Basic Necessities

I love outdoor markets!  Regardless of what's being sold or where

it takes place I am intrigued and seduced by everything in the market.  People

watching is great sport and I love seeing what others are buying and how they go

about selecting it.  This lady was getting her produce in a small town in Provence,

France.  I could relate to her pause at the flower stall...I can imagine she

was lured in by the colors and vibracy and hesitant due to the

work involved in planting.  The sun was gracing the

blooms with all the promise of a spring that was yet to come...and while the

sundresses in the adjacent booth never caught her eye she took

a long time pondering her next purchase.

As part of my "Places" series this pastel (6 x 6) is matted in white, 12 x 9, and

comes in a black frame.

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Off Trail

I find myself painting versions of this scene often: a backlit mountain creek

running through the woods as it ripples over the stones.

I guess that's because such a scene is one of my favorite places to be and as

such I am never quite satisfied with my interpretation on paper. It's a lot to ask:

capturing the beauty of an area as well as all the wonderful

feelings and thoughts you held while there.

But I will keep trying.

Hope you don't tire of this scene...I can guarantee there are many more interpretations

waiting to be painted!

Pastel, 5 x 5

matted in white, 12 x 9

comes framed in black

$100.00

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Why I like to do "series"

People often ask me how I choose what to paint.  To be honest there are about a 1000 legitimate answers to this question and I get so excited by so many wonderful things (colors, shadows, people, techniques, new media, different sizes and so on) that I often find myself bouncing all over the map trying dribs and drabs of many things.  It's like a wonderful buffet tasting where you never feel like you really ate.

Enter the "series."  I choose to paint in series as it keeps me focused on at least one aspect during several passes.  A series can be a group of 5 pieces (or more) or it may be the entire body of work done over a specific period of time.  It can be linked together by subject, media, size, color, title, or...? 

The object (for me) is to keep one thing consistent and work within that parameter hoping to gain some expertise in execution and greater depth in understanding.  I recently finished about 16 pieces on the subject of stones.  Subject matter was my only link to all of the pieces as I played with different sizes, media and techniques.  I varied the composition from realistic to fantasy.  Get the idea?  This method does not engage some folks but it is very helpful for me.  When I come across a composition now that contains a stone, I am giddy with confidence and ready to tackle it.

This does not mean that I am not "allowed" to paint anything else.  I'll never give up my "play time" doing little experiments or not accept the challenges of a group show etc.  It just gives me an outline from which to continue to learn.  It also results in a body of work that is cohesive enough for an interesting show.

I'm explaining all this as I previously mentioned that you would be seeing a lot of trees coming up.  For several years I have collected trees, photos, notes and locations, that had very human qualities to them.  I am loving every aspect of culling the photos, planning the compositions and centering in on the feelings I think these trees are expressing or experiencing.  I hope some of them appeal to you but if not I know I will enjoy the journey.

Also be on the outlook for "Places." These will be smaller pastels of places I have travelled and enjoyed...little icons of the world, or maybe just scenes that tend to capture the mood of the place.
I will be selling these on my website for only $100.00 and that includes the frame, glass and mat!  Such a deal....they will make great gifts by the way.

That's it!  Back to the studio.

The Profile

 The Profile

pastel 5 x5 matted to 12 x 9 black frame

Hiking in the mountains is a favorite summer past time, I'm a slow mover, drinking in

every sound and smell and stopping often just to gaze in wonder

at all that is around me.  Not the time for me to rush.

This is a view from a favorite trail of ours, appropriately named The Profile Trail.

I hope you can see why, way back in another century, it got its name.

just sold!

AVAILABLE HERE

Logan's Pass Gets Another Pass

Several weeks ago I posted a finished (I thought) pastel of Logan's Pass, a view seen

only by hikers in the Glacier National Park.

I matted it, framed it and set it aside in my studio.

But as days passed it bothered me...something was not quite right

about the piece and as much as I hate de-framing something, I hate

even more leaving work that bothers me for others to see.

So I went back to my sketchbook from the

trip to compare notes with the "finished" painting.

The framed piece was "sweet" and "soft"....but my sketch had absolutely

nothing sweet about it.  It was hard and jagged and held contrasts.  It was not soft.

Out came the old and a few hours later back in went the new.

I don't know if you will like it better but it definitely "feels" more like the

real deal to me.  I'm going to live with it a while longer just

to be certain I took it as far as it needed to go.

And maybe, just maybe this will serve to remind me to do the "living with a piece"

before the framing part! 

Meanwhile, it is a square format pastel, 5 x 5, matted to a 12 x 9 size.



When I'm happy I will put it on my website here.

The Golden (Red) Gate

 One of my favorite cities to visit: San Fransisco!

When my youngest left for college I decided to travel to the Golden Gate Bridge and

symbolically walk across it as I crossed into a new, hopefully golden, chapter

of my life.  What a great day that was!

I'd do it again...and again...

This special place is depicted in just 5 x 5 inches which precludes much detail and forces one to go for the important stuff right off the bat.  Lots of editing required. 

It is matted to a 12 x 9 size (height is always listed first).  Part of the fun of painting

these places is recalling the memories of when I was there and wondering if anyone

else has a unique story about the view?  Please share...

SOLDPurchase here.

Places Please!

I love to paint in series (more on that later) so I have to mention that

the piece above, Logan's Pass View, is part of a series I have titled

"Places."

It is small, only 5 x 5, done in pastel, but matted to 12 x 9

and framed in black.  (All of my Places will

be done likewise.)

Logan's Pass is located in the Glacier National Park where we

spent time this summer hiking.  The view was incredible as it took in not only the lovely

pass with stream (and view of going to the Sun Road) but also the distant

mountains, glaciers, and rock formations.

Some of the places pieces may be more impressionistic than  realistic rendering

but I'm looking forward to the chance to finally paint some of

the beautiful locales I've had the opportunity to visit.

Hope you enjoy the trip!

All of these are available to purchase.