All Things In Moderation

Well I'm back at it...but this time trying to give myself a little breathing room on completing each piece.  Today's work in progress is the third in a series of still life paintings featuring quilts.

Americana - Work In Progress

A Break To Re-group

What, you may ask have I been doing the past 4-5 days...where's the artwork?  Well, after the September marathon I finally finished setting up my studio and have been busily taking reference photos for the past few days.  I also had to catch up vacuuming, dust, go to First Thurday downtown, give my husband a much needed haircut, clean up the garden and trim shrubs. And yes, the dog could use a bath and haircut too but that may need to wait until next weekend. Tomorrow is my deadline for getting back at it.  It's been a nice break but I miss the easel.  Tubby misses his hangout too.

A Glorious Morning

A Glorious Morning 

8x6, soft pastel

This is the final painting for the 30 in 30 Challenge...I'll upload it to Leslie Saeta's blog in the morning...thus the title...a "glorious morning" it will be indeed. The past 30 days have been...what can I say...LONG!  It felt more like 30 weeks. At times I was so darn frustrated...and at other times really happy with my progress. I realized the absolute worst thing to do was to get to the end of the day and still need to paint.  Yikes! Those days were killers (can you say...paint a piece of fruit?).

I was surprised most of all that no matter how badly a painting was one day, I was anxious to try again the next morning. I became much more comfortable with landscapes...and loved doing the seascapes (they were my favorite ones)...aside from today's...which I have to say is my favorite overall (I love the composition, colors, and subject matter). 

I am amazed at how much I learned about painting with pastels and I have to admit I will miss the challenge. I would not have otherwise forced myself to complete a painting each and every day...yet, I'm pretty sure I'll stay on a good pace...maybe a painting every other day (ha!). 

If you're reading this blog, (and you must be)...I hope you'll stop by again. I'll be here...painting away!

Under The Tuscan Sun

Under The Tuscan Sun

7x5, soft pastel

One of my favorite movies is Under The Tuscan Sun. It's set in beautiful Tuscany...what could be better. But more importantly it's about overcoming life's challenges...perservering when life gets tough (which everyone has to do now and then).  Many years ago I bought this vase from an artist in Bainbridge, Wa. It reminded me so much of the dark blue vase Diane Lane's character had in the movie (if you've seen the movie you'll know the vase I'm talking about). One of just a few possessions she ended up with after a divorce. Anyway, my little vase is a symbol of my own strength throughout my life..and a reminder that I sure wish I could live in beautiful Tuscany! Today, I painted my vase picture while watching the movie.  It was a great day.  

Sunset Sail

Sunset Sail 

7x5, soft pastel

Sticking with my nautical them this week...one more boat.  This is such a beautiful scene.  I love the colors of the sunset...the warm glow of the setting sun and its reflection on the water.

Old Yeller

Old Yeller

5x7, soft pastel 

Ok now, with this title I realize I'm showing my age! As a kid the movie Old Yeller was a classic. A great movie about a beloved old dog. I imagine this old yellow boathouse is also beloved by its owners.  Maybe a family with a lot of kids fishing or diving off its dock.  If I had a boathouse I think I'd spend every day there.  Maybe painting...or fishing...or kayaking in the waters nearby.  The sun is setting in this picture which is appropriate for this old boathouse...at the end of its days...but still beautiful.  

Little Red

Little Red

5x7, soft pastel

It's always a little more stressful painting detail...so on this piece, I really got tired of it after 4 hours or so. There was a lot of teeny tiny details since this is only a 5x7painting. Normally if I do a "detail" painting I give myself a couple days to complete it so I don't burn out. But then, those are not very "painterly" either which is a style I'm trying to achieve.  Not so with this one though.  Since this is a 30 in 30 painting, I needed to finish today...so it's not my best work...but hey, today, it's good enough.