Spoiler Alert--------Don't Look If.......

He Knows If..............

4.5 x 6.5, watercolor

So......if you are on my Christmas card list, your card will not be a surprise now! I was not going to send Christmas cards this year, just in one of those moods, you know! Well, after recuperating from 3 solid days of cooking and cleaning, and cooking and cleaning some more, the mood hit last night!

For the last 8 or 10 years I have painted my own cards. This practice was started by taking a workshop with Angie Banta Brown. In that first workshop, we created 8 cards in 6 hrs!. The paint was flying! With successive workshops she toned it down to 4 in 6 hrs! Love and miss that sweet lady!

So, due to the detail of this one, it took me several hours to complete, but I am pleased with the result. I was always told that Santa sees all, so, " you better be good for goodness sake!"

Pastel Sky

Pastel Sky

6 x 6, pastel
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We had a beautiful sunset tonight, but I was not in an area where I could get a good reference photo, too many trees. So this is from several months ago, it was lovely as well.

Had the opportunity to participate in The Hill Country Invitational Art Show and Sale in Boerne this past weekend. It was a fabulous experience, beautiful venue, wonderful artists all in one place. It was a spur of the moment opportunity and I am so glad that I was included!

New Dawn

New Dawn

6' x 12", pastel
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There is just no shortage of gorgeous skies to paint! I should really get up earlier to get more dawn photos for reference material. 

Getting ready for the Garden Ridge Women's Club Holiday Marketplace to be held October 8th at the Garden Ridge Civic Center. Hope you can get by to see the wonderful items to purchase; drop by my booth to visit and maybe take home a painting!

First Color

First Color

8" x 10", pastel

Here is one of the paintings, I have been working on these past weeks. Really liked the sunshine on the bushes, contrasted with the shadows. And, of course, the turning leaves of the trees. Can't wait for the weather to allow for these changes this year!

Autumn Pond

Autumn Pond

6" x 8", pastel
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The photo reference for this painting was taken several years ago when I was preparing to take a workshop with Richard McKinley, the guru of pastel. Didn't use it in that workshop, but decided that it was a great photo to paint now. Can you tell I am ready for the the cooler autumn weather?

I was trying to use my new set of Terry Ludwig pastels for this painting, but I have to get a lighter touch to use those soft pastels to start off a painting. So.........my first attempt was washed off with alcohol! Yes, you read that right, I washed the original painting into the sanded paper with rubbing alcohol. This allowed me to create a new painting over a beautiful, warm underpainting!

Time to Read

Time to Read

6"x 6", pastel
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The creative juices have been struggling lately, wanting to paint, but lacking in the knowledge of what! Sounds pretty stupid, when put in print, but I have been wanting to create another big painting but simply cannot decide on the subject. So I have been working on multiple small paintings, to keep in the groove.

The photo reference for this painting was taken several years ago on a trip to our favorite spot in Colorado. It was a chilly afternoon, but sitting in the sun was really pleasant. This lady was taking time out from shopping to enjoy her book. Love the shadows and her reflection in the window! She was sitting in front of an art gallery, by the way. You can't make this stuff up!

Thinking about this being the subject for a larger painting, but wondering if the colors need some adjustment. This painting is just like the photo where color is concerned. Could be more diverse, I think.

Furry

Furry

6 x 6, pastel

This fur ball was plopped in front of a store in Estes Park last month. You could tell it knew better than to enter, but stayed just in front of the entry. It was constantly getting attention/rubs from those passing it on the sidewalk, and those exiting the shop. He was loving it, content to be in the middle of foot traffic!

Southwest Art Magazine

Several months ago I was contacted by Southwest Art Magazine regarding their Nationally Emerging Artists section to be promoted in the September issue. I was skeptical at first, thinking how in the world did they find little ol' me! After the exchange of several emails, I determined it was legitimate and I would be silly not to take advantage of the opportunity.

So running in this month's edition is my painting, "Waiting Patiently".  Thank you, Southwest Art for the national exposure!!

