Showing posts with label 8x10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 8x10. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Dusk Along The Riverbank

Dusk Along The Riverbank
8x10, soft pastel


Much of my summer was spent at a little getaway in Cascade, Id.  We were a mile from the lake and only steps away from the Payette river.  This scene is across the Payette and is always a delight to paint whether it be in the early morning or late evening hours.


Saturday, October 27, 2018

Table For Two - Anticipation

Table For Two - Anticipation
8x10, soft pastel




I’m planning a series for “tables for two”.  I’ve gathered many images over the years...a place setting here, tablecloth there...some chairs occupied, some not.  This particular scene is one I’ve painted before and enlarged a bit this time.  I like to imagine who has sat here...who will come take a seat soon or even, who is the waiter approaching the table?  I love this scene...I can’t explain why.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

A few attempts at plein air with oils

Since the Jan. 30in30 Challenge finished, I've been busy framing and attempting a few plein air pieces in oils.  It's almost like starting over again when you start with another medium...at least it is for me.  Frustrating at times because I'm not nearly where I hope to one day be with oils...but I guess I love the challenge.  Below are a few of my first attempts...hope you enjoy.

Warm Springs Rd., 8x10, oil



Joplin Rd., 8x6, oil

Before The Rain, 6x8, oil



Wednesday, July 27, 2016

On The Way To Sister Bay

On The Way To Sister Bay
9x12, soft pastel

It doesn't take much to find a nice scene to paint in Wisconsin...this shed outside Sister Bay with an old boat beside it was just the ticket.  I especially liked the shadows on the rooftop.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Desert Color

                         Desert Color
                      8x10, soft pastel
When in Vegas, one must paint cacti.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Poplar Place


Poplar Place
8x10, soft pastel


Continuing on with landscapes....I'm beginning to tame the color (at least a little more than usual). Restraint isn't easy for me but I like the progress so far.  This scene captured my attention because I love the way the back field peaks through the trees.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Sunrise Over Redfish Lake

Sunrise Over Redfish Lake
8x10, soft pastel



It was time to paint mountains again.  This scene was an early morning sunrise while I was staying at Redfish Lake last fall during a plein air event.  The sun was lighting up the mountain tops while a subtle fog was lifting over the water's edge.  It was such a peaceful morning!    

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Rainbow Bee-Eaters

Rainbow Bee-Eaters
8x10, soft pastel

                                                                    
The photo is a bit blurry (sorry) but I did this one a couple days ago and thought I'd share. These two birds are called Austrailian Rainbow Bee-Eaters.  They do actually reside in Austrailia and eat bees, wasps and beetles.  Hmmm, you learn something every day don't you? 

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Sunset Glow

Sunset Glow
8x10, soft pastel

This small group of (mostly) cows were catching a late evening snack as the sun was setting.  They seemed to be actually glowing from the backlighting.  Because it was harvest time the air was filled with dust particles causing the sunset to become even more peachy orange (much to the dismay of my allergies).  It was a sight to see nonetheless...and a painting to attempt.

P.S. It was tough getting an accurate photo of this painting...the colors are a bit better in real life.   

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Sheep Herder's Wagon

Sheep Herder's Wagon
8x10, soft pastel


This painting is in preparation for the annual Trailing of the Sheep festival in the Hailey/Sun Valley area.  I'm looking forward to painting outside (plein air) with friends.  I'm also looking forward to learning more about the custom of bringing herds of sheep down from the hillsides through the center of the town (presumably for auctions and/or slaughter but we won't think about that!). 

We'll go out Friday morning to locate the herd...hoping for good weather and beautiful scenes to paint....or at least to take reference photos.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Studio In The Trees

Studio In The Trees
8x10, soft pastel


Day 27 of 30
Today was the last day of the Thousand Springs Festival and it was absolutely beautiful! The weather couldn't have been better and the music and food were fantastic. I was able to spend a little time strolling through a few of the booths today. The warm sunny day was tempered with light cool breezes.   This particular vendor's tent stood out from some of the others because there were lots of multicolored scarves blowing in the breeze. I really enjoyed visiting with fair goers as I painted this little scene.  It will always remind me of a perfect autumn day in Idaho.

