Reflecting

"Reflecting"
5" x 7"
Oil on canvas panel

The photo of this scene was laid out in front of me and I jumped on the opportunity to paint it.  I liked how the sun reflected in the water of the reservoir without revealing its spherical self in the sky. I'd love to see incredible things like this with my own eyes.  Maybe someday...

Carol

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Dahlia Delight

"Dahlia Delight"
30" x 40"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Dahlias were in bloom outside the Walled Garden when I was at the Botanic Gardens last month.  I found this one swaying in the breeze and had to sync my body to her rhythmic dance to photograph her. Fortunately, we coincided on a few of them and I got a terrific reference photo for this painting.  

Amazingly, the background took more time to paint than the gazillion petals of this bloom.  I'm delighted with the finished piece, and hope you dahlia lovers enjoy her, too.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Slathered Honey

"Slathered Honey"
8" x 11"
Pastel on sanded paper

That evening, the sky slathered honey across the tips of the trees and down the shafts of their sturdy trunks, warming all who witnessed the overt act.  

I love the fleeting colors of autumn and am thankful for this seasonal gift of brilliance.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Sagebrush

"Sagebrush"
4" x 7"
Pastel on sanded paper

Somewhere on the western plains is a landscape that looks a lot like this. I saw an image of it and remembered it for this tiny piece.

Here's a mid-range value study. Compared to yesterday's high contrast painting, this one is quite different, although still Western.  I'm hooked. 

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Memories of West

"Memories of West"
7" x 4"
Pastel on sanded paper

I painted away from home today. I saw a reference to a subject similar to this so I drew it and painted it from memory. I love the prickly texture of the cactus and the surroundings, too.  It was a fun one to do. 

As usual, this one started on a piece of 140 pound D'Arches French Watercolor paper that I sanded until it felt like suede. I toned the paper with a layer of a burgundy and a layer of cobalt and sanded them into the sueded finish. I brushed it off and then drew a rough sketch of the cactus, then put in my darks.

Carol

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Foxy Gloves

"Foxy Gloves"
7" x 3"
Pastel on sanded paper

Foxgloves grow in the English Walled Garden at the Botanic Gardens near where I live.  They've always looked to me like a bunch of grapes gone floral.  They also tend to flourish in the shade, so I had to imagine sunlight on this sprig.  

Carol

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Last Glimpse

"Last Glimpse"
4.5" x 7"
Pastel on sanded paper

There's been more color in the sky this past week than I've seen in a while. It seems happy, glowing, like if it could, it would also sing.  Fall, it must be ... fall. 

I've made lots of skies with oil paint, so tonight I tried one with pastel. It's not as easy as I thought it would be. I'm used to blending more easily. I'll learn it, I'm sure.

Carol

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