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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Let's Leap Day...

"Peach Parrot" pastel on paper with natural pigments, 8 x 10 inches.

Well, as I promised I will give an insight as to the process used to develop my pastel drawings. Here is a excerpt from my process statement:

This body of work focuses on the spring wakening of the Tulip.

This spring‐flowering bulbous perennial caused frenzy during the 1630’s, known as “Tulipomania”.

My artwork is a tribute to the fortunes won and lost during this unusual time.

I prepare my paper surfaces through a series of complex steps and timing is crucial. The paper is placed outdoors in pre‐spring, covered with a mixture of snow and natural pigments. As the temperatures warm and the snows melt, the pigments and water stain the papers, creating interesting patterns. I then collect the sheets and draw the exotic blooms using soft pastels. I place the paper back out in the elements so that nature has the final hand in developing the work.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

I Love Tulips...


If you haven't already guessed I LOVE TULIPS! I have painted them in all different styles and don't think I will ever tire of their beauty. The only bad thing about them is that they don't last long enough in the Spring. The have an incredible history, come in hundreds of colors and varieties and are said to be the flower that actually drove men crazy!

"Yellow Tulips" pastel on paper with natural pigments, 14 x 18 inches.


Tomorrow I will let you in on my process and thoughts behind it. You might be surprised.

Back at the grind...


Today I'm back at it...but yesterday I found the GREATEST discovery at a local second hand store. I got 9 Fiesta ware cups & saucers in all different colors. I can hardly wait to use them for my still-life paintings, combining them with fruit & veggies and other objects. My grandmother had the whole set for her "everyday" dishes, my younger sister inherited the set (the "Rat"). So when I saw all the beautiful colors of these cups & saucers, I thought of my grandma and her wonderful kitchen. This group will have so many stories to tell, so stay tuned.

I have two paintings I NEED to post today so lets see, which ones should they be...

I am trying to think in a chronological order. How about my pastels, this is a different "breed of cat".

"Double White" pastel on paper with natural pigments, 12 x 16 inches.


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Life creeps in...




Well, just as it always does...life creeped in, grabbed me and held on tight. These things that take up time and get in our way from doing what we REALLY want to do, like painting or posting. The intentions are ALWAYS good. Plus, we are getting our home ready to sell. You know cleaning, packing, sorting and painting (walls).

Anyway, excuses over I am posting three paintings that make up for the days I missed & today.

Here is another body of work I have been doing for the past 6 years or so. Botanical subjects with watercolor on paper & calfskin vellum.
This painting is my first attempt. "Nasturtium" watercolor on paper, 11 x 14 inches.



posting #2...









This watercolor on paper "Thoughts of Spring" or "Tulipa Princess Margaret Rose" is part of my heirloom tulip collection. This painting was juried into an ASBA show at the Phoenix Art Museum in 2009.








Post #3...(this one will get me back on track) today's post.








This painting is more recent and again part of my tulip collection. These little beauties were originally propagated in 1595! I got the bulbs from Hortus Bulborum and they now are growing in MY tulip garden. "Tulipa Du Tol Red/Yellow 1595" watercolor on vellum, 8.5 x 13.5 inches.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

A Good Day


Today has been a good day thus far...I'm happy to say "very productive at work". Now we'll see how tonight goes as I have plans to clean out my basement studio/work space. The job has been started, but the task must continue tonight. This painting was done in the same "vein" as the one I posted yesterday. Last November I donated this piece to the Lanesboro Arts Center for their annual fund raiser, "Swingsation". If you haven't attended it is a great time, with LOTS of beautiful artwork and other fun items to bid on.

"As days pass..." Oil on panel. 20 x 20 inches. (It's all about the shadows)

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

As Good a Day as Any...


Today seems like as good a day as any to start posting on this blog. Let's try to put one of my paintings on here.

This painting is one of my first that I considered painted well. It is now hanging in my son & daughter-in-law's home.

"Remember When" Oil on paper, 36 x 36 inches.

So far so good...

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

I have been procrastinating like a pro but have finally gotten this blog set... Now I just need to figure out how it all works so I can make it look all "pretty" like all those others I have seen.

I look forward to sharing my life through my art and my art through my life.