16 of 19

There is always something to learn in these challenges, and this is my fifth one. The collage has 16 of the final 19 paintings— I missed a few and really didn't want to create the collage again, so I will post a few stragglers below.

Some thoughts on this challenge:

Over 1400 artists participated in this challenge,  with some great themes— bunnies on plaid, lots of cows, fly fishing ties, before/after...

I created some new surfaces, with rougher applied grounds that added texture.

I was not as organized with this one, nor did I have a theme, and this resulted in a lot of wasted time.

Two paintings sold.

My sweet spot is 4:00, it just seems to be when I land in my studio, best not to fight it.

No matter what I do,  my palate is usually leaning towards cool.

 

 

Winter Grass II

Winter Grass II  6 x 6 pastel

Day 26 — Another one of the fast sketches, but I forgot the progress shots today.

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Winter Grass I

Winter Grass I  6 x 6 pastel

Day 25 — This was so much fun. I had 20 mins before I was going out for a walk. I would like to do a few of these fast sketches and then try a larger landscape in this style.

I also remembered to take progress shots.

The Wave

The Wave  8 x 10 pastel

Day 24 — I wanted to do something fast and loose today. I went to the big Asian supermarket the day before before the blizzard. The fishmongers were busy taking care of the housewives, so I picked up the tongs and started rearranging the fish. I actually pulled this fellow out of the crate and put him on a stack of paper bags close by. I am not sure I would get away with this if it was a slow day...

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I also remembered to take some progress shots:

Yankee Drill III

Yankee Drill III   12 x 6  pastel

Day 23 — Yep, another Yankee Drill. We are having a blizzard here in the Northeast and it is still snowing. Probably got at least 14 inches so far. A great day to stay in, bake cookies and paint— I hope I paint better than I bake, just sayin'...

About a year or so ago I had no Yankee Drills— now I think I  have 7. They are quite challenging to paint, but I have quite a toolbox now.

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Going to Yonkers

Going to Yonkers  17 x 11  pastel

Day 21 — This rooster commanded quite a presence at the coop. He sported many colors and when the sun hit just right, he glowed. I love the girls in the background watching him strut by.

I have been asked to show some progress shots, which I tried to do for this painting, but I always forget to take them. I need to set a timer to take a shot every 20 mins or so. 

This is the rough block in stage. I was literal to the photo and added the shadows from the coop roof,
but my husband said it was distracting (he was right!) so I removed them for the final (above). 

Brooklyn Plane

Brooklyn Plane  6 x 14 pastel

Day 19 — Finally, inspiration! After a few days of looking through thousands of photos (and throwing out all those food shots from past vacations), I found a great vintage plane.

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Stacks

Stacks  6 x 6 pastel

Day 17 — I have such admiration for the daily painters who seem to effortlessly use oil or acrylic in a way that shows motion. This is a fast "sketch" inspired by the work of Carol Marine and Helen Griffiths. Pastel just doesn't have that goopy quality that oil/acrylic does, but it's fun to try.

http://helengriffithsart.blogspot.com/

http://carolmarine.blogspot.com/

Crimper

Crimper  6 x 6 pastel

Day 15 — Another tool, apparently a crimper (or maybe a riveter).

Yellowtail Snapper

Yellowtail Snapper  9 x 17  pastel

Day 14 — I struggled with this one, hence no Day 13 post. I was encouraged to do more fish by my friend Rita Kirkman, an amazing pastel artist, check out her blog: ritakirkman.blogspot.com

I think I am beginning to understand the anatomy of fish and how to render scales, but I have to paint a lot more of them and I am out of my reference images. Time to find a fishmonger!

Slovenian Branzino II

Slovenian Branzino II  9 x 17 Pastel

Day 13 — I painted this before, but half the size. I really wanted to do it again at life size. Why?
Because I love painting fish, get to use my iridescent pastels and I have the perfect frame for this.
I left the background rough, with the brush strokes of the pumice ground showing through.

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Stratham Field

Stratham Field  12 x 12  pastel

Day 11 — Another one of the moody, winter landscapes.

Blues

Blues  6 x 6 pastel

Day 10 — I was feeling really bad about not painting/posting yesterday. I took two naps instead.

I got this painting in before the Upstream Gallery opening. Maybe I will see you there....

Bashful

Bashful  12 x 12  pastel

Day 9 — I guess when I posted yesterdays painting it put cows in my brain. I have painted this gal before, but this is a from different angle. She looks shy, hence Bashful.

Upstream Small Works Show

Day 8 — Well, I missed today. In fact I don't even have a back up I can throw at you. So, I'm going to pull one from the past, that now lives in Half Moon Bay, California.

Even Cowgirls Get The Blues  8 x 10  pastel

Hope you can stop by the Small Works Show at Upstream Gallery in Hastings on Hudson, NY.

Yankee Drill II

Yankee Drill II  10 x 5  pastel

Day 7 —  Another vintage tool. I learned a lesson on this one— don't paint something complicated at

this size! That gear thingy was a nightmare. I may revisit this someday at about 20 x 10.

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Made In U.S.A.

Made In U.S.A.  10 x 5 pastel

Day 6 — For some reason I have accumulated a lot of vintage tools. Gifts, yard sales and dumpster diving. I love these old workhorses, the more used the better.

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Stratham Marsh

Stratham Marsh  8 x 10  pastel

Day 5 — It finally feels like winter here with temps below 30. This feels like winter to me.

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Vintage Atomizer

Vintage Atomizer  7 x 5  pastel

Day 4 — A break from landscapes, this is more of a sketch. I might like to try this in a photo realistic way.

December Glow

December Glow   11 x 9  pastel

Day 3 — This was fun. Learning a lot about letting go and having fun with color.  

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Terrior

Terrior  5 x 10 pastel  $85

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Day 2 — I am sticking with the landscapes because yesterday's painting sold within hours of posting. 

The reference photo for this is from Chile, somewhere about an hour from Santiago, driving back to the airport after 3 weeks/3,000 kilometers on the road.