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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Catching up!

 Well....I painted several paintings in January that I failed to blog about...so in the spirit of catching up, I’ll post them now.  Fortunately, life is getting back to normal lately.  A very good thing indeed!

Footbridge In Snow

8x6, soft pastel

The Final Bloom

8x10, soft pastel

Little Brown Vase

6x6, soft pastel

Little Brass Bird

6x6, soft pastel

Taylor Made

12x12 soft pastel

In The Zone

 In The Zone

12x15, soft pastel

This piece has been brewing in my head for awhile. Finally, there was time in 2020 to give it it's due. I know what it's like to be "in the zone". It happens every time I paint. You lose all sense of time and place because you are completely focused on the creative task at hand. I knew that was the case for this gentleman too. I was drawn to his music as well as his state of mind.

He was playing a beautiful classical guitar piece at the Farmer's Market a couple years back. I love classical guitar music....and, I especially loved his "TIP" bucket.  I can still remember the scene...strong light was pouring over him from the alleyway, tons of people were chatting at nearby restaurants, and there was the fragrant smell of fresh breads and intoxicating scents of fresh cut flower. In all the cacophony, he didn't seem to notice as he focused on the gentle music flowing from his guitar. Simply put, he was "In The Zone".

A Simple Life

 A Simple Life

20x16, soft pastel

The final push to complete this painting was a twelve hour day. I woke at 4:30am ready to knock it out...by 5:00 pm I ended up at the final stage...the “let it sit and percolate” stage.  While I’m happy with where it is right now, I also know there are bound to be a few tweaks before I call it finished.  Who knows, I might wake up in the morning and feel it’s finished "as is"...we’ll see.  

That’s about it! I hope you enjoyed following the process on this piece. Of course it reminds me of home...because it IS in my home but it also reminds me of simpler times and the perseverance of our ancestors especially our pioneers. They were strong and resilient as is the kettle and wool rug in this piece. It was definitely labor, but ultimately a labor of love! 

The Artist Within Summary

The journey I've been on since 2014 to find "The Artist Within" has been a lot of work. Far more than a full time job but, I've loved it! I spent hundreds of hours in the studio, met many new friends, and painted whenever and wherever I could. I remember at the beginning of this journey reading that "not until you paint 300 (some say 500) paintings do you find your style and voice as an artist". That statement alone was a very intimating thought...but here I am, finished with painting #521. So many of them were disappointing at the time because I was impatient to improve. Now that I look back on those pieces, I see the progress I was making. Each one taught me something and I can even find beauty in the worst of them. I'd say that old adage is more accurate than not. 

I'm sure there will be my fair share of duds in the future but I'll keep on striving for a masterpiece along the way. I hope to paint 30in30s on occasion to keep me on my toes and more playful with my subject matter. And, I hope to create more meaningful pieces as I did during this past year. 

I'm thankful to have lived long enough to experience this journey and am blessed with cherished family and friends in my life. Without them, this would have been a much lonelier time. 

Many blessings to you as you continue your own journey through this crazy life of ours!

Happy New Year!

Oskar's Bulldogs

Oskar's Bulldogs

11x14, soft pastel

I think it's safe now to share this piece.  Painted for a friend as a gift for his wife.  These two pups are besties who love to go boating.  Fortunately for them, the water is right outside their back door!

Cast Shadow

Cast Shadow

12x12, soft pastel

Painting realism can look like tedious work...but, I find it mesmerizing.  Focusing on the details to express a realistic image sends me into "the zone".  On this piece I loved expressing the texture of the cast iron and subtle reflections on the side of it from the rug it sits on and the challenge of depicting the shadow it cast. I loved painting the textures in the rug with all its imperfections and I'm reminded of how beautiful we all are, imperfections and all.

Oh Hummingbird!

Oh Hummingbird!

7.5 x 12, soft pastel

Rarely do I paint plein air (outdoors) but I couldn't resist trying to capture this guy (in a painting that is).  He visited me quite often with his friends during the summer months in Cascade.  I always plant these particular flowers to encourage hummingbirds to hang around my patio...and they really do the trick!  I do confess, I had to take a few photos to see what he really looked like since he didn't want to sit still for me.   Anyway, thankfully I didn't scare him away....especially since I was singing "Oh Hummingbird" the whole time.  (the neighbors must have thought I was a bit looney)

Oh Hummingbird! - Seals and Crofts, 1972

Study - The Three Amigos

Study - The Three Amigos

6x6, soft pastel

These guys were just hanging around in the studio...the last remnants of a bouquet of flowers.  I almost threw them out but together they were sorta cute...so, I painted them.  Why not right?

