The Last Leaves To Fall

 

The Last Leaves To Fall

6x6, gouache and pastel

My ability to keep a poinsettia alive is nonexistent. I admire them, but I don’t try and keep them as a live plant throughout the year.  So, today’s painting was an experiment using the last leaves to dry up and drop off. The substrate I used is a canvas board and the underpainting is gouache with each subsequent layer applied in soft pastel.  The soft pastel layers were sprayed with fixative (true to form, each layer of fixative darkened the pastel pigment (which I really don’t like). So, the final top layer is fresh soft pastel unfixed by fixative.  Once again confirming to myself, I simply don’t like to use fixatives.  However, I do like the end result of this one.  Have a joyful New Years Day! Today is day 1 of my very own 30in30. For me, 2024 will be the year of no rules…just paint!  I’m already breathing a bit easier 😂

Poinsettia - Perfectly Peachy

Poinsettia - Perfectly Peachy

10x8, soft pastel

This is my final poinsettia for this season and one of my favorite color varieties. She’s so dramatic! I painted this one 99% on location in Edwards Greenhouse (our favorite plein air location during the winter months). When I finished all the other artists were long gone. I guess I was truly “in the zone”. This particular pot of poinsettias was massive and the unique color just drew me in.  I hope you like it too…it will be sold unframed, but it sure looks great in a gold frame. 

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Dandy Little Dandelion

Dandy Little Dandelion

6x8, soft pastel 

The final day of my Pastel Society of the West Coast 21n21 day challenge is the “lowly” little dandelion. Cursed by some...loved by some...and a delicacy to others. This little dandy dandelion is a true sign that summer is on its way! 

Peachy

 Peachy

9x9, soft pastel

After painting this one, I decided I need to do more bouquets...I could use the practice and painting them makes me smile. 😊

Forsythia

 Forsythia

9x6, soft pastel

 I had a great time painting these Forsythia branches. I painted outside in a warm spot on the patio away from the springtime breeze. This flowering bush hold a special place in my heart. When I was quite small my mom told me the name of this plant “forsythia”....I thought she said “For Cynthia”...and for a couple years I was thrilled to know that a flower was actually named after me.  Oh, the naive mind of a four year old! 

Duece Violettes

 Duece Violettes

8x6, soft pastel

Another spring flower are the beautiful purple violets. And, it’s another spring flower that we had at our house when I was growing up in Iowa. They bloomed each year under an old oak tree in our backyard. Ah, such good memories. 

 

Lillies of the Valley

 Lillies of the Valley

8x6, soft pastel

A childhood favorite. I always knew when spring had finally arrived once the Lillies of the Valley bloomed at our house. We had a large patch of them on the side of our old Victorian house. I enjoyed making little bouquets of them...their scent was intoxicating.

Twiggy - Flowering Plum

 Twiggy - Flowering Plum

6x8, soft pastel

Continuing with my spring flower theme...there’s nothing like seeing all the flowering trees in the spring. I paint a neighborhood scene almost every year because there are so many flowering plum and crabapple trees around. It’s easy to get a jump on spring by forcing the blooms from a few twigs (as this painting depicts). It’s such a fun thing to do in late winter when you simply can’t wait for spring to begin.

Sunbathing Tulips

 Sunbathing Tulips

6x6, soft pastel

Some of my favorite tulips are these deep purple ones that really pop with color once the sun hits them. I set up several vignettes a couple years ago using them...this photo being one of my favorites. I sure hope they come back up this year! I’m ready for all the colorful spring flowers to arrive. 

Fancy Pants

 Fancy Pants

6x8, soft pastel

While I was painting this one all I could think of was “fancy pants” for a title. It’s such a fancy, frilly type of bloom. So, when it came time to title the painting that’s all I could think of.  So...here ya go!

Bunny Planter with Petunias

 Bun Planter with Petunias

6x6, soft pastel

This little planter sits in front of my house and is made of cement. It can only hold a tiny plant so this year, it’s a petunia.  Such a sweet little guy!

Orchids

 Orchids

6x6, soft pastel

I don’t always indulge myself and purchase the flowers I want to paint...sometimes, a quick snapshot of flowers at the grocery store is all I need for inspiration. 

Soon There Will Be Petunias

 Soon There Will Be Petunias

6x6, soft pastel

I painted two pieces yesterday in anticipation of my second COVID vaccine shot today. These shots have been easy-peasey with no discomfort other than slight arm pain at the injection sight. Actually the needle itself is so fine these days, one cannot even feel it going in...which is a blessing for this needle-phobia person.  

The painting today was inspired by a previous painting and the petunias within it.  I love the affordability of the beauties and look forward to seeing them again very soon!

