Hunkered Down...seagulls

Jayne and I got together to paint last night and I did this one from one of my seagull photos. I love shore birds of all kinds but especially seagulls. To me they have so much personality. I know that some people consider them to be pests...I love them because when I see one, then I know I am back near the ocean. We don't have seagulls in North Georgia! I call this one 'Hunkered Down' because that's what these three gulls are doing. I remember that is was a cool, windy and gray day at the beach...I came across these three nestled together on the sand trying to be sheltered from the wind. I will probably work on this some more...I'm not sure I like the middle one.
Oh, and Jayne and I decided we would like a demo in Pastel class on ocean water and waves/beach!

Thoughts on Composition

I have started to think about what I want to focus on regarding art for 2006. One of the things I love about painting is the learning that is involved. We are always learning and growing as artists. This coming year I am planning to attend two workshops...one with Terry Ludwig and one with Albert Handell. I am excited about both! Any trips that I take will be with plein air painting in mind. I am waiting to hear if there is an opening on a painting trip to France. (long story!) But if that falls through...I will figure out a plan B.
I just saw a post by my teacher, Marsha Savage, on wet canvas. She is going to focus on Composition this year. That sounds good to me! When I was studying photography, composition was a big part of it. Once you knew how to get the proper exposure, and the light was right...the main thing you had to concentrate on was having a good composition. I think this training has helped me now that I am painting.....but, I don't usually think about my compositions...so focusing on this should only help me!

Here is an quote from a book I am currently reading...(Marsha, I was reading this before I read your post...isn't that funny!) "Intuitive Composition" by Albert Handell:

"Allow your feelings and sensitivity to flow freely at all times. Paint only what inspires you. Continue to develop your ability to see, which in turn will develop and enhance your intuition. Strong designs and good compsositions will result."

Avalon Pier Finished

Actually this photo came out a little dark...the grasses are lighter in real life. This is the finished painting of the Avalon Pier. It was a hot, hazy but breezy summer day at the Jersey Shore. I remember standing on the walkway to the beach feeling the warm breeze. I took several pictures of the scene...wishing I was out there on the beach reading a book under one of those colorful umbrellas!

Avalon Part 2

Now for part 2! I decided to do an alcohol wash for this painting. I just painted over my pastel with rubbing alcohol. Now I have a good base to work on. I haven't done any painting today. I came across a site for Garden Art and now my head is spinning with all kinds of projects! I want to work on my backyard this spring...add some new plants and some birdhouses and of course I need to have a bottle tree.....oh if there were only more hours in the day!

Avalon Pier work in Progress

As promised, here is the first step of my Avalon Pier painting. This is my first layer of hard pastels. There will be some people and colorful beach umbrellas on the beach. This is from a photo I took a couple of summers ago. I am hoping for a colorful, fun beach painting. I will be posting step 2 shortly.

My First House Painting

I've painted houseboats and lighthouses...but this was my first house commission. It was for a Christmas surprise and I hope they were pleased. It was fun to do. I will be returning to 'beach' mode as I start a painting of the Avalon Pier for another commission. I'll try to do that as a work in progress so you can see the steps I take. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Island..a quick little study

I only had about 30 minutes today to paint but I couldn't resist doing a painting of a palm tree with Christmas lights. So I did this quick little one from my imagination. Caitlin came home from school and saw it up on the easel and said it reminded her of that song 'Christmas Island'. Now I can't get the song out of my head! It's on Jimmy Buffet's Christmas CD ....but it's also on Ella Fitzgerald's 'A Swingin Christmas' CD...I love that one!!! Tomorrow I have good intentions of painting something....I have a new commission I need to work on so maybe I'll do that as a work in progress. Stay tuned!

Arches National Park...Finished!

I need help with a title! I seem to have trouble coming up with good titles for my paintings. I'll have to think about this one for a bit. I finished this one this morning after working on it for three class sessions...a record for me! I really didn't mind taking my time on this one but for me to work like that, I think the subject matter really has to call to me as this one did. Arches National Park and the Moab, Utah area is one of my favorite places to visit. When you see Arches for the first time, the size and brilliant colors of the rocks are almost unbelievable. It seems as if you are on another planet. Each Arch and rock formation is like a sculpture. If you are there at sunset or late afternoon, you will be treated to an amazing display of color....the rocks seem to be on fire with blazing reds and oranges. It's an unforgettable sight. I have tried to capture the colors and scale of the arches in this painting. It is special to me because the figures you see are actually my two children. Arches was one of their favorite National Parks as well! I hope you enjoy this painting. Thanks Marsha for your insight and help...let me know if I missed anything!

