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Apple Blossoms – 2017.0930

My original photo from my apple trees, in spring

Photo credit: Michael Hogan
Sept 30, 2017

Drawing in progress during the Chalk Art Festival.

 

"Apple Blossoms"
Pastel on Paper
36"x 36"
Sept. 30, 2017
$395

Crockett Row @West 7th Presents the Chalk Art Festival

I saw this event pop up in my facebook news feed and thought this would be a great way to showcase my pastel skills to the public instead of doing a live painting like I have in the past. When I arrived, I found a stop next to a young man named Granger, around the age of 12, that was drawing a comical image of an alien dressed in a sheep suit (he won 3rd place). He seemed like a talented and friendly guy. Can't wait to see what he does as a fully matured artist. His parents were pretty nice too. 

I myself had large goals and very little time to finish. The festival ran from 10am to 6pm. We each had buckets for "tips" that were eventually going to go for "The Art Station Benefit." While I didn't place at all, I did sell a few prints I brought along just in case. And as always, I really enjoyed talking to the patrons/audience and getting dirty on the ground.

Winners:

1st Place (& People's Choice) - Rainbow Zebra by Diana Gibson

2nd Place - Anythings Possible (Dr. Seuss Dream) by Soraya McGarrh

3rd Place - Alien Sheep by Granger Krajca

Framing Dilemma 

While I was pleased that we were able to bring our artwork home, I'm not sure how I'm going to frame up this bad boy. It needs to find a home STAT! I'll have to figure something out before the  October 2017 Arts Goggle!

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Meeting 100,000 Dynes – 2017.0910

Photo by: Vanessa Gifford http://www.vanessagiffordphotography.com
"Meeting 100,000 Dynes"
Pastel on Paper
4"x6"
Sept. 10, 2017
$TBD

So Dark, So Bright

OK, so I always seem to do the bright rainbow thing or go full macabre. This is somewhere in the middle and, I really love the colors. I had two very nice rococo black frames that needed filling. With Halloween on the horizon, near the time of Arts Goggle, Russ (husband) suggested that I do something with a Halloween vibe. Well, I ended up finding a picture of a skeleton to work from (by Vanessa Gifford) and this is the end result. Now good old husband suggests that I do another Halloween themed image to go in the matching frame using the same color pallet. He's always challenging me. I'm going to interpret that as love right there because Dad does the same thing to Mom when it comes to her quilts. 

Fun!

This was quite simply FUN. I haven't played in my kiddie pool of darkness in a while and honestly, I missed it. I'll have to make sure to toss in the occasional macabre style image just to make sure I'm staying balanced. Just the right amount of sunshine and darkness seems to keep me well-balanced emotionally and mentally. Cheers!  Off to the next piece. Come check this one out at the October 2017 Arts Goggle!

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Just Ducky – 2017.0906

"Just Ducky"
Pastel on Paper
5"x7"
Sept. 6, 2017
$TBD

So Proud, So Indifferent

This summer, I enjoyed a few once-weekly walks around the Marine Creek Lake near our home, with a friend who was trying to lose some baby weight. Part of the fun of those walks is the surprise animal appearances. The day I photographed this rather proud leader of his mismatched duck squad, was incredibly hot and I'm sure he was hoping this goofy human approaching him was bringing him a snack. Once he realized I had nothing to offer, It was as if I did not exist. He went about his business for the most part and went I left, gave me the side-eye. Sassy little thing. 

What was I doing?

This little 5x7 sat on the dining room table for a week or more. I'd look at the underpainting and question myself, question my direction, and questioned my value as an artist. What was I doing? What is the point? Did anyone care about what I had to offer or was this just a waste of time and resources? I think time will tell with all those questions and I had to remind myself there is a reason they are called Starving artists and that Rome was not built in a day. Lucky for me, I have a husband that will pick up the slack when it comes to the food buying and friends and family cheering me on from the sidelines when I begin to doubt myself and the path I am currently traveling.  I'll try to do a few more small pieces next and I will definitely have it at the October 2017 Arts Goggle!

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Tenacious Moo – 2017.0821

"Tenacious Moo"
Pastel on Paper
5"x7"
Aug. 21, 2017
$TBD

Neighbourhood Entertainment

We spent this spring and summer enjoying watching and trying to feed the little group of calves (about 3-4) on the eight acres of land next to our house. The little calves grew up and the owner moved the fun little group somewhere else. We thought our entertainment had permanently departed for the year... unless you count Brownie and two other adult females of the group who happily eat my weeds I toss over the fence line. about a month ago, a tenacious little calf arrives and boy does he cause a stir. The little guy doesn't listen to any of the cows when called, bounces joyously around the pasture, and curiously approaches the fence-line when our little papillion dog, Mercedes, approaches to see who's around to greet. 

Last of the Little'uns

This little guy just needed to be drawn so in order to do it up right, I wanted the colors to invoke this little guy's lively spirit and tenacious demeanor. I will definitely have it at the October 2017 Arts Goggle!

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Embody the Rain – 2017.0817

"Embody the Rain"
Pastel on Grey Paper
5.5" x 17.5"
Aug. 17, 2017
$275

Grandma Marilyn Approved

Hostas have always reminded me of rain and Grandma Marilyn. She use to have them in her backyard as well as many other flowers that reminded me of a shadowed grove, canopied by pines and kissed by the beginnings of the Spring rains. If you looked closer, little lily of the valley bordered the sleeping beds and crocus emerge to say hello. So, it's no surprise that when growing my own flowers, I've selected very specific ones that bring back childhood memories of loved-ones.

Soothing Colors after the Bright Marigold

I knew from the start I was going to love this drawing. Not only are the colors soothing and calm but how can anyone not love the plump, voluminous leaves of the hosta plant. Instead of playing up the typical greens of most plants, I was able to punch up blue tones that many hostas are famous for embodying.  This too will be at the October 2017 Arts Goggle!

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Fruit Cocktail – 2017.0805

"Fruit Cocktail"
Pastel on Paper
5.5" x 17.5"
Aug 5, 2017
$300.00

Silver Lining

I figured that after my Kieffer Pear tree caught a bad case of Fire Blight, I should at least capture the lost bounty of Pears and cross my fingers that the pear might make a comeback next spring.

Why a Long Horizontal?

I had three frames that I had purchased that I didn't use for their intended purpose so I figured that since I had to get ready for the 2017 Arts Goggle, I might as well use up the frames and supplies that I had on hand. This drawing takes care of one frame, two to go!

 

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Artist Self Portrait – 2017.0726

"Artist Self Portrait"
Pastel on Board
12" x 18"
July 26, 2017
NFS

A Long Time Coming

I've been meaning to do this portrait for a while now. This is the back story...

I completed a portrait of Russ Davis (my now husband) back when we were first dating back in 2012. He was very patient and sat for a total of 3 hours in the same pose, leaning up against the bed frame. You might be surprised that I was hesitant to even do his portrait because as luck would have it, whenever I completed a portrait of someone I was dating, inevitably I would break-up with them. Well, we didn't and here I am, not even one month into marriage and ready to work up a match to his stoic glance. 

The Look

I attempted to first capture myself with a mona lisa smile, if that's even possible with a camera phone.

Below is the Mona Lisa next to my own photo:

 

You can be the judge of how well I captured myself as well as getting that subtle smile. I also made it a point not to wear any makeup or to do my hair (other than down) in order to capture a timeless feel. I've done a few self portraits over the years but never captured anything this close. Practice makes perfect!