Petite Iris

 Petite Iris

6x6, soft pastel

Last year, I purchased these tiny flowers and took several photos for a piece I did within a shot glass series in January. So, it’s fitting to use them again this year for my mini-series on spring flowers. Given how difficult 2020 was for us all...it’s refreshing to focus on the beauty of spring and all its colorful flowers. 2021 is already looking better for us all...in fact, today I get my second Pfizer vaccine shot. Things are indeed looking more hopeful even though the COVID19 virus is still among us. May you flourish in 2021.

Shamrocks

Shamrocks

6x6, soft pastel

This little piece was made from my memories of searching for four leaf clovers as a child. I was often visiting my grandmother in St. Patrick, Missouri and because it’s St. Patrick’s day, I thought it would be a fitting subject matter. Both of these pieces are now on their way to new homes. I guess I’m not the only one that loves these little gems and the intrigue of finding an actual four leaf clover. 

Feeling Daffy

Feeling Daffy

6x6 soft pastel

I didn’t especially like this piece...until the next morning.  Then I decided it was ok.  Sometimes you have to step back and look at it with fresh eyes.

Spring Is Here

Spring Is Here

6x6, soft pastel

There is a 21n21 challenge this month sponsored by the Pastel Society of the West Coast...so, my main theme will be spring flowers...although knowing me I will most likely deviate as I make my way through the next 3 weeks.  One bit of good news....I won 3rd place for my teapot scene “4am, Comforts of Home” in the PSWC member show. And, along with that, I earned signature status!  Hurray!  

The Last Bloom of 2020

The Last Bloom of 2020

6x8, oil

Day 1 of the Strada Easel Challenge:  2021 Is Here!

I'm not sure the world has ever been happier to start a New Year as it is this year. Of course, we are certainly not out of the woods when it comes to the pandemic in which we have all found ourselves. In fact, the pandemic rages on...it's never been worse. Our hospitals are full and struggling still to help all those who are in need of medical attention...whether COVID related or not. I heard a statistic today that 1 in 11 Americans have it or have had it. My grandson Tyler had a mild case from attending college. My grandsons Zack and Brian currently have mild cases, thank the Lord. And, we suspect my daughter's farm family in Washington state had early cases of it last spring...before testing was widespread.

The world has lost countless lives whether from the virus itself or as a result of it and it's impact on our healthcare system, our mental wellbeing, and the world's economy. Mankind is reluctantly united in a way we have never (in my lifetime) been united...to fight the virus, to get an effective vaccine, and to recover economically. But, most importantly, too recover our sense of freedom. 

Oh how we took for granted the simple things in life! Now, we have to stop and consider whether we can visit our families and friends, go out to restaurants, movies, concerts, sporting events or fly on a plane. Even though our odds of surviving are quite good, most people are doing what it takes to both bolster our economy while at the same time staying healthy so we don't inadvertently spread the virus and further burden our healthcare system.  

COVID19 has by now touched every family I know. Fortunately most have gotten mild or moderate cases and slowly recovered. Some have been in ICU yet thankfully survived. Several friends have lost loved ones and a few of my virtual friends have lost their lives. 

Mankind has weirdly adapted to the uncertainty and heartbreaking reality of COVID19...yet we all yearn for the day we can return to the world we once had. So, in a way, we celebrate from afar, a new year...with new hope that 2021 will be better than 2020. 

May God bless us all and help guide us to healthier and happier days ahead!

Isolation

Isolation

6x6, soft pastel

A little ditty I call isolation. I look forward to the days we are hugging, shaking hands, and socializing once again and remove the word isolation from our daily lives!

No Social Distancing Necessary

No Social Distancing Necessary

12x18, soft pastel

So, now it’s July...summer is in full swing, American cities have slowly reopened and sadly all Americans are now faced with an overwhelming spread of the virus.  To say that this year has been difficult is a gross understatement. It has been heartbreaking, devastating, and depressing as I hear of Facebook friends and their families across the globe who have lost dear ones to this virus. 

In America, the virus rages on and on and it has further divided people within an already divided country. The political turmoil and protests in recent years within the States has broken my heart...this virus has trampled it to pieces. Too dramatic a statement? I guess so...but that’s how it feels sometimes. As though all of humanity on earth is being tested...and as they say, “ only the strong will survive”. I firmly believe it’s not just those strong of body...but the strong minded...those who are strong on compassion and love, those who have the strength to simply persevere.

So, to those of you that may eventually read this, may you persevere through this most challenging of times. Draw on the strength within you. Embrace the love, the compassion, the inner strength you know you have. Focus on how you can help yourself and your community. We will all be stronger and hopefully a more compassionate human race going forward. Persevere!