Horsemint and Indian Blankets

Horsemint and Indian Blankets

6" x 4", pastel

This year has been phenomenal as far as the wildflowers are concerned! I have had bluebonnets in the yard since the first week of March and still have a few hanging on. But the most dazzling display right now is the heavy showing of Horsemint, an unusual purple towering plant. They are thick on the sides of the highways.

Hope you get a chance to see some wonderful wild flowers!!

Sunlit Cardinal

Sunlit Cardinal

8 x 6, pastel

The baby cardinals are out and joining their parents at the bird feeders, just a fluttering, too cute! Decided to revisit this photo reference and make it a vertical instead of a square and change up the background. 

I am amazed that it has been about a month since I posted last. Have been working on a large watercolor painting and several more "Scenes from Above" pastels. Photos of those will be coming soon.

Drop by the Gallerie at Gruene and see this little painting in person!

Mountain Laurel Spring

Mountain Laurel Spring

6 x 8, pastel

Decided to take a few photos of the last of the blooming mountain laurels. They were so beautiful and smelled so wonderful this year. So as I positioned the camera. this visitor decided to just barge in. It didn't matter how close I got, he didn't budge. So enjoyed the opportunity that the serendipity of the moment provided. It is the little things that can bring the most joy sometimes.

Naptime

Naptime

8 x 15, pastel

The latest off the easel! Man, am I ready for some spring weather!!! So tired of this gray, drizzle that it inspired me to paint one of my sweet little fawns from last year. A little wishful thinking on my part.

It will be here sooner than you might think. The does are plumping out with the new crop to come...can't wait. They are just so sweet and cute, even if they do eat the shrubs.

This painting will be hanging in the Gallerie at Gruene. Drop by and check it out in person!!

Update! When hanging this at the Gallerie, a fellow artist (male) said Precious was too foofoo a name! So Precious became Naptime, and currently resides in Rogers, Arkansas!!!

Spring Duo

 

Spring Duo

20" x 10", pastel

This duo was one of several mama/baby pairs that graced our backyard this summer. Always enjoy watching the fawns romp and play as they grow. We had fewer fawns this year than in years past and not sure of the reason. Hoping that next spring I will have more subject matter to choose from!

This painting and others are available at the Gallerie at Gruene.

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.

Breakfast Bar

Breakfast Bar

8 x 6, pastel
Click to Buy

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.

Must Be Spring!

Must Be Spring!

6x6, pastel
Click to Bid

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. 

Comal Spring

Comal Spring

6 x 6, pastel

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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.