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.  

Roadside Barn

Roadside Barn 

6x8, soft pastel

This was my first attempt at plein air. I went with a painting buddy a couple miles out of town to a location where I knew there were two beautiful old barns. At least they were there a month ago.  Sadly, they were torn down.  How can a couple barns be there for decades...maybe a century and then, just gone?  So, we drove around and quickly found plenty of other barns to choose from. That's rural Idaho for you. 

There’s Always Tomorrow

There's Always Tomorrow

8x6, soft pastel

A hot mess...that's the only thing I can say about today's painting.  It started as a simple painting and for some reason went down the wrong path.  I reworked it and reworked it and then had to admit it got the best of me!  Oh well...there's always tomorrow.

Violet Vase

Violet Vase

8x6, soft pastel

Day 4 of the 30in30....so glad to have the heavy lifting done on the studio move...my new room has great natural lighting so I'm thrilled. I ran out to the backyard and grabbed a couple flowers, put them in a pretty little violet vase and voila! Day 4 challenge completed.  I hope you like it.

Plum Crazy

Plum Crazy

8x6, soft pastel

Funny thing, I painted two pictures yesterday and tonight I'm so glad I did!!!  I can submit my second painting in the 30in30 and still be on track. Today I was "plum crazy"...moving my little studio into our humongous master bedroom and moving the master bedroom furniture into the old studio space (which was an average sized spare bedroom). My husband is a saint for giving up our master bedroom for me.  It was even his idea!  Actually, the new bedroom for us is now so quaint...and looks out on the beautiful front yard and common area across the street.  It's kinda romantic. 

The new studio space is going to be awesome. With plenty of room to set up a painting area, office desk and framing/sketching table.  There's even room for a couch, chair, armoire and tv next to the fireplace (were my little dog Tubby will no doubt spend most of his time while I paint). My dear husband will have plenty of space to sit and relax while he visits me as I paint away.  I think it's going to work out well.  Sometimes the solution to a problem is right in front of us. 

Contemplation

Contemplation

6x8, soft pastel

Today's painting was from a photo shared on "Paint My Photo". A great website where photographers share their images as inspiration for artists.  The painting was a challenge in part because I haven't really painted sunsets before this and because I'm painting on a small 6x8 substrate.  It reminds me of my brother who has been hiking the Appalachian Trail for the past 4-5 months.  So it's in honor of my brother Rod. 

Beach Bum

Beach Bum

8x6, soft pastel

Today marks the first day of the 30 in 30 Challenge.  This year I'm living by a motto (I don't usually do this...but the time came in my life to hunker down and be an art student with the intent to learn all I could about painting with soft pastels).  Soooo, the motto I'm living by is to "Be Courageous".   I guess that will be my theme for this challenge.  I'll be painting at least one painting a day and will focus on trying new things...new subject matter, new techniques etc. They may not be the best I can do because of the time crunch...but it's going to be fun to try and loosen my style which is not an easy thing to do.  So, let the games begin!