Boat Reflection

"Boat Reflection" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

I have to start by thanking Kathleen Young for allowing me to use her photograph as a reference for this painting. Thank you Kathleen! I can't tell you how long I've been wanting to paint this picture. Those reflections are so intriguing! I used to be so intimidated to even try to paint reflections, but I've been finding that I really enjoy painting them. I like the challenge.

I have to also say that I've been lacking confidence in my painting abilities lately and I think I've figured out why. I've been going weeks at a time without painting because of school and other obligations. By the time I get back into the studio, I feel like I've completely lost it. So, I've decided that I have to paint everyday or at least every other day to keep the creativity going. Even, if it's just for a few minutes. And honestly I feel the most like my authentic self when I'm painting. There's nothing I would rather be doing! :)

So anyway, I hope you're all keeping dry. We've gotten several inches of rain in the past couple of days and they're calling for more! Great weather for painting! :)

Reflections of Night

"Reflections of Night" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

I was in the mood for a sunset this morning. Steve at Shooting My Universe has graciously allowed me to use his photographs as references for my paintings (thank you Steve!). I recently came across this one and knew I had to paint it.

I scanned this painting and for some reason my scanner always makes blues appear more green than they actually are. The blue is more of a real blue, and the streak of pink and orange in the middle is a little more subdued than it appears. But you get the point anyway. :)

It was done on pastelbord and completed with soft pastels. I used a few Mount Visions and Senneliers for this little painting. This is the first time that I've done a scene like this in a 5 by 7. Usually when I do water and skies I like to work big, but I felt like recreating this in a smaller size today.

Have a great afternoon! :)

Water Lily

I'm back! I finally finished a painting, can you believe it? It felt so great to be painting again today. This painting is called "Water Lily" and it's another 5 by 7 on Ampersand Pastelbord. It was completed with a combination of soft pastels and pastel pencils.

I have been so busy, with my family visiting, with school, and with the recent news that I will be represented by my first gallery in 2 months. I have so much to do in preparation for it, and finding time to paint has been difficult. But today I decided I would give myself the entire day to finally sit down and do some painting.

I'm going to hold on to this painting and maybe it will end up framed in the gallery. :) I have to choose about 6-8 paintings to start. I know that I want to use some that I already have, and I wanted to paint a couple of new ones.

Well I hope you all have a great weekend!

Sunset Beach

"Sunset Beach" 11 by 14, Pastel Painting

"Sunset Beach" is the 2nd painting that I painted for my living room. It will hang along side my "Sunset Pier" painting. I think they are a great match! :) Usually I feel guilty about painting for myself, but I didn't when I was completing these 2 paintings. I've been wanting to do something like this for a while now.

I completed this painting with a combination of Mount Vision and Sennelier soft pastels (no pencils). It's different going from smaller more realistic paintings, to these. But I love being loose with my strokes, and I just love these water/sky paintings. To me, a sunset is one of the most beautiful natural wonders.

This is probably going to be the last painting that I put up for a while. My brother and sister are coming to visit in less than a week, and I have a lot to do in preparation for their visit. I will also be unable to paint while they are here. I'm missing it already! :)

I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Sunset Pier - Complete

"Sunset Pier" 11 by 14, Pastel Painting

Well here is the completed painting! I didn't have to add too much today. I just darkened some of the darks and added a little more color to the water. I decided on the name "Sunset Pier" - I think it fits pretty well :). I wasn't sure I was even going to include the pier in the painting, but I'm glad I did.

Now I have to begin the second one. It will be similar to this one, as they will eventually be hung up together in my living room. It feels really nice just to paint for me for a change! :)

Shell on the Shore

"Shell on the Shore" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

This is available for purchase here

I completed "Shell on the Shore" this afternoon. Once again it was done on Ampersand Pastelbord and was completed with soft pastels and pastel pencils. I'm thinking that I'm going to have to try a new pastel surface eventually because I have many different kinds, but I keep going for the same one. What can I say, I love pastelbord!!

I had such a great time working on this painting today. This is my first sea shell, but I love painting sea shores and the water. I think this is because I grew up in northern Michigan, just a few miles from the Great Lakes. I never appreciated the water, sunrises and sunsets like I should have. But I will keep on painting them!