Pastels in the Fall

Not realizing it, until I started blogging, I think I am more of a seasonal painter than I thought. Last Spring, I put away the oils and pulled out the acrylics. I loved the feel of the thick paint with water cleanup. Freedom to express quickly with large bold strokes. Like I was breaking free from the confines of Winter.
After Spring, in about the middle of June, the temperature started going up in the 90's. I put away the acrylics, and pulled out the watercolors. The freshness of the washes, the lightness of the paper, the flow of the paint. just screams Summer to me.
 Then, September rolls around, and I feel the first breezes of Fall coming. I put away the watercolors, anxious to get my hands on the feel of the pastels. No brush, just raw pigment between my fingers. There is nothing like it. I love picking out the different hues , deciding what shade or tinted stick to use.
 Fall has come to an end now, and I find myself putting away the pastels, and looking forward to the smoothness of the oil paints, the smells of the studio, and picking out canvases for each subject.
 Before I go digging into the oils, I would like to share with you some of the pieces I have completed these last couple of months.
"Fading Time" 12"x12"  This is the start of a new series I'll be putting together.

 "Morning Rays"-  9"x12" This is what I get to see each morning out my back window.

 "Golden Rod" - 9"x12" 

 "Miss Wadene's Drive" - 9"x12"

 "Ole Can,New Buds" - 9"x12"

 "Window boxes" - 18" x24"

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What a Summer!!

Finally, cooler weather has blown in. Last week it was 102F and today it only went to 72F. I have been waiting for summer to be over to sum it up for you.
I have decided, that watercolor is very seasonal for me. I love the anticipationof waiting for spring and summer, to get my watercolor palette and colors organized and packed for my first trip. I did get a few done, but not as many as I would have liked.
You see, artist do things that are rarely mentioned, because it is not what they market or want a lot of people to find out they do.
 I'm going to share some of the behind the scene art that I do, that most don't know about.
 I painted my granddaughter's softball helmet, then ended up painting about 12 of them for other little girls. I loved being the most popular grandma at the ballfield!
I also painted a backdrop for the women's ministry of a local church. They were having a special event and wanted a themed look to the event, as well as having a gift handout. I silkscreened and made the gift bags... 75 of them.
We had a disco b'day party for my now, 10 year old granddaughter. I handmade the invitations, made a mirror ball out of old cd's, and actually made costumes. I even made an extra large twister game with spinner board.
 I made all of my own charcoal, and actually got to get a few drawings finished.
 Whew...... with that being said, I'll let you see some of the pictures I took. Glad summer is over, so I can get a little rest, and focus on some new pieces I've been wanting to start. Time to put the watercolors away for the winter.

So, that wraps up most of the summer. Thank you for being patient, will have some new things coming soon.

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Time flying by

Wow...I can't believe life is running so fast for me lately!! It seems like just a week ago I made my last post.

I have been working on several pieces, in watercolor, oil, pastel, and charcoal.
After so many teaching years, I can't really decide what medium I would like to stick with for awhile.
To say I might have to give up one, is like asking which limb I would like to have cut off.
I can say... I have made a decision to continue portrait and figurative work and study. It has always been my first love in subject.

These are the newest complitions; Richard, pastel
                                                   Pink Diva, oil
                                                  Macalynn. watercolor

O.K. Here I am, starting a blog. After 2 days of sitting and trying to come up with something to say about myself, I've decided to just start where I am and go from here. Last year was an incredible year. I did a lot of painting for my church... murals, backdrops for drama's and special events, etc. It really kept me busy!

I was able to do quite a few charcoal portrait commissions for Christmas, here are a few.