Frustration.......Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks

10 x 10, pastel
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So why would I title this frustration? This is an excellent example of a great subject matter, but a painting that is just so-so because of the lack (I feel) of dynamic lighting. These hollyhocks were beautiful, but the late evening lighting added no 'pop'. I added flowers to create an interesting painting, even tried to recreate the brick wall they were in front of, but.........

So I will continue to search for hollyhocks with dramatic lighting. I have seen beautiful paintings of hollyhocks and anxious to give it a try.

Mountain Serenity

Mountain Serenity

6" x 6", pastel
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With this sweltering heat we have been experiencing, no wonder this scene popped out as the one to paint yesterday! Was scrolling through photos when I came across this one from a recent trip to Estes Park. It was taken on our last day there just prior to catching the shuttle from the YMCA in Estes to Denver. The morning sun was glorious, but still fresh and cool, oh, to return there now.......

Days of Wine and Roses

Days of Wine and Roses

9" x 9", pastel

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This is a still life that was created as I was preparing for my demo for the Pastel Society of the Southwest earlier this year. I enjoy the challenge of recreating the illusion of glass. This was a fun challenge

Cobblestone Cat

Cobblestone Cat

6"x 12", pastel

The Images of Life show at the New Braunfels Art League opened yesterday and runs through August. Cobblestone Cat is my only entry to the show. This cat resided in Orvieto, Italy. I have had the reference photo in a folder as a painting to paint for several years. When this show was on the calendar, I decided that this was a perfect 'image of life', a cat lounging in the middle of a bustling cobblestone walkway with no concern for anything but it's own comfort.

Hope you can get by and see the show, open daily till 5pm. Awards reception is August 5, 5:30 to 7pm, with awards at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there. This painting has won something!

And the Big Winner Is..........Not the One I Thought!

South Padre Pals

12" x 16", Pastel

As I have said forever, art is so very subjective. What pleases one, is nothing special to another. Friday night proved that. South Padre Pals has been featured in the advertising of the Texas Show at the New Braunfels Art Gallery, even included in the July Texas Monthly Magazine. So when I was notified that I had won a ribbon in the show, I thought Pals would be the winner. And it was the recipient of an honorable mention in the drawing category!

Imagine my surprise, though, when my second entry was named as the first place winner in the drawing category. That entry was Evening Reflections, a painting that I only decided at the last minute to enter! So.... many thanks to the judge for choosing my two entries worthy of awards and NBAL for allowing one artist to win two awards!

Evening Reflections

6" x 12", Pastel

Pinch Me!!

So..... awhile back I turned in my painting, South Padre Pals, to Tom Bender to be considered for the poster for New Braunfels Art League July Texas Show. Imagine my surprise when I was told it was in this month's Texas Monthly magazine!!!  Many thanks, Tom Bender! I am so thrilled and humbled!

Hoping you can get by the NBAL gallery in; the month of July to see this fabulous show. The reception and award ceremony is July 8th from 5-7. Stay tuned one of my 2 paintings entered has won an award!

I will post a close up of the painting at a later date, waiting to see if it is the prize winner.

Loverboy

Loverboy

12x6, pastel

Several years ago I gave one of my sister-in-laws a painting of her chihuahua. Well........you can imagine what happened next! This is the final pet commission for in-laws, that is, until Sandy decides to get a pet!!! Guess it is good I am an only child!!

Really enjoyed painting this though. Sometimes a painting just kind of paints itself and this one did except.......for that darn background! The love/hate relationship with backgrounds continues, but I will conquer!

Progress shots:

Fire in the Sky

Fire in the Sky

10"x 20", pastel

The previous versions of this painting were done as studies to see if I could pull this painting off. Decided not to add water to the equation on this painting and I like it. Again the foreground was improvised as the original photo was simply a black foreground. That is really testing my comfort level as I am a 'paint what you see kind of artist'.

This painting is available through Pitzer's Fine Arts in Wimberley, Texas. Drop by to see it and other fabulous art both 2D and 3D.

Sad news, my dear friend and mentor, Angie Banta Brown, lost her hard fought battle against cancer yesterday. She has been an inspiration to so many in the art world, she will be missed. But her voice will live on through the hundreds of artists she has taught throughout her career. I constantly hear her in my head as I am painting, her words of wisdom guide me to be a better artist. She was always telling me that I see too much.....translation...."Don't paint every hair on that dog!" We shared some special times and for that I am grateful.

