Christmas Cactus, Not

Christmas Cactus, Not  10 x 8 pastel

Took a little break from the Double Bass Scrolls for something fast and fun. The temps here in the Hudson River Valley have been below zero at night. Today is grey and 20 degrees, so I felt like painting something bright and colorful.

I have nurtured this cactus for over 10 years and it always blooms in mid January— won't live up to it's namesake by blooming for the holiday. I like that in a plant.

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Antonio Mariani Bass

Antonio Mariani Bass  10 x 8 pastel  $150

Another pastel from the Kolstein collection of fine Basses.

Full cut 3/4 Size, Violin-cornered, Round-back Model
Made in Pesaro, Italy c. 1680

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Liandro DiVacenza Ceruti Bass

Liandro DiVacenza Ceruti Bass  10 x 8  pastel  $150

This bass is a joint design of the Kolstein Shop and Pavolny European Violin Shop. 

I learned today that the "gear thingy" is called a worm drive. As each painting evolves, I learn another fact about these amazing scrolls. 

I am keeping the size small — 10 x 8 — but I must say it makes some of the worm drives really hard to paint!

Two progress shots:

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Giovanni Battista Fabricatore Bass

 Giovanni Battista Fabricatore Bass 10 x 8 pastel

 Giovanni Battista Fabricatore Bass Violin

Made in Naples, Italy c. 1811

3/4 gamba shaped, flat back

Today was one of those days that, for an artist, are special.

My friend had to return some violins to two shops on Long Island — cool friends, right? I offered to go along for the ride, figuring I could sit in the car, double parked in Queens — woo hoo.

The first shop, Kolstein Music, Inc. was — for someone who likes repetition, a mecca. I have never seen so many beautiful instruments in one place. We got to go into the workshop and see cellos in various states of "disembowelment". Then were told "Go look in the "bass room(s)" and a series was born:

At the second shop, I did wait in the car. But after the violin was dropped off we had a yummy Chinese lunch with soup dumplings, an experience in itself.

Oh, a progress shot. I got so geeked about this once I figured out the gear thingy's that I forgot to take more photos.

Chilean Lavender

Chilean Lavender  8 x 10 pastel

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This is from a reference photo I took on our 3000K trip through Chile. We stayed at Zapato Amarillo in Puerto Octay— a magical B&B with sheep, bees, lavender and a friendly Bernese Mountain Dog.

Here is a picture of one of the little guest houses.

Common Carp

Common Carp  9 x 17  pastel

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Another fish from the Asian market, HMart. I used some metallic pastels on this one too.

Here is a progress shot:

January Ewe

January Ewe  12 x 12 pastel

This was fun. I went to Stone Barns in Tarrytown on Sunday. I got there just in time for "Meet the Sheep". I was sorry I didn't have my good camera, but this gal wandered into the sunlight and I got a decent shot with my iPhone.

All the ewes were in the barn, and most of them were pregnant. They usually give birth to two lambs, and make enough milk for two. Once in a while there are triplets, and the staff has to bottle feed the third. The lambs will be born in March— you know where I'll be!

I only remembered to take one progress shot, but when my husband walked by he said "Hey, I like the orange, so I kept it.