A Glorious Morning

A Glorious Morning 

8x6, soft pastel

This is the final painting for the 30 in 30 Challenge...I'll upload it to Leslie Saeta's blog in the morning...thus the title...a "glorious morning" it will be indeed. The past 30 days have been...what can I say...LONG!  It felt more like 30 weeks. At times I was so darn frustrated...and at other times really happy with my progress. I realized the absolute worst thing to do was to get to the end of the day and still need to paint.  Yikes! Those days were killers (can you say...paint a piece of fruit?).

I was surprised most of all that no matter how badly a painting was one day, I was anxious to try again the next morning. I became much more comfortable with landscapes...and loved doing the seascapes (they were my favorite ones)...aside from today's...which I have to say is my favorite overall (I love the composition, colors, and subject matter). 

I am amazed at how much I learned about painting with pastels and I have to admit I will miss the challenge. I would not have otherwise forced myself to complete a painting each and every day...yet, I'm pretty sure I'll stay on a good pace...maybe a painting every other day (ha!). 

If you're reading this blog, (and you must be)...I hope you'll stop by again. I'll be here...painting away!

Under The Tuscan Sun

Under The Tuscan Sun

7x5, soft pastel

One of my favorite movies is Under The Tuscan Sun. It's set in beautiful Tuscany...what could be better. But more importantly it's about overcoming life's challenges...perservering when life gets tough (which everyone has to do now and then).  Many years ago I bought this vase from an artist in Bainbridge, Wa. It reminded me so much of the dark blue vase Diane Lane's character had in the movie (if you've seen the movie you'll know the vase I'm talking about). One of just a few possessions she ended up with after a divorce. Anyway, my little vase is a symbol of my own strength throughout my life..and a reminder that I sure wish I could live in beautiful Tuscany! Today, I painted my vase picture while watching the movie.  It was a great day.  

Sunset Sail

Sunset Sail 

7x5, soft pastel

Sticking with my nautical them this week...one more boat.  This is such a beautiful scene.  I love the colors of the sunset...the warm glow of the setting sun and its reflection on the water.

Old Yeller

Old Yeller

5x7, soft pastel 

Ok now, with this title I realize I'm showing my age! As a kid the movie Old Yeller was a classic. A great movie about a beloved old dog. I imagine this old yellow boathouse is also beloved by its owners.  Maybe a family with a lot of kids fishing or diving off its dock.  If I had a boathouse I think I'd spend every day there.  Maybe painting...or fishing...or kayaking in the waters nearby.  The sun is setting in this picture which is appropriate for this old boathouse...at the end of its days...but still beautiful.  

Little Red

Little Red

5x7, soft pastel

It's always a little more stressful painting detail...so on this piece, I really got tired of it after 4 hours or so. There was a lot of teeny tiny details since this is only a 5x7painting. Normally if I do a "detail" painting I give myself a couple days to complete it so I don't burn out. But then, those are not very "painterly" either which is a style I'm trying to achieve.  Not so with this one though.  Since this is a 30 in 30 painting, I needed to finish today...so it's not my best work...but hey, today, it's good enough.  

Feeling A Little Dinghy

Feeling A Little Dinghy

5x7, soft pastel

Today is day 24 of the 30 day challenge...and by now, I'm feeling a bit dinghy.  Only six more days to go...so I will press on.  I love the bright orange colors of this little boat and the overall composition.  The water is so calm you can see the larger boats moored directly behind it.  I love reflections!

Lucious Lavender

Luscious Lavender 

6x8, soft pastel

I always like the look of blooming lavender fields. They are such a beautiful shade (shades) of purple. Today, I had wished I was an oil painter where I could mix just the right luscious lavender colors. Alas, I struggled a bit to find the right colors...but at least I can say... "It's colorful".   

Three Tips For Starting A New Piece

When I started this blog my intention was to share info along the way that someday might help someone else...tips on what I find is working for me.  So here's a photo and run down of three tips for starting a painting:

1.  Pastels can be very messy and if you use your fingers even just a little bit...your fingernails are always stained with paint.  I try scrubbing them clean with an old toothbrush and that helps a bit. 

