Low Tide

I have recently joined a Facebook page devoted to photographs specifically posted for artists to paint.  This one is by a wonderful photographer Keith Saint and depicts a beach in the north of England.

Pastel
(size to be added later)

White Iris

This is done, with permission, from a photo taken by an artist friend of a beautiful Iris growing in her yard.


Pastel 16" x 20"

I am happy to report that this picture "Solitude" has sold.  I was on display at our local residential home, and a visitor there took a liking to it.

Pastel 11 x 14




SOLD

Off the Beaten Path

This is a painting that I did recently as the result of a challenge.  The challenge was to select the work of another artist who uses a palette of colors that is different to the colors that I would normally use, and then use those colors, but not copy the other image in any way.  This is the result, which is definitely different for me, but I quite like it.  

This particular painting is going to be donated to the hospice here in town, and will be raffled to raise funds for their very worthy cause.

On Friday October 3rd I was fortunate to receive a 2nd place ribbon in the Pastel category at the Fall Awards Show at the Art Guild here.  The title of the painting is "Quiet Corner" and measures 11" x 14".

Down to the Rocks

I don't do rocks very often and often find them tricky

to do, but this was fun and I love the way it turned out.
The hardest part was thinking of a punchy title for it, which I failed at.  This was from a photograph taken by someone other than me, and is a small waterfall in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

Pastel 16 x 20

Evening at the Lake

 

This one has been sitting around waiting for a frame for a couple of weeks,  I don't remember where I got the photo, but I loved the composition.

Pastel 12 x 16

Summer's around the corner

After the rough winter we've had I felt the urge to paint something to remind me of the summer that is still to come.  This one came off my easel yesterday.

Pastel 11 x 14 on Fisher 400 paper


SOLD

On the Bank

Just finished this one, which I took from a cropped photo taken by someone else.

Pastel 8" x 10"

A Quiet Corner

I am finding that going into my studio and painting has been a welcome distraction since the unexpected death of my son just before Thanksgiving.  It helps to have my mind focused on something else, though of course he is never far from my thoughts.

This painting is the result of watching a video by one of my favorite pastellists, Richard McKinley. He was demonstrating the use of a watercolor underpainting when working with pastels.  I frequently use underpaintings but normally employ the use of pastels with a wash of alcohol over the top.  I enjoyed this method, though I will never be able to get the results he does.
Pastel 11" x 14"