Shades of Pastel

Flourishing Above the Surface
18X24
Soft Pastel
I am thrilled to have this painting accepted into the Shades of Pastel National Competition. The juror for this show is Richard McKinley, a nationally-recognized master pastelist. I took a bit of a gamble entering, and only entered one painting. Usually, I think jurors look for groups of work that are mature and cohesive and then select one or two to show. I had finished this painting just in time to enter, but really no others like it at the time. The exhibit is hosted by the Maryland Pastel Society and will run September 26th to November 7th at the Strathmore Mansion in Bethesda Maryland. Opening Reception will take place on October 4th from 1-3PM.

Painting on Yupo, Workshop Day 3

Today I finished up my painting for the workshop demonstration. I worked around the flower, painting each pedal with an application of wet-into-wet paint, dropping in color, adding a dark maroon mix where needed and lifting out paint as needed to create form. To enhance the perspective of color, I used more neutral magenta and purples in the pedals behind and more intense magenta and whites for the forward shapes. I may add a few more details or dark shadows within the flower to finish. Once complete, I will use an aerosol varnish to seal the painting and then mat and frame the painting behind glass.

Painting on Yupo, Workshop Day 2

In today's "Watercolor on Yupo" workshop, I painted the background (and some foreground) for what will be a water lily flower. The paint for the background was applied using a "soupy" mix of paint, pulling from puddles of Perylene Green, Winsor Green, Indigo, and Dioxazine Purple. I allowed the colors to loosely mingle by dropping in water and pushed around the darks with a paintbrush to create forms until the paint dried. For painting these rich darks, I have recently began using the PBk31 pigment, Perylene Green. After researching this pigment (www.handprint.com, my most used reference for researching pigment), I have discovered that Perylene Green falls into the family of "Black" pigments. And now that I have been using it, I don't know how I ever got along without it. Perylene green is very lightfast (rated 1 for excellence), semitransparent, staining, very dark valued pigment.

WaterLily Pond, Complete

Flourishing Above the Surface
Pastel on Pastelbord
18X24

WaterLily Pond, Almost finished

While working on this painting today, I came to a realization (as I often do after spending so much time with a painting). And since entering the world of blogging, I have become much more introspective regarding the reasons why I paint what I paint and the timing of things. Usually there is some personal purpose, need to express a feeling or say something (other than a deadline or commission). So my realization today... this painting is a metaphor for my life; each lily pad a task, responsibility, relationship, or some detail in life. Some overlapping, some distant, seemingly obscure, all complex and inter-related in some way. Despite my best efforts, I am, at times, overwhelmed with the complexity of details in daily life (as I was with this painting). But then, I am able to step back and see my work (and life) as a whole; some edges up front, more prominent, others distant, more vague. The amount of energy, attention, and importance relative to that piece at a particular time. And then, out of the complexity of forms, something beautiful... blossoms- cherished relationships, nurtured children, professional successes, creative expressions. All connected and vital in the pond.

Balloons on Yupo

Today I demonstrated two paintings for a "beginning techniques" exercise in the "Watercolor on Yupo" workshop. Yupo is a manufactured synthetic paper made from recycled plastic. The surface is nonabsorbent and so requires some variation from traditional watercolor methods. Watercolor painted on yupo creates unusual "fluid" effects. For beginning techniques, we practiced various methods for applying the paint on yupo, subtracting paint, and creating cascading variegated and flat washes. To see a few more of my paintings on yupo, visit my website gallery.

WaterLily Pond, Pastel in Progress 3

I am working this painting on pastelbord by Ampersand. And along with Ampersand's other claybord products (I am using Aquabord for watercolor), I love these hardboard panels. Pastelbord is a clay and gesso panel with a sanded dust-like surface. The surface is similar to sanded pastel paper, but much more durable and versatile. Here, I am using soft pastels on the prepared green board (16x20), but the surface will also take wet pastel techniques and acrylic (maybe I will try this on their white panel next). So many options, so little time.

WaterLily Pond, Pastel in Progress 2

10 hours and counting...
Beginning to take shape... despite the demands of daily responsibility...sweet children, work, holiday activities, life in general.

WaterLily Pond, Pastel in Progress

Initially, I had planned on only painting watercolors on aquabord for the show I have coming up at The Bistro Bethem (Opening Reception August 10th). My goal was to create a unique cohesive group of work for the exhibit. However, I find that after doing a few watercolor paintings (especially if large scale and labor-intensive), I really need a break from that process. So I have begun a pastel (16X20 on Pastelboard) that I will include in the show as well. (And probably a few more).
At this stage, the painting mostly looks like random squiggles. My process in pastel...I will work one area at time to completion (I just can't help myself), keeping my plan for direction and "flow" in mind. As I work, I will go back and make corrections or add darks or lights to previously painted areas. I am consistently "pushing and pulling" shapes, always considering how each shape will "read" against the others in the final painting. When I see a pattern develop, I will try to include it in the over-all design plan. Very Slow-going...

New Beginnings

I know this isn't art-related, but when else will I have the opportunity to sit on a brand-new operating table.

Yesterday was our first day at the new hospital. Many of the areas are still empty of supplies, equipment, and all the details you need in the hospital to take care of patients. A handful of the paintings have been hung, including 2 of mine in the Intensive Care Unit. Though I knew the paintings would be there, it was still quite a surprise and honor to see them. I have been a critical care nurse for almost 15 years. My other painting will be hung in Admissions.

Public Collection at Stafford Hospital

This week I was given an amazing gift. The two paintings above were chosen to be part of the permanent public collection on display at the new Stafford Hospital Center. This opportunity is particularly personal for me, because this week I have also accepted a new position as a nurse in the hospital. Rare is the occasion when my two worlds meet; my life in art and my life as a nurse. Though one is always present and influences the other. I am thankful for this opportunity to share my art in such a special way and honored to be included with the other wonderful artists chosen from Liberty Town and the Fredericksburg area to exhibit at the hospital.