Study - Vase of Sunflowers

Study - Vase of Sunflowers

8x6, soft pastel

One of my goals is to sell affordable original artwork. Sometimes that's a big challenge when a painting can take quite a few hours to complete. Such is the case with my "realism" pieces, where one painting can take days, weeks, or months to complete. But others that are more "impressionistic" are more easily created and (once in awhile) just more fun to create.  And thankfully, more affordable to just about anyone.  Hope you enjoy this little vignette.

Late Summer Blooms

Summer Blooms

10x10, soft pastel

I don't paint a lot of plein air (outdoor) paintings but this little jar of late summer blooms were begging to be painted.  They were on my deck poised on top of a quilt my daughter made for me...a special little vignette.

Pretty In Pink

Pretty In Pink

9x9, soft pastel

It's funny how we anticipate water lily blooms. It takes months in the Idaho mountains for a water lily plant to send up its offerings for the year. I patiently monitor their progress all summer long and take many, many, many photos. But alas, this bloom was actually captured by an artist friend, not me. I love how she captured the vibrant blue of the sky against the colors of the bloom.  So pretty in pink.

Table For Two - The Gift

Table For Two

The Gift

12x12, soft pastel

This table for two is a familiar scene...previously painted in various sizes.  I always plan on keeping one painting for my dining room wall...but then it sells and I'm once again motivated to paint it again.  I changed it up a bit this time adding a bar and patrons in the background...a small gift on the table.   Hmmm, is someone about to propose?  One can only wonder. 

Table For Two - The Patio Is Open

Table For Two

The Patio Is Open

11x14, soft pastel

One of the best parts of heading south for the winter is the ability to dine outdoors.  This scene was in Scottsdale, Az. Tables for two always represent romance to me.  An opportunity to take time out in the day for an intimate conversation and the sharing of good food. Or, maybe reconnect with an old friend...or get to know a new one.  I wonder who sat here this early morning on the patio, enjoying the warmth of the rising sun and the beautiful surroundings.

Vintage Ornament

Vintage Ornament Demo

9x9, soft pastel

I will be the first to admit it!!!  I'm not an art instructor and in fact haven't completed a "demo" in front of an audience...that is until now.  Recently I hosted a meeting of local pastelists (who many are members of the Pastel Society of the West Coast). Thankfully my "audience" was kind to me as I completed this little study of a vintage ornament.  Demo'ing may not be my expertise...but I have to admit it was more painless than I had imagined it would be.

Below is a practice piece I did before hand.  I'm glad I practiced a bit.  It sure helped with the jitters!

Vintage Ornament Study

6x6, soft pastel

He Ain’t Heavy...He’s My Brother

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

10x10, soft pastel

These two noodle heads have been Benny’s best friends for the past few months.  The three of them have had quite a time playing and roughhousing in a neighborhood park.  He’s going to miss them dearly and their time together when we head back to Idaho soon.  The only consolation is that he will soon see his (little) big sister soon too.

A Cozy Spot In The Corner

A Cozy Spot In The Corner

11x14, Soft Pastel

I took a winter break from blogging and I have to admit...I miss my old routine of daily painting, blogging and posting works.  Much of what “derailed” me was getting a puppy 1 1/2 years ago...the pup (Benny) is now almost two and about as trained as he’s going to get.  He’s no longer noodling his way into my painting time...but waits patiently nearby in hopes of me finishing soon and going outside for a fetching session...or at least a good wrestle on the floor.

Stubble Field

Stubble Field

9x6, soft pastel

I don't know if this winter will be as monumental a snow season as last year but I'm enjoying painting the snow...especially in shadow.  On an overcast day the snow is very turquoise (and lavender) in color as opposed to deep blues and purples during the night or early morning/late evening hours.  I love this scene especially because the low angle of the setting sun casts light onto the distant hillside (as well as the tall lone wheat stalk in the foreground) warming the scene just a bit.

4:00 AM

4:00 AM

6x6, soft pastel

Painting plein air while staying warm during the winter necessitates keeping close to home...or in this case, inside the house looking out.  I thought I'd better paint the tree outside, still decked out with Christmas lights before we take the lights down for the season.  I love love love the early morning hours well before the neighborhood wakes up.  Fully rested and full of hope that the dawning day (and year) will be a good one.  Happy New Year!

Kay's Bird

Kay's Bird

10x8, soft pastel

A little tribute to my mother-in-law who left us far too soon.  I have fond memories of her picking out this little ceramic bird. She displayed three of them in her kitchen window for many years...a great reminder to me of the time we spent together.  The sunflowers certainly take center stage in this painting with the drama of the late evening sun highlighting their petals...but the tiny bird is there as my muse.  A sweet reminder of a wonderful lady.

Riding The Wave

Riding The Wave

16x20, soft pastel

Another boat/kayak piece that "missed the blogging boat" last spring.  This scene is a familiar one (in Cascade, Idaho) where there's always several kayakers to watch as they teach or compete at the Kelly Whitewater Park. If you're ever driving up Hwy. 55 be sure and stop by to watch...it's mesmerizing!