Saturday, June 28, 2008

June 28, 2008 Great Falls on an Early June Morning

7x14, pastel on marble dust board
I knew that I would be traveling and posting would be difficult so I did some "illegal spares."
This one was done on Thursday at 5:30 am in Great Falls Park, Virginia. The sun was very low and there was a hazy atmosphere it was determined to penetrate through, on the right. It was a VERY ambitious painting to try to finish that morning. Almost complete, I brought it back to the studio for the final touches.

Friday, June 27, 2008

July 27, 2008 River Blues

8x8 pastel and watercolor on marble dust board
The river is now incredibly blue and still in the early morning hours, another sign of summer.
I am off to Colorado for the next 5 days. I will try to post something. If not overtime when I return!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

June 26, 2008 Rhapsody in Blue and Green

9x11 pastel on paper
Today was a plein air double, but this by far was my favorite. Riverbend is oozing lazy summer.
I had an idea that I need to learn to row a boat so that I can have a river studio (in the river/a la Monet.) This idea came to me when, after finishing my paintings, I kayaked up the Potomac. Then I realized the one amazing view I need to have is the one from the water. Doesn't that sound good?

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

June 25, 2008 Tree Halos

7x10 pastel and watercolor on board
Summer is here in all her glory. Warmth in the river colors, still water, rocks peeking through water; they are all signs of summer's river glory. This was my second painting at the river today (about 10:30am). The light is making tree halos as it rises higher in the sky.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

June 24, 2008 Amber-haired Goddesses on the Hill

10x10 oil on linen
I feel fortunate to have Kate and Natalie as my nieces. This weekend I got to know them through long walks and trips to Starbucks. On many of our walks I took many pictures of these young, amber-haired goddesses on the hill. They are twins so they have a special bond. I tried to portray that, along with the beauty of those summer days. It was a great weekend visiting family. Thanks everyone!

Friday, June 20, 2008

June 20, 2008 Clouds (still unfinished)

16x20, oil on board unfinished
Worked ( struggled) on this a couple hours...still unfinished but I have to take off to Chicago. It may be impossible to post for the next few days...tootles till later.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

June 19, 2008 Alone, but not Lonely and Clouds (unfinished)

step one, oil on board 16x20
Last night's storms were awesome. I don't know why, but I decided to to a -straight -oil. My sister said, "oh no, but your pastel are so nice."
Stretch. I guess that's why. I am having fun sliding around. It will take longer. More on this one tomorrow. I used my photos and my amazement at the show and began to work. It is wild to be able to mix colors on the palette rather than optically (which I tend to do with pastel.)

9x12 oil and pastel on board
I did this one yesterday out in the field near the merrill center. Finished it in the studio today. I am trying to give visual image to concepts and feelings.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

June 18, 2008 Contentment


approx. 10x10, oil and pastel on board
I guess it is a very personal thing: what color and time of day would represent contentment? This is my interpretation. Warm, light, roll on the ground field.
If you have a suggestion please post it. I would love to hear others' ideas.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

June 17, 2008 Tickled by Violet

12x12 pastel on board
This has to be my favorite place on the canal and at my favorite time -seven a.m.. While I stood there I had many visitors, two snakes, two fawns, one turtle and a great blue heron. There is no better job in the world!

Monday, June 16, 2008

June 16, 2008 Light on the Field

8x10 oil and pastel on board
Using m field painting from Friday I worked up this study> I am trying to use a dominant color -pink- to affect the whole and create a mood.

Friday, June 13, 2008

June 15, 2008 Serenity

8x8, pastel on marble dust board
Dominant color how can it influence the entire painting?......How does it make the mood? With that in mind I approached a familiar scene in a different way.

June 13, 2008 The Road Taken

7x14 oil and pastel on marble dust board
I have mixed up all my posting dates..ooops!
This morning I was near the Chesapeake Bay again. The grasses in this field just blow me away. They are soooooo soft. The pinkness of the grass is in the sky near the horizon and the path, therefore a natural color trail is created. The light is so intense even in at 8 in the morning. With the solstice just days away the energizer bunny in me keeps me going for all those hours of daylight..and that's a lot of daylight. More hours to paint!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

June 12, 2008 Golden Afternoon Light Bath

9x12 pastel and oil on marble dust board
Merrill Center again..the golden light on these beautiful grasses and wild flowers blows me away. The creek is just beyond the trees and around the bend is the bay. The light was so warm, I felt like I should be rolling around in the field.

June 14, 2008 Morning Light on the Hill by the Bay

9x12 pastel and oil on marble dust board
My focus today was keep no more than 3 large shapes (sort of check) and find patterns in color (check).
Today I was out at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation discussing a possible exhibit. Their grounds are gorgeous and the inspiration for both paintings today. I think I will try to go back for sunrise tomorrow. Their building is one of the greenest in the world. So cool.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

June 11, 2008 Aubrey's Gorge

about 9x10, pastel and oil on mounted paper
Aubrey, this one is for you. One of my favorite people at school is leaving. A beautiful, warm person who absolutely loves animals. She always has a nice word for everyone and has been very supportive of my art. I tried to give this painting the same light that shines through her.

June 10/11 2008 The Gorge

6x8 (i think) oil and pastel on mounted paper
Once again I was asked, "Is it really that color?" I guess the answer is yes and no. If I were to walk/swim all the way across the gorge and examine the colors up close the answer would be no. But I don't need to do that, nor do I want to. The purpose of my painting is to record an emotional response that is fused with the impression. Pink/gray rocks do appear this color in the late afternoon sun. The feel of the hot gorge and blazing light shows the feeling of optimistic summer is in the air. That is my gorge. What is yours?

Sunday, June 8, 2008

June 8, 2008 The Color of White

9x12 oil and pastel on marble dust board
This one was done yesterday during the Riverbend Paint-out. Someone walked by and said, "What are you painting? It's all white." .....Well I guess it is, but in that "white" are many amazing subtle neutral grays. Very exciting. What do you think?

Saturday, June 7, 2008

June 7, 2008 The Way Home

11x14, pastel and oil on marble dust board
Today was the Riverbend Paint-out. I must admit I was nervous just thinking about painting "on demand." Rather than just going out and to be alone with the river and feel her mood, I was now amongst many fabulous painters and my painting was to be judged. Yipes! I set the bar low-just don't embarrass myself.
The river and surrounding forest was covered in a thick cloak of fog. The river had no islands or opposite banks.; so I found a field where the fog sat inside and the light fought to come through. There is a sense of mystery with fog.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

June 5, 2008 Pause for a Moment

8x10 pastel and watercolor on marble dust board
This is another "illegal spare." I did this on Sunday at Riverbend. I wanted to try using a foreground that was warm yet neutral and without detail. I am sick with a sinus infection. Yuck! I will not post tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

June 3, 2008 Cat Feet are Back

8x10 pastel and watercolor on marble dust board
I love when the river has it cat feet fog. It is one of her best moments.