I've been away on vacation...

I just got home last night from a wonderful vacation. I spent 3 weeks with my sisters and brother in-law and his family. Two of those weeks were spent on Edisto Island, SC. It's a wonderful remote sea island with not much on it, which is why we love it.  I took a gazillion reference photos while there. I also spent some time outside with my pastels sitting by the ocean and matching colors. on a cloudy day the colors are totally different than on a sunny day- so I matched those colors- now in the winter in my studio, I can better match the colors, instead of relying on my photos. I also did this color matching on the beach for the sand and rocks. 

I did two paintings while on my trip. This first one is a typical scene on the island. There are many of these white birds- storks, herons, cranes? not exactly sure. One day we took a hike out to see the Botany Bay preserve and I took this picture of the bird. He is hunting. They stand very still while hunting, so they make perfect subjects for a photo!

 

Marsh Bird

9x12 pastel on pastel paper

 

Edisto is a place where every where I look there is a painting! The island is surrounded by ocean and the tidal marshes of the Carolina Low Country. It is "other worldly" in many respects. I love Edisto Island. My soul is comforted there.  Our rental home was ocean front- and the ocean was very close- at times I felt like the water might come right up to the house! What a view! At night I would open my window and sleep to the waves...I will miss that. 

 

So I think my next several paintings will be of this magical place called Edisto Island. I hope you enjoy them...

 



My little town...

Monroe Lakes

9x12

pastel over watercolor on paper

I live in a pretty town. In the center of town are two lakes with walking paths that go around the lakes. Its the focus of our town. And at the south end of the lakes is a waterfall. There used to be a bench right near the waterfall that was MY bench. Years prior I had mentioned to the then Mayor of Monroe that I would love a bench near the waterfall. And low and behold, what appeared the following month, but a bench right where I had asked!  That's why I considered it my bench. I believe it was removed when hurricane Irene hit - that hurricane really made a mess of our town. So no more bench...and I don't know the current mayor...ah well...this is the view one saw while sitting on the bench when you looked to the left. I remember watching turtles sunning on an occasional log that would float into this little spot. And bull frogs, with such a loud call, it was hard to believe it was really a frog.  Now that the bench is gone, I don't sit there anymore. I miss my bench.

This one is for my mom

Chickadee

5x7 pastel on paper

 

Pastels amaze me. With the same chunky stick you are able to get a tiny spot or very be very ethereal- all depends on how it is applied. For the tiny spot on his eye I did use a pastel pencil as I really wanted it to be a sharp spot.  If you wish to purchase this, please just click on the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. It will be mailed to you in a sturdy mailer for safe travels. It is not framed or matted. Cost is 25.00 + 3.95 for shipping.  The watermark will NOT be on painting, but my signature will.

 

My mom always loved chickadees. She's been gone a long time, but I still think of her whenever I see one. So this one is for you, mom.   This is SOLD.

Painting in Provence

Antibes

ATC size on Wallis paper

 

Back in May of this year I traveled to France for a painting workshop and vacation. It was a fantastic time! Gayle Fedigan was our teacher and we traveled around and painted the areas. This is Antibes, on the Mediterranean in the South of France. The water was really this color! I was so amazed at the color...it looked almost too blue to be real, but it was. There was a sail boat going by as I was painting so I added it into the painting.  This paining is framed and available for purchase. It is currently in an art show at the Desmond Campus of Mt. Saint Mary's College in Newburgh, NY. It will be on display in the gallery until September 21.

 



some recent paintings

 Edisto Marsh #1

5x7 pastel on paper

 

 

 Edisto Marsh # 2

5x7 pastel on paper

 

 

Edisto Marsh # 3

5x7 pastel on paper

 

 

These are all done from the same reference photo. I played around with the colors on each, trying to keep the values the same. The Edisto Marshes are one of my favorite places on this planet. I feel so connected to them. My heart feels a little fuller there. It's other worldly in many ways.

(If you read my other blog you may recognize these as I recently posted these there. But I've started this new blog dedicated to pastels and so I will post all that I posted from other blog here.)

 



English countryside sunrise (or sunset?)

English Countryside Sunrise

5x7 pastel on paper

 

These amazing colors! I knew the moment I saw this that I would paint it. I loved the mix of the purples and greys with the shot of color from the oranges; I found this very soothing to paint. I like the color combination. I am not a huge fan of purple, but when mixed with grey, well, that's a horse of a different color. (where does that saying come from??)

I found the reference photo for this some time ago on the Internet. I so wish I could give proper recognition to the person who took and posted this photo. I apologize to whomever you are. I wont be selling this one because it's not my image from which to profit. This was done as a learning exercise and it's NFS (not for sale).

New blog just for pastel painting...

Welcome to my new blog all about my journey in pastel painting. I decided to split up my artwork to paper crafting / mixed media  and pastel painting. That way, I wont bore those who are not interested in the other. I find that the more I get into pastels, the more I am falling in love. With the color, the process, the challenge...all of it...even the dusty mess.