Silver Ornament

I thought it would be fun to be festive and paint some holiday ornaments and ribbons. And during this busy time of year why not paint something not overly complex. Our lives are involved enough right now. So in my next few blogs will be the results. They were good, back to basics pieces that reviewed values, hard and soft edges and color. And were just plain fun to do. I loved this disco ball type ornament. It was complicated, yet simple. I do admit I started getting a little cross-eyed trying to keep my place as I was painting. I reminded myself not to draw every square, but to simplify. The paintings themselves are at Expressions, along with a holiday tray using the same images.

5"X7" Pastel available at:
Expressions

Mary's Landing

I was cleaning my studio last week and found this piece laying with some others. I painted it this summer when I had met Cecilia and Joan, wonderful artist friends, over at Mary's Landing and we had perfect painting weather. I kind of picked a bad spot, though, because as I progressed the sun was dropping down lower and lower and I was getting blinded. But I couldn't resist the way the sun was dappled on the water. I finally had to quit at one point, cause I kept seeing spots just like when someone shoots a flash camera. Lesson learned, but still had fun.

Smokin' Old Tractor-Don't ya love when that happens.

Sold

This painting was much more of a challenge than I expected. The hardest part was creating the effect of the smoke graying down the background areas, but still seeing the background through that smoke. I actually used no gray to create the effect, but varying colors which enabled me to "mute" the tones without dulling down the picture. I purposefully kept the foreground loose so your eye is drawn to the tightly rendered tractor and, of course, it's red color brings you right to it as a center of attention. So you don't get stuck in the center, the bright yellow flowers purposefully keep you moving around the picture. I wish I could have made it a scratch and sniff picture, though. The tractor kept breaking down as the farmer was plowing down the field right next to the house. Cough, cough. So he was there for quite sometime. Good subject!

I was lucky enough to receive an award at the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod's recent FPO juried show. And it sold, also. Don't ya just love when that happens!

Demo at Expressions

The Arts Walk last weekend in Scituate was real fun. Expressions was packed on Friday night with lots of visitors and then Saturday afternoon I did a demo at the shop. I worked on a man made paper. This paper has always been one of my favorites and this scene really allowed me to let the paper read through to keep an overall tone, but use heavier coverage in some areas, too.

Unmasking the Firehouse Celebration

We, at North River Arts Society, are watching the Firehouse Building near completion. It has been a long road of conceptualizing, fundraising, planning, tweaking and it is all coming to fruition. So exciting. We, of course, have to have a Ribbon cutting ceremony, party and dancing to celebrate this exciting accomplishment and what better time of year than right around Halloween. 

Click on this link to get all the details- 

Firehouse Celebration lising of events.

My lovely and talented daughter was kind enough to design the postcard we mailed out (and that you see above) for the event, pro bono-Thank-you so much Rachael, we love it! 

You can actually cut out the mask and wear it to the event, if you like. So cool. Or if you want to get even more creative, we are having a mask making night. Again, click on the link for details.

Come help us Celebrate! We would love to see you there.

Dribble Castle

This is the piece I entered into the "Pastels By Invitation" Show for all of you who cannot get down to the Cape. I cannot believe how fast this summer is going. These lazy hot days of building dribble castles will soon give way to shorter days, cool nights and changing autumn colors. Go grab some beach time while it's still here!

Pastels by Invitation 2011

I was invited this year to be a part of the Pastels by Invitation 2011 at the Creative Arts Center in Chatham, Ma. It runs August 4 through September 2nd with the opening reception on August 6th, 6-8. Hours at the gallery are Monday - Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. I personally cannot wait to take in the show as I am honored to be included with a wonderful grouping of incredible artists and I know their work will be amazing. Hope to see you there!

Chicken Art

A good friend of mine, Ellen, sent me a link to this blog posting that was so funny to me that tears were rolling down my face. She so gets my sense of humor. I am now in search of a giant chicken sculpture to lighten up my life. Have fun reading!
The Bloggess
(pls ignore the f-bombs, although they do add to the story)

Fort Hill Stone Wall

Recently finished and delivered to Kendall Art Gallery in Wellfleet. Fort Hill is just down the road from the gallery and I caught the last light of the day when dramatic clouds were heading in.

Challenge

German Landscape

I have been following the Daily Paintworks Challenge for sometime and been meaning to submit a piece. So here is my first entry into their challenge. I love seeing all the different interpretations. What fun!