Frozen Dog Day

Frozen Dog Day

11x14, soft pastel     

This is Boone.  He's a very special dog because he's my grand-dog. I had the pleasure of playing with the litter of pups (he is a Pudelpointer)...and helping to pick him out three years ago.  Before he was ready to leave his mom, I visited him and his litter mates several times.  Early on I could tell that he was going to be a good family dog.  More importantly though, the breeder said he was going to be a great bird dog for my son-in-law Jason and grandson Jake.  And that he is!

Boone goes to work on the family farm each day with Jason.  They share many many long days together working the farm.  But on this particular winter's day, it was time for some fun! 

Pudelpoiinters are breed to retrieve birds...a job Boone does well.  So well in fact I think he was completely oblivious to that fact that he was covered in icicles as he posed for his picture at the end of the day.

Sunrise At River's Edge and several others

I'm one who never sits still for long and I've been crazy busy these past few weeks.  It's not that I haven't had time to paint...but I've been trying to embrace the word "balance".  I've been balancing my time between family, friends, the dreaded housework and my love of painting.  Balancing one's time is not as easy as it might sound.  My passion to paint is always tugging at my heartstrings.  It seems I can easily spend every waking hour painting or scoping out new places and subject matter to paint.  The more I paint...the more my passion awakens.

Following are a few of the studies I've done in the past 2-3 weeks (disclaimer...I don't think they're in the finished state but this is where I left off with each of them).  These paintings were squeezed in around family gatherings, lunch dates, painting with friends, and a massive spring cleaning of the house.  In conjunction with those things...I also found the perfect tray at TJMaxx to organize and hold the entire set of Terry Ludwig pastels I recently purchased....I so love TJMaxx!  I'm in heaven.

Sunrise At River's Edge

8x10, soft pastel

Redbud Amigos

5x7.5, soft pastel

Julia Davis Park

6x8, soft pastel

Grazing

6x8, soft pastel

Among The Wheat

8x4, soft pastel

Demo 2 with Karen Margulis

6x8, soft pastel

Demo 1 with Karen Margulis

4x6, soft pastel

Roadside Church

4x6, soft pastel

My new pastel tray with all the Terry Ludwig pastels 

nice and neatly put away (for now)..love it!

Sisters

 Sisters

12x18, pastel

What day is this?  I have lost track!  Day 13-15,  "Sisters" is finally done!  I am going to celebrate with a brat (a bratwurst not a spoiled child)...a beer...and a nap...in that order.

With the 30in30 I always seem to learn something every single day.  With this one I learned if I go big...I've gotta pace myself because I'm not experienced enough to paint loose and fast.  Oh well.  I'm happy with the results even though I imagine I will continue to tweet it a bit.

These two sweet girls are my grand-daughters and are two of the best girls I've ever known.  They've grown quite a bit since the reference photo was taken but this particular summer evening I remember well.  A warm summer evening on the farm and a barbecue at their grandparents house to celebrate my son-in-law's birthday...what could be better?  

The girls were glowing from the sun setting behind them.  It was also pretty windy so their hair was flying all over the place!  As you can see they were pretty intent playing with their dolls and were oblivious to just how awesome this scene was...or, is that just the opinion of this slightly biased grandma?

Say Cheese Frosty...Say CHEEZZZZE!

Say Cheese Frosty...Say CHEEEZZZEEE!

8x6, soft pastel

Oh my....Day Three of the challenge.  After today, I had to ask myself:

   1.  I'm not comfortable painting snow...why did I tackle three snow scenes right off the bat?

   2.  I wish I had built in a few "easy and quick" painting days...I'm in dire need of an easy day! 

   3. I thought today would be easy since there was only one person in the painting...but I scaled the  painting down too small (6x8)...a fatal flaw.  Trying to get the likeness of my sweet grand-daughter was tough given that her face was all of one inch square.  WHAT was I thinking? Eeeh gads!!!!

(A couple hours and one beer later, I feel much better. I refined Maddie's eyes and smile a bit and will call it good for today)

This snowy day on the farm wouldn't be complete without a nice big fat snowman!  Maddie's smile was full on...as is often the case for a young child taking a picture.  You can almost feel her exuberance.  Now, if she could only get Frosty to "say cheese"!

Odessa Elevator At Sunrise

Odessa Elevator At Sunrise 

6x8, soft pastel

I was driving around one sunrise morning in Odessa, Washington and shot this scene. The sun rays on the grain elevator turned the metal siding into a kaleidoscope of colors.  It was magical.