Saguaro Canyon Pool House

Saguaro Canyon Pool House

6x12, soft pastel

 Well, I finished the 31 Day Challenge with a challenge to myself to finish as I had started, with an early morning scene from the neighborhood.  I sketched this scene in the car with my pup Benny patiently waiting in the back seat.  He was a trooper!  I couldn't sleep so I got out really early (3:30 am)...the lighting was beautiful but I had to return a couple hours later to get the sky colors at dawn.  It's a nice little piece that goes well with one I did previously...I rather like the long rectangular size.

Happy to have completed another Challenge.  They are always very taxing...but they get a routine going and a fire under the rump....so, all in all it's well worth the effort.  I hope you enjoyed viewing my work as I trudged along!

Saguaro Canyon At Dawn

Saguaro Canyon At Dawn

6x12, soft pastel

It was fun to paint an early morning scene in our neighborhood when the landscape was filled with deep blues and purples and the snow was mostly gone.  This one actually worked out.  I loved the warm tones cast by landscaping lights which is what drew me to this spot.   The bare branches of the deciduous trees looked like glowing lavender spires.  In some spots I can see greenish grass so I played up the greens in great anticipation of spring.  Wishful thinking at this point.

Channeling Vincent

Channeling Vincent

6x12, soft pastel

I've been studying the masters recently. Primarily focusing on the styles of John F. Carlson, Edgar Payne and Vincent VanGogh.  This one is Vincent Van Gogh's "Landscape At Twilight" aka "Landscape With The Chateau of Auvers at Sunset", 1890.  This piece has lighter more vibrant colors than his original...but it is his style that I was most interested in trying out.  He painted this near the time of his death in July, 1890.

Tomorrow commences the Straeda 31 Day Challenge which I plan on attempting. I hope to focus mostly on plein air landscapes...maybe with an interior or still life thrown in.  Wish me luck.

Morning Walk

Morning Walk

6x12, soft pastel 

The thing I like most about this scene is how the sky reflects the colors present in the waters.  Of course I had to throw in a couple dogs walking (which really weren't there when I took this shot). I'm a sucker for a dog walking (or romping) on the beach.  I think it's their favorite place to go.