Another SC Plein Air Painting SOLD

'Hazy Morning on the Marsh' 5x7 pastel

We had a great spot to paint at Huntington Beach State Park. We set up on the boardwalk over look that jutted out from the middle of the causeway. One side of the causeway was a freshwater marsh filled with alligators! The other side was a saltwater marsh. This painting is a quick one I did of the saltwater side.

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South Carolina Low Country Plein Air

'Spring at the Marsh' 9x12 pastel

I am back from a wonderful painting trip to the South Carolina coast. Jayne, Holly & I had the best time exploring, painting, laughing....we agree that we couldn't be a better match and we look forward to many painting trips together and visits to Wendys!!! As promised here is the first installment of my plein air paintings I did. We only painted one day, we explored and took photos the first day. I did manage to paint 1o...and I know Jayne and Holly did several as well. We were quite productive! This is a view of the freshwater marsh at Huntington Beach State Park near Pawley's Island, SC. I will be posting more with more commentary so stay tuned!

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Water Lilies in Bloom SOLD

I am writing from the hotel again tonight after a full day of painting plein air. We started at 8 am and finished at 6pm. I think I painted 10 paintings today! I'll start posting them tomorrow when I get home so here is another one I did a few months ago. There were waterlilies at the garden we visited but they weren't blooming yet. This one is 9x12 on LaCarte paper.

Sanibel Island Sea Shells 2

'In with the Morning Tide' 12x12 pastel

I am posting to the blog tonight from the hotel in Georgetown South Carolina. We had a long day exploring and taking photos. Tomorrow we will go back to our favorite places to paint. I am sharing a painting I did from my trip last summer to Sanibel Island. I love painting shells and this is one of my favorite paintings. I will try to post a plein air work tomorrow.

First Plein Air of the Season

'The Secret Path' 9x12 pastel

At class Tuesday evening we had a chance to paint outside in the little park at the Smyrna Community Center. We didn't arrive until after 6:00 pm and the light was changing fast. I couldn't find anything that I wanted to paint either. But I am not one to give up. I set up in front of the pond hoping something would hit me and when I turned around to get my pastels out I saw this view. The trees were backlit by the setting sun and this little house was peeking out from the trees. I had my subject! It was a fun class and a great way to get in the frame for my plein air paintng trip this weekend!

Siamese Cat Blue Eyes Pastel Painting

'Blue Eyes' 6x9 pastel

Cat's eyes are just amazing! They are all beautiful of course but there is something magical about the blue eyes of a siamese cat. Wouldn't it be fun to paint just cat eyes!! I'll have to put that on my list! I am heading out to the South Carolina coast for a painting get away with Jayne & Holly. I plan to keep posting so look for our trip report!

A Photo to Share

I wanted to share a photo I took of Jayne's Bluebird 'Daddy Boo'. I visited her the other evening and watched as she fed the bluebirds meal worms. They came very close to us as you can see. They are feeding their babies so they are quite busy. Next week I plan on setting up my camera by the nesting box to get a different angle. I took many photos and do plan on painting some soon!

Beach Dunes Daily Pastel Painting

'Summer Haze' 8x10 pastel

This is from an older photo I took at the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge Two-Mile Unit. It was a hazy and hot summer day and this spot was a quiet oasis just next to the Wildwood Boardwalk. The dunes and beaches were protected for the piping plovers I believe. I can't wait for my South Carolina trip so I can get back to the ocean!

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Painting a Pelican

'Pelican Preening' 5x7 pastel

I suppose I am in a bird mood today. I never know what will strike me when going through my photos looking for somethng to paint....today it was a pelican! I was actually looking through my osprey photos but changed my mind when I saw this guy. I had fun cropping my photos looking for different compositions and I have another one planned for tomorrow.

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Daily Painting....Orange Hibiscus

'Tropical Flavor' 5x7 pastel

Another one of my ongoing series is of Hibiscus Flowers...I just love to paint them. The flavor of the day...is orange. I wish we could grow them here in Atlanta. But maybe it makes me appreciate them all the more when I get to see them!

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Low Country Dunes

'Morning Dunes' 8x10 pastel

I have been trying out different papers in preparation for my plein air trip to South Carolina next week. This one was painted on LaCarte paper which I love. It was different for landscapes though. I think I will bring a combinaion of papers and gatorfoam supports. I am gettting excited to get out there and paint!

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My First Goldfinch

'An Afternoon Visitor' 5x7 pastel

The birds have finally discovered my feeders and there are now many visitors. I am especially fond of the Goldfinches. The yard has been filled with them this week. I have had my camera out and ready and this afternoon I finally got some good shots. I painted this one from one of the photos I took. He was waiting patiently for his turn at the feeder. I got a good shot of him and a female that I will paint as well.

