Pastel cityscape painting of a small street in Umbria, Italy. SOLD

Pastel painting of an extreme close up view of ripe apples on a tree.

Early Christmas Present!

I was notified last week that I had TWO pastel paintings juried into the International Association of Pastel Societies Exhibit. A real thrill and a great end to the year!

It’s an amazing exhibit filled with gorgeous artworks. You can see the full show here.

Orchard 1 - Pastel painting of an extreme close up view of an apple tree in the fall.

Pastel painting 20 inches x 20 inches    SOLD   (but giclee prints are available)

I am sooooo excited! I just found out that one of my pastel orchard painting was accepted in the Pastel Society of America Exhibition. I’ve entered a few times, hoping to be part of this worldwide pastel experience, and am so honored to have an acceptance! Orchard 1 will be shown at the National Arts Club in New York City from September 6 – October 1, 2011. John and I are hoping to attend the Materials Fair and Awards Ceremony and Dinner.

With this acceptance, I will be able to apply for the use of the coveted “PSA” after my signature on all pastel paintings. (“Signature artist members are privileged to use the PSA initials after their name, a meaningful designation for the art community and for potential art buyers.”)  But that process may also include some rejections along the way. Just part of the ongoing art journey…

Pastel painting of a close-up view of ripe apples on a tree in autumn.

Pastel painting 25.5 inches x 12.5 inches    $850   (Giclee prints are available)

Spent a bit of time in the studio this week to finish up a pastel painting that has been languishing on my easel for months. This is part of my Orchard Series that I started early this year.  I’ve finished 4 of them so far and am really happy with the results.

As some of you may already know, I am obsessed with what I call “micro landscapes”– extreme closeup views of various scenes in nature. (See my RiverStones and TreeScape Series) I like painting recognizable subjects that are cropped so tightly, they almost become abstract in composition. I hope to add 4 or 5 more paintings to the series this year. The first two will be exhibited in an exhibit at Tvedten Fine Art beginning in late July.

Pastel painting of an extreme close up of ripe apples on a tree in the fall.

Pastel painting 25.5 inches x 12.5 inches  $850   (Giclee prints are available)

Please contact me if you are interested in similar art work.

I’m continuing to work on my new series of orchard pastel paintings. Although I really enjoyed creating in a square format for the first two works, I felt that a horizontal composition might work better. I started with some photographs I had taken last fall. I cropped the image tightly in photoshop, added some apples, took out some leaves, and generally fussed with the elements till I felt that they made a pleasing composition. The color palette is very similar to the first paintings, but completely unlike the actual photo. I pushed the vibrancy in some areas and toned it down in others. I figure that photos are great for reference, but that I have no responsibility to copy them exactly…

Pastel painting of an extreme close-up view of ripe apples on a sunny autumn day

Pastel painting 20 inches x 20 inches     SOLD   (Giclee prints are available)

Pastel painting number two for the Tvedten Fine Art “20 x 20″ show this summer. The Opening Reception will be July 29th and I am assuming the show will run through August. I’m really excited about this new series and looking forward to exploring new compositions and color combinations within this bright harvest subject matter.

Pastel painting of close-up view of ripe apples on a tree in the fall

Pastel painting 20 inches x 20 inches     SOLD  (Giclee prints are available)

The gallery that represents me in Harbor Springs, Michigan, Tvedten Fine Art, is having an intriguing show this summer. Margaret Tvedten requested that all of her artists submit 2 paintings that are 20 x 20 inches. They can be of any subject matter and in any medium. I LOVE working in square formats so I was immediately enthralled. I have been collecting orchard reference photos for years so I decided this might be a good time to start the series.

This piece isn’t really a pastel landscape. I call it a “micro landscape” and continues my fascination with extreme close up views of everyday scenery that we take for granted. Very similar in concept to my RiverStone series. I will post the “partner” pastel painting in a few days.

I’d love to hear what you think…

Pastel still life painting of 2 red apples on a white plate

Pastel painting 5.25 inches x 7.75 inches $100

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

I don’t usually paint many still lifes. But every once in a while I get the urge to paint from life and I’m too much of a whimp to paint outside in the winter. I recently painted this pastel as a compositional study in ovals and circles. I also experimented with a very limited color palette…