I wasn't sure what I wanted to paint. I was busy packing for a winter get-away with my daughter. We are headed to Crested Butte Colorado for a little relaxation before she finishes up her last couple of months of student teaching. I wasn't really focused on doing a daily painting but while organizing art supplies to take on my trip I found a piece of scrap paper with a poppy demo. My mind starting buzzing. Inspiration was born!
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| Some of my red pastels |
Why not play with red on Valentine's Day! I decided to take the demo scrap and turn it into a painting. It was on a 5x7 piece of Uart so it had potential. I believe the scrap was used to show a student how to create light on a red flower and tree trunk.
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| the demo scrap |
I grabbed a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol and spray the demo until the pastel began to drip. I took a paintbrush and started moving the wet pastel around. The result is below.
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| After an alcohol spray |
Once the pastel was dry I was ready to rework the demo and paint some poppies from my imagination. I took out my tray of overflow red pastels and had fun exploring the various shades of red and pastel brands. It was a fun way to end a day of packing and organizing.
You just never know when inspiration will strike and where it comes from so stay open and go with your whims!
5 comments:
Gorgeous poppies! Have a great time in the Butte. We spend a couple of weeks in gunnison every year. We love that area! Be sure to get some ice cream at Third Bowl. Best. Ice cream. Ever.
Hi Karen - if you like Crested Butte during the winter, you would adore it in the summer! It is the wildflower capital of Colorado and in good snow years, it literally looks like someone dropped paint from the sky on what is already stunning scenery. I highly suggest coming back for a summer visit. Better yet, it's got a huge art community for it's size, so it would be a fantastic place to host a workshop. Sadly, I only live there part-time now (in the summer/fall) but would be more than happy to put you in contact with the directors of the art studios in Crested Butte & Gunnison. And as a huge fan of your work and blog, I would of course be thrilled to meet you in person some day, take your workshop and personally show you some of the most majestic scenery on Earth! Enjoy your time in the Butte and be sure to get one of the best drinks on the planet at the Dogwood Cocktail Cabin (on 3rd St off the main street - Elk Ave) - tell the owners Sarah Jane / Drew that Lori Welch sent you - they will hook you up. :)
Hi Lori
Thanks for writing! I'd love to come back in the summer! I've been a few years ago but didn't get to paint! Let's connect karenmargulis@gmail.com
I'm wondering if Crested Butte still has the plein air festival in the summer. I,too would jump at the chance to workshop with you in Colorado, Karen. Enjoy your stay!
Lovely!
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