"Village In the Valley" - Quick Pastel Study

It was brought to my attention recently that I normally pore over my work - including as much detail as possible. The idea here was for me to move out of this "comfort zone" and try to work as quickly as possible. This painting took me just under an hour to complete, and though I'm not thrilled with it I'm happy that it turned out to be a reasonable facsimile of it's title. Please feel free to leave a comment, and thank you.

"Footbridge"

"Vista"

This past week or so I've been "blocked". I always want to be painting; nothing in mind to actually "kick start" is problematic. The harder one thinks...the less spontaneity....

Finally, last night in the wee hours I came out with this ...... Feel free to comment. Thank you.

"Winchester Common" - Winchester, MA

"Path to the Old North Bridge" - Concord, MA

This time last year I visited the Old North Bridge in Concord, MA to enjoy an afternoon plein aire art session. This composition is taken at a slightly different angle from the one I posted last year (see North Bridge from my 2007 postings); however, I was standing on the same overlook for both paintings and both were done at the same time of day. It's interesting and fun to compare the two efforts. I hadn't realized (and am pleased) at how much the execution has changed. Please feel free to leave a comment.

"Sandy's Island" - Winchester, MA

The first plein aire landscape this season.
I'm not happy with it.....but, I promised my daughter that I'd post even if I wasn't happy with the finished product.....
This one's for you, Ame.
Was fun to be in the field with my paints again, tho...

"Silhouette "

Reminisence of a recent visit to Arizona.....beautiful place.

"Loner"

"Wild Willow" from Elizabeth Mowry's Landscape Meditations

This is one of the few finished paintings I've done with pastels.
The more I work with the medium the more I enjoy it. This past winter one of my daughters and I spent a considerable amount of time doing art together. Amy's favorite medium is pastels, and her works show her talent with them. I envy how simple she makes it look; and her results. Watching her and experimenting has brought me to understand pastels a little, and I'm no longer so intimidated.
I like that they're messy to work with, too.

"My Grandson Sam" - First & Final Attempts

The sketch above is the one I consider finished. I've been working with pastels for the past two weeks because I could never quite get comfortable with them. For the first time I can say....pastels are truly versatile and really fun!! I posted the two sketches together to compare the differences between monochromatic composition and when a bit of pastel color is added....... For me, the differences are dramatic. What do you think?

Eric and Kirsten; I had as much fun working this out as I did working on Ted's sketch. I hope the final sketch meets with your approval as I enjoyed working on this project very much.

Love all of you..... See you very soon....

"Orchids"

"Almost Magenta"

Had to get a break from watercolor...but, not completely. This image is from memory but of a painting I saw done in a impressionist Chinese Brush technique book, "Sumi-e DreamBook", by Yolanda Mayhall. This image stays planted in my mind. Please feel free to leave a comment.

On the path to Quarter Mile Pond - Stoneham, MA

Two Preliminary Sketches - Acrylic Desert Landscape Project for Anthony

These two pieces have been posted to show Anthony (my nephew) the process, and for him to see that I am working on the project he challenged me to. They are preliminary studies for the final acrylic desert landscape I promised to paint for him.

The colored pastel sketch was done to help me w/tone placement and pallette choices for the final painting, and the graphite sketch was done to imprint a plan in my mind for composition.

I show my art blog to the family as often as I can because I'm trying to get them involved in creative expression (perhaps inspire them to give it a try). I believe that the drive to express creatively is hereditary, and I'm interested to see who else in my family (besides my daughters and me) has it......

"Twilight - Browse at Water's Edge"

This is one of my older acrylic on canvas projects that I gifted to my husband before he became my husband. I have tried to convince him to allow me to change this piece in an attempt to improve it, but he won't let me touch it. I post it now to show a comparison in technique, compostion and pallette from then to now. Comments are always welcomed.

"Tudor Barn" - The Fells, Stoneham, MA

......yet another try at watercolor - from a photo taken during a nature walk I took in a local park during this past summer. The building has been in this spot for about two hundred years. I grew up in this area and never knew it was there. Neat surprise.....

Watercolor - Crocus

This is my second watercolor attempt. I chose this particular flower because with all of the snow and cold weather I needed a splash of Spring color. This was taken from a photo I took in Hyannis, MA in the Spring of '07.

"Standing Tree" Watercolor Study

I took the plunge and decided to attempt watercolor again. It's still as difficult as it's always been, but this time I approached it with reckless abandon. I am going to stay at it and see what comes........I'm looking to find some grace with it....

"Mountain Scene" - no such place.....

"Holdin' Hands"

This beautiful rendition of warmth between two people is my daughter Amy's work.

Thank you for taking a look.