Garden Pond

"Garden Pond"
12" x 9"
Pastel on canvas panel

I have yet to see this pond reflect blue. It's always muddy brown as I cross the bridge that spans from the parking lot to the island that is the Chicago Botanic Garden.  I've photoshopped it, posterized it and tried to make it prettier than it is, but nobody would recognize it if it were pristine. Strangely muddy is how I perceive this body of water that surrounds one of the most beautiful places in Chicagoland. 

The closeup flowers hang from containers on the bridge. The flowers in them change with the season. This was the view from August, seven years ago.  I always photograph from this bridge. Every trip to the Garden begins or ends with this vista.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

The Lieutenant River

"The Lieutenant River"
14" x 11"
Pastel on canvas panel

I was in Old Lyme, Connecticut a few years ago and again before that. This is the Lieutenant River  in the back yard of the Florence Griswold House and Museum where the American Impressionists painted at the same time the movement was in progress in Europe. Many artists summered in the comfort in her large home. They painted during the day and chatted and played games in candlelight after dark.  I've spent hours in this place, channeling the energy of our country's Impressionists who created in this place 110 years ago.

I've painted this before, but not quite like this. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Polished Knob

"Polished Knob"
7" x 5"
Pastel on canvas panel

I visited many old bars, inns and homes in Wisconsin this summer. There were doors that fascinated me, and this was one of them. Imagine my surprise when I saw how shiny the brass knob was when I got up close. Of course it would be well used — being the door to the bathroom. 

I didn't use my squiggle pattern to paint this. Oh, I tried to, but the wood just didn't look… wooden, so I put on some Neil Young and let my hand stroke back and forth to his swaying rhythm.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Flaming Tips

"Flaming Tips"
20" x 16"
Pastel on hardboard 

I found this cluster of pots at the Botanic Gardens in August when I was there with friends to paint en plein air. I photographed it for the sunlit leaves and the banana plant in the background. Bananas do not grow in Illinois, unless they're in pots, such as this one was.  

I thought I'd make a palette knife painting of the photo, but I'm in a pastel mood right now, and it suited my need for subject matter, again, on a larger scale than I've been doing. I'm pleased with the outcome.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Coleus Carnival

"Coleus Carnival"
24" x 20"
Pastel on black panel

Flanking the front door of the floral shoppe down the road from Mary and Dee's home where I stayed for five days last week was a barrel of coleus and ornamental sweet potato plants. The colors radiated in the sunshine, so I photographed them, hoping to be able to use the image … some day. 

When I saw the image on my computer screen I knew they would be my first large, three day painting in my squiggle style of pastel painting.  I'm very pleased with the results. And I can hardly wait to begin my next large pastel painting. I've become … braver.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Downtown Blues and Greens

"Downtown Blues and Greens"
9" x 12"
Pastel on canvas panel

This is the last of the LaCrosse paintings. I had done the ones in warm colors and decided to make one to go in a silver plein air frame I brought with me.  I didn't like it as much as three other pieces, so it stayed behind. 

What has surprised me and some of my followers is that the squiggly marks I make with my pastel also works for non-organic subject matter such as buildings. I'm not as fond of it, used this way, but I rose to the challenge and did what I set out to do.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Sedum Garden

"Sedum Garden"
8" x 8"
Pastel on canvas panel

It's the end of the season for Mary's garden, but the sedum were at their peak, so I featured them amongst the sticks and stems of what was a gorgeous display a month ago when I was there. 

This piece is VERY much prettier in person… very tapestry like, but the greens photographed as black.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com