Something to be said about commission paintings

20”x16”pastel on Uart 320 toned with Payne’s gray oil stain

Inspiration for me, has always come from the connection to what I SEE, what I FEEL and my grateful feelings for this gift of painting that God has given me. My paintings are all very personal to me - little pieces of me.

When painting a commission, the image that is handed to me to paint is not my connection. I know I have the skills to paint the image - but my goal is for the painting to show an emotional connection. 

“Seasons of life” 18”x12” pastel on toned Uart 320 

24”x18” pastel on Uart 320 toned with alizarin crimson oil stain

These recent commissions have been requested by family or personal friends. Maybe that was the emotional connection I felt - wanting them to enjoy the painting I give them because that image was meaningful in some way to them. 

I guess it is all about “creating connection” and that may be what God has put me on earth to do.

Seasons...

“seasons of life” 12”x18” pastel on Uart320

I sat up late last night writing down my thoughts for this blog post. I recently moved. Trying to get settled into my new home and working full time has not given me much time to set up my new studio space and painting. But once I laid out my pastels on the table , I knew it was time to focus on my painting. It had been 3 months since I had picked up a pastel stick.

Some of my pastels 

BOOM - along comes COVID-19 everything changes, I am laid off temporarily from my job. The world is in pandemic, the news, the sickness and loss of loved ones, people and businesses failing financially - FEAR. I  feel myself pivoting into a new season. As my pastor, Jody Ray, says in his book, Pivot, “ Pivot moments occur when you recognize there is more to a situation than what you can see. They happen when you believe you have a future, despite what your present reality might be...they happen when you don’t allow your fears to paralyze you and you don’t let worries weigh you down”. I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. As a Christian - I let go of my fears and trust in God. He has prepared a journey for me, a change in my season.

My sister has been living in Newburyport MA on Plum Island. She recently shared some photos with me. I don’t use other people’s photos for my work unless they are commissioned. But these photos called out to me! The path -the journey. The change of season from winter to spring - new life. The sky - for the artist in me. I have been to Plum Island, painted there, the connection was strong. I needed to paint !

Here are some progress photos of the painting. After not painting for several months, I felt rusty. I took my time feeling my way with my pastels and the texture of the paper. I added some pumice gel to areas where I wanted more texture and toned areas with pastel and alcohol wash for the underpainting. I love the rough surface which creates more depth . I wanted this painting to be more thoughtful, moody. Eventually it came together. Appropriately I titled it “seasons of life”. I hope you connect with my painting. I pray that you come through this pandemic into a new season of hope - more thoughtful and fearless. 

As always , your comments are welcome. 

Creating connection.

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!

“stand sleeping in the cold” 12”x16” pastel on Pastel Premier Italian clay 320

Winter Trees/ William Carlos William

all the complicated detail 

of the attiring and

the disattiring are completed!

A liquid moon

moved gently among

the long branches.

Thus having prepared their beds

against a sure winter

the wise trees

stand sleeping in the cold.

As 2018 comes to an end, I thought I would try to get one more blog post in. So much has changed for me this year, new resolutions to be made, finding a way to put myself to rest with the approaching winter and preparing for a new year, a new path. As I am working a full time job now, there doesn’t seem to be as much time to paint. It seems more thought and heart go into each painting I have time for. Sometimes just an impression in a 20 minute quick pastel. Sometimes I wash everything off from an unsuccessful painting, repurpose the paper, toned black with clear gesso, starting with a new idea. Sometimes it’s just a feeling and I just paint what comes from inside me. Painting - so much a part of who I am - I can’t let it go. 

Wishing you blessings in the New Year