Sultry Sunset

"Sultry Sunset" - pastel  8x10

The winter has been brutal this year.  Never-ending snow and the temps have been in the single digits for what feels like weeks.  There is no place left to put the new accumulation of daily snow.  I needed a break from it all, so my mind wandered off to a late summer evening where the humidity is thick and juicy, making the distant trees look blue.  The weeds are tall and dry, grasses are still lush.  The sky is a warm salmon pink.  Off in the distance crickets chirp.

I know those days will be back again before I know it.  Six more months to go.

This painting was done from my imagination in the studio.  Too cold to go outside.

Misty Morning

Misty Morning - 9 x 12   NFS

Last weekend I participated in a workshop given by Thomas Kegler, a wonderful artist who is also located in Western NY.  While he is an amazing oil painter and I am a pastellist, a lot of the knowledge he passed on during the workshop applies to both mediums.  I really enjoyed watching him paint.  He managed to paint 3 paintings that day and travel all over Emery Park (near East Aurora, NY) to personally talk to and offer suggestions to us students several times throughout the day.  He really has a great understanding of what it takes to create art.  His work is incredibly beautiful and I was very grateful for the chance to take the workshop.

I was also very happy with my own painting done that day, despite the horrible weather - it rained the whole time and got cold as the day progressed, or was it just because I was so wet myself?  Thank goodness I had my winter coat and waterproof shoes with me.