Sunday, August 31, 2014

Battered and Bruised

Battered and Bruised
8x6 pastel

These two sad looking pears where actually not so battered and bruised..until I took my "artistic license" out on them.  Poor things...they sat there posing and never saw it coming.  They didn't realize I had made a commitment to myself to complete 30 paintings in 30 days.  They had no idea that I had waited until nearly bedtime to begin to paint...after an already exhausting day.  They also didn't know I was only allocating a few minutes to get the job done. So, after those few minutes of painting (which was more like a bar brawl) we agreed to part as friends.  Not only were they very battered and bruised...but my ego was too.  (lol) 

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Above The Rooftops

Above The Rooftops
6x8, soft pastel

The grain elevator towers above the rooftops in the small town of Odessa, Washington...almost as if it's standing guard.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Odessa Elevator At Sunrise

Odessa Elevator At Sunrise 
6x8, soft pastel

I was driving around one sunrise morning in Odessa, Washington and shot this scene. The sun rays on the grain elevator turned the metal siding into a kaleidoscope of colors.  It was magical. 

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Juicy, Sweet, Slice of Heaven

Juicy, Sweet, Slice of Heaven
6x8, soft pastel

Crazy, busy day...and worst of all, it was late in the day before I started to paint. All I could think of was "what am I going to eat for dinner and what am I going to paint".  So I painted what I wanted to eat.  I love cantaloupe this time of year...they are a juicy, sweet, slice of heaven.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Floral Fireworks

Floral Fireworks
6x8, soft pastel

Today started with a migraine...so it's no wonder today's painting was filled with extreme colors.  Sort of like fireworks...this is an end of summer bouquet. One errant sunflower insisted on facing backwards.  I guess sometimes in life you just have to go with the flow.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Hyde Park - 13th Street Pub & Grill

Hyde Park - 13th Street Pub and Grill
6x8, soft pastel

One of my favorite places to eat...or drink...or both, located in Hyde Park. Actually, there are many great places to check out there.  A fun place where bicycles out number cars. 

Monday, August 25, 2014

Hyde Park Goody's

Hyde Park Goody's 
6x8, soft pastel 

Ugh!  Today's painting was started late in the day which is usually tough for me to get in the mood to do.   But, I wanted to start the 30 in 30 a week early...I really don't know why.  I have the materials and subject matter ready to go and since there's really no hard fast rules to this endeavor,  I jumped in.  After 3-4 hours, I had the feeling I actually jumped into the deep end of the pool before I really knew how to swim.  Oh well, that's pretty typical for me.

In any event, I still find it very difficult to paint in a loose style.  I'll keep trying.  After all, this is all about practice....right?   In any event, Goody's is my first attempt at a cityscape. 

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Unexpected Rainbows

Unexpected Rainbows
6x8, soft pastel

Rainbows can be everywhere...they can sneak up on you in unexpected places. 
    

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Where Do You Find Your Inspiration?


Follow Me
6x8, soft pastel


It isn't necessarily easy to figure out what subject to paint.  While the subject matter can be as broad as one's imagination, often I find myself taking 100s of pictures and then weeding through them to settle on one for the day...or, I take my supplies outside and paint "plein air".  Ok, I confess...I've only painted once outside and that was on my back patio.   Plein air painting is on my list to do...as soon as I'm a better artist...and, have more confidence to paint in close proximity to the general public.

If you don't already know, there is a website titled "PaintMyPhoto" (paintmyphoto.ning.com) where photographers post pictures they've taken to allow artists to paint them without infringing on their copyrights. This is a great website to provide inspiration and minimize the need to take your own photos...hurray!  More studio time!  

Practice...practice...practice

Out in the Clearing
6x8, soft pastel


Last fall I clipped my horoscope out of the local paper.  It read: "discipline counts more than natural talent. The natural talent you have may serve to make practice more fun, but ultimately, it's the practice, not the talent, that will make you successful." At the time I hadn't yet found my love of painting with soft pastels.  Yet I knew that the horoscope was right...if you want to be the best you can be, you must practice, practice, and then practice some more.  

In preparation of starting the 30in30 challenge in Sept. (to create one painting a day for 30 consecutive days) I have now finished 3 in 3 (whoop, whoop!)

Friday, August 15, 2014

Oh Deer...

Be Courageous
6x8, soft pastel


Let the games begin!  I'm stepping out of my comfort zone...again.  That is my mantra this year.  Get out of my comfort zone and be courageous!

This little fawn seems so comfortable in the grasses...but something has her attention.  Maybe she'll venture out too and have some fun.  

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Why do I want to be an artist anyway?


A little background (this could be at bit boring):  


When I was 8 yrs. old I realized I absolutely LOVED ART. I watched with amazement the artists programs on TV...(even Captain Kangaroo had an artist on his program from time to time) and at some point in my childhood I watched Bob Ross painting his "happy little clouds". At that time, the opportunity to take art classes in my hometown was very limited. I did take summer "arts and crafts" classes at the grade school across the street from where I lived in Keokuk, Iowa. There is where I was exposed to all kinds of fun hands-on activities.  

During high school the only art class I attended was a freshman class offered during my senior year (think Catholic school, limited funding). I did however attend a two week workshop at the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay that same year thanks to my art instructor Mrs. Nila Jobe.  She found the workshop and helped two of her students secure scholarships, funded by the Jaycees, to attend. Without her...I would not have had that opportunity.  Thank you Mrs. Jobe!  

Attending the Green Bay workshop was the first time I was literally surrounded by artists and art instructors. It was heaven to have such an opportunity to emerce myself in the pursuit of finding "the artist within".  So kudos to all those teachers out there who guide and inspire students young and old. You don't always know what your impact will be on someone else but to be a good teacher is an art in and of itself!

My primary goal was to have a family and perhaps be a stay at home mom, and I did just that for a time. My two daughters are the very best part of me. As my family has grown over the years...so does my love for them all.  Suffice it to say...they all mean the world to me.

I had a long career in "Corporate America" which was also rewarding. I found many life long friends there and had many opportunities to travel and develop new skills...but, it wasn't art...a corporate job didn't speak to my soul. 

Artistically, I dabbled throughout my life with a handful of paintings in acrylic and even fewer in oils. I had little time to commit to developing my expertise with either medium. After retiring I focused on developing my drawing skills and within a few years found a passion using soft pastels.
A Few Examples:

So...here I am, 58 yrs. old. I want to hopefully share what I've done to get to this point...the resources I found, materials I use, and chronicle the journey I'm on. Maybe there will be something useful to you.


Monday, August 4, 2014

To blog...or not

Hmmm...to blog, or not to blog...that is the question at hand.  Is it better to journal privately or in public for all the world to see?  I don't know.  I'm a fairly private person.  I don't usually like to draw much attention to myself. But I will admit, finding blogs and website information on the use of soft pastels has been SO valuable during the past six months that I've decided to try it. Get out of my comfort zone.  Maybe someday what I share about my journey to find "the artist within" will be of value to someone else.  I hope so anyway.

The first 6-7 months of 2014 were a steep learning curve filled with practice pieces and a few worth sharing.  This first one is near and dear to my heart. We lost Scooter in April and it took until June before I felt I could attempt painting him.  I'm very fond of this little piece.

A Warm Spot By The Window
5x7, soft pastel




These are a few of my first pieces of 2014...so much to learn but I'm having fun!