Another Autumn

 

Another Autumn  11 x 14 pastel  SOLD

I have painted this gal three times. First as Autumn, then as Fall and finally as Another Autumn.

You might be asking "why the same cow all the time?" Well, there just aren't a lot of cows in Westchester County NY, so when she was at the fence by the road on the Rockefeller Estate I knew it was my only opportunity to get a good image. Now that I live in Vermont the photo-ops are endless.

Fall and Autumn sold in 2015, but Another Autumn has been with me since 2016. A few days ago she went home to a new collector from Malabar in Vergennes, VT. I also have other paintings there, so check it out if you are in the area. 

I will miss Another Autumn, but I am happy she will will be cared for in a new home.

On another note, I have moved my domain to a new host. I am on the fence about continuing the blog. But please subscribe to my website at cristinekossow.com and received updates when I post new work and publish a newsletter. 

Goin' My Way?

 Going My Way? 9 x 17 pastel

"Going My Way?" was accepted in the Central Mass Pastel Society's Pastels Plus Exhibition. This exhibition decided to "bend the rules" and allow other mediums to be incorporated along with soft pastel. 

I mounted the fish wrapping paper on a board, gave it a coat of gritty gesso and then painted the fish in pastel. It was a lot of fun and now I am on the hunt to "themed" papers. Let me know if you have something that might make an interesting background. 

On another note, I have moved my domain to a new host. Check it out cristinekossow.com

Best Friends

Best Friends 22 x 17 pastel On Hold

Life got in the way of the 30/30 Challenge. Visitors and the most spectacular fall since we moved to VT over 5 years ago. 

These are a friends chickens, Amelia Egghart and Sylvia. Shortly after I got the image, Amelia crowed... so "she" now identifies as "he" or maybe "they"? 

The progress shot below was after a watercolor wash and starting to lay in pastel. I struggled with the background, it was flat. Then I remembered hearing in a workshop "when all else fails, try turquoise"  so I added a mottled layer of light turquoise. 

This is going to the Southern Vermont Art Center in Manchester VT for the Winter Member Show — Nov 19 - Feb 5.

It's a long winter so I hope to produce more, stay tuned.

 

Day 5 — I Give Up!

 I Give Up! 10 x 8 pastel SOLD

Day 5 — I painted this poult (baby domestic turkey) a few days ago and struggled with it. It sat on my easel over the weekend and I decided I give up, ergo the title. 

Vogue

 "Vogue" 8 x 8 pastel On Hold

Day 4 —  To continue with Avian Week, another one of my friends chickens. This gal just looks like she is voguing for the camera.  

Day 3 — Eye on the Prize

 

Eye on the Prize  8 x 8 On Hold

Day 3 — I never know if there will be a theme until I start painting, but I think this is "Avian Week"

I met this chicken when I was visiting a friend in Charlotte, VT. She has an eclectic flock and I hope to paint a few more.

Progress shots:

I ditched the foot and made it a square. 

Day 2 — I've Had It!

 "I've Had It!" 10 x 8 pastel 

Day 2 — This little chick just looks mad at the world. 

Day 1 Lone Loon

 

Lone Loon 3.5 x 6.5 pastel 

Day 1 —  I have wanted to do another 30 Paintings in 30 Days for a LONG time. Not sure I will get to 30 but at least I will be at the easel again.

I painted this as a gift for a friend, known as the Loon ranger here in Vermont. He keeps track of the loon population on Lake Dunmore in Addison County, Vermont. 

Double Gambrel

 Double Gambrel  11 x 14 pastel

This is the first painting for 2022. I decided best to start out with something I love and I could have fun with. I almost did a barn I have painted before, but I discovered how to search the images on my iPhone by typing in "barn". 

I am not sure if I am more excited about the painting or the iPhone search possibilities. 

Newt

Newt 10 x 8 pastel SOLD 

Newt was the second commission for the holidays. He presented a problem because he's all white, and I thought the photo was black and white. Actually, I found out later the photo was full color!

