Really Blessed and "What Bird Seed??"

What Bird Seed??

10 x 10, pastel

This has been the most amazing month in so many ways regarding my art. It started off with a wonderful workshop with Margaret Dyer, taking me way out of my comfort zone with painting the figure from life. She was so inspiring. But then it continued that following Thursday when I learned that she had awarded me the first ever Britta Herzog Award for Creativity at the Austin Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition!!

The blessings have continued these last 5 days with sales of my paintings both at the Gallerie at Gruene and online! All I can say is God is Good and I am blessed beyond measure. 

We have deer in our yard ALL the time. They love our shrubs but they also love the bird seed. I have been wanting to paint this subject for awhile and since I was needing to replace a painting at the Gallerie, now was the time. This was so fun to create! When I took the reference photo, the deer had such a surprised, 'oh, I've been caught' look. Love it!

Wow, Just Wow!

Scenes from Above....Stroller

12" x 12", pastel

2018 Britta Herzog Award

Recipient

Austin Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition

What a wonderful surprise to receive this honor this afternoon! Today was the awards program for the annual Austin Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition. Fifty pieces of art were juried in by judge and juror, Margaret Dyer. So many fabulous pieces of art are on display.

The last award given was a new one to this venue, given in honor of Britta Herzog, a Charter member of the Austin Pastel Society. Britta was a vibrant member of the APS, who lost a tough battle with cancer. The membership wanted to honor her memory with an award for creativity at the show. 

Unfortunately, I had few chances to really get  know this special woman. But I am humbled to be the first recipient of this award in her honor.

The Austin Pastel Society Member Exhibition will be open to the public at the Corridor of Art, 700 Lavaca, Austin through April 30, Monday -.Friday. Hope you can get by to see it if you are in the area.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

Austin Pastel Society Annual Juried Member Exhibition

Majesty

6 x 8, Pastel

My, my it has been a long time since I have posted anything. Once again life is just getting in the way, but it is wonderful to be able to get back in the posting groove with good news.

Some of you may recognize this painting. I did post it months ago under another name. I renamed it and submitted it in the 2014 Austin Pastel Society Annual Juried Member Exhibition. I am thrilled to report that this painting and one other has been accepted in the show, juried in by judge Clayton Beck III. The show will hang in the Corridor of Art, 700 Lavaca St., Lower Level, in Austin Texas. The show is open to the public during business hours, weekdays only from March 3 to April 25, 2014. Fifty wonderful paintings will be on exhibit, hope you can get by and check them out next month.

The other accepted painting will be posted soon!

Study #11

Study #11

6x6, pastel
Click to buy

I really have been painting. There have been multiple minor catastrophes in the Beard household this week, so painting has been my calming force. The good news is the college kid survived his ski trip to Taos and made it back to TAMU, the reception for the Austin Pastel Society at the Corridor of Art was great yesterday. The art will continue to hang there until April 21, so drop by if you are in the area. Also, I have been invited to hang art in the Arthritis Association in San Antonio. That will be up around the first week or two of April.

So even though this past week the bathroom heater burned out, the refrigerator died Friday and the upright freezer died last night, it's all minor. Life is good!

Italian Man is going to Austin!

Italian Man

7 x 5, pastel

I wasn't going to re-post paintings but I am so excited to have this painting making the trip to Austin this month! So forgive me, please.

I received notice today that Terri Ford, juror for the Austin Pastel Society's 2013 Annual Juried Member Exhibition, accepted this painting as one of 50 paintings chosen for the exhibition. The exhibition will be held at the Corridor of Art, 700 Lavaca St., Austin, Texas, weekdays February 25- April 19.

If you happen to be in Austin during that time, drop by the gallery. There are some beautiful paintings in the show.