Wildflowers by the Roadside

'A Wild Patch' 8x10 pastel

This pretty patch of wildflowers were growing by the side of the highway up near Murphy, North Carolina. My husband and I were on a Miata ride when I saw the riot of color. We had to pull over and get some photos. One of my goals for 2010 is to do more plein air painting so next time I won't just take pictures....I'll try to paint them! Speaking of Plein air, I have finalized the dates for my plein air workshop. It will be held the weekend of May 14,15 and 16th in Murphy, NC. I have some great locations for us to paint and lodging at a great cabin will be included. I will be posting details but if you are interested let me know and I'll email them to you.

A New Daisy Painting

'Crazy Daisies' 6x6 pastel

I am calling this one 'Crazy Daisies' because I had so much fun with the underpainting....I went a little crazy! I used my new Schmincke watercolors and I sure can tell the difference from the student grade set I had been using. You can see how intense and vibrant the colors are. It made putting the pastel on just like frosting a cake. I used Great Americans for the pastels.

If you are thinking about taking a class or workshop in the new year, be sure to have a look at my workshop blog www.pastelworkshops.blogspot.com I have a couple of exciting announcments that will be coming in the next few days!

North Georgia Mountains Landscape Painting

'The Road Home' 8x10 pastel

Today's painting is a commission I did of the road to the client's cabin. I did a watercolor wash underpainting on wallis paper. I love painting our mountains and I am excited that Corey is taking a weekend trip to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and will take lots of photos for me! He has a great eye so it will be fun to see what he gets for me.

Back to my Variation Challenge

'Variation #70' 5x7 pastel

I am anxious to get back to my 100 variation challenge project but the holidays have gotten in the way. I did manage to paint number 70 and to prepare 6 more boards. I am so close to finishing but I have a lot going on now with commissions and class planning. I will give myself until the end of the month to finish. I already have a great idea for my next challenge as well as some new additions to the blog so please stay tuned!

If you haven't seen my other 69 paintings please visit my challenge blog at www.milesofcanvas.blogspot.com

Close-up of another Mini Pastel

Today's painting is a close-up of another mini painting/aceo I did last week. Still no painting time for me. I will be starting to get antsy but this studio reorganizing is needed! Today I got three new shelf units and I am in the process of putting things back. It's a big job! I will take pictures to share when I am done.

Miniature Pastel Painting

'Mountain Poppy Field' 2.5 x 3.5 pastel

No time to paint today. I have been busy doing some remodeling in my studio. It started with a new desk and now I may be painting my walls! I really dislike house painting but it is time for a fresh coat of paint on the walls. I am setting up a seperate area for my oils paints that I will be able to leave out. This should make my goal of doing more oil paintings a lot easier.

Wishes for a Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a warm and joyous Holiday! Today's painting is actually an old one that I discovered in a pile. I decided to brush out and redo the cats so now they look like my siamese cats Tobi and Maya. It is 9x12 on Wallis paper.

Aceo's for Christmas!

Every Christmas Eve I get together with my extended family for dinner. One of my traditions is to give each family a small aceo size pastel painting. Last year I painted snowmen and winter trees for everyone. This year I don't really have a theme, just some of my favorite landscape motifs. I put this year's paintings in a collage for the blog. Each one is 2.5 x 3.5. I always enjoy painting these little ones. It is is a great exercise for interpreting my reference photos without using up a lot of pastel and paper. There are some here that I would enjoy painting larger.

Not a Creature was Stirring....

'Not a Creature was Stirring' 5x7 pastel

I couldn't resist this one of my parent's dog Amy. How she could sleep with a santa hat is too funny! I have another dog in a santa suit to paint so this was my warm up! I got my Christmas present in the mail today....some new oil paints! One of my 2010 goals is to venture more into the world of oils and brushes. I know that getting comfortable with another medium will benefit my work so I am making the committment to practice. I had a few oil colors but they were student grade so I have treated myself to a few new tubes. I'll take pictures later.

Country Meadow Landscape Painting

'Country Meadow' 8x10 pastel

Did you notice the profusion of Queen Anne's Lace this past summer? At least it was that way here in the Southeast. We finally had a spring and summer with some rain so I am sure it helped. I found this meadow of flowers up in the North Georgia mountains. They are so much fun to paint!

Pastel Painting work in progress photos

I managed to take a few photos of my painting process so I thought I'd share them. In the top left you can see my cute little watercolor set. These are Schmincke half pans and the colors I chose were the ones Albert Handell was using when I took his workshop a few years ago. In the next photo you can see my reference photo which is black and white and my initial drawing in pencil on Uart paper. The bottom left is my watercolor underpainting. It still came out lighter than I wanted even after darkening some areas. I think it will be helpful just to play around with the watercolors to get a better feel for them. The next photo shows the start of the pastel application. I began with the darks in the tree mass and the sky. After that I got into my 'zone' and forgot to take pictures! I will post the finished painting next.

