Christmas Commission

Coco and Tex

9" x 12", pastel

Hoping everyone had a blessed Christmas! We sure did. This is a commission I completed for a Christmas gift. They were such cuties, fun to paint.

Looking forward to the new year and all the opportunities to create art. Oh, so many possibilities!

Dusk

Dusk

6"x 6", pastel
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Been a busy time of year! Delivered a commission of 2 little canine cuties on Friday, but it is a surprise Christmas gift, so I have to keep it under wraps till then. Another commission in the works, but it is going to take awhile.

Painted this awhile back and never got around to getting a photo taken of it. Just love painting skies, there is such grandeur there. Took many photos on the way back from College Station last night, the sky was gorgeous!

Self-Imposed Challenge

Autumn Creek

11x14, pastel

So............. this is my husband's favorite painting (really I think he says that about most! Wise man!!!) It is currently hanging in Pitzer's Fine Arts in Wimberley, Texas if you would like to see it in person. Anyway, I digress, as you can see it is rather detailed. I feel that can lead the observer into the painting to see all that is there. But, in the art world there is the mantra that 'less is more', leave it to the imagination of the observer to fill in the gaps.

I decided that I would try to accomplish that by focusing on the 'economy of strokes' using the same reference photo. I, also, reduced the size of the painting to 8" x 10". This is  my first and second attempt at reducing the number of strokes in the painting. I used the same pastel underpainting ( set with alcohol) as I did on the original.

Autumn Creek II

8x10, pastel

Autumn Creek III

Each painting has fewer strokes than the previous one. I have my favorite, how about you, what is yours? Let me know.

Autumn Glow

Autumn Glow

6" x 8", pastel

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Around the country the fall colors are breathtaking. Well, not so much around here. We rarely get pretty fall colors. In fact, it has been several years since the leaves turned colors and not just turn brown and fall off the tree. This scene is, in fact, from several years ago....hoping to see these colors again this year.

Lil' Sparrow

Lil' Sparrow

6" x 6", pastel

The last couple of weeks we have been inundated with a group of sparrows. Oh the baths they take--9 or 10 of them in the birdbath! The water is just a flying out of that birdbath!

This little guy decided to eat a bite at the local seed bar!

Any of you in the Garden Ridge area this Saturday, plan on dropping by the Garden Ridge Women's Club Holiday Marketplace. I will have a booth featuring my art. Hope to see you there!

Calico Couture

Calico Couture

12" x 12", pastel

The Artoberfest Art Show of the New Braunfels Art League opened on October 2. I am pleased that this painting was juried in and will hang (unless sold!) until Nov. 11 in the gallery.

As I have said before I am not a cat person, but somehow some of my best paintings have been of cats! The cat belongs to one of my nieces and just seemed to be posing for me on their sofa with bright sunshine illuminating the scene.

Baby Chi and Check Out my new website

 

Baby Chi

8" x 6", pastel
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A fabulous artist and friend, Gaye Sekula, posted the photo reference for this painting on Facebook earlier this week. I commented that I saw a painting there and she encouraged me to paint it. What a fun subject matter! Such sparkle in the eyes and that bottom lip...love it!

Many thanks to Jim Street for dragging me kicking and screaming into the 21st century! He set up my website for me. It is a beautiful site where you can see and purchase my recent art. The site address is:    www.denisebeardart.com    Hope you will visit often!

Fall Shadows

Fall Shadows

8" x 6", pastel

The reference photo for this painting was taken last year when I was looking for subject matter for landscapes. So I drove around the neighborhood till I saw this scene. Hoping this year we can experience more fall foliage than we usually do.

Attitude!

Attitude!

9" x 12", pastel

Full body version of previously posted cat. This cat is really pretty cool, which is saying something coming from me. Enjoyed painting this one.

Received news yesterday that a painting had sold at Pitzer's Fine Arts in Wimberley. Never get over that feeling of someone liking my work enough to want to take it home----thrilling!

Autumn Grasses

Autumn Grasses

7"x 5", pastel

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Really do love fall, the cooler temps, oh, yes the cooler temps! But I really love the colors of fall, unfortunately, that rarely happens here. So I rejoice in the subtle changes that we are blessed with in our area.

This originally was part of a larger painting, but sometimes 'crop art' can be a good thing. I love everything about this little painting. Some years this is all the 'color' we get! Come on cooler temps!!!