Friday, September 25, 2015

Sunset Fireworks

Sunset Fireworks
8x10, soft pastel


    
Day 25 of 30...
Ok....it was about time to have a real dud during this 30 in 30 challenge..and here it is!  Piddled away on this for an hour.  The sun was down and there was no light left.   There was really no saving this one so I'll chalk it up to too little sunlight too little time. 

Friday, September 11, 2015

Second Place!

My painting buddy Tina and I attended the Redfish Lake paint-out this week in hopes of creating  something worth displaying in the art show and perhaps sell a piece or two.  So we signed up, packed our bags, built up our courage, and headed to Redfish Lake near Stanley, Idaho.

We put together a small display area but didn't have anything to display right away.  Many of the other artists were much more experienced than we were so it was a little intimidating.  But hey, we were there to have fun! And fun we did have!

Then, little by little we painted and displayed each piece.  In the end we filled our display racks (despite Tina coming down with a cold) and sold half of what we produced.  We are thrilled to death!  And, best of all, we continued to build our confidence in painting in public.  This isn't always an easy thing to do.  Sometimes an artist isn't painting well....or sometimes he/she needs total concentration to work on or complete a painting. But, by the end of the week we both felt much more confident in mastering the art of simultaneous conversation while painting.

An added benefit was being awarded second place for "Six O'Clock Shadows".  I was thrilled by the unexpected honor.  Believe it or not it's my very first prize ribbon...and I mean EVER!  I feel like a kid who came in second place in a spelling bee.  Is that silly or what?

Oh, the mouse!  We tried everything to get rid of our little visitor.  We screamed and jumped on the bed (ok, that was me), Tina threw stuff at him, I stuffed the cracks in the door jam with foil and left the lights on all night, nothing worked!   He was determined to visit us night after night and make noise as he roamed around the two room cabin.  So, we eventually gave up...and just named him Herman.


Six O'Clock Shadows and Parking Zone

Six O'Clock Shadows
8x10, soft pastel



Day 11 of 30
I knew before the break of dawn that I wanted to get out on the boat docks early and paint the shadows of a group of kayaks.  I've seen them each day during this paint-out and because I like vibrant colors they've been calling to me.  There are many very good artists here and most are proficient at landscape painting.  Me???  I love landscapes...but you can only paint so many trees!

The second painting I squeezed in was finished just in time to submit in the show...it's called Parking Zone.

Parking Zone
7x5, soft pastel


Sunday, September 6, 2015

Quietly Grazing

Quietly Grazing
8x10, soft pastel

Day 6 of 30
It was a peaceful morning as we drove along I84 in Montana this summer.  A light fog was lifting over the hillside and the cattle were quietly munching on their breakfast unaware (and uninterested) in the camera pointed in their direction.  

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Streaming Sunlight


Streaming Sunlight
8x10 soft pastel 


Today was plein air in the park.  While we still have quite a bit of smoke in the area, I ventured out with my good buddy Tina and met up with the Plein Air Painters of Idaho.  Tina and I recently joined this fun loving group of fellow artists and I'm so glad we did!  We had a blast painting at the Katherine Albertson Park.  Tina even sold her painting on the spot.  How exciting is that?

There were plenty of good spots from which to chose.  The early morning light was streaming through the trees casting amazing shadows and turning the grass fluorescent green.  I couldn't resist painting this view.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Cherry Blossom Canopy

Cherry Blossom Canopy
8x10, soft pastel


On the way to breakfast with a friend the other day, I couldn't help but pull the car over to take pictures of the flowering cherry and plum trees. It's that time of year when the weather is cool one day and warm the next.  The spring colors are so fresh and vibrant...the trees and flowers just scream "paint me!".   It was quite warm and sunny this particular morning.  I met a wonderful gentleman who allowed me to snap a few photos of him as he enjoyed a quiet reading spot under the flowering trees.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The Hangout

The Hangout
8x10, soft pastel

Day seven...one week down!

A "Family Matters" theme wouldn't be complete without including our sweet little dog Tubby. He is very attached to me...literally never more than a few feet away. He puts in major hours with me in the studio but in the summertime when we're outside, his favorite hangout is on one of the adirondack chairs...preferably in mine. Here he lays watching me (and occasionally napping) waiting  for me to finish my work in the flower garden and join him.  Life is pretty good for 'ol Tubby.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

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!!!  

Sunday, September 7, 2014

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.