Leslie

This was a one day study.  Cynthia Grilli did a demo of Leslie and then we all dug in and had some fun.

Low Horizon

It feels so playful.  Lots of color.  This was late in the day on another trip to San Jose.  Driving and looking out the window at natures artwork.  This was a wonderful place to start exploring color.  I enjoyed mixing it up and laying it down.

18x18 pastel on Uart sanded paper

Trees On A Hill

Continuing the "Out The Window" landscapes.  I did this a while ago as a 6x6 in oil and decided to try it again larger at 18x18 in pastel on Uart Paper mounted on foam core.  I did do an under painting, with water based pigments, that shows through in places, but for the most part it is pastel.  

I love working with a square format.  It seems to keep me on the page.  I need to think about that more, so I will get back to you on that.  Right now it just feels right to me.

18x18 pastel

Color Play

This little 8x6 was painted from another photograph of our drive to San Jose.  It was late in the day and very gray so I decided to push the color around on iphoto.  I liked the yellow sky and left the photo enhanced to work out the painting.  Certainly changed my feeling about the day and I love the fun color.

Patty and little Oliver

I enjoyed my pastels and the application on this little sketch.  It was a happy and silly day with fellow artists.  I laughed and it was just wonderful.  The experience is often more important than the original purpose.  I'm still laughing and smiling.

10x8, soft pastel

Cloud Cover

Here is a 6x6 pastel of Central California.  This was a day of mighty clouds that towered over the land.  Fun to observe and wonder how to paint.  I find clouds somewhat tricky with their bellowing shapes and values.  I will keep at it and hopefully get to where I can paint them on a larger surface with confidence.

Sweet Max

This sweet little boy is the delight of a wonderful family.  He was commissioned as a birthday gift.  Max is up in years and has lost his hearing.    I followed him around at a party and took photos for this portrait.  This shot shows his adorable ears up and ready to follow all he loves so very much.

12x12, oil

Sold

Late In The Day

Working small on this 4 x 6 inch Uart board in pastel is challenging. I think, sometimes, that it is silly to work so small. Then after I get started I realize that it is exactly what I needed. I often approach my easel with an overwhelming feeling. Fear, excitementI or the weight of the day I suppose . Carrying all of life with me to be expressed here on this 2 dimensional surface. I want to say something quiet, but expressive. I am not a producer of daily art. Those artists amaze me as they return every day to a blank canvas and have something to say so beautifully and relatable. If my heart is heavy and my emotions are at the forefront, it is necessary to take these steps with small works. It is like holding my breath. So a small piece gives me confidence. They often move quickly from one to the next and to the next. In a short time there is the feeling of accomplishment. Paint or pastel to a surface is the way I move through life. It is how I express myself no matter the size. Not always a perfect expression, but with every stroke comes enlightenment and encouragement. I love art!

Passing Rows of Growing Stuff

Like I have been saying for a few posts, I like looking out the window of my car.  Passing rows of trees is really optical at 70 miles per hour.  The rows flash by.  I would love to tell you what's growing here, but I'm not sure.

14x11, pastel

Open Sky

Working in pastel and experimenting with stroke application.  This is another scene from my car window between L.A. and San Jose.  I love the visual space.

18x18, pastel, "Open Sky"

Aware

A couple of weeks ago I started going to Cynthia Grilli's for inspiration and guidance with the figure and the portrait.  It has been a process of decisions.  First I had to remember why I was there.   I want to let go of what has been safe.  Do I need to constantly prove I can draw by doing only what I know?  So I get out of my comfort zone to revitalize and that is a good thing.  I mean what if I push and lay down color, value and temperatures that make me scream out loud.  I can tell you in the process of this painting I let go of a likeness and fought with emotional attachments to explore palette knife textures and scraping with those rubber carving tools.   I laid down thick yellows and found every part of me tingling with fear and excitement.  My whole body felt alive and I was sort of lost and did not care...maybe a little.  I am going to stick with this and hopefully carry this to my pastels too.  We will see what happens.  All I know is it is time to let go and see what the process will bring.  

Preparing to Dance

This is Katrina. A very talented model and artist.  I worked on this Monday at our model session.  I enjoyed lots of things about painting Katrina.  Increasing intensity in the flesh of the shadows was one and feeling a little freer with brush work.  The surface quality looks richer in person.  One thing I realized is that I never paint hands and have avoided doing so.  Not a good idea, so I must start looking and understanding. This creates a new item on a long list of personal creative to do's.  

14x11, oil

Sunset Storm on Central Valley

 A few times a year my husband and I travel up to San Jose to pick up or drop off our son Spencer at SJSU.  When I am not in the drivers seat, I love looking out the window at this vast landscape of California.  It is our farm land.  From raisins to garlic the land has purpose.  These mountains divide the valley from the coast.  The otherwise flat land seems to rise up to the sky like hands reaching for God.  This is a gift to see, as much of the days travels seem visually similar.  Looking out the window and watching as the land and it's occasional landmark flash by is a quiet meditation for me.  There in that valley is something that fills me with life and purpose and the feeling of being.  

So to the snicker-doodle king, Spencer, thank you, xoxox m

12x12 pastel on ampersand pastel board. 

Before the Reception

Went in to see the show today so that I could get a photo. My friend Arleen took this of me and my work at Copperwood. The work in the show is fantastic. It was nice to see the work without the crowds. So tomorrow I can enjoy the event and visit with guests and the other artists.

Artist Reception- No Woman Stands Alone

Copperwood Artware

I am happy to be a part of such a wonderful art exhibit.  The artist reception is February 4 from 6 to 9 in down town Orange, California.  The exhibit will hang from February 3 through March 31.  If you are in the area check out the wonderful work.

Care Free, work 14x16, framed pastel

Reaching, work 14x18, framed pastel