Day 3 Barn 3

Barn 3   6 x 6 pastel  $65

Day 3 — More structures than Day 1 and Day 2, but still barns. 

Vermont was hot today. Took Ruby for her first VT swim, then she relaxed on the new porch listening to a Bernie rally about 1/4 of a mile from us. "It's Vermont, do what you want".

Day 2/Barn 2

Barn 2  6 x 6 pastel  $65

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Day 2 — I am getting a kick out of the barns. Barn 1 sold to a new collector in Dallas, TX. Woo-Hoo!

I do want to try these larger, but for the moment will keep it small. It's a long winter, maybe I will revisit a few on a larger scale when the snow is flying.

The garden is exploding, sad that it is such a short time for the tomatoes. 

Day1/Barn 1

Barn 1 6 x 6 pastel  $65

Yep, another 30 Paintings in 30 Days. September is the toughest month for me to do this, but it's been SO long since I have been at the easel that I thought I better challenge myself. 

June 18 was the start of our renovation. July 26 I fractured my left wrist — non dominate but still titanium plate and screws — my first surgery! Then 5 Days in NYC late Aug for the PSA Annual show. 

I have been photographing a lot of barns this summer, so this challenge may be barn related, or not. Gotta paint what makes you happy that day.

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PSA-MP

I am back from 5 days in NYC receiving and hanging the annual show for Pastel Society of America. Long days and hard work, but it's worth it— the show is spectacular.

After the awards judge finishes, our president Jimmy Wright starts calling the winners. With $43,000 in awards it takes a while. We were putting up labels and cleaning glass. One persons phone rang— and she won a big award. About an hour went by and MY PHONE RANG!!!  Jimmy could have yelled down from the office upstairs, but what a nice touch to get a personal call. I won the Holbein Award which gave me my third and final point toward becoming a Master Pastelist.

We are asked not to post our paintings until the show opens — I will share with you on Sept 4!

If you are in NYC Sept 4-29, stop by the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South.
M-F 9-11 am, 3-5 pm; Sat 9 am -5 pm

Iris

Iris  12 x 12 pastel

Another ewe from my friend Jed's farm. I named her Iris because of the purple highlights. 

Best Still Life

"Button, Button, Who's Got The Button?" 16 x 19 pastel

Just got word that I won Best Still Life in the Ivory and Lead first online show. This painting has won a number of awards and I had "retired" it to our living room wall, but then decided to give it one more chance. 

"Button, Button, Who's Got The Button?" was created from a collection of buttons from the legendary Sew What's New shop in Nyack, NY.  Every box was a painting in itself, each holding a different story. The saddest story beign when I lost my beloved dog Ursa during the process. There is a button dedicated to her, can you find it? (hint: she was black with silver highlights).

Richard McKinley had some comments at the 2016 International Association of Pastel Societies juried show at Salmagundi in NYC.

Friday

Friday  7 x 5 pastel

Today is the last day of the 20 minute challenge, but I think I will keep doing them.  Not every day, but when I need to loosen up. It was a great exercise in decision making, restraint and thinking fast on your feet. 

One of my favorite lines is: "Don't take yourself so seriously, nobody else does." This challenge is the perfect way to achieve this! 

Have a great weekend— I am going to a Kentucky Derby Party. Can you say "Mint Julep"?