Park Trail #39

"Park Trail #39" (pastel, 12x16 inches) 

I did this one in Rae Smith's Saturday workshop at IAPS pastel convention last week. I used one of the samples of Yi Cai Pastel Paper, that the representatives from PR China were giving to the instructors. I used one of the medium gray tones, similar to the old Wallis paper. I really like this paper!! It feels a bit like Wallis, but smoother. Great weight, nice and strong. Very consistent. I was able to pile lots of layers on this. I used a dry method on this piece, but I can tell it would take wet mediums beautifully. The back of the paper has a smooth feel and tape pulls of flawlessly without tearing. I bought 5 more sheets before I left.
I'm trying to find out where to get this paper in the US...

Check out my progress shots:

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Cloud 7

"Cloud 7" (pastel, 4x7 inches)  click here to bid or buy

This is the 7th small cloud painting I've done, most of the others were very long ago. There special thing about this one is that it's the same view as one I painted 10 years ago in the Maggie Price workshop at IAPS. This one I painted last week before the IAPS convention, when I was invited to go out and paint with my new friends Laura Pollack, Lyn Asselta and Maria Marino. It was amazing to be able to paint out with such talented landscape artists!

Lyn Asselta and Laura Pollack getting started

It was Tuesday morning and we went to the Elena Gallegos park in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. Below is the painting I did of this same scene in 2007:

"Atmosphere" (2007, pastel, 4x6) sold

S is for Sea Lion

"S is for Sea Lion"  (pastel, 10x8 inches)  $320 unframed for a limited time

Yes, I'm still slogging through the alphabet! I had a different photo for my original sea lion, but wanted to find a good 'portrait' shot instead. If I had to name this one, I think he looks like a grumpy butler.

This may be my last new painting before the pastel convention! I have Thursday to finish organizing, Friday for errands and a hair appointment (priorities, ya know...) and Saturday to load the van and hit the road! I'm bringing my paintings for the exhibits to save on shipping, and need to drop off one of them by 10am Monday.

Any of you who will be at IAPS - looking forward to seeing you there!

Meanwhile, here are some progress shots of the grumpy butler sea lion:

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Springtime Serenade (and IAPS available spaces!)

"Springtime Serenade" (pastel, 20x10 inches) $690 unframed for a limited time

Sllloooowly working on two new large paintings for the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, in between getting some new small and medium paintings done, and preparing for the IAPS pastel convention.

Ok, all in all, I'm not getting much painting done. But speaking of IAPS, there are still a few spaces left in my workshop "The Intimate Animal Portrait" on June 7, and I just found out how anyone can sign up for it, whether you're registered for the convention or not! It's easy! Just email Red Weber at redweberiaps@gmail.com or contact@iapspastel.org. She'll take care of you!

Click the image below for more info or visit the iaps site, and find the materials list here!

There are also LOTS of seats in my Quick-Sketch Portrait demo on June 9. Read more about it here, and contact Red Weber to sign up!
Stay tuned tomorrow for a great quick-sketch video!

Jodie and Bogie

 

 "Jodie and Bogie" (pastel, 10x10 inches) sold

Here's another doggies' portrait from late last year. These precious pooches belong to the aunt of a good friend. Her aunt can no longer care for the dogs, so Kaye has the dogs, and her aunt has the portrait. It was nice to do a pet portrait commission where I could actually take the photos myself, although it took a while, and a lot of shots, to get the two photos showing their personalities that I combined for this portrait! The sun kept coming out then going away, and these are two very active dogs!

Ultimately I chose these two shots for composing in the square format, because of the way Jodie seems to be leaning towards Bogie, and Bogie looking out at the viewer.

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Luna

"Luna"  (pastel, 6x6 inches, from client photo) sold

Been getting some commissions done lately. I finished a dog today. This is a kitten from last year that I hadn't yet posted (at least I don't think I've posted it...) so it's a good time for it! One of my favorites from the Christmas Season.