Rest now ....

“rest now” 12”x18” pastel on Uart 320 toned with ArtGraff

Matthew 11:28 Come to me ... and I will give you rest

This will be my last blog post for 2019. It has been a year of transformation for me. I have decided not to make resolutions for 2020 - rather just taking each day as they unfold. 

In November, I was able to take a much needed trip to the beach - I relaxed and rested, walked on the beach and reflected on the year. The three paintings in this post are from the trip using my own reference photos and memories.

“The glistening light” 18”x18” pastel on Uart 320 toned with ArtGraff and pumice gel

Working  as a design associate for Calico Corners has not given me the time to focus on my art full time. I have been working on putting together a website and hope to complete and release it in January. I hope it will open some doors for me..... I am , also , collaborating with Twill Runnage , who writes poetry. We will be putting together a book to include his poetry and my paintings.

“Unfailing love” 12”x18” pastel on Uart 320 toned with ArtGraff and pumice gel

Psalm 143:8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, For I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

I am looking forward to 2020 and I will be leaning into my faith and see what unfolds for me. 

Wishing you blessings in the new year.

Creating connection.

Sing a song of seasons

“glory” 9”x12” pastel on Uart 320

Autumn Fires

In the other gardens

And all up the vale

From the autumn bonfires

See the smoke trail

Pleasant summer over 

And all the summer flowers

The red fire blazes

The grey smoke towers

Sing a song of seasons

Something bright in all

Flowers in the summer 

Fires in the fall!

As we approach the end of autumn, I am reminded of this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. The wind and rain have taken most of the foliage off the trees, but the burning bush is still ablaze with color.

“hallelujah”  12”x18” pastel on Uart 320

I see glimpses of autumn’s glory in passing, soon to be gone with winter approaching.

“the light is golden”. 18”x12” pastel on Uart 320

I am still having fun with exploring a more textured and under painted surface for my pastel paintings. I feel it creates more depth and excitement. I don’t want to caught up in the details of the image, but rather leave you with an impression or feeling you may connect with. 

I am always thankful for the inspiration I receive from God’s creations. 

Enjoy these last days of autumn. 

“I am surrounded by You” 18”x12” pastel on Uart 320

It has been quite some time since I have posted on my blog. My new life has created new patterns for me, but I am not giving up on my painting ! Less time for painting with a full time job..... anyway I was inspired to paint this today and made a point of taking time in my studio space. I recently went up to Blue Ridge GA and the lake was just beautiful.... the end of the summer. Soon all the leaves will be changing colors ! I’ve had a song on my mind by Michael W. Smith - Surrounded (Fight my Battles) , been singing it in my head for days and it just seemed to inspire me to do this painting. I am so very grateful for God’s grace, the beauty He created, and my gift for painting. 

Here is my  reference photo that I used for the painting.

I have been having a lot fun playing with underpainting and texture for my pastel paintings.

Here is how I started.  I like the rougher grades of pastel paper and used Uart 320 . I then toned the whole sheet with ArtGraf . It is water soluble and also works with rubbing alcohol. First I used a bristle brush and scumbled  some of the areas with pumice gel. Then I went back with rubbing alcohol  and brush and blended the rest in. The next photos are some progress shots.

Some news.... I have been working on a website! I hope to have it completed by the end of this month. I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.

I hope my painting brings you joy . Blessings 

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A fondness for green

“a fondness for green” 9”x12”pastel

First post for 2019. I’m really having a fun time exploring a more textured surface for my pastel paintings. I had several sheets of Uart 500 which is a softer texture. So I decided to tone the paper with ArtGraff water soluble color and brushed it in with a fine pumice gel. 

Here is a photo of the process. The ArtGraff stick is square and flat and I just rub it lightly across the paper. You don’t need much , the color is intense. Then I take the fine pumice gel and paint it on with a a large Bristol brush , blending in the color and leaving the brushstrokes for added texture. Once that is dry , I lay in the first layers of the darkest values, then go the the sky and work my way down. 

Here are a few more of my recent pastel paintings with the added texture and toning of the Uart 500. By the way , it works well for a new surface on paintings that did not work out well, that I washed the pastel off in the sink.

A small 5”x5” quick paint on black toned 

15”x15” toned a dark brown

9”x12” toned sepia

9”x12” toned sepia

12”x18” toned sepia. 

I think this is the direction I will be heading in this year, exploring more with different papers and texture.

Comments are always welcome!