Plein air watercolor landscape of ranch land in Montana
Plein air Watercolor painting 5.5 inches x 15.5 inches
When I visit new places, it helps me to jump outside my usual style and techniques. The countryside in Montana pushed me to work in different compositions and sizes. In this watercolor landscape I wanted to capture some of the enormity of the landscape, but from a close-up and personal viewpoint. I sat near one of the trout streams and looked out toward the distant mountains.
Watercolor painting of June Voldseth on her horse.
Watercolor portrait painting 8.5 inches x 11.5 inches
The Voldseth family who currently owns Bonanza Creek are descended from the original ranch settlers in the 1800s. We became quick friends with June, her husband, David, and kids. They know so much about the area and are generous with their time, talent and knowledge. I painted this watercolor portrait of June on her trusty steed after one of our trips. She makes the whole cattle ranch experience a real joy!
Plein air watercolor landscape painting of a lake in Montana
Plein air Watercolor painting 6 inches x 9 inches
This plein air watercolor landscape was painted in Beaverhead County, one of the largest counties in the United States, but with only 9,000 population. The gorgeous mountains seem to be in the distance no matter what view you take.
Yea! I made it to my portrait drawing class today — even in blizzard like conditions! This model has posed for us in the past. He always comes in full Scottish garb and his interesting face that makes for a wonderful pastel portrait.
I used my set of Terry Ludwig pastels for the first time and I really like them. They are extremely soft, but their wide, square shapes make it easier to loosen up and work in a more painterly fashion. Plus, it was enlightening to be forced to use a palette that I wasn’t familiar with. Thank you to the Pastel Society of North Florida for giving them to me as an award!
Pastel landscape painting of afternoon sunlight streaming through pine trees in winter.
Pastel painting 17 inches x 11 inches
This is Michigan right now. Freezing, brutal, icy — and yet hauntingly beautiful. When the sunlight shines through the trees in my backyard, the snow lights up with color. I’ve been working on very detailed, realistic work lately and I felt like doing a pastel painting with a bit looser feel. My friend Liz’s abstract paintings inspired me. Although this is still very much a recognizable landscape painting, it is moving in a less realistic direction…
Watercolor portrait painting of a woman seated at a table in Italy.
Watercolor portrait painting 10 inches x 13 inches
I painted this watercolor portrait of one of my good friends after our 3-week painting trip to Italy a couple of years ago. Actually, it’s the second rendition. Watercolor is such a fickle medium. Sometimes you end up with an image that is nowhere near what you imagined it could be. On the second try, I had nothing to lose so I was willing to take some chances. I painted more loosely and was not so tied to “reality.” And, I was able to leave the white areas alone and not fill them with useless detail. Part of what I love about watercolor as a medium is the ability to suggest and imply without going overboard in the description. The viewer can then finish some of those unfinished areas in their own mind.
This pastel portrait was done at one of our Saturday nude figure drawing classes a while back. The beautiful model sat for two 20 minute sessions. My life has been so busy lately that I have completely missed these classes. They are soooo good for me and I really NEED them. Plus I miss all of the talented artists that attend. When we get back from our winter travels, I will put them on the top of my “To Do” list!
Pastel landscape painting of a light-filled afternoon on the Lake Michigan coast.
Pastel painting 14 inches x 10 inches
Still deeply focused on my new set of paintings of Italy. I turn Andrea Bocelli music waaaaay up and sing in Italian as I paint. It’s actually pretty embarrassing but it seems to be working for me…
Every once in a while I have to take a break and do some pastel paintings of different subjects. Northern Michigan is one of my favorite places on earth and the gorgeous scenery always calls to me. This pastel landscape shows a little cove that I have painted many times, between Charlevoix and Petoskey along Lake Michigan. I’ve stopped at various times of day and this water scene always inspires me. On this piece I worked mainly with my Great American pastels. They are square and flat like Terry Ludwigs, and great for working loosely and eliminating unnecessary details.
I just ordered a 100 new Terry Ludwig pastels with the gift certificate award I received for my marsh painting in The Pastel Society of North Florida’s National Exhibition. I am excited but overwhelmed by the prospect of adding MORE pastels to my already huge collection. I should be set for life!!!
Don’t miss the Artist Reception for the Saline Plein Air Painters Exhibit at My Favorite Cafe in Saline. Friday, 7-9pm, 101 South Ann Arbor Street.
It’s a friggin blizzard outside so I thought I’d do a little summer pastel paintings to warm me up! Nothing like bright garden sunlight and shadows to chase away the winter blues…
Pastel landscape painting of woods with sunlight streaming through the trees.
Pastel painting 12 inches x 9 inches
In the spring, summer and fall, I work almost completely en plein air-painting outside directly from the subjects that inspire me. But during the blustery winter months in Michigan, I do pastel paintings from the reference photo library I have built up over the years. We are lucky to live in an area where there is still pristine woods and fields. Forests have always inspired me and I love to do pastel landscapes of them, especially when sunlight creates an interesting focal point.
In this piece I concentrated on creating a lifelike fall scene, using a limited palette of colors and hues.
