Battered and Bruised

Battered and Bruised

8x6 pastel

These two sad looking pears where actually not so battered and bruised..until I took my "artistic license" out on them.  Poor things...they sat there posing and never saw it coming.  They didn't realize I had made a commitment to myself to complete 30 paintings in 30 days.  They had no idea that I had waited until nearly bedtime to begin to paint...after an already exhausting day.  They also didn't know I was only allocating a few minutes to get the job done. So, after those few minutes of painting (which was more like a bar brawl) we agreed to part as friends.  Not only were they very battered and bruised...but my ego was too.  (lol) 

Above The Rooftops

Above The Rooftops

6x8, soft pastel

The grain elevator towers above the rooftops in the small town of Odessa, Washington...almost as if it's standing guard.

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. 

Juicy, Sweet, Slice of Heaven

Juicy, Sweet, Slice of Heaven

6x8, soft pastel

Crazy, busy day...and worst of all, it was late in the day before I started to paint. All I could think of was "what am I going to eat for dinner and what am I going to paint".  So I painted what I wanted to eat.  I love cantaloupe this time of year...they are a juicy, sweet, slice of heaven.

Floral Fireworks

Floral Fireworks

6x8, soft pastel

Today started with a migraine...so it's no wonder today's painting was filled with extreme colors.  Sort of like fireworks...this is an end of summer bouquet. One errant sunflower insisted on facing backwards.  I guess sometimes in life you just have to go with the flow.

Hyde Park - 13th Street Pub & Grill

Hyde Park - 13th Street Pub and Grill

6x8, soft pastel

One of my favorite places to eat...or drink...or both, located in Hyde Park. Actually, there are many great places to check out there.  A fun place where bicycles out number cars. 

Hyde Park Goody's

Hyde Park Goody's 

6x8, soft pastel 

Ugh!  Today's painting was started late in the day which is usually tough for me to get in the mood to do.   But, I wanted to start the 30 in 30 a week early...I really don't know why.  I have the materials and subject matter ready to go and since there's really no hard fast rules to this endeavor,  I jumped in.  After 3-4 hours, I had the feeling I actually jumped into the deep end of the pool before I really knew how to swim.  Oh well, that's pretty typical for me.

In any event, I still find it very difficult to paint in a loose style.  I'll keep trying.  After all, this is all about practice....right?   In any event, Goody's is my first attempt at a cityscape.