Orchids

I have been working on an orchid painting. This painting is pastel on 6x12 PastelBord. I approached the painting by first doing an underpainting in Sienna tones. Once the underpainting was finished, the background was next. Then it was time to start working on the flowers. Here is a sequence of step-by-step photos. The painting isn't finished yet, but it will be soon.

Artichoke and Lemons - finished

The Artichoke and Lemons is finished. The finished size is about 9x12. This is pastel on PastelMat paper. Next, I need to get it in a frame.

A Nantucket Basket

I went to an all-day basket workshop today. The project was a traditional Nantucket basket. This little basket took a very long time to complete, but it is a lovely little elegant basket. It is just under 5" tall at the rim and about 16 inches in circumference.

ARtichokes and Lemon on my easel - phase one

I started a new pastel painting today. I am working from a photographed still life set up. The subject is an artichoke and lemons. I am working on Clairfontaine PastelMat. I am working in a little bit different way on this painting. First, I did a value-scale underpainting of the artichoke and the lemons in Sienna tones. Then I blocked in the table and the background. The next step will be to begin adding color to the objects.

Boxer Completed

I finished the boxer portrait today. She just needs to be framed and then can be delivered to my client. This painting is pastel on Clairfontaine PastelMat paper. The size is approximately 9x12.

Pinga Jar and Lemons finished

I finished the painting of the Pinga Jar and Lemons. This is about 9x12 on Pastel Mat and is worked from a photo of a setup in my studio.

A new Commission

I am working on a new pet portrait commission. This girl is a very elegant Boxer. I was given a great picture--a much better than usual photo--to work from and that makes the project a lot easier. I have a long way to go yet, but this is where I am now. This painting is pastel on Pastel Mat paper.

What's on my easel??

I am working on a new pastel painting. It isn't nearly finished yet, but this is how far I've gotten. The painting is about 9x12 on PastelMat paper.

Pastel Studies

I've been busy in the last week working on pastel studies. Here is the latest one. This is done on ArtSpectrum Suede Pastel Paper. It is about 11 inches square.

Today's project

I have been working on things for the retreat for weeks and weeks. Last week one of our scheduled teachers cancelled and I am going to teach the class instead. It is a design from Kaaren Poole's book Drawing Birds with Colored Pencil. I was able to find copies of the book for a reasonable price, so everyone in the class will get a book in addition to their regular supplies

Studies

I have been taking an on-line class with Daniel Edmondson, an oil painter from Colorado. The subject mater is all still life and, while he is an oil painter, I am doing the projects in pastel. The format of the class is that every lesson is a demonstration on DVD. It is accompanied by reference photos and additional supplementary information. After you watch the video demonstration, you paint the project and then send a picture of your work to Daniel. He then sends back a video critique of your work. It is a very beneficial program. Here is my latest project from the program.

More Baskets

I spent yesterday in Franklin making baskets. The round one is the largest of a set of 3 nesting muffin baskets. I will be making a few more trips and will make one of these on each trip until I have the full set. The one with the feet holds a little bean pot shaped bowl that can be used for dip or salsa or whatever you want to put in it.

Travel Teaching

I'm just back from teaching at a decorative painting retreat in Ohio. I taught 4 classes in colored pencil and took a basket making class. It was a very busy weekend. Once the retreat started, I was booked every class period. One of the classes I taught was called Your Pet in Colored Pencil. I had 3 students who each sent me photos of their dogs before the retreat started so that I could adjust the photos, select their pencils, prepare their packets and select some papers for them to choose from. For my demonstration/teaching piece, I chose to use one of their photos. This little Schnauzer had elements that each of the students needed to know about, so he was a pretty good demo choice. When I was selecting papers, I found a piece of purple card stock and that was what I used just to show them that you could be very creative in your choice of backgrounds as long as what you select supports the colors in your subject.

YUM!

Here is another little pastel painting. I bought this beautiful mango and then painted it before it became dessert. The pieces is about 5x5 on sanded paper. Mangos have a very satin textured skin, so there are no really strong highlights, but there were 2 soft highlights from the overhead light and the window.

Yet Another Little Toy

The toy series is a lot of fun. This little guy has been sitting on my desk for years and when the outside temperatures start the day at -16, I have to agree with him! He was sold by Avon maybe as long as 10 years ago. I can remember when Avon only sold cosmetics. Now you can get almost anything you want from your Avon representative. This little painting is about 6x9 and is done in pastel on gold pastel mat. Pastel Mat has become my favorite surface to work on. I painted him last night as a test of the possibility of teaching a lesson using Skype and a webcam. With a little tweaking, it will work quite nicely.

Another Daily Painting

Here is another little painting in the toy series. This goldfish was a big challenge with its plush face, organdy fins, and suedey body with sparklies. These little paintings are really good exercises and a lot of fun, too. He is about 6x9 in pastel on pastel mat.

Daily Painting

I try to work on a little something most week days and on weekends when I can. This little guy is one of my little daily paintings. He is about 5x5, pastel on sanded paper. He was a lot of fun.

Raffle Item

I've been looking at this piece for 2 years. I was supposed to paint it as a large raffle item for last year's retreat. Instead, it just sat and then moved with us to our new home. Since I am the retreat chair this year, I figured I'd better get it painted. Besides, it is taking up space and I don't want to be contemplating it for yet another year. So, here it is. This not-so-little three-drawer jewelry box came to me already stained. The design on the top is courtesy of Connie Parkinson and comes from one of her books. I wanted a trompe l'oeil look. The jewelry hanging out of the drawers was my own idea. Once it has a nice finish applied, I have some white ceramic knobs to put on and I'll line the drawers with felt. I hope it is a big success and brings in lots of money at the retreat.

Treasure Boxes

Each year the Town and Country Decorative Painters does a service project. For several years, they have painted Treasure Boxes. These are photo storage boxes that are painted and sent to the children at the Shriner's Hospital for storing their personal stuff while they are in the hospital. We use the photo storage boxes because they fit perfectly into the opening in the bedside table. Since the children can be any age from babies to 18 years old, the designs may be appropriate for any age. The February meeting is reserved for service projects, but I will not be able to paint that day, so I have done mine ahead. I painted two boxes and both designs will probably appeal more to the older children.

Painting Day!!!

I finally got to spend time in my studio painting instead of organizing. It felt good. I decided to do a little piece just to warm up and get ready for bigger work. I took an apple from my kitchen and painted it in pastels on sanded paper. It is about 5x5. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's effort.

Holidays Over--Back to Work

We spent the month of December working on projects in our house. We laid carpet squares in the studio/family room and then installed cabinetry for studio storage. After packing everything up so we could move it out while we worked, I have spent this week putting everything away. There is still a little more to do, but I actually can start back to work. Tomorrow will be a project day!

Here is my new studio storage. I am so pleased with how it turned out. It is a fairly small space, but the storage is spectacular!