To eliminate the problem this is what I'm doing now.  I bought small latex gloves (which were too big) and small finger cots.  The "finger cots" you see in this photo were too tight and quickly cut off circulation.   I hated to throw them out...so I unrolled one, cut the excess latex off and put it back on...the problem was solved.  Now they are very comfortable and will save my poor fingernails going forward.  You'll also notice I have backup finger cots already cut down and placed over pens/pencils in my pencil jar ready for use.  I rarely need to change them during a painting because I keep wet wipes on hand to clean them along the way.

2.  If you use an iPad or similar device for your reference photo:  when sketching the image select "edit" and "crop" to view the cropping grid superimposed on the image this helps properly scale the subject matter.   

Also, after the sketch is done use the "tonal filter" to convert the image to gray scale...this helps select the proper values when applying the under painting.

3.  Rita Kirkman gave a great tip on cleaning pastels with toilet paper.  I am also using it when selecting my color palette.  It cleans the pastel and at the same time gives you a good look at the colors you've selected.  If you don't like a particular color, just mark it out with a magic marker.  I also lay out the colors on my palette in the same order as they appear on the TP.

Ok...on to painting today's piece.  Day 23 of the 30 in 30 Challenge!

Cozy Cove

Cozy Cove

7x5, soft pastel 

I love sailboats.  Not that I've ever been sailing....or even stepped foot in one.  But, I love them all the same.  They're beautiful in full sail or moored for the evening in a cozy cove.

Today is day 22 of the 30in30 Challenge.  I'm barely keeping up with the laundry and cleaning...thank God my husband is good at getting the groceries and cooking.  Not that I've been painting all day long...but some days it sure feels like it.  Oh well...getting lots of practice!

P.S. Technically I just met the challenge with today's painting (I started in mid-Aug.)...but I'll forge ahead and complete the whole month of Sept.  Why not..right?

An Evening On The Lake

An Evening On The Lake

5x7, soft pastel 

For me, there are few things more peaceful than kayaking especially in the early morning or evening hours.  We are fortunate in Idaho to have so many lakes, rivers, and reservoirs from which to chose.   

On The Fly

On The Fly

6x8, soft pastel

Appropriate name for this one. Without much forethought I just dove in and started painting this one...on the fly.  After several hours I realized I was once again overworking it...once again, I tried to put too much detail in it and the colors were off.  There wasn't really any way of fixing it.   So, rather than beat myself up...I'll just say, "I like the sky."

September Sky

September Sky

6x8, soft pastel 

Today is day 19 in the 30 in 30 challenge.  This is painting #20.  I felt the need yesterday to get a little ahead of the curve and post two pictures...having a bit of a cushion is easier on my psyche!  The challenge had been fun...but painful...exhilarating...but exhausting...rewarding...but defeating...and at the end of the day...satisfying.  The most satisfying aspect for me is being able to (very humbly) get out of my comfort zone and practice, practice, practice. 

Earlier in the month I declared to you (assuming there is someone out there reading this)...I declared that I am definitely not a landscape artist.   Then I reflected on that statement and told myself..."Hey!  Now is the time to force yourself to try and grow a bit and not accept defeat or hide behind an excuse!"   So, I've stayed in my "discomfort zone"...I've committed to myself to trying skies, earth, water etc. for the final two weeks of the challenge.  So...this is "September Sky".  A typical Idaho scene that my mind conjured up...but one that I'm sure I've seen over the years while travelling around the state...most likely on a fly fishing trip with my husband.  

Feeding the Birds

Feeding the Birds

5x9, soft pastel

The Gulf Coast is a beautiful place...especially at sunrise.  On this particular morning I captured a photo of a couple on the beach just as heavy fog was lifting.  It was a mystical sight.   He, walking their dog and she, throwing breadcrumbs to the birds.  The sight of the birds hovering above them was amazing.

