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 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 watercolor painting of a pool and umbrella from above

Watercolor painting 7.5 inches x 11 inches $200

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

Ahhhh….the view from our balcony, late one sunny afternoon a couple of weeks ago. On this watercolor landscape, I wanted to experiment with a simpler, more abstract composition. I loved the sparkles in the pool and the deep shadows from the setting sun out on the ocean. Sometimes I feel like I flit from subject to subject, never zeroing in on one signature scene that could be called my own. But there are SO many beautiful things to paint in this world and SO little time. I just can’t help sampling a bit of each one! Plus, I figure that each watercolor or pastel painting is a valuable learning experience and if I keep painting the same thing over and over, I will have missed out on many enlightening lessons.

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.

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!

Pastel plein air painting of rocks along the Lake Michigan coast.

Pastel painting 6.5 inches x 8.5 inches   $100

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

Back at Big Rock Point near Charlevoix. In early morning the trees cast shadows on the rocks that line the coast and create an interesting contrast to the bright sun on the water. When I sit in an an area like this to paint plein air pastel landscapes, I often think that this particular spot has looked just like this for hundreds or maybe even thousands of years. What an honor to spend a few hours recreating it in my own pastel style on paper!

Plein air pastel painting of the Lake Michigan coast near Charlevoix, Michigan

Pastel painting 6.5 inches x 8.5 inches   SOLD

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

We are just back from an absolutely wonderful trip “up north”, as we Michiganders say. My husband and I and 4 other dear friends spend 3 or 4 days each year in the Charlevoix area. The boys play golf, some ladies shop, I paint, and we all eat way more than we should at 4 and 5 star restaurants. Pure Heaven!

I did quite a few plein air watercolor and pastel paintings and will be posting them here over the next few weeks. This pastel landscape was done on the coast, just south of the lighthouse, near downtown Charlevoix. And in another one of those “small world” stories that seem to happen so often, the cottage I painted in front of is owned by 2 painters. They came out to chat with me and it turns out that they run a local plein air painting organization! Of all the cottages up north, I plant myself in front of one filled with the creative energy I seek….very cosmic…..

Plein air pastel landscape of a bridge reflecting in a river.

Pastel painting 8 inches x 10 inches $200

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

Monday was a gorgeous, blue-sky, spring day in Ann Arbor.  I made a bee line to Gallup Park to do a few pastel paintings. Sometimes plein air wori is difficult in spring because EVERYTHING is green. To counteract that, I usually look for some additional color to perk up the scene. This foot bridge fit the bill!