Caffè Italiano

Caffè Italiano

16 x 16, Pastel

A new show opened at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery today and the theme is, Contemporary-Anything Goes! The painting above is my entry and is featured on the postcards announcing the show! Just notified that it is an award winner, but won't find out until the reception June 6th 5:30-7:30pm!!

You may remember that I posted a study of the same subject, 5in x 5in. a while back. I decided that the subject would be better in a larger format and set out to make it happen. Thoroughly enjoyed painting this, so totally different from my usual subjects. Love the abstract shapes, shadows, reflections---I know, who is this woman?? I could almost smell the cappuccino as I painted the residue in the cup.

As told by the title, the reference photo was taken on my trip to Italy. There may be 2 more paintings there--showcasing the other cups not pictured here.

Hope you can make it by the show. It runs through the end of June.

Evening Storm

Evening Storm

8 x 10, Pastel
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I have been told that it is important to paint a number of paintings in the same theme. Have had a real challenge in deciding what that 'theme' would be. I love painting everything, particularly animals and people. However, paintings of people are rarely purchased and while that isn't the sole purpose of my painting, I would like to support my painting habit!!!

So considering painting skies, here is #2. Thinking that the photo for this painting was taken in the panhandle, big sky country!

Gull Post

Gull Post

6x8, pastel
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I know, the name is a little cheesy, but my son dared me-----so! Had fun painting this seagull on a post. You can almost see his feathers fluttering in the in the ocean breeze.

Sunlit Deer---Again

Sunlit Deer

8x8, pastel

I post this deer again because the original was bugging me and  couldn't put my finger on it. After putting it away for a few days, I decided it was to bright all over. The background was fighting with the deer for importance, so by graying the background, the deer has become the star. 

Must Be Spring!

Must Be Spring!

6x6, pastel
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This was painted while working at the Wimberley Fine Arts Center this week. I had it drawn off on the primed board  and ready to go. This cute little cardinal was just sparkling in the sunlight and I couldn't wait to paint her. It was painted after Sunlit Deer and is heading back toward realism but not hyper-realism! Not every feather is painted, just suggested. 

Sunlit Deer

Sunlit Deer

8x8, pastel
Click to Bid

Realism is a double edged sword. It can provide a painting that looks just like a photo, pleasing to a few but many prefer the looser more painterly style---paintings that leave a little to the imagination. I have been plagued with being too realistic lately. When I began pastels, my style was looser. I was just trying to get pastel on the paper and have struggled to get back to that style.

Working with the program on my computer to enhance photos has inspired me to grow in my painting. It is a known fact that value trumps color when it comes to art. Knowing that fact and implementing it are two different things. So bear with me as explore this new method. Still looks like a deer, doesn't it????