Under Painting to Pastel

I continue to work in pastels in preparation for a demonstration and half day workshop.  We will be studying under painting and how it can support the  underlying plan of our composition.  

Here is the under painting.

Next is with pastel.

Here is the completed painting.

Just Before the Flowers Die

It's day two with these tulips for me.  They actually have been in my studio since my class last Thursday.  They have given their all.  So today I did the second and last completed pastel with with them.  

Here is the under paint and pastel process.

Lola

Love these dogs.  Such expressive eyes.

Weir Canyon

I have been exploring this week, painting the same scene several times.  It did not seem to come any easier with the progression.  Each one carried it's own set of problems.  From painting to painting shapes morphed and the emphasis changed.  I though I would post this one because it is the last one.  It is the largest one being a 12x12.  

This exercise reminds me of my childhood.  If I liked something I drew I would draw it over and over.  I remember being so proud that I wanted to sent them all off to my relatives in New York.  I would love to have that feeling back.

Weir Canyon is a beautiful hiking area not far from me near Anaheim Hills.  It is a favorite place for my husband and I to hike.

oil, 12x12

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

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. 

Bird On The Edge

A local bird just hopping around waiting to jump off the edge for a morsel of food to drop at our local coffee house.  I am amazed at the brazen  behavior of these chubby birds.  

This is 12x12 pastel on Uart sanded paper with an under painting of compliments.  I covered most of the painting with pastel.  Sometimes I love how the under painting comes through and other times it just acts as a guide and gets covered.

Forgotten Road

Forgotten Road is from a hike that Dana Cooper and I took sometime last year.  We decided to explore a road off the regular path at Irvine Park.  It was a fun hike that took us out of the park and on to a local highway.  

Forgotten Road, pastel, 12x12
Donated to United Society of Pastel Painters

Sunset On The Santa Barbara Mesa

Santa Barbara has some of the most beautiful coastline.  This is a stretch of beach below Mesa.  I was out on a walk through a forest area up on the mesa.  It was just wonderful.  At the end of the walk was a set of stairs down to the beach.  It was perfect timing for a wonderful sunset.

This was a demonstration pastel I did as part of an evening gala and concert series in collaboration with Enderle Center and Chemers Gallery in Tustin.  I currently have six framed pastel paintings on display and for sale at Chemers Gallery.

12x12, pastel

Available through Chemers Gallery 

In Enderle Center Since 1978
17300 Seventeenth Street, Suite G, Tustin, CA 92780
714.731.5432     info@chemersgallery.com

Studies

12x12 oil studies of Jake

Quicker

12x12, oil, sold

This is Quicker, a lively, but camera shy pooch.  He is the loyal friend of a dear friend of mine.  Still working on him.  Think I am down to a few strokes. 

Onto chicken painting for DPW.  That will be a first for me. 

With Thought of Bischoff

12x12, oil, sold

Sunday was the last day of the Bischoff show in Pasadena.  My husband and I drove up in the rain and the down pour on the way back.  It was a show I so enjoyed with some of the most beautiful rose painting s I have ever seen.  I went for the landscapes and was delighted with the roses.  Just a gorgeous exhibit.

METABOLIC RUSH

12x12, pastel on wallis

I did this scene in oil in a 6x6 few weeks ago and thought I would try it in pastel with a cooler palette.  I am a heavy handed pastelist and tend to lay down color heavy with wide strokes.  My problem is then I want to fuss.  Yesterday I took this to a meeting of a group I belong to that is nurturing and filled with wonderful people.  The purpose of the group started with the idea of being a monthly critique.  So for years I have brought my work and enjoyed the feed back.  Along with the wonderful friendships that have been made.  

So I started this yesterday and did not feel done and everyone said stop.  It was fresh and loose with confident application.  I can be stubborn and insisted I needed to continue working.  Well I am here to say I liked it better before.  Mostly I liked the surface quality.  Lesson learned to sit with something that does not feel comfortable until it settles in and the wisdom shared is utilized to the best interest of the painting.  It made me think that I was not in the moment of what was happening before me and more lost in an idea or concept without a clear plan.  I think some call that noodling.

SOMETHING TO BRIGHTEN ANY DAY

12x12, oil, $180.00

Color color color...so much fun.  This painting just brightens my fireplace mantle.  that is where all my painting sit to be looked at and looked at some more.  This one makes me happy.

Wes 12X12 oil