New iPad

When I saw what the new iPad could do, I was sold! I have an iPhone and never thought I'd have a reason to get an iPad too. However, when I saw how crystal clear the screen was and how you can zoom in while still maintaining the clarity I knew it would be perfect for using for painting. I can put all my reference photos for painting on it and use it instead of printing photographs. It will save me money in paper and ink, plus photos never look the same once you print them.

While at the Apple store I discovered the Square. It's a little card reader that you can use with an iPhone or an iPad. It's awesome! I can take it with me to the gallery or art fairs as a way to receive payments with credit cards. The fee is very reasonable and the money is deposited directly into your bank account.

As hard as I try I just can't keep up with technology. :)

Apple Line Up

"Apple Line Up" 9 by 12, Pastel Painting

NFS

I completed this painting this morning in an effort to loosen up. I went along with a demonstration in a book I have. I didn't start with any drawing at all, which wasn't too difficult because they're just apples, but it was a different approach than I'm used to. I didn't want to use one of my pastelbords for this practice piece, so I used colorfix paper instead and I wasn't able to apply nearly as many layers of pastel.

I also completed this painting standing up at my easel, which I have never done. I usually paint small, so I find it easier to sit, but I enjoyed standing. I also think it may help me loosen up.

Have a great day!

Apples & Limes

Apples & Limes, 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

I set up another little still life today. I had a little fun and put one of the limes on top of the apple. I thought setting up my own still lives was going to work out really well, but I'm not so sure. I think I prefer working from photographs. Maybe I'll experiment with setting up the still lives, and photographing them.

This painting was done on pastelbord, and completed with Mount Vision pastels, and a few Carbothello pastel pencils.

Just a little other news, I have been juried into Contemporary Fine Art International, and am now a member. Along with that, I will now be contributing to the Daily Painters of Wisconsin blog as well as the Pastel Artists International blog. So, I'm excited to become a part of this great art community. :)

I hope you have a lovely afternoon.

Apple & Pears

"Apple & Pears" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

I set up my very first still life today and painted from it. I can't tell you how much the thought of painting a still life (not from a photograph) has intimidated me. But as I become a little more comfortable with my paintings, I'm willing to challenge myself more. I bought this fruit the other day, just for painting. I can see a few things that I wish I would have done differently, but overall I'm happy with it. And most importantly... it was fun! I can certainly see a lot of possibilities coming out of this! It would definitely be nice not to have to be restricted to using photographs all the time.

Well, I hope where ever you are today that you're warm! We're under another winter storm warning, and I think we've gotten 1 1/2 to 2 feet of snow already. I haven't stepped foot outside and I don't plan to. It's nice to have days like this once in a while. :)

Have a great weekend!

Red Apple

"Red Apple" 5 by 7, Acrylic Painting

My 150th post! Wow! I've been blogging a lot more the past 6 months than ever before, and I'm loving it! :)

I know what you're thinking, "Acrylic, really?" I was in the mood for painting with a brush this morning, so I brought out a set of acrylics that I've never used before. I've never painted in acrylic before, other than on cigar boxes. It was a lot of fun to be expressive through my brushstrokes and not have to worry about it being perfect. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out. :)

I've been a little disappointed by what I've been hearing from other artist's lately. The most common thing I hear from them is, "You need to stick to 1 medium only." I've heard this from a few artists that I greatly admire, and for the most part I have done just that. But you know what... there are no rules when it comes to creativity. In fact it's somewhat limiting to stick to one medium if you want to experiment in others. So, that's what I'm going to do.

"Red Apple" is about 5 by 7 with a 3/4 inch white border all the way around. It was completed with acrylic paint on 195lb paper.

Have a nice day!

An Apple a Day

"An Apple a Day" 8 by 10, Pastel Painting

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away," right? I guess I wouldn't know because I don't eat too many apples :). This painting is a little larger than the ones I normally do, it's an 8 by 10. My representation at the gallery begins next Monday and they want to put a painting of mine in the front window. I thought I should have something a little larger than 5 by 7, so here it is. I think this will be perfect.

This painting was completed with a combination of soft pastels and pastel pencils and the surface is Pastelbord.

I hope you all had a relaxing weekend! :)