Cookies for Santa Pastel Painting

'Cookies for Santa' 4x4 pastel

It was my intention to bake some real cookies today but discovered we were out of eggs! They will have to wait until I get to the grocery store so here are some pastel cookies instead. This is on Wallis pastel paper. I got my new watercolors and tried a watercolor underpainting with them too. I will hopefully have a chance to finish the painting tomorrow and will post it as a WIP if I can remember to take photos!

Bluebird Eggs in the Nest

'Tiny Jewels' 4x6 pastel

I was organizing my reference photos and came across a picture Jayne had taken of an abandoned bluebird nest. It was a rare opportunity to see these beautiful eggs and nest up close. I enjoyed painting this tiny nest. It is on black colourfix pastel paper using some Great Americans and Girault pastels. Back to organizing!

Great News...My First IAPS Show!

'Early Morning Poppies' 5x7 pastel

I just got word that my painting 'Early Morning Poppies' has been accepted into the IAPS 15th Juried Exhibition at City of Brea Art Gallery in Brea California. The jurors of selection were Richard McKinley, Maggie Price and Fred Somers. The judge will be Terri Ford. I am so excited to have a painting accepted. It sure would be nice to go to the show in California! I just ordered a nice frame so hopefully it will get here in time for me to frame and ship the painting.

New Office Space

It is time to get organized for the new year and I decided to redo my office space. I bought this great glass desk on craigslist for $50. I still have some organizing to finish but I am on the right track. One of the things I did was to purchase a pastel painting from each of the artists at our recent open studio. I now have them hanging on the wall above my desk. I love seeing the work of my friends hanging all together. It is motivating and inspiring!

Choosing a Mood..painting the marsh

I have been commissioned to paint this wonderful view. This is a dream come true commission for me...one of my favorite things to paint! Usually for a commission I will do a few small studies to give the client a choice and allow us to work out the details before I start on the final painting. In this case I had quite a few photos of this scene to work from so I did three 5x7 studies in which I tried to capture a different mood of the scene....a moody gray day, sunset with the marsh grasses illuminated by the setting sun, and twilight when the sky was pink and color was gone from the marsh. I also showed them a sunrise view that I posted here a few days ago. I wonder what they will decide? What is your choice? The painting will be 16x20. I'd love to hear from you!

Chickadee on a Cold Winter's Day

'Keeping Warm' 5x7 pastel

This little bird called out to be painted today. It has been awhile since I have painted a bird and I forgot how much I enjoy it. I also enjoy working on LaCarte paper for birds. I makes them so touchable! I got an amazon order this week for several new art books and I am excited to get reading. One of my new weekly blog features will be an art book review. I will post my first review in the next week or so.

Georgia Sunshine Sunflower Painting

'Georgia Sunshine' 5x7 pastel

We have had more drearly days lately here in Georgia so I thought I'd paint my own sunshine. I always enjoy painting sunflowers and added some of my favorite colors to this one. I have some yellows that don't go on quite as smoothly for some reason so today I fixed one layer with some workable fixative and it made it so much easier. My can is almost empty so I better put it on my supply list. Speaking of supplies, I ordered some new watercolors. I decided that to really do a watercolor underpainting justice, I needed to invest in artist quality watercolors. So I chose Schmincke 1/2 pans and I ordered 12 colors. I chose the colors that Albert Handell was using when I went to his workshop a few years back. The tiny little things arrived today ...wow they are pricey for such a tiny little thing! My palette is on backorder so I suppose I will have to wait to use them. Stay tuned though!

Winter Pastel Study

'A Taste of Winter' 5x7 pastel

Here is my first new winter painting of the year. I really love painting the moodiness of the winter landscape and I am looking forward to painting more wintery scenes. I will be preparing for my Winter Workshop which I am offering on Sunday January 17th. I have four openings for this workshop. We will be working on simplifying and concentrating on composition and the use of notans as we paint simple expressions of the winter landscape. Visit my workshop page http://www.pastelworkshops.blogspot.com

for more information. or email me at kemstudios@yahoo.com

Taos New Mexico Plein Air Painting

'Storm over Taos' 5x7 pastel

Today's painting is a plein air piece I did on my trip to New Mexico last spring. I found it while doing some studio cleaning. No painting this weekend since I was redoing my office area. What a mess! I have 20 years of accumulated papers and stuff I don't need. When I am finished, it is going to feel great! I still have a lot of organizing to do but I know I will be itching to paint this week so stay tuned!

Queen Anne's Lace at Sunset & New Workshop/Class Schedule

'Last Light' 5x7 pastel

I am excited to announce my schedule for pastel classes and workshops for the winter and spring of 2010. If you have seen the preview....take a look at the revised schedule. I have added a few more classes and workshops including a couple of all day pastel introductory workshops with all supplies included. This workshop would be a perfect gift or an opportunity to try the medium of pastel without investing in supplies! To see the schedule, have a look at my workshop page www.pastelworkshops.blogspot.com Class size is limited so email kemstudios@yahoo.com me to reserve your choices. It's going to be an exciting year of painting and learning!

