Hay! It's What's For Lunch.

 

"Hay! It's What's For Lunch." (pastel, 36x36 inches) $6200 

I'd been sold out of large paintings for more than a year. I'm so thankful my friend and Director of the ARTS for Rural Texas invited me to have a solo exhibition this spring. With only three months to prepare, it was the exact kick in the butt I needed after the sluggishness of 2020.

This long overdue new Longhorn painting was years in the making! Started as a partial underpainting demo at a Large Project Workshop in Kansas three summers ago, I was finally motivated to finish it.

Watch a quick little still progression video HERE!

This painting will be my centerpiece for my Solo Exhibition, Kindred Spirits, at the ARTS for Rural Texas in Fayetteville, March 27 - May 29, 2021. Opening Reception March 27, 5-7pm.

 

Sunset Silhouette

 

"Sunset Silhouette" (pastel, 18x18 inches) $1290 + shipping

I'd had this juvenile Longhorn calf planned for a while, and my upcoming solo show gave me a reason to get it done! I was struck by the dramatic contrast of black and gold in the reference photo; it was that magical hour just before sunset, and the late summer Texas grasses were glittering with gold. A perfect backdrop for his shiny black coat.

 

I had fun with the background textures. I experimented with a paintbrush handle to swipe some grassy lines in the gold primer. 

See a quick little video of this tip, along with several progress pics of the painting, here!

This painting will be a part of my Solo Exhibition, Kindred Spirits, at the ARTS for Rural Texas in Fayetteville, March 27 - May 29, 2021. Opening Reception March 27, 5-7pm.

The ARTS director, Karen, has started loading my paintings into the website; you can view them here: https://arts.mybigcommerce.com/the-ross-gallery/rita-kirkman/ Check back often the rest of the month!

 

 

Hickory (Warm Fuzzy #56) and speed video!

 Warm Fuzzy #56 - "Hickory" (pastel, 6x6 inches) Bid or buy here 

This little Texas Longhorn calf was one my demos from the PSNC virtual workshop last November. Somehow he missed being posted!

I decided to extract the video bits and make a speed demo. Enjoy!

You can see many more videos on my Patreon Page. (speed vids and image posts are public, and longer full-length instructional videos are on paid tiers!)

"Castor and Pollux" in the Pastel Journal "Spark"

 "Castor and Pollux" original sold, giclee prints available.

I'm excited today because my Pastel Journal just came in the mail, and I was invited to write a little blurb for the "Spark" section of the and here it is in the December issue! 

 

 

Visit my public post on Patreon, where I've transcribed the text so you can read the article, and posted larger pics!

"Castor an Pollux" also happens to be one of the canvas giclee prints I have available at the Woodlands Waterway Arts Fest this weekend! See more about it here. 

 

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"Morning's Kiss" (with reference photos and video!)

 

 

"Morning's Kiss" (pastel, 18x24 inches) $1750. Now available at Art Connections Gallery. 

I caught the reference photo of this mama and baby longhorn on one of my trips out to Round Top Texas to the Gallery there (sadly, now closed.) I'm always excited to find beautiful animals showing affection with one another. 

 

 original reference photo

 

 edited reference photo

 

This pastel painting has been featured in a couple of my Virtual Open Studio days. All in all, this painting took about 13-15 hours from start to finish. 

 

Here is a short 8 minute compilation video showing a choice selection of bits from the start to finish process of this painting:

 

You can watch almost the entire process through this series of videos on my Patreon page (the real-time videos, with narration and live Q&A, available to my Patreon subscribers at the Bunny Buddies and Moo-tastic Muses levels.)

The Underpainting, first part:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-of-baby-39533044 (speed demo - free) 

The Underpainting, second part: https://www.patreon.com/posts/39459487  

The Pastel, part 1:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/virtual-open-3-1-39556181 

The Pastel, part 2: https://www.patreon.com/posts/39564539

The Pastel Finish: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mornings-kiss-40668895 (speed demo - free)

Warm Fuzzy #36 - Polka

Warm Fuzzy #36 - "Polka" (pastel, 6x6 inches) click here to bid or buy

"Polka" was a fun little young longhorn from a friend's ranch. Her horns were still short! Watch as I pastel her beautiful black and white colors in this speed video!

Day 15 - Lady Tex

"Lady Tex" (pastel, 16x16 inches) $950 unframed for a limited time

Day 15 of my 31-in-31... half way there!!

I had this young beauty underpainted a long time ago... decided to pastel her today (ok, and the last couple days too.)

Here are some progress pics:

 

the frame I have for her... She will be $1060 framed.

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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New work at The Gallery at Round Top

"Chic Chick" (pastel, 6x4 inches) $250 Now available at The Gallery at Round Top.

In an effort to push me to paint more and fill up new inventory, I've delivered all my current inventory to the galleries I'm in ...

"Chic Chic" (above) is one of my current favorites, and I've been using it as my Facebook Page profile pic!

Here are some of the other works that are now available at The Gallery at Round Top, in Round Top Texas:

"Daddy!" (pastel, 18x24 inches) $1730

"Daddy's Girl" (pastel, 36x36 inches) $5180

"Midnight" (pastel, 6x4 inches) $250

"Mondo" (pastel, 10x8 inches) $400

"Ruairidh" (pronounced "Roor-rid" meaning Red-Haired King, pastel, 24x12 inches) $985

"Frog #18" (pastel, 5x5 inches) $250

"Frog #19" (pastel, 5x5 inches) $250

"Moora" (pastel, 6x6 inches) $265

Daisy

"Daisy"  (pastel, 6x6 inches) $265 framed

My last leftover underpainting from my IAPS demo last month, finally finished the pastel. Daisy will be with me at the Rockport Art Festival, July 6 and 7, 2019, in Rockport Texas. If you're in the area be sure and stop by!

The beginning of my demo at IAPS

Zinnia

"Zinnia" (pastel, 6x6 inches) $265 framed

Managed to get the pastel on this little one finished today, in between caricatures at the Luling Watermelon Thump. This was one of my under-paintings done at my IAPS demo or workshop.

Zinnia will be with me at the Rockport Art Festival, July 6 and 7, 2019, in Rockport Texas. Hope to see you there!

Waffles

"Waffles" (pastel, 6x6 inches) $200 unframed for a limited time.

Waffles is from a reversed image of the recent "Russell," which sold over the weekend. Sometimes the cute little calves go so fast I just have to repeat myself!

Waffles and the others of this week's practice batch will be with me at my IAPS pastel workshop on Wednesday, June 5.

My practice batch of underpaintings this week

Russell

"Russell (pastel, 6x6 inches) $265 framed

The third of my practice demo this week -- getting ready for the IAPS Pastel Convention, where I'll be demoing my assembly-line approach to daily painting. I enjoyed this one, and it didn't take me as long as I thought it might!

Russell is with me at the Texas Masters Invitational Fine Art Show & Sale, this weekend, May 24-26 at the Y.O. Ranch Hotel, Kerrville, Texas.

Hope to see you!