K-9 Kruisin'

K-9 Kruisin'

8" x 10", pastel
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When I pulled up behind this scene at a stop light, I was so hoping I could snap a photo before the light changed. This dog was so intent on the guy in the mirror. I felt he was trying to 'will' the guy to let him in the cab.

Occasionally, there will be a painting that just falls into place, 'paints itself' so to speak. This was one of those. Hadn't painted in awhile when I decided to give this one a try. It came together without major issues. The hardest part was coming up with a title!

Sentinels

Sentinels

6"x6", pastels

My son's girlfriend was visiting last weekend and interested in getting started in painting with pastels. I grabbed a piece of sanded paper and began showing her mark making. Pretty much ended with a couple of pitiful trees and let her start on her own painting.

When I came across the sketch again today, decided there might be a chance for this little painting. So I added a foreground, mid-ground and distant mountain.......pleased with the result.

Got Your Goat?

Got Your Goat?

8" x 8", pastel
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Good friend and artist, Molly White, posted a photo of one of her new goats on Facebook. She then invited her friends to paint the goat in her Great American Goat Paint Off. This sounded like fun, so this is my contribution. This guy/gal really exuded personality, think I caught it!

1st Place!

A Hard Life

20 x 16, pastel

What a wonderful surprise I received tonight! The Seguin Art League had the reception for their Summer Showcase show that is hanging in the Selig Room of the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center. 'A Hard Life' was the first place winner!

The show runs through August 8 and is open M-F from 10am to 4pm. It is a great show. Hope you can get by to see it.

Freckles------Finally!

Freckles

12 x 9, pastel

Finally, Freckles went to live in his forever home! This painting has been completed for months, but had to keep it under wraps until I could give it to my sister-in-law and nieces. Well, this weekend it finally happened. It was a total surprise and I think they are pretty happy.

Keep in mind I do commissions of pets and people. Christmas will be here before we know it!  I know.....bite my tongue!

Study--sunrise

Study--sunrise

6" x 12", pastel

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Returning from my first IAPS convention in Albuquerque, my husband and I were treated to this glorious sunrise. The vista was so wonderful and changing by the minute. I was thankful for a camera with an SD card rather than film, just could not help but snap photos incessantly.

Blue Skies

Blue Skies

8 x 10, pastel

Click to Bid

Just returned from my first IAPS convention, what a wonderful week of learning and fellowship. So many prestigious artists sharing their vast knowledge of the pastel medium. I took a demo or workshop every day. This is a painting was started in a workshop instructed by Stan Sperlak, learned so much from each artist. 

The reference photo for the painting was taken on the first sunny day following a week of rain and destruction in Texas. It was so good to see billowing clouds against that blue sky.

Miss Kitty

8 x 8, pastel

Miss Kitty loves lying in the sunshine and greeting customers at our groomers. Those dogs do not mess with her. I'm thinking she rules the roost. Her eyes are gorgeous, sort of imploring you to pet her. She is one fluffy kitty, as well, with different colored eyes!

Getting excited about the IAPS convention in Albuquerque, so many wonderful pastel artists in one place!!

Breakfast Bar

Breakfast Bar

8 x 6, pastel
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Mama cardinal dropped by for a bite one morning and I was lucky enough to get the photo. They are here all day, all year long, but we have so many trees there are limited times that I can capture the moment with good lighting. Not complaining about the trees, we love them. Just can't get the best photo reference as easily.

Praying for more rain, the showers have been wonderful.

2nd In Show and People's Choice

Caffe' Italiano

16" x 16", pastel

It was such a magical evening yesterday at the Austin Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition awards program. I arrived to find that the 2nd In Show ribbon was next to this painting. I was thrilled beyond words. Had been notified that I had a winning painting, but didn't know which painting or what was won.

A Hard Life

20" x 16", pastel

Then the last award of the evening was the People's Choice Award and A Hard Life was the winner. It was such a thrill to have this painting chosen. 

Was blessed to have friends and family there to share in my joy on this special evening.

Mockingbird on a Fence

Mockingbird on a Fence

9" x 12", pastel

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This bird was visiting the Wildseed Farms on the same day that I was there. Loved his color and edges against the blurred flower images. Also, liked the light/shadows of the bird on the fence post. Can you tell I liked this design? Just don't know why I waited so long to paint this.