After the Rain

After the Rain

6" x 6", pastel

Skyscapes have been calling me lately. The sunsets have been gorgeous, when the clouds have allowed us to view them. The sky is from an actual photograph, the foreground is all imagination. Now that may not be a big thing to you, but for me it is huge! I am a 'paint what is there' sort of artist.

If you have ever taken photos of sunsets, you may know that usually the foreground is all dark, not too interesting. I was determined that would not be the case with this painting. When the photo was taken, I made a point of comparing the the foreground colors in comparison to the sunset. They were beautiful, muted, but gorgeous. There were homes in the foreground not a stream!

So 'After the Rain' is the second version of this sunset. The first version is below. I was pleased with the foreground, but decided that the square version should have an even more interesting foreground. 

Evening Reflections

6" x 12", pastel

Spinner

Spinner

12" x 12", pastel

So this critter rules the house, well not really. He is just the sweetest, most fun dog we have had. So now I am out on the porch typing this and he is scratching on the windows, barking at me 'cause he wants to be out here too! And so what did I just do????? But......I put the leash on him, in no mood to chase after him.

This is his, "I may not be the most interesting dog.......but......" pose. We just love it. He strikes this pose often.

I truly enjoy painting animals. just finished a cat this afternoon. Really not a cat person, but those paintings seem to sell well!

Speaking of selling, if you are in the area of the Bijou Theater in San Antonio, the Texas Pastel Society is displaying art there through the month of May. Go by and check it out!

Hill Country Spring

Hill Country Spring

8" x 10", pastel

The colors of the trees would have you believe that this is a fall setting, but it isn't so. Live oaks have a yellow-orange tinge when they lose their leaves and new ones are bursting forth. Add in the orange of the huisache trees in bloom, and it is fall, except, that the bluebonnets were beautiful! The photo reference for the painting is a couple of years old. The bluebonnets were just as prolific this year as they were then.

Lesson: Stop Putz-ing Around

Spring Beauty

8"x 8", pastel

Almost a month since the last post!!! Yikes, but really have been busy. Working on several paintings, won an award at the San Antonio Art League and Museum 86th Annual Artists Exhibition, plus playing pickleball (Google it).

This little painting is the latest work. In fact I just completed it about 30 minutes ago. Now it has been on the easel, in progress for over a week. Being the realist painter that I am, I was trying to include every little leaf and flower in the photo reference.........and just this morning determined that they were becoming the stars, not this precious hummer! Have been working on those leaves and flowers for days, but this morning took the alcohol to everything but the bird! In layman's terms, that means that all the pastel soaked into the board and became a muted surface on which to apply fresh pastel.

When it dried, there was no putz-ing (now I did look up the meaning of this word......didn't want to get myself in trouble here!) around, just gave the indication of flora around the star of the painting....pleased with the result.

New Found Appreciation

Demo--First ever!

14x12, pastel

This past Sunday was a first for me.........giving a pastel demo for the Pastel Society of the Southwest during their monthly meeting. This group of artists are so very talented, it was a humbling experience. They were so gracious and kind to me as I tried to hide my anxiety.

I anguished for several months trying to decide on a subject to paint. The PSSW had requested that the demo be of a still life. Now still life paintings were a staple when my main medium was watercolor, but since pastels have ruled, very few still lifes have been completed. So many small paintings were tried to help me determine the subject matter......and heaven forbid that I choose a simple composition! The demo was begun with the drawing on prepared gatorboard ( you can see the light yellow pastel on the picture below), and was worked on until the break. At the end of the break a second painting closer to completion was put up on the easel (the apple on the left and two flowers needed to be painted). Really like the subject and may continue working to refine this painting.

It really was a fun experience and I am grateful to the group for allowing me to dip my toes into the world of painting demonstrations. There is a greater appreciation for those artists who so willingly share their knowledge of creating art.

Demo...what was completed prior to the break.

Autumn Repose

Autumn Repose

8" x 10", pastel

This little painting is one of two that was accepted into the Austin Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition. It was judged by Marla Baggetta. Had the pleasure of taking a workshop given by her this past weekend. It was awesome.  

