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.

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.



Two Medicine Creek

Remember to play this year.

I read a recent Richard McKinley article about starting a painting with a hard pastel sketch and then

covering it all with clear gesso which might cause it to smear a bit.

He then suggested going in with watercolors and splashing some color (and drips) around.

That was the play part!

Down to business was going back in with pastels and filling in some of the gaps.

This is Two Medicine Creek, a gorgeous little spot near Running Eagle Falls in Glacier

National Park.  It was nearing sunset and I remember

everything being pinky and orangish.

This is 16 x 20, mostly pastel on masonite....not framed (may never be)...this

one was for fun.

Have a wonderful, playful new year.

Artfully yours,

Cindy