Idaho Sunset

Idaho Sunset 

6x8, soft pastel

It's true...in Idaho we don't get a lot of rain. We have more than our share of sun and blue skies throughout the summer months.  Many of us relish those days when the clouds move in and light up our skies! This was one such day several weeks ago...a beautiful sunset photographed by "jasonstwisted" and posted to Instagram.  He regularly captures the beauty around us and shares his photos.  Check out his work...a feast for the eyes!  

After the Rain

After the Rain

8x10, soft pastel

We had a glorious early morning rain yesterday followed by a gorgeous cloudy sky...so I tried to capture it in today's painting. Have a beautiful day!!!  

Where The Sky Meets Water

Where The Sky Meets Water

8x6, soft pastel

Feeling a little funky...so here's an abstract for today.  This painting reminds me of a trip down to the Padre Island area. The sunrises during that trip were amazing. This may be a week of sky and water...or maybe not.  We shall see.  

Fall Is Just Around The Corner

Fall Is Just Around The Corner

6x6, soft pastel

Today marks the halfway mark for the 30in30 challenge...so I practiced on this tree...trying to defy that little voice inside that says "...but you're not a landscape artist!".   In any event, this is my little study of a tree showing a little fall color. An exercise in a Liz Haywood Sullivan book...unfortunately, it wasn't very successful.

Walk With Me...The Best Is Yet To Come

Walk With Me The Best Is Yet To Come

6x8, soft pastel

We live in a beautiful neighborhood.  This path is across from our house and we enjoy it year round. Our dog Tubby especially likes to walk down the path and visit all the neighbors' dogs.  I love it most as the sun is setting (which was the case here).

Life's Short...Eat Dessert First!

Life's Short...Eat Dessert First!

6x8, soft pastel

I always pass by the bakery at our grocery store rather quickly...avoiding the tempting pies, cakes and artisan breads.  But recently,  for the sake of art, I stopped and purchased two mini-desserts in order to have suitable props for a couple still life paintings.  I think I broke some kind of an artist's rule though...I ate this mouth watering little lemon cake before my painting was finished.  Oh well.  My new motto is: Life's short...eat dessert first (even if the painting isn't finished).

Charlie was the Life of the Party

Charlie was the Life of the Party

6x8, soft pastel

Yesterday I bought three beautiful pears for another stab at a still life...but this morning one of them looked a little down and out.  Hmmm, must have been a party in the kitchen last night.  I decided to do another quick study anyway before it turned completely brown.  

An Apple A Day...

An Apple A Day

5x7, soft pastel

Some days it's best to keep things simple.

Breakfast With Grandma

Breakfast With Grandma

6x8, soft pastel

For years I've had a few pieces of the "china" my maternal grandmother used daily.  I remember it fondly because I often stayed with her during the summer months in the teeny tiny town of St. Patrick, Mo.  She didn't have running water...we pumped water from a well outside the back door.  This also meant that we used an out house...which is another story altogether (maybe another painting opportunity).  Her house was two rooms wide...with a small pantry and back porch.  Suffice it to say, her teeny tiny house fit nicely into the teeny tiny town (I'm not sure the population ever got above 75...and today it's perhaps 10 or so).  

In 2001, my mother gave me one of grandma's old delapidated kitchen chairs.  After shipping it from the Midwest to Idaho, I set about learning how to re-cane the seat and gave it a fresh coat of wood stain.  It's one of those treasures seldom used...but often admired.  

Both of these items came in handy today as I set about looking for a still life that had meaning for me.  The way the morning light streamed in from the kitchen window onto the old china gave it such a glow, almost as though it was brand new again.  With grandma's chair in the background,  I couldn't help but remember so many of those summer mornings as we sat down for breakfast.  For her, piping hot coffee...for me, fresh orange juice and always always fresh homemade bread slathered with butter and strawberry jam.  I so loved breakfast with grandma!

The Last Berry

The Last Berry

6x6, soft pastel

Well summer is surely coming to an end...I've picked my last strawberry.  What a great summer.  I'm looking forward to a gorgeous fall.  This is a quick study. 

Life's Short...Have A Ball!

Life's Short...Have A Ball!   