Marla gave a demo on Friday night prior to the workshop. While I was sitting there waiting for the demo to begin, she called my name (we had name tags on!). She continued on to tell me how she liked the entries in the show especially this little landscape. My mouth gaped I am sure, but I immediately thanked her for the kind words. I asked her on Sunday, if she had time, if she would share with me what she liked about it. Landscapes are a tough subject for me. so I wanted to know how to better handle my next attempt. Sadly, there just wasn't the opportunity. But it was a wonderful experience and I learned so much.

Pair of Pears

5" x 7", pastel
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One of the areas of painting that I struggle with the most is trying to stay loose in the application of pastels or watercolor. I was looking at my recent still life paintings and noticed that this fact was glaring right at me. Persimmons has a freedom of stroke, loose, interesting. Each subsequent painting became tighter and tighter.

That is not what I was striving for so I set out to remedy that with this painting. Happy with the result

Untitled
10" x 8", pastel
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Coming up with titles for paintings is tough, especially still life paintings. Animals have names, landscapes can have titles of where the area is, but a still life.......??? So there are mums, apples and pottery in this painting......other than that I've got nothing! Oh, well.

Truly loving painting the subject matter. Bringing back my watercolor days, but so much easier to get the depth of color. Plus, that highlight is the last thing added, not saved from the white of the paper! 

All About Red

All About Red

8" x 8", pastel

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Decided to continue on with still life paintings. There is a lot of red, quite the challenge, but I like it! 

Persimmons

Persimmons

8" x 8", pastel
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Early in January, I received an email asking me if I would do a demo for a pastel society meeting, and not a local society. I was floored, and immediately set about listing all the reasons to say no. My family thought I was nuts for not jumping at the chance for the opportunity. After consulting my art mentors, I decided to bite the bullet and give that first ever demo! The kicker was that it is to be a still life demo.

When watercolor was my main medium, still life paintings were my 'go to' subject. The reason being that my teacher, Angie Banta Brown, provided the most wonderful reference photos from which to paint. She was kind enough to help me in that area for this demo. Setting up a still life requires stuff, wonderful, colorful, varied objects to display in an interesting way and Angie has the most amazing props. We had such fun arranging and rearranging all those props. 

Persimmons is my first painting from that day. Decided I had better practice a little, don't think there has been a still life created since 'Caffe' Italiano'. Stay tuned for more still life paintings, as I prepare for the upcoming demo.

Untitled-----any ideas?

Untitled

8" x 8", pastel

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This painting is the third version of this scene. One of the first two versions will be entered in the Austin Pastel Society Juried Member Show--still deciding which one. I began this with an underpainting as Barbara Jaenicke instructs. My next struggle was to keep it loose and depict the light and shadows.

Welcome all ideas on a title, just leave them in the comments section!

Linda----a special commission

Linda

14" x 14", watercolor

I had the privilege of painting this remarkable woman in December. There is a definite challenge in painting someone that you do not know, have not met. I was supplied with additional reference photos and stories of her to help me capture her spirit. She loved the beach and so this was the photo of choice.

It is humbling to immortalize a memory, especially this one. Thank you, Charlie, for the opportunity. Wishing I could have met her.

Happy New Year!!-----just a little late!

Storm on the Plains

6" x 12", pastel
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Happy New Year!! Know it is a tad late, but there is good reason. Christmas was so busy and to add to the 'busy' I was trying to complete a very special commission. I did get it completed and on Jan. 1 it went home. I am thrilled to report that the owner is very happy. And the next day we headed to Colorado.

This painting is from a photo taken several years ago on the way to Colorado. We had stopped in Lubbock, warm, short sleeve weather. Heading to Amarillo this was the scene. By the time we got to Dalhart the snow was blowing so hard, the road was barely visible! Got to love Texas weather!

This was my first painting on Multimedia Pastel board. Began with a watercolor underpainting, looking forward to trying this paper/board again. Think I like it, only down side, I believe it doesn't like alcohol underpainting. I prefer alcohol because it dries so quickly, can get right to the pastel!