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A Look into My Studio

Here is a picture of one of my work areas. I have been asked how I manage to find time to paint so much. Mostly it's because I stay prepared. I always have plenty of reference photos and prepared paper handy and I leave my pastels and supplies in easy reach. So when the opportunity arises I don't have to hunt for supplies and take time to get set up. When I work on the 5x7's and smaller paintings, I just paint at my desk with a towel on my lap. Iused to have my pastels better organized in one box but I have yet to integrate some of my newer sets into the big box...so that's what the mess is all about.

The Osprey's Nest Pastel Painting

'The Osprey's Nest' 5x7 pastel

The Osprey is my absolute favorite bird. I saw my first osprey when I was a child on a drive to the Florida Keys. I have been fascinated by them ever since. I seek them out wherever I go and I have been lucky enough to see them on lake near my home. By far the best place for osprey watching is Sanibel Island. The ospreys fishing the beach were so plentiful that they were like seagulls...they were everywhere you looked and the air was filled with their call of 'chee chee'. I have a photo I took of this particular osprey nest that I would love to paint. It has the female in the nest with two babies and the male delivering a fish to the family. It's on my list to paint someday!

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron Painting

'Breakfast Walk' 5x7 pastel

I was surprised to come across the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron on the beach in front of our cottage on Sanibel Island. I thought they prefered the mangroves and salt marshes but there he was strolling down the beach early one morning. I took my photo and he flew off...but he made my day!

Daily Pastel Painting....Path to the Shore

'Path to the Shore' 9x12 pastel

It has been awhile since I painted a beach scene and I want to warm up before my trip to the South Carolina coast next week. Beach paths and fences are some of my favorite subjects to paint and when I saw this scene I knew I would enjoy painting it. I did take some liberties with the pathway but I hope it draws you in and makes you want to see what is on the other side of the dunes.

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Daily Pastel Painting...Sunflower

'A Portrait of a Sunflower' 5x7 pastel

I haven't painted a sunflower in awhile and this one just spoke to me. I liked the different view of this flower. The other day I almost bought a bouquet of sunflowers at the grocery store but I knew I wouldn't have time to paint them. I will do it soon though!

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News to Share

I have good news to share with you. These two paintings have been accepted into the Southeastern Pastel Society's 2007 Members' Juried Exhibition. The opening reception is on June 2, 2007 at 7pm at Art Station in Stone Mountain Georgia. Terry Ludwig is the juror. I am excited to be able to be a part of this show...now I have to get them framed! The top painting, 'Afternoon Clouds' has already been sold. The bottom one 'Blue Ridge Daisies' was based on a plein air painting I did in the Blue Ridge mountains and has special meaning for me so I am happy it was accepted.

Daily Pastel Painting...Cup of Coffee

'The First Cup' 6x6 pastel

Here is another painting from the ongoing series I am doing based on a visit from room service. I am enjoying this series! Here is a painting of my first cup of coffee of the morning. I have sold two paintings in the series but the pancakes and chair are still available! I have several more ideas yet to come.

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New ACEO...Panda and Bamboo SOLD

I couldn't resist painting this panda when I saw his picture. This is just a mini at 2.5 x 3.5 inches but I think I'd like to paint a larger version! I am still working on my Banana tree but taxes and shopping for new appliances got in the way of painting this weekend!

Bird Nest #3...Close up View

'Feathering her Nest' 5x7 pastel

Jayne gave me a wonderful photo of a Sparrow's nest. It was a close-up view of the eggs covered with feathers, grasses and soft down. I couldn't wait to paint my version of her photo and here is the result. She will be on the hunt for more bird nests in her yard this year! Now I am changing gears and working on a larger painting of a banana tree flower...the colors are totally opposite from the soft colors in this painting.

New ACEO St. Thomas Charlotte Amalie SOLD

'Million Dollar View' 2.5x3.5 pastel

This little painting is from a photo I took of the view from the top of the 99 steps in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI. These little shacks with the red roofs are deserted and in disrepair...but the view is simply amazing!

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Santa Fe Adobe

'Through The Gate' 8x10 pastel

I am gearing up for our trip out west this summer so I ordered a new set of Great American pastels...the Southwest set...and I just had to try them out! I think I will make up a small set with these and a few other choice Ludwigs and Giraults to take with me on the trip. I am excited about the itinerary I am planning. It has a good mixture of scenery and activities. We will be flying into Denver and renting a car and doing a 10 day loop. We first head down to Santa Fe & Taos then back up to Colorado with a stop at Great Sand Dunes National Park. We'll spend three nights in a cabin outside of Buena Vista Colorado...the best part is the cabin has it's own hot springs pool...Heaven! Then on to Ouray, CO one of my favorite places on earth...where we will spend 3 nights before heading back to Denver. I can' wait!