It was fun to add color in and respond to his spunky attitude. Here is the original reference photo:

 

Luna

 

Luna 14 x 11 pastel SOLD

Luna was a Christmas commission. It has a lot to do with the image you are given and this was a challenge. I don't like doing pet portraits with the tongue hanging out (and a ball!). But I liked this image the best for color and her eyes. If I can't do the eyes, the painting will never work.  

Luna was on my easel a little longer than most, but we got to know each other and she seemed to enjoy her time in the studio. 

The original image:

Progress shots:

Pauline's Oystercatcher

 

Pauline's Oystercatcher  8 x 10 pastel  NFS

This was a commission for a friend to give as a gift. The recipient (Pauline) is an oystercatcher expert who lives in Scotland. I hope I have done a good depiction of the Eurasian Oystercatcher.

Martin's House

 

Martin's House  8 x 10 pastel 

Martin's House has won the UART/Pastel Journal Award in the Pastel Society of New Hamsphire 
It's Pastel 13th Annual National Juried Show. 

I have always liked this show and look forward to when it will return to the Discovery Center in Portsmouth, NH.

View the full show here.

View the Awards here.

Mom's Shadow

 

Mom's Shadow  8 x 10 pastel  SOLD

Mom's Shadow has found a home with a new patron from the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, VT. 

Stop in if you are looking at the foliage this fall (so far it's spectacular). It's a great gallery with two floors and lots of art.

I'm back, I think!

I have spent hours trying to have a seamless migration to my blog since Feedburner discontinued it's email subscription serivce. Honestly, my head hurts. But I think I have done it. 

This blog is being retired in July

Slow Day at the Office

The Feedburner team announced that their email subscription service will be discontinued in July 2021. This does not make me happy. 

As a result, Blogger’s email subscription service, will be turned off. Specifically, the email subscription system will no longer work and subscribers to Google blogs will no longer receive email updates.

If you're receiving this post via email, I thank you for your subscription, but you will no longer be getting these delivered to you from my Google Blog after next month. 

I am looking into another service to continue to blog and seamlessly deliver to my subscribers.

Thanks so much for liking my work and following my blog.

Stay tuned,

Cristine

Beth's Cosmo

Beth's Cosmo 8 x 8 pastel SOLD

This is the mystery painting from the empty square in the 30/30 collage. 

I have been holding on to post this one until Beth's birthday today. This was actually Day 9 of the challenge, but I showed it to Beth's husband, and he bought it on the spot! 

I covet one of these "marbletini" glasses, made by a Vermont craftsman Michael Egan, but he doesn't seem to be making them anymore. 

 

Day 31

Day 31 — Not all the paintings for the challenge, but most. I am never disappointed after doing one of these, but I do wonder where to store them all. This is my eleventh one— you do the math! OK, I'll help— I did a quick inventory and I think these have netted 260 pieces of art. 

A huge thank you to all my new and returning patrons and to everyone who commented on Facebook, Instagram, Daily Paintworks and my blog. In fact, through Daily Paintworks there has been interest in older work and a few of those sold too. 

There was a huge response so I am inclined to think I should keep at it. We'll see what February brings. At least it's only 28 days long! 

https://www.facebook.com/cristine.kossow

https://www.instagram.com/criskoss/

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/cristine-kossow-5373

 

Day 30 Huma

Huma 7 x 5 pastel

 Day 30 — This post is a day late because I painted this yesterday but it was a gift so I couldn't show it. Huma was delivered today. She was named after Huma Abedin, Anthony Weiner's ex-wife. 

I have had the image for over a year and finally got around to painting her. Her owner bought "'Tude" (Day 8) so I thought the timing was perfect to add this gift. 

Day 29 Lucky Star

Lucky Star  7 x 10 pastel

 Day 29 — This is my favorite honey. My friends have hives in Newmarket, NH. I think it is the best honey. It is citrusy— is that a word? It tastes like lemon in a good way.