Painting on Pastelboard        $275

The inspiration for this painting is the glow of the sunrise I was fortunate enough to observe on my way hiking out of the Grand Canyon after staying several days at Phantom Ranch. Not a sight one would expect at the bottom of the Grand Canon. But there it was and it was awsome.

For Today

                        Simon's Monet II                             

                         11 x 12   Pastel                       $325

                       

Not enough time to do a new painting today.....But instead here is one from my inventory. I love to paint lily ponds. The inspiration for this painting came from the gardens at the Notton Simon Museum in Pasadena, CA. It is one of my favorite museums to vist. I painted this on suede mat board. Yes suede not velour. Velour does not hold the pastels as well as suede. You pastelists out there if you haven't tried it, I urge you to do so. It has a wonderful sensual feel to it. When the pastel hits the surface I'm in 7th heaven. I used an assortment of brands and textures of pastels but made sure to use a generous amount of  Sennelier Iridescent and Schmicke. Signing off for today. Back tomorrow.

My First of Daily Painting, What Do You Think? .....Also Last Nights Preview Show For Sierra Art Trails

Gossamer Pond II

                                             7 x 7                                             

For sale $75 plus $7.00 shippingU.S.

O.K. so here's the thing. I've started to explor other artist's blogsites. Many of you are doing this one painting a day theme with amazing results. At first I thought "this is overwhelming", I couldn't possibly do this plus everything else that's going on in my life right now. This was on Friday. That evening I grabbed a small piece of suede matboard , said to myself what the heck and started in. This will be a challange. But I'm going to do something on this order ( I can't believe I just that, yikes, scary). Anyway, I'm hooked. Maybe I should call my site A painting a Day ( maybe yes, maybe no) this artist has been known to exaggerate. So here it is. While I'm painting more realistic but still impressionistic work, I found with my first peace a freeing up and I like that. Perhaps painting these small ones along with my larger works in progress I have reached a sort of balance. Painting in both styles each day (hopefully each day) takes away some of the artistic frustration  I experience. I invite comments please.

Sierra Art Trails Preview Reception

That's me with my entry. ( oops my bra strap is showing)

So last night my husband and I attented the preview kick off show for Sierra Art Trails  artists open studio weekend event coming up on Oct 3rd and 4th. Actually this is on its way to becoming a national attraction, (check out Sunset Magazine ).  Lots of people, artists and patrons. Great jazz band, good food, great show. 

O.K So I Did Some Painting Today

Work in Progress

Funny how often I don't give myself credit for what I accomplish in one day no I didn't paint this in one day but I did do some more work on it. In fact, after I wrote the previous blog, I walked away from the computer to do some more work on it. I'm guessing it's about 3/4s done. It's one of the works I'm planning on putting  in Timberline Art Gallery's http://www.timberlineartgallery.com/ winter theme show coming up in November or December.

Here's a couple more I'll be entering.

Winter Glow Merced River 

Winter at Fish Slough IV

What the Heck Am I Doing Here?

Marcia's Lilys

I should be working getting my studio and home ready for the upcoming Sierra Art Trails annual artist's studio tour...or I should be painting instead I find myself caught up with the blogging thing. How do you artists out there find the time to create your thing?  There isn't enough hours in the day or night. I'm 70 yrs old and yes when I was younger I was like a whirling dervish. Into everything, painting till all hours . I was in galleries around the west. Putting on solo shows, active in the art community way more then I am now.  So you out there please tell me what is your magic formula?

By the way I did not paint this painting or work on any other for today. Too busy looking up other artist's blogs.

Artist's Expose Themselves to the Public

Artist's Expose Themselves to the Public

I thought this title would get your attention. Actually this is about Sierra Trails once a year weekend event when many local artists living in the foothill commnities of Yosemite open their studios to the public. Well, I am one of them but I open my home as well as my studio.

Sierra Art Trails takes place October 3rd and 4th this year. Check it out at http://www.sierraarttrails.org/