Liquid Gold Seven

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I haven't done a koi pastel in a while, and it seemed like a fun way to sign off for the holidays. I'll be back posting new work after the new year begins (maybe sooner). I'm not sure what that will look like, as I have some spring festivals to think about... I may do some pieces closer to my main body of work here, and/or I may post a little less often for a bit.

Until then, cheers!

Waiting for Spring

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While the other inhabitants of this hill seem fairly content with winter, the little fir tree seems to be saying "enough already--let's get on with spring!"

Red Branches, Snow

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These beautiful red shrubs were just to the right of yesterday's bridge. I wasn't sure how well the delicate branches with red berries and snow would come across in a pastel, but I ended up happy enough with the result.

Winter Under the Bridge

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A new season means another view of the iconic old stone bridge in the park. The tiny bit of snow only stuck to the pathway and top of the bridge, giving me plenty of opportunity to explore color with the trees and bare shrubbery.

Skiff

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The tiniest skiff of snow added so much depth to this little scene. I loved working with the soft warm and cool grays here.

Flower Power 2

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Today I asked Lily to pose on a nice aloha print. "No" is not in her vocabulary.

Misty Morning Walk

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More of the park on a foggy morning.

Still, Early Three

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More Manito morning goodness. I loved the contrast of the cool rocks and firs with the warm tree, shrubs and pine needles along the path.

Sunrise on the Rocks

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The first glints of sun catch a golden tree perched on the rocks above Manito Perennial Garden. I think there could be a lifetime's worth of material in this amazing city park.

Frost & Fog Study 7

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I felt like doing a simple composition today after my last two somewhat complicated pieces. I ended up really happy with the direction this piece took. It has the looser feel that I've wanted for these landscapes. 

Poser

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Lily's modeling career continues with another sexy pose. Oh, behave!

Flower Power

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Lily is probably the only cat I have ever seen that doesn't immediately stop whatever she is doing the second a camera appears. Quite the opposite, she morphs into Austin Powers, writhing and twisting into one silly pose after the next. The sixties-inspired chair made the perfect backdrop as she worked it. Yeah, baby, yeah!

Yakima River, Snow

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I loved the layers of pink and blue in this scene. They make a great contrast with the warm gold of the grasses in the foreground and hay bales stacked across the river.

Snow at Sunrise

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I've missed painting as I moved my studio over the past few weeks, but I'm starting to think the break was a healthy thing. Instead of painting, I spent a lot of time THINKING about painting. I looked at art books, waded numerous times through the 100+ pages of my fellow artists' paintings in 6" Squared, and generally immersed myself in every aspect of painting but the act itself.

Coming back to the easel, I feel like my work reflects my discoveries during this time, and is more thoughtful. I'm sure being settled again doesn't hurt anything either. Painting in the morning then rushing out to move van loads and van loads of... STUFF... doesn't contribute to a zen painting experience.

Whatever it is, I'm refreshed and enjoying the work more than ever.

Snow Sky

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The studio is more or less put together and I am back at the easel at last! I've been really wanting to do this one for a while. This seemed like the perfect time.

A lot has gone on since I took my little sabbatical. Three of my pastels made it into the 6" Squared show at Randy Higbee Gallery in Costa Mesa. You can see them here.

It's good to be back!