Virtual Open Studio Sale available 5x7 paintings

Thank you to those of you who have purchased a painting from this year's Open Studio Sale. It is so gratifying to know my work will be enjoyed. I always have fun going through my work from the past year as I get organized for the sale but I need to make room for next year's daily paintings! All of the paintings above are 5x7 and are available for $45 each plus $5 for shipping. Paypal and personal checks are accepted. Email me at kemstudios@yahoo.com with any questions.

4x6 Sunflower with Jack Richeson Pastels

I did this little pastel back in May while I was attending the IAPS (pastel) convention in Albuquerque. One of the fun things about the convention was the 'candy store' where all the vendors had their pastels and supplies available to purchase. I bought a set of the new Richeson handmade soft pastels and I couldn't wait until I got home to try them so I painted this one evening in my hotel room. I love the bright colors in this set...wonderful for painting flowers.

Don't forget to have a look at my Daily Painter's gallery if you would like to take advantage of my Open Studio sale prices on until Sunday. (see the posts below for details)

Sunrise at High Tide Marsh Painting

'Sunrise at High Tide' 8x10 pastel

I sold my smaller 5x7 sunrise marsh painting and I really loved the colors I had used in it so I decided to do a different view of the marsh with the same colors. This is painted on Richeson pastel paper which I find to be quite rough which works for some things.

VIRTUAL OPEN STUDIO SALE CONTINUES

Thanks to all of you who have made a purchase at the virtual open studio sale. I love to know that my paintings will have good homes! The sale continues through this Sunday so if you would like to know if your favorite is available, send me an email kemstudios@yahoo.com . Prices for 5x7's are $45 and 8x10's are $75 with $5 for shipping.

Red Velvet Cupcake Painting

At the Open Studio sale this weekend there were several people interested in my food paintings. I sold a pancake painting, chocolate covered strawberries and a cup of coffee! My daughter made some yummy red velvet cupcakes for the sale so I thought it would befun to paint one. The sprinkles are shaved pastel pressed into the paper with a palette knife.

Virtual Studio Sale this Week!

'Mountain Clover' 5x7 pastel

Thank you to everyone who came to the open studio sale this weekend. It was a fun day and I enjoyed sharing my work in person with you. I sold 44 paintings and I am so happy to know they will have good homes! Thank you too to all of my artist friends (peeps) It was even better to be able to share the day with you. For those of you who live too far to visit the studio I would like to invite you to my 'Virtual Open Studio Sale'. I will offer my studio sale prices through next Sunday December 13th. To see what I still have available just visit my Daily Painter's online Gallery. If you see something you like that is unsold, send me an email kemstudios@yahoo.com

and I will offer you the sale price. I will be accepting Paypal or check.

The sale prices are:

8x10 ....$75

5x7 .....$45

4x6......$35

Shipping is $5 for Priority Mail. Email me with any questions! Original art makes a wonderful Holiday gift for your family or friends or for yourself!

Sunset over the Marsh

'Sunset over the Marsh' 8x10 pastel

Thank you to everyone who came by to visit our Open Studio Sale this weekend. We enjoyed seeing everyone and sharing our work. I am so happy to have had the opportunity to share my studio space with my fellow artists for this show and sale. Everyone's work looked wonderful all together. We sure did have a nice collection of work. I am excited about my purchases at the sale. I chose a painting from each of my friends and I can't wait to get them up on the wall. I am also itching to get painting again. But first I am reorganizing my workspace this week....until then here is another recent plein air painting from Kiawah Island.

Open Studio Sale Saturday!

My studio has been transformed into a gallery! We managed to fit the work of 10 artists with everyone having their own area. Everything looks great and I can't wait to go shopping myself! There really is something for everyone and just in time for the holidays! Please stop in if you are in the Atlanta area. We will be here from 10 am until 6 pm.

Open Studio Sale Preview

My studio is filling up with the work of 10 artists. It is so much fun to preview everything. I am excited by all of the wonderful work everyone has brought. The sale is this Saturday from 10-6 rain, snow or shine. Yes they are calling for flurries here in Atlanta! We'd love for you to stop by if you are in the area. Email me for details. kemstudios@yahoo.com
The photo above shows my table of aceo or miniature pastel paintings. This is just a small sample of what we will have!

A Snowy Day Painting #66

'Variation #66' 5x7 pastel

My challenge painting have been on hold for the last week as I get ready for our Open Studio sale this Saturday. But I was itching to add to my collection so I managed to paint three new variations. This is my favorite of the three. It was painted on recyled pastelbord. To make the snow, I shaved some white pastel onto the painting and pressed it in with a palette knife. It makes me cold just looking at this one!

If you'd like to read more and see the other 65 paintings, check out my challenge blog www.milesofcanvas.blogspot.com

Dragonfly Painting

'Dragonfly Magic' 8x10 pastel

This is one of the pastel paintings that will be available at our Open Studio Sale this Saturday. I have been working on inventory and pricing and I have over 150 unframed pastel paintings that will be available as well as many framed. When you are a Daily Painter, the inventory adds up even though I have been fortunate to have sold well this past year. I will be extending the Studio Sale to my online friends and collectors next week so look for details to come!