Exploring the Process

Untitled

8 x 8, pastel

This was my second painting I attempted way back on November 19. I was enjoying just getting the pigment on the paper, exploring the painting process. I used the same design/subject that I had used in Marla Baggetta's workshop. The result---not every completed painting is a piece worthy to be framed. Sometimes it is just a learning experience, a chance to try something out of the ordinary to see what does and does not work.

That hits sort of hard for me. You see I am a pretty frugal painter, if a watercolor doesn't work, just turn it over and paint on the other side! That is not an option with pastel paper. One of the great pieces of wisdom/advice Richard McKinley shared with me is that I should use pastels over a watercolor underpainting or over an unsuccessful watercolor painting. Now that was a piece of advice I liked--one sheet of watercolor paper used front, back and then one more time!

I'm Still Here!

Harvest

15 x 11, watercolor

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We sure did!

If this painting looks familiar, it is. This is my watercolor rendition of Bountiful Harvest, the pastel painting that won an award in North Carolina. I haven't been painting this week, been down in my get-along, as my dad would say. So I had to pull out a painting from the summer. I was worried about getting the patina on the kettle to some out ok in watercolor, but I think it turned out pretty good. I also added the folds in the fabric that the pastel painting did not have.

I have painted a Christmas card to reproduce for the last several years, and I am hoping to get that done soon!!!! Time is running out, I am thinking.

I Finally Got to Paint!

Meander

8 x 6, pastel

I finally got to paint!!!! It was such a good feeling to pick up the pastels again. I worked on 2 pieces. The first was a variation of  the breakthrough painting I did in Marla Baggetta's workshop. It was a sunset variation, pretty fiery. It was my husband's fav. I may post it, but it is pretty wild!

This was taken from a picture I took on our first day in North Carolina. There were black and white cows off in the field to the left. That may be another picture--you know how I love to paint animals!

Do You Facebook?

Spikes

7 x 5, pastel

Spikes is another painting in the Small Paintings for Big Holidays show at the NBAL gallery. This calf lives near Ledbetter, Texas. I thought he was just so cute. He is a calf--I can still call him cute!!

I am enclosing the site where you can see all the entries in the 2012 Appalachian Pastel Society National Juried Exhibition. All you need is a Facebook account.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.513007355400402.118857.155780574456417&type=3

Hope you check out the site. It is a beautiful show that runs through December 14, if you happen to be in the area.

Honorable Mention

Guadalupe Horseshoe

6 x 8, pastel

I know I posted this a short time ago but this painting received Honorable Mention tonight in the New Braunfels Art League show, Small Art for Big Holidays. The show was judged by Ron Rencher. So I thought it was worth showing it again, plus life has been getting in the way of my painting these days!!!!!

The show runs through the month of December and has wonderful pieces of art that would make great Christmas gifts including this one, so go check it out. And as for life getting in the way of painting, it isn't going to happen tomorrow either. I have to go support TAMU as they BTHO Sam Houston State University. Gig 'Em!

Veteran's Day

Veteran's, those who have given so much for the rest of us to enjoy all the wonderful things America has to offer. Those of the Greatest Generation rarely talked of what they went through during WWII. My dad just would not talk about it until a couple of years before he died. I really learned more about his years of service from his childhood friend, JD. He shared stories of the lighter side of war and the battles dad was involved in---dad never said.

So a big thank you to all veterans for allowing me the freedom to write this blog, paint whatever I want, worship, vote, the list can go on and on.

No painting posted today.

The Business of Art

Landa Lake Linedancers

5 x 11, pastel   SOLD

The business of art is just a pain, a necessary evil, but it really can take the joy out of art. I have spent today learning about marketing my art and then this evening matting and framing my works to put in the next NBAL show next week. Now, I did have to take breaks to watch the Aggies beat the H___ out of Alabama!!!! But I digress, I would have much rather have been painting while I was watching the Aggies beat the Tide. There is just joy in painting, much frustration too, but mainly joy. I can just lose myself in the process. So maybe tomorrow.........................

The Landa Lake Linedancers live in Houston now. I know they are happy there. They are a  pretty sassy group.

Breakthrough

Breakthrough painting

Day 3 of Marl Baggetta's Workshop

As I said in the previous blog, Marla said I had a breakthrough day on Wednesday. The painting above is the first of three completed that day. You have got to admit, when compared with the other paintings posted in this blog, I loosened up a good bit. That has been my desire, to become more painterly, not so photo realistic, find my own style without copying the subject verbatim.

I had a wonderful time at the workshop. Marla's teaching style encourages growth, each activity builds upon the lesson learned in the previous exercise. Marla is such a calm, supportive instructor, with such enviable creative ability.  I would highly recommend taking her classes. If that is just not in the cards, check out her web site and/or her blog (marlabaggetta.blogspot.com). You will be inspired.

Version 2

of Breakthrough painting.

One of the points Marla stressed is that we are not a slave to the photo reference!! I made the breakthrough by drawing the big shapes from the photo (Asheville School scenery) and then turned the photo over and did not look at it again. I did the same with this painting. I plan on continuing this practice and recreate this painting using ever changing color combinations. 

Painting the everyday subject.

This was the last exercise of the class and as Marla said it would be--the favorite (at least for me). She said that I have a lot of pretty pictures and that doesn't necessarily lead to a good painting! There is a painting everywhere you look--you just have to look beyond the subject matter to see the beautiful shapes.   Thank you, Marla!

Freedom of Choice

Study of Color

Freedom of Choice

To buy:   denisebeardart@gmail.com

This is my painting from the morning exercise in Marla Baggetta's pastel workshop yesterday. We were to use her composition, (she's done numerous wonderful paintings using this composition but changing colors----"Variations"), but we were to pick the color palette. We were not constrained by what we saw her do or by what the photo showed. I was pleased with the outcome of my attempt. So I was anxious to get to the afternoon session.

Boy, did reality hit me right between the eyes. I had watched Marla create beautiful paintings for 2 days and had painted an OK one that morning, but I reverted back to my old ways--- putting in every little detail. I did it not only once, but twice. Oh, the frustration!

On the way to class this morning, (sadly, the last class) I had a revelation----choose what to paint using the composition (shapes, preferably pleasing shapes) rather that the subject matter! It is something Angie Banta Brown has been telling me for years and I knew it, but haven't executed too well. But today was better!

Larger than Life

Apple study

 concentrating on variation of strokes.

 

Today, was the first day of Marla Baggetta's workshop. It was a wonderful day. Love her style of painting and her instructional wisdom. I have learned so much already, can't wait for tomorrow. 

 

The size of that apple is 12x9, good for at least a whole cobbler don't you think!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Guadalupe Horseshoe

6 x 8, pastel

As wonderful as the trip to Asheville, NC was, it is good to get back to painting. I had started this little painting prior to the trip and was thinking it was going to be a dud, a wash off. But I got back into it yesterday, like Richard McKinley told me, "Get in and play with the medium", I did. I am pleased with this one, which is unusual, because I struggle horribly with landscapes. Hoping the upcoming Marla Baggetta workshop will help with that problem.

The reference for this painting is a photo from last fall. The colors were beautiful. I was so excited when I saw them.

Old Glory

20 x 16, matted watercolor SOLD

Being in Asheville, NC the last few days was a wonderful experience, but we were so glad to be back home tonight. Good memories abound at home. This painting found a new home last weekend because it reminded the purchaser of a family home---memories of times gone by.