Class Demos, 1 in oil, 1 in pastel

At my last Wednesday classes, I did a demo in each class. I teach oil and pastel and decided to do the same painting in each oil and pastel to demonstrate the differences/similarities in each medium. The oil was done in the morning class and the pastel in the afternoon since my pastellists are in the afternoon class. I do this at home for my own information to see how the handling works for each. I find that I learn a lot each time I do it. Pastel can be anything you make it, but usually there is a lot more color in my pastels than my oils. It just works out that way. I have found lately that I am getting closer to having the same feeling in each of the mediums which was my intention from the beginning. This exercise is fun and interesting as each medium takes on a different look even though the approach is similar. Working in different mediums is a way to stretch my knowledge and pushes me to try new things. When I am blocked, quite often I will change mediums to move through the block. I encourage my students to try things and play to grow.


Sunset in the Snow-Pastel



Frozen Pond - Oil



   

Southeastern Wildlife Show getting close



Gathering Storm



No Fishing



My project since the end of 2013 has been to get paintings ready for Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston. Knowing that they expect thousands to come through has been additional incentive to have a large bank of work representative of my painting style. The mix has been fun to put together, and most of what I am taking is new work. Usually when I work on a show, I paint a lot and in the process I learn a lot.

This effort has not been any different. Trying new and different things stretches my brain and skill level which is always a good thing. I am working on surfaces that I love, Classens 66 linen. My husband has been stretching the linen for me and it is a wonderful surface to paint on. I am finding more and more that the surface used is as important as important as the paint and brushes you use. I have played with abstraction and glazing which can be seen in my large square painting, "No Fishing" (42x42). A dark and moody sky presented a challenge in "Gathering Storm", another large painting at 30x40. I have just updated my website with more images that will be in Charleston. I will be there February 12 - 16 so come by. All in all, I am having a great time painting the good and the bad, ever grateful for my passion and the desire to follow it.







 

Winter Painting

 I am finally getting some time to keep my New Years resolution which was to update my blog and website more regularly. I marvel at those artists who are really on top of their blogs, newsletters and all other forms of social media. It is a great way to share and market so I really need to get busy. Somewhere in the middle of the marketing, I have to find time to paint. For me this requires a clear head and a block of time to devote to my creative soul. Lately I have been getting ready for the Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston, and have several paintings that are nearing completion at the same time.  Looking at the ones posted here,  I realize that there is a common theme in most of these paintings.  Grasses, water and reflections are always around.