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One more cat...A Calico!

'Ceara the Queen' 8x10 pastel

Ceara was our first cat. It's a long story but I was helping my sister with these orphaned calico kittens and somehow Ceara ended up staying. I never thought she would tolerate another cat in the house but we now have 4 others and she loves the company...but she is still the queen!

Bird Nest #3 A House Finch's Nest

'Amongst the Ferns' 5x7 pastel

The House Finch 's nest sites are varied. They use twigs, grasses and debris placed in tree cavities, birdboxes, ledges. They are fond of building their nests in hanging baskets like the one found in this hanging fern. They typically lay 4-5 eggs which are pale bluish green sparingly spotted with black. I am planning a House Finch painting to go along with this nest.

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The Beach at Harbor Island, SC

'South Carolina Sea Oats' 8x10 pastel

I remember thinking that I had never seen such perfect sea oats before. They were tall and thick and just covering the dunes on Harbor Island. I can't wait to go back to the coast and paint some more! Jayne, Holly and I will be traveling in a couple of weeks back to the South Carolina Coast. This time we will explore Pawley's Island and the surrounding areas. We are very excited about getting back to paint the beaches and salt marshes. I am trying to practice for painting plein air by getting my landscapes simple with out too much fussy details. This painting is done on LaCarte paper. Right now on the easel or in my head...are threee things....the comission I am working on which is half done, another nest and another one of my cats...my pretty calico, Ceara. So, I will be busy this week!

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Cat #3 Jazzpurr

'Sleepy' 8x10 pastel

Here is another one of my cats, Jazzpurr. I caught him one afternoon laying by the window in the late afternoon sun. I loved how the light made him so warm and soft looking so I took several photos of him. I liked this crop of his face with his half black and half pink nose.

Daily Painting....Bluebirds SOLD

'You can do it!' 5x7 pastel

My friend Jayne has a pair of Bluebirds nesting in her yard and it is my goal to get some good photos of them. She is feeding them meal worms so soon they will be coming to her on a regular basis and it will be easier to get photos. In the meantime I painted this one of a daddy Bluebird enticing the baby in the nest box. They are such beautiful little birds and a joy to paint!

Painting a Tortoiseshell Cat

'Angel in the Basket' 8x10 pastel

Angel is another one of my cats. She adopted us one Christmas. It was below freezing and this pitiful Tortoiseshell cat decided to sit on our front steps. Of course she knew that we had to take her inside where she promptly curled up on my lap. She had a plan I just know it! Angel has a serious almost mean look but she really is the sweetest cat. Next I will paint Jennifur's brother Jazzpurr...a big sweet boy!

Red-Winged Blackbird Painting

As promised, here is the bird to go along with his nest. Here is a male red-winged Blackbird perched on a cattail. The males can be monogamous but some may mate to 2 or 3 females. The eggs are incubated entirely by the female for 10-12 days. This painting is 5x7 on LaCarte paper.

Red-Winged Blackbird Nest

'Nest in Cattails' 5x7 pastel

I have been wanting to paint another nest but it was just a matter of deciding what kind and learning about what they look like. I chose a Red-Winged Blackbird's nest because I like them and I thought their eggs were beautiful. This painting is from my imagination after doing research about what kind of nest this bird builds. They like to build their nests in cattails, rushes and reeds near the water. They lay 3-4 eggs that are pale bluish green mottled with purple. To go along with the nest I have a painting of a male Red-wing perched on a cattail so check back later!

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Daily Painting...Sunrise at the Beach

'Sunrise, Bird's-EyeView' 8x10 pastel

Imagine you were a gull flying over the dunes as the sun just peeks above the horizon. The air is still cool but the sun promises a beautiful blue sky day. This painting is my first try at painting a landscape on my favorite paper, LaCarte. I chose not to blend and I like how the texture and color of the paper becomes part of the painting. I will do more of these LaCarte landscapes!

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Painting of the Day...Room Service

'The Room with a View' 8x10 pastel

I've been wanting to try an interior scene and the reference photo for this painting has been in my stack for awhile. I loved how the morning light was streaming in through the window. I remember my breakfast was getting cold while I took photos of the table and food! This is 8x10 on LaCarte paper.

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Balanced Rocks & Feather

'A Delicate Balance' 8x10 pastel

Here is my version of the stack of rocks my son set up for his drawing assignment. I couldn't resist giving this a try though he had the better view! I love these rocks. I brought them all the way from a trip out to the Oregon Coast a few summers ago. We came across a beach outside of Cannon Beach Oregon where there were stacks and stacks of rocks. We added our own rock towers and took some photos. What a great place that was!

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