The Completed Painting and The Return of My Muse

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

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)

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

                   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

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

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

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/