Jack and Lucy

Jack and Lucy
9x12, soft pastel

This is Jack and Lucy.  Both have recently crossed over the proverbial "rainbow bridge" and are once again reunited.   I imagine they are running free on the beach together as they were on this particular day.  They hold a very special place in the heart of their human "mom".  I hope you like it Deb! 

I'm always torn between painting realistically (as in photo-realism) vs a more impressionistic style ....so I end up landing somewhere in the middle.  I don't want to paint each and every detail of a subject making it look too much like a photograph but I strive to add an artistic twist to the painting.  It's an ever challenging process!  

Morning Walk

Morning Walk

6x12, soft pastel 

The thing I like most about this scene is how the sky reflects the colors present in the waters.  Of course I had to throw in a couple dogs walking (which really weren't there when I took this shot). I'm a sucker for a dog walking (or romping) on the beach.  I think it's their favorite place to go.  

Sept. 2016 30in30 Collage

Almost forgot to post a collage of the 30in30 Challenge...it's not the best because some margins aren't perfect but you get the idea...thanks again for following me!!

Corrugated Kitty

Corrugated Kitty

10x8, soft pastel

It was time to try painting a cat.  I've been saving a couple cat photos just for this occasion.  While I don't have a cat (because I'm allergic to them)...if I could,  I think this guy would do.  Those golden eyes of his are beautiful! 

Trouble Is Brewing

Trouble Is Brewing

7x5, soft pastel

I had my "zenful" music playing.  Peace and calm abounded in my studio this morning.  I had a great peaceful scene in mind with a lazy stream of clouds in the sky over fields of wheat...

and then... my husband started having printer problems.  

After three or four interruptions and an hour or so of collaboration, we resolved the problem.  However, the peaceful moment was lost along with what I had in mind.  Once I returned to the studio for the last time to continue my painting, "zen" was no where in sight!  I think it had something to do with employing the "other side of my brain"....or was it the level of frustration we had in simply connecting the printer to our wifi?   Hmmmm, I have to think about that.  Anyway,  having listened earlier in the morning to Stan Sperlak speaking about being honest and authentic in one's work (and I suppose in life too)...I let loose on my painting.  All my frustrations came spilling out (I even dropped and broke a couple of my Terry Ludwigs).  Oh well, the resulting painting and title were appropriate for the moment and completely honest.  

Migraine Morning

Migraine Morning

6x6, soft pastel

I wasn't really going to paint...for the third morning in a row I woke up with a migraine (the weather is about to change drastically).  Then I thought what the heck, I'll try to power through it while I waited for the meds to kick in. 

The toughest part of painting with a migraine is not having any kind of control over the pastel stroke on the page.  The sharp pains can interrupt the most focused of thought making it tough to even see the easel.  Oh well, tomorrow is another day!

Happy Little Clouds

Happy Little Clouds

6x6, soft pastel

Thought I'd end this 30in30 with a little scene of peace and tranquility.  And, a few of Bob Ross's "happy little clouds".  Autumn is here and it's time for Mother Nature to begin displaying her beautiful colors!  Peace to you...thanks for following me this past month!