Pear Pastel, with Limes and Lemons

Simple still life, comparing and contrasting the greens of limes and pears, and the reflections they give off each other. This is where I stand now, meaning it is not finished.

My Pastels….

This one I have framed and it was entered in the Members Show at the North River Arts Society in Marshfield.

This is a view from our family island in Maine.

This is also on the family island in Maine. It is the boat house. It is not finished. I am still trying to figure out the beach….rocks and the house is still off a bit.

Still Life

I finished my first pastel landscape. I don’t love it, but it wasn’t completely horrible. I did have fun though, and that is really what is important to me these days. I have decided, along with my teacher, that since I haven’t “ridden this horse” in a while, why not work from still life, where I am more comfortable.

So I set up what few pieces of fruit I had in the house and my signature white piece of pottery….

I am using a piece of cold press watercolor paper, and am not all too happy about the outcome. I just may have to start over on Canson or Spectrum……and/or get some very soft pastels.

Just Squeaked By…..

Yes, I made it to my pastel class yesterday. Barely. I felt green the whole time. And I came home and got into bed, fully dressed and with my coat on for a while even. And I never left the bed, all day, all night…..well I eventually got so hot I took my coat off.

The kids made waffles (frozen) for themselves and tucked themselves into bed. And the kitchen didn’t look too bad this morning either. So I recovered, waking this morning to no more stomach cramps, just very weak, but I did cancel my Meals on Wheels for today, which in turn gave me a few hours to revisit my pastel painting I started yesterday.

This one is an underpainting. Done in very soft pastels, and just blocking it in.

This next step is after I have painted rubbing alcohol over the pastel areas. This will set the pigment.

And this is where I stand right now. I need this class.

I have never been drawn to working on landscapes, always more intrigued by still lifes. I hope my wonderful teacher Donna Rossetti-Bailey can give me some pointers…..I am stuck.