Plein air pastel painting of small palms on a lake shore.

Pastel painting 8 inches x 11.5 inches     $300

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

I like to paint what I call “MicroLandscapes”. I find a scene that I really like and create an intensely cropped, “close up” composition of it. My RiverStones series is a good example of this type of subject matter. It’s a non-traditional way of looking at pastel landscapes, and one that fits my sensibilities very well.

I usually do these types of paintings in the studio, but when I was down in Florida, I thought I would make a plein air attempt. These palms were right on the edge of a pond and created a neat, abstract composition for my pastel painting.

I am starting a new series of “MicroLandscapes” and am using apple orchards as my subject matter. So far I really like the results. I’ll post them soon…

Plein air pastel landscape painting of a bright Florida bridge reflected in a pond

Pastel painting 8 inches x 12.5 inches     $300

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

This is another pastel landscape, that I painted on a piece of white art spectrum paper that had been underpainted with a rose- colored wash. Warm red is a great hue for outdoor painting because it is a natural compliment to the many shades of green that are found in most landscapes. Placing two compliments (opposites on the color wheel) close together creates a dynamic, vibrating feel in a painting. And although I know this theory from years of study, I sometimes forget it in the passion of getting all the gorgeous colors on the paper. If I underpaint before I start, I don’t have to be focused on adding reds to my greens…they appear on their own!

As a pastel artist, I try to keep the idea of contrasting compliments constantly in mind. For instance, if I want to paint a water scene, which is predominantly blue, I will often use an orange paper. Or if I am working on a pastel portrait with lots of golden tones, I might use a muted purple sheet.

Little tricks of the trade…

Plein air pastel landscape painting of a single bird sitting on a rock formation near a canal in Florida.

Pastel painting 6 inches x 8 inches     $100

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

One morning when I was out looking for a place to set up for  pastel paintings, I saw this neat rock formation along one of the canals near our condo. When I began sketching, a black water bird of some type landed on one of the large rocks–and stayed there for the next hour! It was if it was posing for me, so of course, I had to take advantage it! This a small pastel landscape piece, but I really like the painterly effect of the rocks…

Pastel landscape painting of a beautiful pond with autumn trees reflected in the water.

Pastel painting 11 inches x 17 inches     $650

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

One of my close friends, and a long time client at our Ann Arbor advertising agency, has created the most beautiful garden and pond on the land behind their home. They own an organic fertilizer company, Ocean Organics,  and use their chemical-free products to nurture nature and make it blossom in breathtaking ways. On a sunny day last fall, I took some reference photos to paint from later in my studio. This pastel landscape shows my favorite view of the pond and the small bench where you can sit and take in the gorgeous scenery.

Plein air pastel painting of a pond and reflections in the fall

Pastel painting 11 inches x 8 inches       $200

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

Today I braved the stores to get all the holiday gift purchases done and it was about 40 degrees when I finally got a chance to go out with my pastels in the afternoon. It was a little chilly but I thought I could handle it. Whoa. Within a half an hour my fingers were tingling and 30 minutes later, I could not feel them at all. But the sky was bright and the atmosphere crystal clear, so I kept on going. It took me a good hour to warm up. Who would have thought plein air pastel landscape painting could be such a dangerous sport?

Pastel painting 11 inches x 8.5 inches       $300

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

Yum! Got a chance to use my new pastels out at Delhi Park Sunday afternoon. The area was deserted at this time of year and I had the whole riverfront to myself. It was a foggy day with just a bit of sun but the river grasses were a vibrant gold against the moody water. I love painting water and this scene made for an interesting pastel landscape.

If you haven’t had a chance yet, make sure to stop by Nora Venturelli’s show at the Washington Street Gallery (WSG) on Main Street in Ann Arbor. Her figurative work is amazing and she just got a rave review from art critic John Carlos Cantu in AnnArbor.com. You can also see her large body of work at www.venturellistudio.net.

Plein Air watercolor painting of fishing shacks in the Harbor at Woods Hole on Cape Cod.

Watercolor painting 9 inches x 6 inches       $100

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

Another quick watercolor painting from our Cape Cod trip. This little shack looked like it had a bunch of “renovations” over the years, each time in a new style and color…

Pastel landscape painting of woods reflected in the water along a river bank.

Pastel painting 10 inches x 10 inches   $450

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

This pastel landscape captures the place where Roxy and I go for walks every so often. The river wanders through this natural preserve in Saline and, at every curve, there is an awe-inspiring vision to paint! I am a sucker for reflections. They just draw me in every time. Plus, they are a useful tool in my quest to loosen up. I think I am definitely getting there on this pastel painting.

I’m working on a new watercolor portrait series right now. There will be at least 9 in this group and possibly 16. 3 are done. When I have a few more completed, I’ll post some.

Plein air pastel landscape painting of Pond Farm near Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Pastel painting 9 inches x 6 inches   $350

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

This is the 3rd plein air pastel landscape that I painted for the nature conservancy paint out a couple of weekends ago. Pond Hill Farm is a beautiful working farm off 119 run by a local family. They sell all sorts of produce and meat and even have a little cafe on site. This piece is available at Tvedten Fine Art in Harbor Springs and 20% of the proceeds will go to the conservancies in Northern Michigan.

Plein air pastel landscape painting of the mill in Saline, Michigan

Pastel painting 8.5 inches x 11 inches   $200

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

Here’s my second pastel landscape from the plein air event last weekend. This beautiful old mill is now a scenic location for weddings and events in Saline, Michigan. I sat across Michigan Avenue in  Mill Creek Park so I could capture the reflections in the water.

Our pastel group will have an exhibition at the Side Door Gallery in the Dexter Picture Frame Company in Dexter, Michigan. There will be many small, affordable masterpieces for sale. The show will be up from August 1- September 30 with a reception on August 28th from 6-8pm. Stop by if you have a chance!

Pastel landscape painting of water reflections beneath a dock and boat.

Pastel painting 12 inches x 18 inches   $650

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

This is the second pastel landscape in a series that I’m doing on water reflections. I’m really enjoying zeroing in on this “micro landscape” and exploring color and composition within a restricted space.  I especially like the way the rocks slowly recede into the water in this piece.

The first pastel in this series will be available at my new gallery in Harbor Springs in August. Tvedten Fine Art is a wonderful gallery filled with amazing art by Michigan and national artists. I am so pleased to be joining these talented artists including Margaret Tvedten, the owner and artiste extraordinaire!

Pastel painting of the reflections of a boat and dock in harbor water.

Pastel painting 12 inches x 18 inches   $650

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

I’m really excited about this new series I am starting. Reflections in water have always fascinated me. They are so transient and illusive and yet they can create lasting memories of place and time. I also like the “abstract” composition that reflections create.

I decided that this would be a perfect new pastel landscape or seascape subject to explore thoroughly in an extended series. I thought about attempting it in watercolor, but realized I will have much more control of the outcome in pastel.

I’ve been thinking about the possibilities of this exploration for a long time, and, now that I’ve finished one, I can’t wait to start the next one!