Another Calendar Year

"Where Spirits Play"
6 x 7.5" pastel on paper
Last painting of 2015
Used as Day 2 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

While it's neither an end nor a beginning, I want to thank my family for getting me through the most difficult year in my life. My Mom who at 86 is still a source of my greatest comfort, my sisters for sharing new adventures and showing me how to stand on my own two feet, my sons for loving me and making sure I'm really OK (and making me tea), my dear best friends for being at my side through it all (every day), my sweet grandchildren for reassuring me that life will go on, and my Mark for giving me his all for 35 years so that I have what I need to begin my life again. I most definitely have a wonderful life. 

Here's to a new calendar year, 2016!  May it bring you much joy. 

"Joy is the ultimate act of defiance" 
Sheryl Sandberg attributed to Bono

The Journey

We are all just walking each other home
6 x 8" pastel on sanded paper
click on the image to see a larger version

I've been fascinated with pathways lately. There's something very symbolic about them..a journey..a challenge...the unknown. While my husband, Mark, was battling cancer the quote "We are all just walking each other home" was my comforting thought.

My landscapes evolve from a reference photo to something completely different which makes them very soothing to paint.

All of the recent pastels will be framed before I list them for sale.

Sunday in the Studio

A lovely day in the studio, frigid outside. 

The landscape reminds me of hiking with my sisters this last fall. "Around the Next Bend"

5 x 5" pastel on sanded paper. We can't wait for the weather to get warmer so we can be off on new adventures.

"Around the Next Bend"
5 x 5" pastel on paper 

My goal for this painting was to push the colors more. I tend to get dark and moody with the pastels.

"Lemon Pledge"
5 x 5" pastel on sanded paper

December Pear in Pastels

Today was just a day to play with pastels with the goal of achieving more brilliant colors than I am accustomed to in pastel. 

I also did a watercolor wash on the sanded paper with Vermillion Red. I like the peeks of red underneath the pastel strokes.

"December Pear"
5 x 5" Pastel on Sanded Paper

Suggested Framing

A Work in Progress - Belinda Roses

My good friend, Carol, from Texas has roses blooming at Christmas! She sent me a pic of her beautiful Belinda roses last year about this time. I've been wanting to do a pastel now that I have room to spread out in a studio, so I selected Carol's image for my first pastel piece in a long time.

I'm sharing my progress from the start. Not finished yet, but I will update my last couple work sessions in the next post.

Work in Progress
"Belinda Roses" 9 x 12"
Pastel on Sanded Paper
First Step - Watercolor Wash and Beginning of Blocking in Colors

Step 2 - More Blocking of Color and Gestural Lines

Step 3 - Blocking in the Lights and Shadows

Step 4 - Completing the Large Rose and Rosebuds
There were lots of drawing corrections to be made like the bud on the left. It needed to be much smaller.
I love pastel for that very ability - to correct your drawing as you go.



Have a very Merry Christmas and I'll finish the roses after the holiday!

A Rare Landscape Attempt

"Pathways"
9 x 12" oil on panel
SOLD

Suggested Frame

In my ever challenging quest to paint on a larger surface I tried out a new approach that I have been playing around with. I wasn't sure what to think of it, but it has a new home...and there you have it!

Pics of New Studio Space

Last month, November 7th, I took a huge leap of faith and rented a studio at 40 West Studios in the heart of the 40 West Arts District. The arts district is a Colorado Certified Creative District, one of 12 in the state.

There are 13 studio spaces, 3 workshops, a communal kitchen, cleaning service, restrooms, HEAT and A/C. I have a huge window and 3 skylights which gives me excellent light in which to work.

We have an internal gallery, Reed Street Gallery @ 40 West Studios, which will host a group open house in March, and can be available for an individual artist's open house. 

Our Facebook page is up and running.

My gallery wall outside my #9 studio

The hallway looking toward the front door.
My studio is on the right side of  the purple wall.

My "Take Five" corner

How About Some Wood Violets Today?

"Wood Violets"
4 x 4" oil on panel
Click here to purchase painting

Suggested Framing

Wood violets today, violas were yesterday. I really enjoy this approach to painting. It's very freeing yet challenging in its own way. I might try some marigolds tomorrow.

Violas - A New Subject Matter for Me

"Violas"
5 x 5" oil on Gessobord panel
SOLD

Suggested Frame

Violas were my husband's favorite flower. We always bought them first thing in the spring. I felt like painting purple today and these popped into my head. Maybe because it's 60 degrees here today...feels more like spring than winter. OK by me.

Cherry on Turquoise on Orange

"Cherry on Turquoise (on Orange)"
4 x 4" oil on panel
SOLD

Sold a cherry painting from 2013 last night so today I am painting a cherry to try to keep up. The cherries go fast and are my best sellers. Thank goodness for cherries. I was going to try to paint violets but that will have to wait until tomorrow.

We had a great time at the studio on Saturday, my granddaughter, Opal, and I. She's 9 going on 20 and such a great companion. Here she is with her watercolor tryptich of a puppy's face.

Wild Roses

I am trying something new...painting flowers without a reference. One small one to let me know the shape of the flower. The rest is just following the painting with shapes, values, brushstrokes and a little faith. I'm sure they will get better as I practice more.

"Wild Roses II"
6 x 6" oil on canvas panel
Click here to purchase

Suggested Frame

Five Mini's

"Mini Pear"
2.5 x 3.5" oil on canvas panel
Purchase here

"Mini Lemon"
2.5 x 3.5" oil on panel
Purchase Here

"Mini Cherry"
2.5 x 3.5" oil on panel
Purchase here

"Mini Peach"
2.5 x 3.5" oil on panel
SOLD

"Mini Yellow Pepper"
2.5 x 3.5" oil on panel
SOLD