Rejoice

Rejoice

16" x 12", pastel

Worked on this painting earlier in the year, and finally decided it was time for it to make its debute! This lovely iris was growing in the Lindenheimer garden in New Braunfels a couple of years ago. That is such a great place to explore.

Rejoice will be debuted in Pitzer's Fine Arts in Wimberley tomorrow.

Not an April Fool's Joke

 A Hard Life

20" x 16", pastel

 Cafe' Italiano

16" x 16", pastel

Let's Play

12" x 12", pastel

Have been waiting to make this announcement, but thought I would wait till after April Fool's Day. These paintings were my entries in the Austin Pastel Society Annual Juried Exhibition. I was so thrilled to have all of my entries accepted.

Received the notice after Mike Beeman, judged the show that one of these paintings has received an award. The kicker is that I will not know which one until the reception on April 23. That is a long time to wait, but that  is what I am doing!  Which one do you think it is???? Let me know.

All of you are invited to the reception to meet the artists and winners, or drop by the venue if you are in downtown Austin. It is a wonderful show.

March 2 - May 1 2015 Weekdays 8:30 am - 6pm

Corridor of Art
700 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78701

Reception Thursday, April 23, 2015 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Corridor of Art
Free parking in the garage be sure to bring your ticket in for validation at the lobby security desk or at the 9th floor building management office

Sky #16

Sky #16

5" x 7", pastel
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It has been  a long time since I have worked on the sky series that was begun last year. There has been no shortage of subject matter, just shortage of my desire to paint skies in the series (small)! Then my husband sent me a photo of the sunset taken as he was leaving the Valero Open in San Antonio last night. It was the nudge I needed.

Such brilliant colors often look surreal, but I painted what I saw. When he sent the photo, I ran out to see it for myself------gorgeous!

Sunrise

Sunrise

10" x 20", pastel

This painting has been sitting on the floor stewing for weeks! Working to get the virga (yep, I watch the weather) just right was driving me crazy. But after letting it sit for awhile, it all came together when I got back on it.

Sunrise was delivered to Pitzer's Fine Arts today. My painting Days End sold on Wednesday, so I was thrilled to get to take another painting to the gallery!

Days End

Days End

6" x 12", pastel

This is a new painting that I placed in the gallery at Pitzer's Fine Arts, 13909 Ranch Road 12, in Wimberley, Texas, today. I am so blessed to have my art in this gallery!

I love to paint skies. They are so beautiful, ever changing and often dramatic. All the makings of a great painting!!

Wonderful News!!

Caffe' Italiano
16" x 16", pastel

Last month I entered 3 pastel paintings in the Austin Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition with the hopes of getting one accepted by juror and judge, Mike Beeman. Caffe' Italiano, Let's Play and A Hard Life were all accepted into the show! I am ecstatic, to say the least!

There were 123 entries with only 50 accepted---I am humbled to be included 3 times. The show opens on March 2 and runs through May 4 at the Corridor of Art, 700 Lavaca, Austin, Texas. The show is open 8am-6pm Monday through Friday only.

The awards ceremony will be Thursday, April 23 from 4-6pm. Hope you can get by and see the 50 selected paintings during the show and the award ceremony to see the winners! I will keep you posted if I get that special email!

Two Little Pigs, II

Two Little Pigs, II

8" x 8", pastel

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Painted another version of these pigs awhile back, and I guess I didn't post them. Thought I would try them again, but with a watercolor underpainting. The pigs were going to be shown in a local youth show and were shiny clean.

Sky #15

Sky #15

6" x 6", pastel
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Sun is hiding behind the clouds, trying to peek out. Love painting this subject!

Sky #14

Sky #14

5" x 5", pastel
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Seem to be in a painting quandry, can't get into the painting groove. So I turned to the ever present and always available subject matter! Just doesn't get any better than God's handiwork.

Sky #13

Sky #13

6" x 6", pastel
Click to Bid

Finally, getting back to the sky series. It has been a long time. I have been continuing to collect photos of skies, but just couldn't get in the mood to paint them.

This sunset is a favorite and might become a larger painting  one of these days.

Let's Play

Let's Play

12" x 12", pastel

Let's Play is a painting entered in the Austin Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition. It is one of three entries I am hoping will be accepted into the show. Mike Beeman is the juror and judge, so keep your fingers crossed. If it is accepted, it may show up again on this blog in February with the announcement.