Plein air pastel landscape painting of a shaded pond in the afternoon.

Pastel painting 8 inches x 11 inches

I’ve driven by this little pond a million times and each time, I swear I am going to come back and paint it. Well, I finally did it! The afternoon sun made all of the rich hues stand out and made a really colorful pastel painting.

I found it really challenging to capture the 3 dimensions of this scene: the water, the reflections and the things floating on the water. They all exist in a different plane and make for mind boggling concentration. And y’all thought pastel landscapes were easy… But sometimes it’s worth the trouble!

Plein air pastel landscape painting of light streaming through the woods near a river in Saline, Michigan

Pastel painting 6 inches x 9 inches     $100

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Another one of my pastel landscapes from Wellers a couple of days ago. The light bursting through the trees was almost psychodelic and had to be captured in pastel! Linda and Karen were out at the mill painting too, each working on a different scene. Its nice to have some buds to create art with. I really enjoy watching how other plein air artists approach their subject and how they use their chosen medium. There are always so many new things to learn!

Spring Cleaning Sale through June 15th! Any small blog painting (under $300) on sale for 30% off! Please contact me directly for your special piece of art.

Plein air pastel landscape of small cabin nestled in the woods, seen from across a lake.

Pastel painting 8.5 inches x 12.5 inches     $300

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I found the sweetest little pond yesterday, off of Judd Road in Saline. It was hidden in a residential area and I almost passed it by. I set up my easel to do this pastel painting just as the owners came home from church. For the most part, I’ve found that people are very open to me painting on their property. They are often flabbergasted and pleased that an artist would find their property beautiful and worthy of a work of art. We all become so accustomed to our own surroundings and sometimes take for granted the gorgeous scenes around us. In this pastel landscape I wanted to capture the serenity of the little cabin tucked back in the woods and loved the long range view across the water.

Plein air watercolor landscape painting of a beautiful pond with a bridge reflected in the water.

Watercolor painting 10 inches x 6.5 inches    $80

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The resort where we stayed had some really intriguing landscaping. I was especially taken with this little bridge over one of the many ponds on site. I sat on the shore and did this watercolor painting during the sunniest time of the day. I like to choose subjects where there is a strong focal point and I can let some of the other background images fall out of focus. When I do paintings of architecture I pay more attention to  all of the structural details.

Pastel painting 17 inches x 11 inches     $650

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Another pastel painting from right here in Saline. This creek is just off the main road going into town. And let me tell ya, I almost got run over while shooting my reference shots from the tiny bridge! (I can see the headline in our local paper: Pastel Artist Expires Shooting Precarious Photographs…) But I just had to do it. The reflections were so beautiful, especially in contrast to the bright snow on the rim of the river. I took about 20 photos and cropped and revised the composition until it felt right for the pastel landscape I had in mind. I’m really happy with the results!

Pastel landscape painting of a river passing beneath the arch of a bridge.

Pastel painting 10 inches x 10 inches   $450

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Things have been really hopping at our graphic design firm in Ann Arbor. You can really tell when the economy perks up: companies start to market again. And art lovers buy paintings! Yesterday, our dear friends and long-time collectors added two of my farmscape paintings to their collection. Their encouragement and support has meant so much to me over the years. And a new customer bought a pastel painting of Charlevoix for her father who grew up in the area. Plus, I have 20 paintings under consideration for a large hospital in Ohio. I’m keepin my fingers crossed!

This pastel landscape painting above is part of  my ongoing series of Michigan Reflections.

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

Pastel painting 11 inches x 8 inches       $200

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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

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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.

Pastel painting of trees reflected in a river deep in the woods.

Pastel painting 10 inches x 10 inches   SOLD

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I have been crazy busy the last few days between work at our ann arbor advertising agency, studio work and GrandBaby time. I now have 5 of my planned 9 family portraits done for a project I am  calling my “portrait quilt”. I am hoping to have it finished and hung for Thanksgiving so the whole fam damily can critique it!

This pastel landscape above is part of the “Michigan Reflections” series I am currently painting. I am so drawn to light and shadow and, if you throw a couple reflections in, I am a real goner. I liked playing with the heightened color in this piece. I wanted to evoke the feeling of an early morning walk and coming upon a gorgeous treasure of a place, deep in the woods, that no one else knew about…

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

Pastel painting 10 inches x 10 inches   $450

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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 the mill in Saline, Michigan

Pastel painting 8.5 inches x 11 inches   $200

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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

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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!