Morning Tips

"Morning Tips"
7" x 7"
Pastel on sanded paper

I photographed this scene in Rocky Mountain National Park in August a few years ago. I loved the colors and the scale of every element in the landscape. It was not far from here that I saw my first moose and her calf.  I'll never forget that moose. 

Carol

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Over Yonder

"Over Yonder"
5" x 6.5"
Pastel on sanded paper

It was more like a river than a creek, the blue ribbon that snaked between a stand of pines, running downhill from the mountains. I followed it for a few miles in my car before I lost it for good. 

This was a fun exercise in layering land masses, one in front of the other, determining the actual color of each section and replicating it with a limited array of colors.

Carol

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Dappled Road

"Dappled Road"
5" x 6.5"
Pastel on sanded paper

I came on another photo of light slicing across the center of the scene. I was intrigued with making it an autumn painting, so I did. It sparkles more in person than in this realm. 

Carol

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Garden Path

"Garden Path"
7" x 7"
Pastel on sanded paper

My friends discussed, by way of email today, the merits of copying the art of a favorite artist. Four of us had recently become infatuated with the art of Oregon artist, Romona Youngquist. Her work embodies the lessons we've learned over the past few years from our beloved instructor, Thomas Trausch. We decided to copy one of her paintings to discover how she went about creating the layers of texture, color and light. This is my first contribution to that effort. I'll gladly admit it was a blast!  I loved walking in her shoes during this painting. I'll try it again in a couple of days, but in acrylic with a palette knife next time.

Carol

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Cone/Bells

"Cone/Bells"
9" x 6"
Pastel on sanded paper

These hardy wildflowers grow in a meadow near where I live, not this time of year, of course. I photographed this image late in the summer a couple of years ago and I've painted it in watercolor, acrylic and now a quick pastel study.  

I'm learning what my innate marks are when I put pastel to paper. This revelation is so interesting to me, more so in pastel than any other medium, I think.  At least this is where I'm seeing my marks most clearly.

Carol

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Slice of Light

"Slice of Light"
5" x 9"
Pastel on sanded paper 

Here's a quick study of a photo I happened on today. I liked the light slicing across the center of the piece enough to paint it again, as a larger piece. 

I saw the Fourth Biennial National Juried Exhibition of the Chicago Pastel Painters on Friday. It was enchanting to see 100 exhibition-worthy pieces in person. I plan to attend again before the show is over on January 4th. One piece in particular, "Flowescent Lighting" by Mike Barret Kolasinsik stole the show. He makes paper sing … arias!  If you're in the Chicagoland area, the exhibit is a "must see" at The Art Center in Highland Park.

Carol

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By Any Other Name...

"By Any Other Name"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

It's been three months, well nearly, since I've painted a rose. I've dabbled with new subject matter, dipped a toe into the warm waters of another medium and generally spread my wings, but here I am, back to my roots, the place I long to be — at my easel with a rose. And yes, she smelled as sweet as ever. 

Carol  

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Rock Me

"Rock Me"
9" x 6"
Pastel on sanded paper

Rocks intrigue me — especially rounded ones. I love the way they look, sound and feel. I found these river rocks and photographed them, then immediately began humming the old Sesame Street jingle, "One of these things is not like the others…"  

It's my first attempt at painting rocks with pastels. I'll be doing THIS again. I enjoyed it thoroughly.  

Carol

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From the Peak

"From the Peak"
6" x 6"
Pastel on  sanded paper

On the way down Pikes Peak, while riding the Cog Railway, I saw how flat Colorado is to the east, once you get to the base of the mountain. Colorado Springs is the final flat before the Rockies jut into the brilliant blue sky the rest of that State. 

Here's a quick study of a piece I'll probably paint as an oil painting some day.

Carol

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Autumn Hillside

"Autumn Hillside"
6" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Mid-autumn, I photographed some of the same landscapes I had visited during the heat of summer. My quest was to capture colors other than green. This was one of the places I returned to, and was not disappointed with what I found.

I'm in the throes of painting an assortment of house portraits again. They come in clusters, and the turnaround time is tight for most of them.  I'll paint other things as time permits, but while I'm away, just know that I'm not loafing.

Carol

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My Heart's Desire

"My Heart's Desire"
6" x 6"
Graphite on paper

I took time today to draw another Zentangle heart. Special people in my life are ailing. Some need more than a hug, so I spent prayerful time making meaningful marks on their behalf. This heart's for you. You know who you are.

Love,
Carol

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Sweetheart Cabbage

"Sweetheart Cabbage"
40" x 30"
Oil on wrapped canvas

While at the Botanic Gardens in October, I came across a variety of cabbage that lacked the traditional round head. It was a pointed and looser variety than I'm accustomed to. The veins in every leaf were arranged differently, and the color ranged from yellow-green to blue-green in the span of one beautiful plant. I photographed this sweetheart from several different directions and decided this angle best showed her intrinsic beauty.  

I had to paint this piece in a large format in order to capture the veins and shadows that made her so interesting. I would love to start another cabbage, but other colors are calling to me.

Carol

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Further Along the Way

"Further Along the Way"
5" x 7"
Pastel on sanded paper

As I continued on my imaginary journey, I came to a place along the Snake River where mountains stacked against one another in a variety of shapes and colors.  

Here's another offering in pastel as I work on my huge sweetheart cabbage painting. She will be ready in a few days.

Carol

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Along the Way

"Along the Way"
7" x 5"
Pastel on sanded paper

I looked out the window when I wakened from a nap and saw that the landscape had changed drastically. The trees had dropped their leaves, the roadside pebbles had turned into sheer cliffs, the plains had erupted into mountains and the moon was dotting an imaginary letter i.  

I'm on an imaginary trip tonight. I saw this image and had to try to paint it.

Carol

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Prickly Pear Night

"Prickly Pear Night"
8.5" x 5.5"
Pastel on sanded paper

The Botanic Gardens has a desert garden with a variety of cacti inside where it's cozy, dry and warm. I photographed some of their beautiful succulent plants while there the other day. Here's a stand of prickly pears that had such luscious dar foliage behind it that it appeared to be night time.  

I sprayed this piece with a matte fixative and it darkened the colors a bit. I was told not to, but I just wanted to see what would happen. I have so much to learn. 

Carol 

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In My Heart of Hearts

"In My Heart of Hearts"
6" x 6"
Graphite on paper

I had time to draw — Zentangle— today and this is what poured forth.  A heart. Imagine that.  The shape fit in a square of paper with interesting negative space, and I opted to fill that space with organic shapes. Shapes like fingers reaching for the heart. 

If you haven't tried it, or know nothing about it, check Zentangle or Google it and search the images to see some pretty amazing stuff.  With a pen, or pencil in this case, and a piece of paper, one can channel anxious moments into productive positive energy.

Carol

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Sundown Tonight

"Sundown Tonight"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard

The sun set over the land tonight with a radiant splendor, like the smiles on the faces of lovers after the hoopla has been put to rest. 

Here is a sky offering while I'm working on another large dahlia painting.

Carol

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