Merit Award Winner

Ain't Gonna Happen!

20 x 16, pastel

So happy to let you know that  this painting was given a Merit Award in the Austin Pastel Society Juried Exhibition. The exhibition was judged by Clayton Beck III. Well over one hundred paintings were entered and only 50 were accepted in the show. I am honored to have received an award with all the wonderful paintings entered.

If you can, get by to see the show at the Corridor of Art, 700 Lavaca, in Austin. I hope you will for it is worth the effort.

On April 3, my art will be hanging in the Wimberley Fine Arts Center in Wimberley, Texas, as well as, the New Braunfels Art League gallery. Wimberley Fine Arts Center is located at 13909 Ranch Road 12. I am thrilled to join a wonderful group of artists and hope you will come by and check it out.

Gypsy in Italy Study #2

Gypsy in Italy Study #2

10 x 8, pastel
Click to Bid

My main subject lately has been a commission for a dear friend. I have found  that while enjoying commissions, they can be a double edged sword, at least for me. I stress so much about 'getting it right' and making the person requesting it happy, that I seem to lose the joy in painting.

Sooooo, I decided to take a break from the commissioned portrait and work on another painting. Call me crazy, but I chose another portrait! I just love this lady. She has so much character, so many tales to tell. An additional challenge for this painting is that I am trying a new paper for me, Mi Tiennes. It is smooth which I find unusual, in that pastel needs to stick to the paper and smooth paper doesn't allow for many layers. Normally the substrate I use has grit, to enhance the sticking power of the pastel. This paper has forced me to get it right the first time, because additional layers of pastel do not adhere well.  Good practice, as I have a tendency to have a heavy hand anyway.

May have to create a larger piece of this study!!

Comal Spring

Comal Spring

6 x 6, pastel

Click to Bid

My sweet husband registered me for a Richard McKinley pastel workshop for my birthday last year. It was quite an undertaking to get me in; Richard McKinley's workshops fill instantly. I love his style, so loose and lovely, something I struggle to achieve. I don't hint at leaves on the trees, I pretty near paint every one.

So I purchased a video by Richard McKinley, in order to get my self more accustomed to his style prior to the workshop this August. Comal Spring is my first attempt in this style. I know, it looks fairly detailed but believe me, there are a ton more rocks on that path, and blades of grass and (well, you get the picture).

Just a reminder to drop by the Corridor of Art, 700 Lavaca, Austin, M-F during business hours (9-5) and check out the paintings of the Austin Pastel Society Show. You can also join us March 30 from 3-5pm for the awards reception. Parking will be free on that Sunday. Just take the elevator to the lower level and you exit in the Corridor.

Ain't Gonna Happen!

Ain't Gonna Happen!

20 x 16, pastel

What a day! In the time it took to drive from New Braunfels to Austin at noon today, the temperature dropped 35 degrees!! Just another day in south Texas.

Today we hung the paintings accepted in the Austin Pastel Society Juried Membership Exhibition in the Corridor of Art, 700 Lavaca, in Austin. Ain't Gonna Happen! is my second entry accepted in the show. There are 50 beautiful paintings in the Corridor. Hope you can make it by and check them out. It is only open Monday-Friday during business hours, except during the reception March 30 from 3-5pm when parking is free in the adjacent parking garage.