Biltmore Lake

Biltmore Lake

9x9, pastel

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The last full day we were in North Carolina, Hurricane Sandy finally decided to move on and allow the sun to shine. The November sun was glorious that day. The grounds of the Biltmore Estate were beautiful.  I have a friend from Ashville, North Carolina who has painted plein air on the Biltmore grounds. How awesome would that be!

Study #10

Study #10

6 x 6, pastel

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After completing the challenge painting yesterday, I couldn't wait to get back to pastel. I just couldn't decide on a subject-----so I turned to my old standby to get back in the swing.

Several new happenings going on, joined Facebook (don't have a clue what I am doing), and sold a painting on line last night! Exciting and overwhelming times---feeling like I am getting old if that is overwhelming.

Challenge Painting

Challenge Painting

10 x 6, watercolor

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Weekly on Daily Paintworks there is a challenge offered for those artists interested in a challenge, or stepping outside the box, or just want a different subject to paint. This week Carol Marine, (great artist, formerly from Austin area, Google her) offered a photo taken during one of her many workshops. This was taken in Texas, when one of her students graciously agreed to pose. 

I thought it was such a cool idea and decided to give it a try.

Harvest

Harvest

15 x 11, watercolor

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This is the watercolor version of Bountiful Harvest. It was painted after the pastel was completed. 

By the way, I didn't mention it but Bountiful Harvest was also juried into the Austin Pastel Society Member Show in Austin along with Italian Man. It is extremely exciting and humbling to have Terri Ford select these two paintings to be included in the 50 paintings chosen for the show.. That show opens Monday, February 25 at the Corridor of Art on Lavaca St. in Austin. There is an award reception on March 17, from 3-5 pm if you happen to be in the area.

Study #9

Study #9

6 x 7, pastel

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When I feel myself tightening up, "painting the fleas before the dog" to quote a dear friend, I try to loosen up with one of these. I start with a blank piece of paper, lightly draw the horizon, river, and maybe a tree. I decide on the colors I want to use and then have fun deciding where to place them. I am pleased with the results of this one, hoping to carry the looseness on to the next painting.

Apples and Sunflowers

Apples and Sunflowers

15 x 11, watercolor

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Apples are another fruit that I enjoy painting, but unlike pears, I enjoy eating apples. 

A piedi per la citta--Walking to Town

A piedi per la citta--Walking to Town

8 x 6, pastel

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I was just a working away on this guy thinking about the 10 x 8 frame I was going to buy for him, thinking this is really sort of a big painting-----when, I stepped back and looked. Upon measuring, this painting is only 8 x 6! I have been working small for so long, 8 x 6's are looking big! Don't quite know how to respond to that, other than, "No wonder it was so hard to get the facial features right!!!!!"

Another wonderful thing about Italy is that people walk everywhere. This gentleman was on the outskirts of town, heading to 'la citta'. So glad that I was out that way also, to snap this shot. Shortly after seeing him, I met Katrina, a tourist from Sweden. We walked/visited for over an hour, until she had to meet an real estate agent. She was looking for a summer home!! She could fly to Italy in less time than it takes me to drive to Dallas. Can't imagine how wonderful that would be! 

Exciting happening today!

Lucky

6 x 8, pastel

Once again I am re-posting, sorry, but I just had to share with you. Today this painting was chosen as a Daily Paintworks Facebook Pick of the Day!!! This means that if you go to Daily Paintworks Facebook page, this painting is on that front page to be seen by hundreds of people that visit that site daily. That is just so cool. I do not have a Facebook page, but I can still get to the front page ( I just can't leave a msg. on it for the other paintings I like), open it and look at the lovely paintings chosen, and you can too.

People have been telling me that I need to join Facebook. Maybe I should pay attention to them!

Italian Man is going to Austin!

Italian Man

7 x 5, pastel

I wasn't going to re-post paintings but I am so excited to have this painting making the trip to Austin this month! So forgive me, please.

I received notice today that Terri Ford, juror for the Austin Pastel Society's 2013 Annual Juried Member Exhibition, accepted this painting as one of 50 paintings chosen for the exhibition. The exhibition will be held at the Corridor of Art, 700 Lavaca St., Austin, Texas, weekdays February 25- April 19.

If you happen to be in Austin during that time, drop by the gallery. There are some beautiful paintings in the show.

Waterlilies

Waterlilies

7 x 5, pastel

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These waterlilies were growing in my brother and sister-in-law's pond at their home. I think it would be so cool to be able to enjoy waterlilies daily in the spring and summer.

Pears

Pears

6 x 6, pastel

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Real original title there! But what else could I call it?

Once again life is getting in the way of painting, I hate when that happens. But at least I am happy with the way this painting turned out, more lost edges, a little more painterly.