You Can't See Me!

You Can't See Me!

8" x 8", pastel

Couple of weeks ago a mama left this baby at the end of our porch one night. As luck would have it, she didn't come get it bright and early! I was so excited to get photos of him that morning. He was such a sweet looking critter!

During this troubled time it was so refreshing and calming (well sort of) to paint this today, to escape all the gloom and doom in the media. Hope this little painting brings you a bit of joy!

8 Point

8 Point

20" x 10", pastel

They are in velvet now, but when the 'big boys' visit in the early mornings they are still a sight to behold. Many does and fawns visit our yard through out the year, often choosing to stay hours to chill. But the bucks make themselves scarce this time of year. We have seen 5-6 at a time if we are up early enough.....awesome.

This painting was created from a photo from last winter. The 'big boys' were frequent visitors then. Looking forward to seeing more of them!

Whitetail Toddlers revisited

Whitetail Toddlers

10 x 20, pastel

Sometimes paintings sort of talk to you. Not real loud, just kind of under its breath, "Seriously, this isn't right; psssst, fix this; boring". That was the case with this one. Love, love the subject! We have so many babies born here and they are about to begin again. But there was something just not right about the original, so I revisited it. I will be brave and leave the original on my blog so you can see for yourself the changes that I made.

Maybe not a smart move, but something about the original was bothering me and now it is not! What is that saying, Art is in the eye of the beholder!!

Whitetail Toddlers

Whitetail Toddlers

10" x 20", pastel

We just love having all the wild life here......critters that is! Captured one photo last week of 9 fawns, 4 does, and 1 buck all resting in the yard. Even had 2 juvenile axis bucks sparring with the water buckets last Sunday! Now that was something to watch!

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!

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!!!

Today Was a First!

Autumn Repose

8x10, pastel

Today was a first! Received a call while I was working in San Diego on Saturday. The gentleman had seen my paintings at the Bijou Theater in San Antonio during July. He and his wife were interested in 3 of my paintings. I returned home yesterday. Well, today, I had the pleasure of meeting both he and his wife and delivering these 3 paintings! Many thanks, Mr. and Mrs. G!

Hill Country Couple

12x12, pastel

Autumn Creek

11x14, pastel

Hill Country Beauty

Hill Country Beauty

40" x 20", pastel

Well, it's been awhile since I last posted a painting and here is the culprit!!! This is the first pastel larger than 16 x 20 inches that I have attempted. It took a number of days to complete, so nothing to post.

This doe was one of 25 deer in our backyard back in May. We normally have the 'maternity' ward in our backyard of about 10-12 does and yearlings. But on this particular day, the regulars were out there and I looked up and there were an additional 13-14 deer. I was snapping away trying to get some photos to use as an inspiration.

You can see this painting in person at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery Texas Show through the month of July (until it sells). It is a wonderful show with beautiful art. The reception is open to the public on July 11, 5:30-7:30pm. Hope you can make it!

Sunlit Deer

Sunlit Deer

8x8, pastel
Click to Bid

Realism is a double edged sword. It can provide a painting that looks just like a photo, pleasing to a few but many prefer the looser more painterly style---paintings that leave a little to the imagination. I have been plagued with being too realistic lately. When I began pastels, my style was looser. I was just trying to get pastel on the paper and have struggled to get back to that style.

Working with the program on my computer to enhance photos has inspired me to grow in my painting. It is a known fact that value trumps color when it comes to art. Knowing that fact and implementing it are two different things. So bear with me as explore this new method. Still looks like a deer, doesn't it????

Curiosity

Curiosity

10 x 8, pastel

Click to Bid

This painting is my third and final entry in the NBAL show this month. The deer loves to eat the bird feed that the birds flick out on the ground. I took this photo as he was checking out the feeder, as if to see if he could get more out of it.