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"?

Backward Glance

Backward Glance  7 x 5 pastel

Day 4 of the 20 Minute Challenge. These are so much fun that I might not go back to "regular" painting... Put in a few more seconds on this one, mostly erasing some schmutz on the background. 

Frizzled Serama Pullet

Frizzled  Serama Pullet  7 x 5 pastel

20:04. I think these exotic chickens lend themselves to this challenge. They are forgiving in the drawing department, and seem to be happy as long as you tart them up with some bright colors.

The Serama breed originated in Malaysia and is the result of the selective cross breeding of many breeds of chickens. Their chesty, regal and confident beauty is a joy to behold and they have been described as the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dolly Parton of the Bantam chicken kingdom.

Here is my palette, which I have learned to select before the clock starts!

Tuesday

Tuesday  7 x 5 pastel

I am having a blast with this 20 minute challenge. I actually stopped at 17:28 for this one. You may wonder about the title— I couldn't think of one and then remembered today is Tuesday. Can't wait until Wednesday!