Peach Sunset

Peach Sunset

12 x 6, pastel

There is something about painting a vertical sunset. I just love them, maybe because they are unexpected, just as the colors of this sunset. It was so pale but with the wisps of clouds that really looked like they wanted to bring rain.......but, alas, it didn't happen.

 

Rainy Reflections

Rainy Reflections

8" x 8", pastel

Contrary to popular belief, art does not always flow easily. A case in point is the painting that was attempted prior to the one pictured above. I had this awesome idea and photo reference.......or so I thought. No matter what I did, it just would not come together. It has been taken to the sink and washed off........yes, you can do that with pastels with a quality substrate. Second try, same story! 

Then there was this photo, so different from anything I have attempted. I was so bummed, I thought "Why Not" give it a whirl. Different substrate, different subject, and maybe most importantly, no preconceived idea of the outcome........just paint for the joy of it.

Well, low and behold, this painting just flowed and seemed to be done in no time at all! That's why I keep going back to the easel!

Sky #5

Sky #5

6" x 6", pastel

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The sun was behind me on this day at dusk, illuminating the clouds in the back as rain clouds drifted across. We have been blessed with glorious rain lately, thank you, Lord.

Ombrello Rosso

Ombrello Rosso

9 x 12, pastel

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OK, I won't make you go to Google translate to get the title-----Red Umbrella. Don't know why nouns and adjectives are switched in Italian, but sometimes they are.

This is the original painting of Rainy Morning, a wonderfully damp early morning in Italy several years ago. I experienced an ah-ha moment with the painting. Originally the lower right corner was a construction site, and guess what I did----yeppers, I painted the fence, sign, etc.  My husband wanted to know why I would ruin a painting and paint what was actually in the photo. So I swallowed hard, removed the construction and ad-libbed. Not something I do with ease.

Just love the muted colors with the splashes of red throughout, brings back great memories.

Rainy Morning

Rainy Morning

8 x 8, pastel
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Rain in Citta Della Pieve was a welcome site while visiting there several years ago. You see south Texas had been in a drought that year and we hadn't seen rain in awhile. This is the second painting from this photo taken from my hotel window, haven't posted the first one yet.

One of my prizes for the Merit Award  from the APS was a package of black Canson pastel paper. I have been having fun exploring the use of this paper, plus the challenge of painting a rainy street scene.