12x9, soft pastel

I really am having a BALL lately. So I pulled out a 20 minute study of a Ball jar and refined it today... Along with a juicy red strawberry.  So today's efforts were around those two quick studies. I needed a break from the landscape challenges of the past couple days.  

The Long And Winding Road

The Long And Winding Road

8x10, soft pastel 

Trying to become an artist is tough. Oh sure...you can have the occasional success.  But (at least in my case) it's immediately followed by lesser works.  Keeping one humble. Very, very humble. 

I am officially declaring to the universe that am not a landscape artist. And, I don't think I ever will be.  Not that this revelation is bad.  There are other genres to focus on.  The whole point of this entire year is to challenge myself and try to learn how to paint with pastels,  I just need to find my niche.

In today's case, I had a great composition (at least I think it is, and thank you Danielle for the reference photo)...and I completed a good solid notan under painting.  In fact, once I did the under painting I thought, "wow,  this is going to be a good one".  But capturing the essence of the view and the appropriate colors eluded me.  

The path to becoming a good artist is a long and winding road for sure! Oh well, as I've said before...there's always tomorrow.  

Roadside Barn

Roadside Barn 

6x8, soft pastel

This was my first attempt at plein air. I went with a painting buddy a couple miles out of town to a location where I knew there were two beautiful old barns. At least they were there a month ago.  Sadly, they were torn down.  How can a couple barns be there for decades...maybe a century and then, just gone?  So, we drove around and quickly found plenty of other barns to choose from. That's rural Idaho for you. 

There’s Always Tomorrow

There's Always Tomorrow

8x6, soft pastel

A hot mess...that's the only thing I can say about today's painting.  It started as a simple painting and for some reason went down the wrong path.  I reworked it and reworked it and then had to admit it got the best of me!  Oh well...there's always tomorrow.

Violet Vase

Violet Vase

8x6, soft pastel

Day 4 of the 30in30....so glad to have the heavy lifting done on the studio move...my new room has great natural lighting so I'm thrilled. I ran out to the backyard and grabbed a couple flowers, put them in a pretty little violet vase and voila! Day 4 challenge completed.  I hope you like it.

Plum Crazy

Plum Crazy

8x6, soft pastel

Funny thing, I painted two pictures yesterday and tonight I'm so glad I did!!!  I can submit my second painting in the 30in30 and still be on track. Today I was "plum crazy"...moving my little studio into our humongous master bedroom and moving the master bedroom furniture into the old studio space (which was an average sized spare bedroom). My husband is a saint for giving up our master bedroom for me.  It was even his idea!  Actually, the new bedroom for us is now so quaint...and looks out on the beautiful front yard and common area across the street.  It's kinda romantic. 

The new studio space is going to be awesome. With plenty of room to set up a painting area, office desk and framing/sketching table.  There's even room for a couch, chair, armoire and tv next to the fireplace (were my little dog Tubby will no doubt spend most of his time while I paint). My dear husband will have plenty of space to sit and relax while he visits me as I paint away.  I think it's going to work out well.  Sometimes the solution to a problem is right in front of us. 

Contemplation

Contemplation

6x8, soft pastel

Today's painting was from a photo shared on "Paint My Photo". A great website where photographers share their images as inspiration for artists.  The painting was a challenge in part because I haven't really painted sunsets before this and because I'm painting on a small 6x8 substrate.  It reminds me of my brother who has been hiking the Appalachian Trail for the past 4-5 months.  So it's in honor of my brother Rod. 

Beach Bum

Beach Bum

8x6, soft pastel

Today marks the first day of the 30 in 30 Challenge.  This year I'm living by a motto (I don't usually do this...but the time came in my life to hunker down and be an art student with the intent to learn all I could about painting with soft pastels).  Soooo, the motto I'm living by is to "Be Courageous".   I guess that will be my theme for this challenge.  I'll be painting at least one painting a day and will focus on trying new things...new subject matter, new techniques etc. They may not be the best I can do because of the time crunch...but it's going to be fun to try and loosen my style which is not an easy thing to do.  So, let the games begin!