Bananas

"Bananas"  10 x 8 pastel on Gatorboard

Where's Ursa?

"Where's Ursa?"  10 x 8 pastel on gatorboard  $125

Day 29— I just felt like doing a fast landscape today. Ursa is my dog, who was probably behind me when I took the photo for reference. I have been afraid to paint snow, and it is anything but white.

Heeere's Ursa

Tomorrow is the last day of the challenge. All the participants will be posting a collage of their paintings on Jan 31. Over 400 artists participated in this and there is some wicked good talent out there.

I will continue with this blog, though not on a daily basis. A few times a week is more like it. I hope you will stay with me. It's been a great learning experience and I have met people from all over the world. I think Australia is coming in as farthest away from Hastings on Hudson NY.

Pudgi & Josi

"Pudgi & Josi" 14 x 11 pastel on pastelbord

Day 28 — This was a commission, won by my dear friend Peter, at a silent auction at my church. I donated a custom pet portrait, and when it came time to announce the winner, I saw two close bids and decided to do both. I'll post the other another time.

I found the pugs very forgiving with much room for whimsy and playful strokes. I do like to do animals, so bring on the pet commissions.

Happy Dad Peter

Hubbard Revised

"Hubbard Revised" 14 x 11 pastel on gatorboard

Day 27 — I have been working on a pet portrait commission all day. I can't post until I give to the client (tomorrow?) so I wanted to show something. The image on the left is an older painting. It was dull and boring and hiding in my flat file.

I took it out and decided to look at the box of pastels and pick whatever colors I felt like using and just play. Sometimes you just have to try stuff (right image). It's not there yet, but it's out of the drawer.

At about 5:00 PM I looked out the window of my studio, and BAM— now that's a painting!

Hot Cuppa

"Hot Cuppa" 24 x 18 pastel on Wallis  SOLD

Day 26— In honor of Downton Abbey, I have to give you this image.

Yes, I did paint today, but it is a commission and I really can't post it until I give it to the client. Stay tuned, I think I will finish it tomorrow.

The Primaries

"The Primaries"  6 x 6 pastel

Day 25 — Saw this still life at a class at Art Academy of Westchester. Snapped a photo and had about 45 mins tonight to play with it. It's a "sketch". It will be fun to try this someday with accurate drawing, true color and more time.

Shear It

"Shear It"  5 x 10 pastel on gatorboard    $100

Day 24 — I missed yesterday because I met a fellow pastelist, Karen Israel, over lunch in Newtown, CT. It was a 4 hour lunch! What fun to share ideas, tips and information.

And then a stop at Target on the way home. I love those bargain bins when you walk in the door. There is always something silly that you just have to have, usually involving polka dots.

I saw these shears hanging at my hairdressers and snapped the photo months ago. Maybe I subconsciously chose this to paint because I need a haircut. Someone is bound to say "your hair looks great" as soon as I make the appointment. Can you relate?

Stack It

"Stack It"  6 x 6 pastel on gatorboard     $100

Day 22 — These came out of the dishwasher and caught the intense afternoon winter sun.
Easy choice for today's "It" painting.

Now off to walk the dog in 18 degrees.

Lube It

"Lube It"  10 x 8 pastel on MDF board

Day 21— After shoveling and life, I finally started to paint at 4:00. This still has issues but I wanted to meet my self-imposed 9 pm posting time.

Yesterdays painting "Untitled" had lots of great suggestions for titles, and I was going with "Vintage Taplin" but then I felt it was too literal. So, "Beat It" wins — thanks Liz Fabian. This change helped name today's painting "Lube It". I wonder what tomorrow's "It" will be?

Untitled

"Untitled"  18 x 12 pastel on gatorboard

Day 20— It's up to you to name this one. I am not sure it is done, it may need a few tweeks but I have to leave it for now.

It was a long day. I took a nap when I got home. Hung my show at Cathryn's Tuscan Grill. A few hours after I left I got a call that one of the paintings fell! I didn't tighten all the wires thinking we may need to fiddle with them. Coated wire saves your fingers but it's slippery. Fortunately, no diners were under it when it fell—it hit a table before making it to the floor. The only damage was a small ding in the frame, no broken glass, no 40 mile drive back for a "do over".

Lesson learned— tighten the wire.

Day 18/19

This is that my studio looks like 18 days into the challenge. It's a mess, but a colorful mess.

Saturday and Sunday were spent framing, cleaning up framed pieces and making the backs look as good as the fronts. Monday it all goes to Cathryn's Tuscan Grill in Cold Spring, NY.

The untitled eggbeater awaits on my easel...

To be Continued

Day 17— This is large (16 x 12), started at 5:30, and wiped out the background 3 times. I wanted to post by 9:00, so this is what you get.

Stay tuned, and let me know if you think of a good title.

Now, stupid TV....

A Pint of Summer

"A Pint of Summer"  6 x 6 pastel on gatorboard

Day 16— I am having a love affair with red. 

If you ask my husband, this is very unexpected. I had about a 25 year hiatus from it, but she (yes, she) has crept back into my life in all manner of ways. I never respected how many variations and hues she possessed. What a gal!

Halfway

"Halfway"  6 x 6 pastel on gatorboard  $100

Day 15— Halfway through the challenge. I was thinking of what to paint to commemorate
the occasion and this mornings half grapefruit seemed perfect.

I was trying to do this painting without blending so I used a rough textured board—
it will tear the skin off your fingers if you rub too much.

There are so many supports (surfaces) to paint pastel on, and each one gives a different look.
Maybe I will try this one again on another surface before the challenge is over.

