A View From My Window 16x12 pastel

I wish I had painted this from my window, but not possible.  So then it is the dependence on photos and memory.  I am feeling more and more that I need to make time to be out in plein air.  Oh, to be disciplined...

A Day At The Norton Simon

It was a fun day of looking around at art and the people that love art.  This was one of many scenes I saw that day.  Educating children about art is very dear to my heart.

This is a pastel on UArt paper.

16x12

Girl In Green

Sheila Is a lovely model that frequents our painting group.  I typically like to crop scenes like this for fear of space, but thought not this time.  Space is just hanging out there.  How to deal with it, can be challenging.  Will it over come the subject?  

After this session one of the other artists and I discussed background.  We spend lots of time covering up shelves with drape to take away what could be supportive to the figure architecturally.  That would help on layout and visual enhancement to the composition.  

Ken Howard is an artist whom I have enjoyed pouring over his work.  He places the figure in a room with tons going on and makes a fabulous statement.  His calligraphy in suggesting tools and desktop things is amazing.  His attention to value and color is exciting.  I have had my book for sometime.  Each time I open it I find something new to just wow me, that I had not noticed before.  

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12x16 oil on canvas

Katrina Study

This is a model study of Katrina.  I don't do anything to these painting after the session with the model.   There are always funky things that I am amazed I did not see in the process.  Our model Katrina is very kind in allowing photos.  So with this painting and the photos there may be the chance that I may revisit or start a new study.  Who knows...  My motivation feels low right now, but with the color study and photos I can come back to it later.

Oil on canvas 

Pleasant Afternoon

Pleasant Afternoon is the product of an afternoon painting session in Cynthia Grilli's backyard.  There were seven of us painting and just enjoying a beautiful day.  Everyday I get to paint is a beautiful day.

16x12 oil on canvas

Rainy Day At The Movies

Walking across the parking lot on a day that rain covered most of the hours makes for beautiful reflection on black top.  It feels very experimental to me.  My approach was fun with a strong under painting of darks in water base pigments from Guerra Paint and Pigments.  Then I went crazy with soft pastels.  Felt like therapy.

On The Mesa

Last night I had a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate for the Orange Art Association.  I was particularly nervous.  Once I got started it was like being in my studio.  Great group of artist looked and with great support.  

I demonstrated my under painting process and pastel application.  Every time I do something like this I have to think out my process.  I realize there is no formula and every painting speaks its own language.   Embracing my fear and using it to give the piece energy is a better path...And fun.

12x16 pastel on Uart paper

Mov'in To The Music

Music festivals like Lalapalooza take place in huge parks with enough land to accommodate several stage areas.  This keeps you moving all day following the music that you want to hear.  Throughout the day there are musical events happening on five and sometimes six stages so you follow the program and make the day what you want.  This is fun and involve an amazing amount of walking.  You may find yourself acres away from the next venue you want to see.  So you get up and move fast, grab a bite and run to get a good spot until the next time.  These performances go on into the late hours of the day.  I must say I pooped out and my husband and I had dinner and returned to the hotel and enjoyed the lights of the city on the way.  Now for the boys...They ventured into the early morning hours, enjoying the night life of Chicago.  What is a mother to do?

This is a 12x16 pastel which is more of a study for an oil I think.  It is a little rough and experimental.  I did it with an under painting that got covered up for the most part on an Ampersand white pastel board.  I like them as they are very stable.

I was drawn to the scale of the figure in the foreground and the buildings in the back ground.  I also took this photo while laying on the grass looking up which created a bit of an ants eye view.  I may have exaggerated that as he has a small head and big feet.  

So there it is for today.  Have a wonderful weekend. 

Leslie

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

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.  

Good Times

Freedom and fun out in the salty surf.  Good times are had and the memories last a life time.  We remember and we return with the next generation to enjoy the wonderful sensation all over again.  

There is a beautiful illumination that comes when using pastels on a sanded surface.  I love the richness of the medium.  Simply yummy.

12x16, pastel on ampersand pastelbord

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Little Black

16x12 pastel on pastelbord

A day painting, talking and sharing good food is a very fine day in my book.  Sunday was a day I spent with fellow artists Dana Cooper, Julie Hill and Kim Vanderhoek.  Julie turned her kitchen into a lovely place to paint and share thoughts and ideas.  We enjoyed seeing her fabulous studio.  She treated us to a wonderful home cooked meal and lovely ambiance.  It was a mini artist retreat.  This time together was inspiring and fun and much different than the daily life of a painter.  Kelley Sanford from N.C. came a calling and shared some time with us by phone. 

The still life and little black, as I call him, was sitting on Julie's (amazing and spacious) kitchen island.  I was drawn to the red flowers and ended up  loving little black the best.

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Fatigue

Fatigue, 16x12, pastel

Denise is a  regular at my model sessions.  I love setting up the scene.  Hanging fabric from a clothes line and moving furniture around is the fun of the set up.  Denise sat in this very comfortable chair and almost fell asleep.  I thought the glass in her hand suggested a long evening ending in reflection and fatigue.

I once again enjoyed the application of dispersion color as an under painting.  Pastels are always fun.  Love the feeling of dragging the pastel over the surface of the Ampersand, pastel board.  It was a fun day with lots of music and discussion among artists.

Welcome to Alta... The Place To Go

Starting this afternoon through the end of July,  my work will be on exhibit at Alta Coffee Warehouse & Roasting Co. on the Newport Peninsula.  This place is the place to go for great  organic coffee, desserts, wonderful food, nightly weekend entertainment and ART!   It is a jewel tucked away on 31st Street and a must when visiting the peninsula or anytime.

"The Place To Go", 16 x 12 oil is available at:

Alta Coffee Warehouse & Roasting CO.

506 31st St., Newport Beach, CA, 92659

(949) 675-0233

Rosy

16x12, oil, $195.00

I picked this bundle of red roses up at the grocery store and stuck them in a vase to see and enjoy all last weekend.  I started painting them on Mother's Day.  It was a wonderful day. I was served a lovely dinner and fabulous dessert in the company of 2 out of 3 of my boys, my husband, my mother, my sister, brother in law and beautiful niece.  I got to paint and share the day with folks I love.  

Santiago Creek Trail

16x12, Pastel on Wallis, sold

This is a trail my husband and I take often.  It takes us to many trails in Santiago Oaks Regional Park.  Hiking has become one of our favorite past times together and this park is too.  It is a hidden jewel only 7 minutes from home.

"SHORT CUT"

16x12, oil on raymar canvas, sold

This is a wonderful short cut through Peter's Canyon when I just can't go the distance.  I love the way the light comes through and brightens the path.  It is a forest of old soldiers standing at attention nestled by flora and fauna.  

I have been playing with color and pushing and pull at it or it at me.  I added a few new colors.  I used mineral violet and deep ultramarine along with terra verte to name a few.  I find I must change up my approach.  In truth, I love the exploration of process more than having a finished painting.  I may settle some day on a palette, but I doubt it.  Paint manufacturers love people like me.

"PERHAPS...APPLE PIE?"

16x12, oil on raymar canvas panel, $220.00

It is the season when apples are abundant.  So many different varieties.  I say Granny Smiths are one of my top favorites.  They make wonderful pie filling and have that bit of sour in each bite.  They also make yummy apple sauce.  Oh how I enjoy this time of year.