Evening Brilliance

 Evening Brilliance

10" x 20", pastel

Always love trying to capture the beauty of a sunset. The colors may run the gamut of the color wheel in various intensities.....so fun.

Sky #24

 Sky #24

6"x 6", pastel

Once again the Lord provides such wonderful subject matter for paintings. So blessed to get to capture a moment in time!

Sky #23

 Sky #23

6" x 6", pastel

This little creation just seemed to jump out of the pastels and create itself. Love when that happens, humbled as well!

Sky #22

Sky #22

6" x 6", pastel

Finally, got back in the sky series.....they are always fun to create! There is never a shortage of material. Thankful to be able to try to recreate a snapshot of God's handiwork!

 

 

Foxy

Foxy  

8" x 6", pastel 

This guy and family often visit us, any time of the day really. They frequently dine under the bird feeder, or drink from the lower birdbath. Why the other day, one of them was sitting on the front porch. Forgive us if we don't invite you inside!!!!!  Lol! 

 

 

 

Sky 21

 

Sky #21

6x6, pastel

Been awhile since I have painted a 6" x 6" sky, but I thought it was a good time to return to the subject. I have painted a number of larger, grander skies, but these little jewels gave me confidence when I was just starting in the medium. God never fails to give beautiful skyscapes and if you don't like it....just wait a minute and it will be totally different!!

Spring Wren

 Spring Wren

6" x 6", pastel

We have a number of these little wrens around the house. They are into everything, every plant, pot, piece of furniture and loud!! To be so tiny, they are the loudest birds!! But I love them!

Bright and Prickly

 Bright and Prickly

20" x 10", pastel

The day was Mother's Day and we were heading back to see our new grandbaby. Before we got out of the neighborhood I spotted this glorious sight. Now few will get excited about prickly pear, but these flowers last only one day and then they are gone.... and the sun was just right!!!  This is just a few of the numerous blooms on this huge cactus......So we were a few minutes late to getting back to the grandbaby....

Heading West

 Heading West

12 x 16, pastel

Such a fun painting to create! This was the scene several years ago while on a road trip in the Texas panhandle. The sunrise was breath taking, even in the rear view mirror!

Struttin' in the Sun

 Struttin' in the Sun

10" x 10", pastel

So.....we had a visitor at the Gallerie at Gruene several weeks ago. It took several tries to get a good reference photo. Looks like he was posing for this one! It now has a new home!

Colorful Cliff

 Colorful Cliff

8" x 6",  pastel

Fall color is rare in these parts. Lost Maples State Natural Area usually offers a bit of color if you can visit it a the right time. We were blessed to get to see the lovely color when we visited several years ago. 

Corona Arch

 Corona Arch

11x 14, matted watercolor

Have not had the opportunity to visit this landmark, but my son graciously allowed me to paint from a photo he took on vacation. This was challenge to get the depth in a fairly monochromatic scene. Love a good challenge.

Easter Meltdown (until I can decide on a new title!)

 Easter Meltdown

12 x 16, pastel

This photo is a number of years old and I have loved it each time it has been shared. It is just so precious and typical of little ones....things can go downhill so fast in a photo session. 

I have been in a painting slump of late, nothing enticed or interested me. Had enough of critters and landscapes. Then Easter approaches and this photo is once again shared by grandmother and family. This is one I have wanted to try since the day I saw it. But I 'knew' that I couldn't paint good enough to capture all three cuties. Well, this year, I swallowed my fear and asked if I could attempt it. They graciously said yes. This was the most fun that I have had painting since I painted my oldest son and his first child last fall. There was no pressure, wasn't trying to please a client, just pure joy of creating or recreating the essence of children being children!

Hope you enjoy it, too!!

Vicolo Italiano

Vicolo Italiano

10 x 8, pastel

This is an alley across from the domo in Orvieto. Even alleys are beautiful in Italy! 

 

Rocky on the Run

 Rocky on the Run

8" x 10", pastel

Few may catch the cartoon reference to Rocky and Bullwinkle, but that is a much nicer name than they often get called! They are a pain but sometimes they are fun to watch as they chase each other round and round the tree!

Regal in Red

 Regal in Red

6" x 8", pastel

These guys are just so gorgeous, but they seem to be even more so in the winter. Perhaps it is because they stand out more against the gray leafless trees.

Evening Ember

Evening Ember

20" x 10", pastel

I just love the sunsets we get to enjoy here in Texas, as I have said multiple times. This was the scene on an evening walk in the neighborhood back in the fall.

 

Texas Trio

 Texas Trio

18 x 24, pastel

This was a painting that was created from a number of photos that I took near my home. I am definitely not a "longhorn' fan (Gig'em!), but I loved painting these. All the angles, shadows and bone structures were a neat challenge. It found a home this past weekend and I hope they enjoy it as well.

Baby, It's Cold...

 Baby, It's Cold.....

8 x 6, pastel

This little titmouse was so very cold this past February when we experienced our 'snow-magedon'!!!

I was constantly putting birdseed out and water.....until we lost our water for days!! 

Think he/she is just too cute!!

Along the Fence Line

Along the Fence Line

12" x 9", pastel

Another typical scene in the spring in the Texas hill country. Love to drive the roads in search wild flowers in the spring.

Splendor in the SKy

 Splendor in the Sky

10" x 20", pastel

This was the scene one evening as I was heading home from the Gallerie at Gruene. Just had to give a try at recreating the splendor of the sunset. Fortunately, an art patron wanted it in their home!!

Cactus and Cedar

 Cactus and Cedar

8 x 10, pastel

This is a typical scene across quite a bit of Texas, at least here in the hill country. This was another of those that just sort of painted itself, perhaps because it is seen almost daily. Loved the cactus shapes!

Who Invited You?

 

 Who Invited You?

8" x 6", pastel

Frequently, the bird bath gets a little crowded around here. Happened to catch this cardinal with a less than pleased expression....at least in my opinion. It is rare to catch a titmouse in the photo reference, they do not stay in one place very long!

Woody's Hangout

 Woody's Hangout

12" x 6", pastel

Rarely, do paintings just flow, but fortunately this one did! From sketching out the first attempt, which  was a bit too big for the size I desired, to fast sketching it on the Uart pastel paper, to pastel application this one was just fun. Besides the fact that these woodpeckers clear out my bird feeders almost daily, I do enjoy them being around.

Cheyenne

 Cheyenne

12 x 9, pastel

Sometimes the most beloved family members are just not allowed at wedding venues, such is the case for sweet Cheyenne. So if she can't be there in person, she will be in spirit and art!! I was privileged to  create this image of this sweet pup so she can 'attend' the wedding ceremony. She is a sweety!