Stages of the Process for 2013

 A work in progress, don't worry that back ground sky won't stay blue.

 Just love the blue green leaves of Agave.

 They may look like pumpkins now but they are golden barrel cacti.

 Cleistocatus

  
 You might remember last fall that I used photo's from a trip out west as inspiration  to create several paintings for a landscape show that I was in. It brought back such wonderful memories, along with a new found love for cactus/succulents that I've started collecting them.  I've taken and collected photographs of different cactus and decided to created a new series of paintings.
 As you can see I always start with black line to create the abstracted form, and than start adding color with oil pastel. I'm so excited with these beginnings I've decided to post my process.
Last year I neglected my blog a bit so documenting the painting process might be a great  way to jump start the blogging process again.
Hope you enjoy. 

Merry Christmas

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family life.

Whatever is is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever." - Neil Gaimen

Hanging Art at Orange Glory Cafe

 Thank goodness for my husband Chris. He's the guy that knows how to measure the walls, find the studs behind the paneling, and adjust the wire on a painting so they all hang level.

 Figuring out how to hang that very heavy painting behind him. You can't use just one nail for that.

 Measuring an marking the wall with blue tape.

 The first nail goes in the wood paneling.

 Gathering the hardware.

 Looking good.

 This is a lot of work! I'm getting tired just watching him.

It took Chris four hours to hang the art work.

 A sneak peak of part of the show.

 The frame is straight, it's my crazy painting that's crooked.That explains a lot doesn't it.

The opening is this Wednesday, December 19th in The Times Square building from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Join us if your in Rochester.

New Landscape Paintings for Group Art Show

" Louse Town"

Virginia City, Nevada

Oil Pastel

33X45"

 "Enjoying the View"

Virginia City, Nevada

Oil Pastel

24x18"

 "Bright Orange Globes"

Oil Pastel

24x18"

A month ago I was asked to create several abstract landscape paintings for “Scapes Unlimited.” These paintings, while not really abstract, were inspired from photographs taken during a trip to Virginia City, Nevada. While in Nevada, I had the opportunity to study under Plein-Air artist, Jean LeGassick.

From this trip, I choose three of my favorite photographs. Two of the photographs were taken at “Louse Town” just outside of Virginia City. It was named by miners after Chinese immigrants settled in the area during the Gold Rush. The only inhabitants of this beautiful desert now are wild stallions, and yes we actually saw them that day.

The third photograph, “Bright Orange Globes”, was taken in the mountains between Reno and Virginia City. The landscape was amazing! The colors were breathtaking; varying from lush creams, to shades of orange, green, and lavender. The clear blue skies went on forever.

Working from those three photographs brought back such wonderful memories. I hope you enjoy the paintings as much as I had creating them.

All Finished "Taking Off"

Stages of a New Painting

 Oil pastel on brown paper. I'm almost done and thought I would share with my blogger friends.

This was the first stage. Having so much fun creating these crazy drawings. I feel like a kid again.

Great Things Are Happening!

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