Art Still GOING On

(I've been really neglectful of this space. Yikes!)  This summer we planted TREES on our property - spent so much time caring for them, and when not doing that, we tried to continue to GO traveling and camping.  Here are a few of the summer's 'additions to the stack in the studio'.  The gallery that I am a member of recently sponsored a week-long plein air event.  There are 3 painting below that I painted during that event.  AND I was on the planning committee as a PR rep.  I learned how to write and create press for different news media.  Exciting and fun!

"Andromeda" mixed media on canvas

"Sunrise Over the Wet Mountains" pan pastel on LaCarte 

(plein air outside my studio one morning)

"Snuggle Time" pastel on LaCarte

"Pure Purple" pan pastel and pastel on LaCarte

(plein air of MY petunias)

"Zinnias" pastel on LaCarte 

(this one won an award in the plein air competition)

"Wise and Wary" mixed media on Jack Richeson panel

"Pepper" mixed media on Jack Richeson panel
(I painted Pepper during the plein air event at Sky Fall Ranch 

in the Wet Mountains)

"Gnarly" pastel on LaCarte

Copyright © Dust Off the Butterfly and Pattie Wall/All Rights Reserved

Pastels Galore

"Sunset Clouds"

5 1/2" x 7 1/2"

pastel on Kitty Wallis 

Belgian Mist

FINISHED

ON TO More..

"Colorado Highway 10 to Walsenburg"

5 1/2" x 7 1/2"

pastel on Kitty Wallis

Belgian Mist

Started today...

Work In Progress

I have tried a portrait from this same photo before - in watercolor  - wasn't very successful with it.  This one is pastel. My dogs are on the couch in the RV..with this incredible late afternoon light coming through the window. Although I usually work dark to light as in oil painting, I put down some of the light as a reminder - so I can 'make it happen' the way I want it. There are no rules these days, just what I feel.  

Animal and people eyes always go in right away..placement is key.

Because it is a complex scene - with the blanket folds and legs and head placements, I started with a center point vertically and horizontally...a crosshair -  if you would.

Stay tuned - I will try to get a camera shot each time I am at the easel on this one.

Where I Stand Saturday/Sunday

These pastels are remnants of some reworking I have been doing on a few pieces that never made it past the easel.  When I look at some of my older works, I see so much of what needs to be done.  So these two below got a 'pastel make-over' and are headed for a new show mid-September.  

 

This week, as well, I realized that each time I am able to spend a little more time, than 'hurry-up your show is tomorrow!' -  I understand and become more proficient with my mat cutting system..which is key to framing and presenting watercolor and pastel paintings.  I love having that time.   

 

Today I didn't feel like that duck in water you may have heard reference to, calm on the surface and paddling like mad beneath.  Nice feeling.

 

"Rainbow Bridge"

pastel on Canson paper

9" x 12"

 

"Chinle Arroyo"

pastel on Wallis sandpaper

20" x 12"

 

 

Where I Stand Sunday

Yesterday, I made a new pastel holder for my pochade box - to paint "plein air".  It is made out of balsa wood and glue gun and little boxes, some of which I had to make.  I chose out the minimum amount of pastels, enough to fit into these boxes.  I hope it is enough...although I know I can mix on site if needed.  I also taped 6 pieces of Wallis paper on foamcore that will fit into the 9" x 12" slots on the pochade, so I am ready to go!!  Then....there is my new (actually used) D70 Nikon, with its 300mm lens attached...what a cool thing that is!!!  Here is a closer look of my little pochade addition...








It's hinged, I will remove the little boxes of pastel and close it up. It's nice to extend the pallette holder so the pastel trays can balance on it - allowing for a little more room for pastels. It all goes on top of a really heavy duty tripod. 

And here is a photo or two that I took with the D70 and the longer lens...love it, love it, love it!!! Herman turned out grainy - why?  I have the ISO turned up to 1600...oops.  The corn is my popcorn drying in the sun...that was an experiment this season...soon we shall try popping it.  If you know me, you know that's my 'FAVE - oh right' thing!