New Technical Stuff

Today I am in the mood to paint something BIG! I have a full sheet of canson paper and I am just going to have some fun! But first I have to go do some Christmas shopping...hopefully I won't be out all day so I can paint!

Here are some new things I've added to my blog.........
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If you are familiar with RSS , you can add me to your feeds through feedburner. The link is also on the right.
And now you can feel free to add comments to my postings without being a blogger member. Just click on the comment button under each post. I love to hear what you think!

The Year in Review

'Plein Air Daisies'

This week on Wet Canvas, which is an art site I love to follow, (see link on sidebar) everyone on the Pastel Forum was invited to submit their favorite or most meaningful painting of 2005. I chose this one because I feel it was the most meaningful painting for me. I started taking lessons with Marsha Savage last January and it was the best thing I could have done! I dicovered quickly that I really loved pastels. They suited me and it was so much fun! But it wasn't until I took a Plein Air Workshop at Marsha's cabin in Blue Ridge, Georgia...that I really decided to get serious about my painting. I realized how important it was for me to paint. It was the perfect creative outlet for me...and believe me, I have tried everything over the years! (this was also where Jayne & I discovered that we were kindred spirits..and for that I am grateful) This painting of the daisies was done on location at the home of Mrs. Parks in Blue Ridge. I was packing up my supplies after a morning of painting plein air with the group. I couldn't resist trying to do a quick study of the daisies. So I set my easel up and quickly painted them. It just seemed to flow for me and it was so enjoyable. I was thrilled when during the critique, Marsha said she wouldn't mind owning this painting. I realized that perhaps I had something to offer with my paintings.

Arches National Park part three

Here is the latest version of the painting I am working on at my pastel class. Scroll down if you missed the first two steps. Last night I added some color with my hard pastels trying to remember to keep the colors the right values. Then Marsha had me decide which area would be the focal point so that I could be sure to have the greatest contrast there. (By the way I just read an excellent article in one of Jayne's old pastel magazines about contrast. I'll try to sum it up in a later post.) Next I began with my softer pastels and did the sand. I am currently working on the rocks. For some reason I feel a little bit inhibited on this one. Maybe because I am supposed to be taking it slow..I don't feel as brave. But I suppose I need to learn to be more thoughtful so it becomes second nature to my brave and fearless side!

Limited Palette Exercise

'Palm & Periwinkles'

When I paint, I usually put each pastel that I use on the tray of my easel. This way, if I want to use the color again in the same painting...I don't have to search for it in my big box. Today I decided to paint a little painting using only the pastels I had out from my last painting (see earlier post) This is the result....a palm tree and some periwinkle flowers I found on Sanibel Island. Oh, I see I cheated a bit.....I had to use a purple from my big box for the Periwinkles!

What I'm Reading This Week

I love books! I have shelves of books in almost every room of my home. Most of them are travel books but now I am building my collection of art books. This week I am reading the book 'Painting With Passion' by Carole Katchen. She showcases 15 artists who explain how they bring passion to their work. Here is a quote from Carole Katchen which sums it up......

"There is Painting. And there is Art. The difference, often, is heart."

I really like that! I'd like to share a passage from the book which really made me think!

"It is possible to live one's life joyously without art. It is possible to enjoy the simple activities that we all share as human beings - eating the perfect piece of apple pie, paying off the mortgage, wiping away tears at a movie...Life is always a gift.
But for the artist, life is more. It is a glorious adventure. Every moment is a treat for the eye. We are touched by the passion for color; a majenta sunset or a cerulean blue flower can take your breath away. We are gifted with reverence for light, watching with fascination as morning sunlight drifts through the kitchen window. And perhaps most miraculous, we are gifted with the need to celebrate our passion with marks on paper or canvas."

