Work in Progress

This week I've spent time plein air painting and taking photos for an upcomimg cityscape series.  So today I headed back into the studio to start a couple paintings.  One is a redo of Beach Bum which recently sold.  I wanted to keep it in my seascape series.   The other is the fifth in a series of quilt based paintings.  Both of these are in the "ugly" stage...no more than 1/2 way through the process.  I believe the quilt one is a bit larger than usual...somewhere around 8x10 so it definitely has a ways to go!   Oh well....no rush.

Early Morning on the Patio

Early Morning on the Patio

9x9, soft pastel 

I couldn't resist painting this one...although it was a bit more time consuming than I initially thought it would be.  Fortunately I didn't try to paint it during the 30 in 30 Challenge.  This one took a couple days.  I love how the early morning sunlight was just coming up over the neighbor's fence...casting sunlight on the table and vase of flowers.  I also like the square format and the way the patio leads to a back gate and into the grassy area behind it. 

Americana

American

8x6, soft pastel

Nothing says Americana like a red, white and blue quilt...and nothing looks more inviting than a cozy patio such as this one.  Thank you Jamie and Alan for letting me crash your home and photograph your quilts.  This is painting number three of a quilt series.  Stay tuned...more to come!

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.