Red Rubies - Abstracted Pastel

"Red Rubies"
8 x 8" pastel on paper
Purchase Painting

A few days off and back in the studio today.

This started off as a piece of Stonehenge paper, used mostly for colored pencil work. I have a ton of it and I wanted to use what I had on hand. So I taped the paper down to a board and applied a 50/50 mixture of Golden Acrylic Ground for Pastels and water. I let it dry thoroughly and then applied the pastel over the ground. The pastels adhere beautifully.

Interested in Hot Rocks?

"Hot Rocks" was created in 2008 from my own photo reference. I used it yesterday as my profile picture on my Facebook account. I've received a lot of interest in the original (the original sold last month at an art gallery) and the art card (sold the last one yesterday.)

I had posted back in 2008, when I apparently had much more energy and time on my hands, about the work as it was progressing.  For a walk down memory lane, here is the link to the original "Hot Rocks" blog post. The finished piece is 5 x 7" colored pencil on Pastelbord.

Toward the Light

"Toward the Light"
11 x 14"
Pastel on Sanded Paper

Earlier in the year I started this painting - follow this link to check out the original painting. I've had it hanging on my display rack since I thought it was done. I wasn't convinced and today I decided to take it down and play with it some more.

I think i'm now happy with it - but hanging it up on the display rack makes "the finish" iffy.

New Painting "WildFlowers" Featured on Vida Products

My newest abstracted floral is pastel on paper that has been layered with ink, charcoal and pastel ground. Various layers have had a rubbing alcohol wash painted over them to give more of a watercolor look. I thought this painting would make a good design for my Vida Voices Collection.

If you like the look you can order by clicking on the link below each item. I will be ordering one of each of these and they will be available for sale at my studio during our 40 West Studios First Friday in November.

As always the painting can be purchased at the link in the caption of the original painting.

Hope you enjoy!

Wildflowers
8 x 8" pastel on paper
Original Painting

Wildflowers Scarf

80% Cashmere, 20% Silk

Machine washable

Wildflowers Sheer Wrap
100% Polyester
Machine washable

Wildflowers Modern Tee
100% Polyester
Machine Washable

Wildflowers 12" Square Silk Scarf
 100% Natural Charmeuse Silk,
Machine Washable

New Project on Vida

I received an invitation to Vida Voices to become a designer for their apparel. (Not to get too excited...tons of artists have been invited. I have even found some of my friends with shops on Vida.)

Always willing to explore, I thought what the heck, doesn't cost anything to upload my images and design several types of scarves, sheer wraps and tops. I even have a men's silk pocket square. The collection is all based on my abstract art.  Below I have shown the original art and the piece that was designed from the art.

Who or what is Vida? Vida's Story  

My feelings about the world and my art resonated with their story.

Until August 15th I am able to offer (through Vida) a discount to my friends. (You are all my friends.)

Enjoy 15% towards your purchase using code Welcome15-0808

OR

Enjoy $50 off your purchase of $250+ using code Welcome50-0808

To see my entire collection of designs, click here

Original Painting

Shop at Vida

"Seaside" Cashmere/Silk Scarf

Original Painting

Shop at Vida
"Serenity" Cashmere/Silk Scarf

An Award from Daily Paintworks

"Blues"
8 x 8"' pastel on pane

Woke up to the wonderful news that one of my pastels, an abstract to boot, has won 3rd place in the Daily Paintworks monthly contest. The judge this month was none other than Carol Marine, the famous daily painter. She and her husband are the founders of the website.

A little prize money doesn't hurt either!

The Big Move

"Lime and Pink"
2.5 x 3.5" oil painting
on miniature canvas panel
Click here to bid in auction

The time came in May to begin thinking about selling the house. In June I listed it with a real estate agent. She got the MLS listing all ready and turned it live on a Friday morning at 10:00am. By noon I had a wonderful offer, more than I was asking-I took the offer. The end of July I closed on the sale. I had actually found a lovely apartment in a walkable neighborhood the end of June. It was a little risky to sign a lease before the closing, but I would have been crushed if I lost the apartment.

So, getting 2500 sq feet of accumulated "fluff" down to necessary "stuff" for a 628 sq ft apartment was most challenging and emotional. My sister came from Omaha to help, she kept me moving. When I got bogged down in the sentimentality of my stuff, she would say "go ahead and cry, but keep sorting." I couldn't have done it without her. My son was the muscle, but not good at sorting into piles. Only I could really do that. Most of my furniture and good things went to the Salvation Army. They came in for free and moved it all out. Then smaller things went to the local thrift store, and the junk hauler took the rest. Then I had professional move out cleaners come in. When it was all done I cried my eyes out and then I breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as soon as I signed my closing documents I took off for Tacoma for a week for the annual Colored Pencil Society of America convention. I was exhausted, did my tasks for the convention, but I slept a good deal of the time.

Just this last Wednesday was the most normal day I've had in many months. (And that's a long story, and it doesn't merit reliving it here.)

When I start off painting again, I usually have to paint something small, and the subject is usually a lemon, lime or cherry. I could paint those in my sleep by now. But after a month of not painting, the brush feels a little unsteady in your hand and you second-guess every brushstroke you put down.

Today is the first day back painting. I managed to live through it!! And now my mantra is "I choose to live a joyful life." It's been dark for too long.

Back at Daily Paintworks

"Mini Lemon"
2.5 x 3.5"
Oil on canvas panel
 Bid on this painting here

I have always loved the Daily Paintworks community, but when my husband was battling lung cancer I had to let my account go. I just wasn't painting.

Now I have my art studio and there is LOTS of painting going on, I re-established my account. It's an inspiration to paint as much as I can.

I love painting these little mini paintings. Makes me feel really productive. 

I use high quality mini canvases from SharksArtCanvas on ebay. They craft the best mini canvases I have found.

If Only I Could

If only I could.....I would do a lot of things.

"If Only I Could"
5 x 5" oil over collage material and matte medium
Click here to purchase

Adrift

"Adrift"
5 x 5" oil over acrylic and collage material
SOLD

This is how I feel, adrift. So many changes happening all at once. All I can do is take a leap of faith and walk through it.