Perfect Pose

 Perfect Pose

6 x 6, pastel

Love it when these little beauties return for the summer. They have been buzzing back and forth, dive bombing each other all day. This little guy took a breather on just the right branch!

Fall at the Horseshoe

Fall at the Horseshoe

20 x 10, pastel

If you are familiar with the New Braunfels area, you know that the Guadalupe River is a main draw of visitors to the area. The Horseshoe is just below Canyon Dam and so very fun to float via an inner tube. This is a view from the 'take out' area, otherwise, it is a multi-hour trip to get to New Braunfels.

Rarely, we have good fall color. Usually, it goes from green to no leaves, but not this past year! Really enjoyed painting the reflections, quite a challenge!

Ewe Looking at Me-----well, she is!!

Ewe Looking at Me

6" x 12", pastel

Love the title of this, couldn't be anything else! This is one of those paintings that seemed to flow, no fighting with the colors, values. Have to admit that is a rare occurrence for me.... I do tend to 'fuss' too much. Took some liberties and excluded a sheep.....just didn't think it contributed one bit to the overall painting. Again another rarity for me...omitting from the original photo. I may just get the hang of this composition/painting thing yet!

Fall Study

Fall Study

5 x 7, pastel

Click to Bid

Thought I was using less vivid colors------well, maybe not.  I am happy, it was another wonderful, crisp day!! Plus, I got to play pickleball!!!!---Google it.

Freedom of Choice

Study of Color

Freedom of Choice

To buy:   denisebeardart@gmail.com

This is my painting from the morning exercise in Marla Baggetta's pastel workshop yesterday. We were to use her composition, (she's done numerous wonderful paintings using this composition but changing colors----"Variations"), but we were to pick the color palette. We were not constrained by what we saw her do or by what the photo showed. I was pleased with the outcome of my attempt. So I was anxious to get to the afternoon session.

Boy, did reality hit me right between the eyes. I had watched Marla create beautiful paintings for 2 days and had painted an OK one that morning, but I reverted back to my old ways--- putting in every little detail. I did it not only once, but twice. Oh, the frustration!

On the way to class this morning, (sadly, the last class) I had a revelation----choose what to paint using the composition (shapes, preferably pleasing shapes) rather that the subject matter! It is something Angie Banta Brown has been telling me for years and I knew it, but haven't executed too well. But today was better!