And ........the Leaves Begin to Turn

And ..........the Leaves Begin to Turn   6 x 6 in. oil on canvas panel
We usually think of either summer or fall colors but there is a time in-between that is quite lovely. Of course I have a love affair with trees and by painting them hope to share that beauty with others.  This tree is around the bend from our home and took on beautiful fall colors as well. I have been unable to get out to see it in it's blanket of snow but I know from experience beauty comes in all seasons. Perhaps beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.
I began this painting with a very thin lay in of approximate colors using my oils with a bit of Gamsol, quite dry brush. When I was satisfied with the composition I laid in the color with a light coat of oil paint and built up the color and amount of paint as I moved to the finish.  I work from thin to thick and dark to light.

A Desert Walk

A Desert  Walk 5 x 7 inches pastel on board
A place artist friends and I walked and painted in many times  in Arizona. Because of so much non-color in the desert, a little color seems dramatic and in the neutral desert seems exaggerated . The desert has a beauty all its own as does every part of our magnificent country.

Shared Memory

Shared Memories 5x7 pastel on Art Spectrum paper
This is a place my son Paul and I enjoyed together on one of his summer trips home. I am looking forward to his visit this summer to enjoy the new area where we live. Part of this walk was in overcast and part in sunshine giving a wide variety of effects we were able to capture in photos and hopefully in paintings as well. This is truly a season to share time and memories, don't let the hustle and bustle of insanity take over.

Just Waiting.......But for Whom?

Just Waiting..........But for Whom?  pastel on board 7x5
This old rusty chair seems to be stoic and waiting for someone to come and sit or visit. .....I wonder how many stories it could tell?  I am filling my head with all kinds of thoughts and maybe even memories.  I invite you to do the same.

Morning Burn

Morning Burn 5x7 pastel on board
I love to capture the burn of light where it is so bright it goes from white to a more intense color as it hits the trees. There is an ethereal feel to the admosphere and the light that shines and illuminates the landscap as it filters through the trees.

Chick, chick,

Chick, chick, 5x7 pastel on hand- made paper
Emilie, gets chicks each spring and I have painted her older chickens several times but these are new ones just fresh from the hatchery, what fun, I remember getting hundreds of these at once time and having to dip each beak in water and food before placing them  under the heat lamp to stay warm and secure. As they become teenagers they become kind of ugly with funny feathers sticking out all over and this happens within several weeks; so this is the cute stage for sure.
This is done on a hand made paper that I have left exposed that I won as a first place winner in a show awhile back. The package of paper had five sheets and was wrapped in gold metallic tissue; too precious to use and got brave and did this on the first sheet I have used.( this was at least 15 years ago). I am at a stage in my life where I think I need to enjoy these  papers and not just leave them tucked away.

Perenial Bachelor Buttons

Periennial Bachelors Buttons 5x7 pastel on panel
These delightful flowers go by another latin name but they are  wonderful, they have a kind of lanky and graceful movement when the breezes hit them in the garden and withstand most of the elements of dryness, rain or wind. They have a freedom in them that the more formal flowers in the garden lack. I was fortunate to get these from a wonderful gardener by the name of Bev. I have recently moved and will miss these constant reminder of a free and beautiful spirit. Thank you Bev for the garden flowers we shared.