Plein air pastel landscape painting of marsh land near the Naples Botanical Gardens
Pastel painting 11.5 inches x 8.5 inches
As a Michigan artist I don’t get many chances to do plein air paintings of tropical landscapes. So when we visit Florida, I make it my business to focus on pastel landscapes of the beautiful southern marsh lands. This painting was done in the Naples Botanical gardens.
My pastel painting, Everglades Morning, which won an award of Exceptional Merit from the Pastel Society of North Florida, just received a third place award from the Ann Arbor Women Artists. We are having a wonderful exhibit, filled with exceptional artwork, at the Ann Arbor Public Library through May 1st. Stop by and explore if you have a chance!
Plein air watercolor landscape painting of a pond in a botanical garden
Plein air watercolor painting 10.5 inches x 7 inches
I painted this plein air watercolor painting in the same Naples botanical garden where I found all of the fascinating lilies. There were so many great views, it was difficult to choose one to paint. I will definitely be visiting this site again next year. Its a place to let your “inner color” explode!
Plein air pastel painting of water lilies about to open in the morning.
Pastel painting 13.5 inches x 9 inches
I’d never painted a water lily before last month. Suddenly, I am in love with them and can totally understand why painters through the ages have been drawn to them. Every leaf is interesting and unique and the bright flowers create a perfect focal point. But my favorite part is the endless variations of how sunlight hits the surrounding water, creating highlights and deep shadows.
The Naples Botanical Gardens has a huge variety of water lilies in their many themed “rooms.” I spent a few Tuesday mornings working on floral paintings there. This is the only pastel painting I did, but I experimented with quite a few watercolor versions.
Plein air pastel landscape painting of Everglades water in the morning.
Pastel painting 11.5 inches x 8.5 inches SOLD
I love doing plein air paintings on location when we travel. But as a Michigan artist with galleries in-state, it is difficult to show pastel landscapes which are obviously done in different parts of the country. People tend to like images that relate to their own surroundings. One of my goals for this year is to find good gallery representation in the southern states…
Plein air pastel landscape of silhouetted trees along a river bank.
Pastel painting 8.5 inches x 13.5 inches
This is one of my favorite pastel landscapes that I’ve done recently. I painted it one morning down in Florida but it is really a universal-type scene and could have been done almost anywhere in the United States.
I’m a firm believer in getting out early to work on plein air paintings. Their is a special light in the morning that evaporates very quickly. At 8 or 9 am the scene before you is brilliant and dramatic. At 11, it becomes flat and boring. I often take a couple hour break during midday and start again on another scene after 3 pm. I REALLY love afternoon light too. It has a golden hue that gives everything it touches a rosy hue. In my work, light and shadow is everything.
Plein air pastel landscape painting of palm trees near a lake.
Pastel painting 11 inches x 8.5 inches
This pastel landscape was painted around 10 in the morning on a bright, sunny day. The patterns and textures of the palms down south are endlessly fascinating to me. Unfortunately, it is easy to get caught up in recording every leaf and shadow. I was pretty happy with this particular pastel painting. because I was able to capture the essence of the scene without getting caught up in minutia.
Plein air watercolor painting of a pond with water lillies
Plein air watercolor painting 7 inches x 10.5 inches
Back from a wonderful, sunny month in Naples, Florida. We left frigid Michigan just in time–right before it was socked with two huge blizzards.
I painted quite a few pastels and watercolors when we were down there, spending a couple of hours every day looking for interesting sites. One of my favorite places was the Naples Botanical Gardens. Every Tuesday morning they welcome artists, easels and all, to paint on their beautiful grounds. I was fascinated with all of the gorgeous water lilies in the ponds at the park. I’d never painted them before, but was really happy with the way this plein air watercolor painting came out. I took tons of photos to work larger, possibly in pastel, back in the studio.
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.
Plein air pastel landscape painting of a stand of trees reflected in a lake.
Pastel painting 4.5 inches x 9 inches
Its been a crazy, happy week with family in town. And we are on “Baby Alert” with our second grandson due any minute. Very little art is being created in this studio!
I thought I’d post this small pastel painting I did recently at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor. Its all about the beautiful tree reflections in the lake. The ripples change every minute and it’s hard to capture them in plein air paintings. But I had fun trying!
I was honored to be profiled on the Artists in Pastel website today! Check it out if you get a chance!
Plein air pastel landscape of a Michigan wetlands in mid November.
Pastel painting 11 inches x 8 inches
Last week, my friend Cecily and I braved the cold and set out to find a nice spot to paint outdoors. We felt the need to commemorate our artist friend Mary Beth Koeze who had just passed away, and, when you think of it, what could be more appropriate than to create art?
I think this is probably my last Michigan plein air pastel painting of the season. It was COLD. My fingers were numb and my ears frozen. How artists paint in deep winter, I’ll never know. But this wetland area had always intrigued me and I’m happy we seized the moment to capture some of its beauty.
