Poinsettia

Poinsettia

10x8, pastel

Yesterday was a trip to Edward's Greenhouse for a plein air session. I arrived late from an appointment so I tried to keep the subject matter simple...and loose. As I searched for a subject I entered a section of the greenhouse filled to the brim with varying sizes of poinsettias.  They were really starting to bloom...just in time of course for the holidays.  

I was a bit nervous painting with pastels in a room with so many overhead sprinklers threatening to let loose on me...but it all worked out, that is, until I was leaving and a rather large drop of water splashed onto the terra cotta pot in the painting.  Oh, the hazards of plein air!  A quick fix in the studio and it was good as new, maybe even better.  

In a time of such world turmoil, I pray that you have happy holidays filled with love and peace!

The Village - Holiday on Ice

The Village - Holiday on Ice

11x14, soft pastel

It's such a festive time of year...and a busy one! I finally found time to finish this painting, complete a few framing tasks and make Christmas cards.  

Recently I went to the Village and took quite a few pictures of people skating and added them to the photos I took at Thanksgiving with my four youngest grandkids who were also skating. This painting is the result. I even found space to add several other family members even though they weren't actually there. Ah, artistic license!  Ultimately, I was able to fit in all the grandkids and their parents and grandparents. It was a fun project, a challenge, and a painting that will always be dear to my heart.   

Happy holidays everyone!