SeaBreeze

I had a burst of energy tonight so I did this little 5 x7 painting. I call it SeaBreeze because I can just feel the salty air blowing across the water kicking up the waves. I love going down to the ocean and breathing in the fresh salty air...listening to the crashing surf and the call of the gulls...it is totally rejuvenating!

Under the Tiki Hut

The best part of a day on the beach is sunrise and sunset. I love early morning walks on the beach. Especially on Sanibel Island. I like to get out early with my camera and a bag in case I find any good shells. I love sharing the beach with the egrets and ospreys and a few dedicated shellers. This Tiki hut was outside our beach cottage. I took a picture of it as the morning sun started to light up the sand. How fun it is to paint these beach scenes when I am shivering in my studio!

Today's Painting

'Beach Shadows'

Today I had some time to paint...finally! I have been working on a commission for a Christmas present and finished it this morning. I would love to share it with you but I am going to have to wait until after Christmas! I also had a visitor to my studio to see my work in person. She found me on Ebay and since she lived locally she came to choose her paintings in person. We are currently working on the details...but she is interested in a larger piece which is very exciting for me! Today...I did have a chance to just play so I did a Sanibel beach scene. This photo is darker than real life even though it is in the shadows. I have something else planned for tommorrow if I get the chance so come back and see what's new!

Part 2 Arches National Park

This is part 2 of my work in progress from pastel class. In this step I lightly sketched in the position of the slickrock with my trusty #305 Spruce Blue Nupastel. Then with the pastel on it's side I indicated where all the darks are. As you can see, this painting will be mostly darks. Then I chose a few light blues and indicated where my sky will be...still using hard pastels. Finally, I used a light peachy color to show where all the light areas will be. Next thing I think I will do is start to add some color to the dark areas...but they have to all be dark values. I won't get to do this until next week so stay tuned!

A New Work in Progress

I started a new painting last night in my pastel class. For this painting, Marsha...our teacher...wants us to take it sloooooow. Instead of diving right in, we are going to be thoughtful and try to resolve any problems up front. So to begin, she had us choose a landscape photo. I decided to do this one I took at Arches National Park a few years ago. She had us first do a thumbnail sketch but only in dark and light so we could be sure the painting would have pleasing shapes and a good design. This is my black & white pencil version. This will be a good experience for me since I tend to want to paint fast!!! It will be hard for me to leave it alone until next week!

Birdwatching!

That's what I imagine these five palm trees are doing! I saw them at the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, Florida. The refuge is a haven for birds and whenever I visit the island, I make a stop in hopes of spotting a rare bird or two. I always come away with some photos and these trees caught my eye on my last visit. This painting will be listed in my ebay store (see link on right) If you are interested in purchasing some art for holiday gifts be sure to check out the work I have for sale!

A Warm Painting!

'View to Orient Beach'

It is Cold here today in Georgia! Cold and rainy! The perfect day to paint something warm and tropical. I went through pictures from my recent Caribbean cruise and decided to try this one. It is St. Martin... I can't remember if we were still on the Dutch side of the island but I do remember that in the distance you can see the famous Orient Beach. This was a spot where a few tour buses were stopped. I wandered around taking some pictures and looking for treasure. I only found a piece of sea glass but since I love to collect sea glass...it was a success for me! This painting is 9 x 12 on Wallis paper.

Time to Paint!

I can't believe a week has flown by and I just now have something to post! It's been a hectic week with no time to play! Well actually Jayne and I did get together one evening to divide up the set of pastels we bought....that is a whole other story! We were somewhat disappointed with our purchase. We got the Great American Richard McDaniel set because I like the GA's and we both liked the colors he uses. Well the set arrived and almost half the colors had been substituted with other colors. If that wasn't bad enough, when we broke them in half to split them...many of them shattered. I never had this problem with this brand before. In this set some were the old rounded shape and some were square. We wonder if they are changing their line somehow. We are going to contact the company and see what's up. Neither of us was happy with our practice painting...although I used them in this painting that I am posting and they were fine...so we shall see.

This painting is of Cape Cod National Seashore. I came across the photo in one of my old picture frames...from one of our summer trips. I love the Cape Cod area and I'm thinking about planning a trip there for next September.