Sherry, Anyone?

Day 14— This is how I spent most of my day. Did you know you have to charge the sales tax of the town you sell in? My studio is a 7.375% sales tax, but many of my paintings sold in 8.125%.

I was still determined to do a painting today, and kept nudging my posting time back, and finished "Sherry, Anyone?" at 9:30 pm.

"Sherry Anyone?" 7 x 5 pastel on  Art Spectrum paper
$100

"Sherry, anyone?" Can't you just hear the Dowager Countess answering this question with "who might this anyone be?"

If you are interested in purchasing, please contact me at ckossow@verizon.net

Summerhill

"Summerhill"  6 x 6 pastel on gatorboard    $100

Day 13— This gal is named Summerhill because I found her in a folder of old photos from Summerhill, a B&B we went to in upstate NY — an amazing place, with a labyrinth based on the one in Chartres. It was magical.

This was actually painted yesterday because I am off to Beacon, NY to take down a show at the Cup and Saucer Tearoom, bring it home, clean it up and rehang some of it in Cold Spring, NY for a show at Cathryn's Tuscan Grill starting Jan 20.

Heddon Zara Spook

"Heddon Zara Spook" 5 x 7 pastel on gatorboard    $100

Day 12— What is a "Heddon Zara Spook" you ask?  After way too long a Google search
and tapping into the world of saltwater lures (who knew?), I thought to just look at the lure—
yep, branded and clear as day, the search was over. Voila!

Contact me if you are interested in purchasing:  ckossow@verizon.net

Squeeze

"Squeeze"  10 x 8 pastel on gatorboard

Day 11— This juicer is from dear friends who always know just the right gift. 

I call it the "Checker Cab" of juicers. 

"Squeeze" $125 plus shipping (and NY tax)

Breezy Point Recovery

"Breezy Point Recovery"  11 x 14 pastel on gatorboard

Day 10— My Blunnies after a hard day in Breezy Point doing recovery work from Hurricane Sandy; and waiting for over a year for the right day to paint them.

$3.99/lb

$3.99/lb  10 x 8 pastel on board

Day 9— a very busy day. Met with a new client and will be showing my work in Cold Spring, NY at Cathryn's Restaurant in late January. No time to paint so I am posting an older piece. 

"$3.99/lb"  $125 plus shipping  (and NY tax). If interested please contact me at ckossow@verizon.net

Plenty Good

"Plenty Good"  8 x 10 pastel on gatorboard

Day 8— Today was a tough day to get to my easel— first the car died, but got it towed (it pays to have a hubby in the fire dept), then Dr's appt's. I finally settled down at 5 pm. 

I refused to change my posting time so I knew I had to stop at 8:30. This may get more futzing another time, but I wanted to try some barkcloth backgrounds.

"Plenty Good" $125 plus shipping (and NY tax). Contact me directly at ckossow@verizon.net

Black and White Latte

"Black and White Latte"  6 x 6 pastel on gatorboard

Day 7 — It's 12 degrees out. I decided to clean the studio today. Pastels are very messy and
I have 2 air purifiers going most of the time.

In my old life I would stop by my dear friends house on the way to work on the Upper East Side
of NYC. My latte was always awaiting for me. I miss that.

"Black and White Latte" $100 plus shipping (and NYS tax).
Please contact me directly at ckossow@verizon.net

Summers End

"Summers End" 8 x 10 pastel on pastelbord   NFS

Day 6 — I felt like taking a break from purple, and I don't paint enough with red and orange.

The Hudson River Valley is expecting single digit temps tonight so I thought an homage to 

summer might warm us up a bit.

Allium Cepa

"Allium Cepa"  5 x 7 pastel on gatorboard

Oddly, this is the one item I often run out of, and it is my go-to ingredient in cooking.
They do not grow terribly well in my Hudson River Valley garden,  but every year I try.

"Allium Cepa"  $100 plus shipping (and tax NY).  Contact me at ckossow@verizon.net

Afternoon Tea

"Afternoon Tea"  6 x6 pastel on board

Day 4 —  "Afternoon Tea" was painted a while ago, but I am posting it to honor my gal pals and our lovely tea on this cold winter afternoon. I will paint two tomorrow... "if life is fair".

Callipygous Eggplant

"Callipygous Eggplant" 10 x 8 pastel on gatorboard

Day 3— Sticking with the purple theme, brought to my attention by Pattie Wall, thanks Pattie. 

This painting was almost a "do over", it just wasn't working, so I decided to walk the dog. When I got back I picked up a blood red pastel and it was the zing it needed. I think.

"Callipygous Eggplant" $125 plus shipping (and tax NY).  Contact me at ckossow@verizon.net

 

And now for a hot tub, and it's 16 degrees out.

Unmatched

"Unmatched" 6 x 6 pastel on gatorboard  SOLD

It's day 2 of the challenge and this seemed like the perfect subject given the big snow
we are expecting in the northeast.

If you have signed up for my blog to be delivered by e mail  I hope you will start getting it. I am still not sure if it's working.

"Unmatched"  $100 plus shipping. Please contact the artist directly at ckossow@verizon.net

Aubergines

5 x 7 pastel in gatorboard

Day 1 of Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Day Challenge. At the moment I am not sure I will have a theme, except to paint what I love. Check back daily and see if I paint what you love, too.

Now this Northerner is off to make a kick ass Hoppin' John to ring in the new year. 

"Aubergines" $100 plus shipping. Contact the artist directly until I can figure out how to add PayPal.

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