Windswept

"Windswept" -  8x10  pastel 

This little tree, bent by the wind, was standing all alone and unprotected in an open field.  The day I was there, the wind chilled me despite the intermittent sunshine.  I really liked the bend in the branches and the shape the tree took on from years of being exposed in that breezy spot.

Change of Weather

Change of Weather  -  5 x 7"  pastel SOLD

I was out painting this morning on a beautiful day with bright blue skies. This is the second of two paintings. Gradually, the clouds came in, the temperature began to drop and the wind really picked up.  Wasn't sure if I was going to get this done before I got really chilled.


I usually scan my smaller pastels for my own records.  I have noticed the scanned images don't look as nice as the real painting or the photographed image.  Not sure why.  The scan seems to catch every weird thing on the page and make it look even weirder.

So I put up a photo of the same painting as it appears under glass and framed.  Looks much better in the photo!

Summer's Over

Summer's Over  -  4 x 6"  pastel SOLD

The title kind of says it all.  Went up to the beach and no one was there.  That's the way it is here by the end of September.  The beach was pretty anyway.

Quiet Day on the Marsh

"Quiet Day on the Marsh"  4x6  Sold

I was out walking the other day in an area I had painted before, but this was from a completely different vantage point.  I took a ton of pictures and of course, because I was out exploring, didn't have time to paint on site!  The next day, I painted this based on what I had seen.  Beautiful area.  I'll have to go back.

Looking Through

"Looking Through"  5x7  pastel  SOLD

Sometimes I just need to paint, but for whatever the reason, can't get out.  This is the product of one of those times.  I used a photo as reference, but the way I use a picture is as a reminder of the scene - not as something to copy. I sketch in the basic composition, rearranging things as I see fit, note the basic values and where they are, then make it up as I go.  If you ever see me do a demo using a photo reference, you would notice that I don't use the photo very much at all. It gives me a chance to really use my creativity.  SOLD