Plein air pastel landscape painting of cumulus clouds over a riverbank.

Pastel painting 11.5 inches x 18 inches

I was on my way to portrait class last week, but it was a gorgeous Michigan summer day and I just couldn’t stand the thought of being cooped up inside. I decided to do a plein air painting instead. The clouds were huge and the wind was pushing them across the sky at a steady clip. It reminded me of the Big Sky of Montana. I set up for a pastel landscape at Gallup Park along the riverbank and painted as fast as I could. I don’t usually use Canson paper for landscapes but it was all I had with me and I had to go with it. Over the years, I’ve learned to be a very adaptable Michigan plein air artist!

This artwork was created with:

Paper: Canson Mi-Tients Steel Gray Paper
Medium: Rembrandt Pastels

Plein air pastel landscape painting of a tree along the Huron River in Ann Arbor, Michigan

This is the last of my paintings from the Bagetta Workshop. I only had a bit of time left before our critique, but I didn’t want to waist it. I left all my supplies in the same place and simply turned my easel around. I zeroed in a small little scene that wasn’t too complicated for my pastel painting. Sometimes the amount of options when you are painting plein air is totally overwhelming. It helps to use a small view finder to find a good composition and crop out all of the extra information.

On this pastel landscape of a river, I used a piece of gatorboard that I had underpainted with Art Spectrum Colourfix primer in a terra cotta shade. I like the way the brush strokes show thru the pastel and add a little texture. This type of set-up tends to create a looser feel, so I wouldn’t choose this medium if you want to create a very detailed piece.

I’m really excited about a historical portrait commission I am doing of a young child and his father. Its really a challenge and I am loving every minute of it!

Plein air pastel painting of a riverbank seen from the water.

Pastel painting 6.75 inches x 11 inches

Second attempt at the Bagetta Workshop. This pastel painting of a river was done on pale yellow Richeson pastel paper with a warm red, purple and yellow underpainting. If you look closely, you can see the paint sneaking thru the green and even dripping down the paper.

Speaking of paper. I think I have given this Richeson paper my last shot. I’ve tried if for figurative art, landscapes, and florals. It is just too pebbly for me and I can’t seem to control it. I don’t feel too bad “dissing” it here because Richeson no longer seems to be carrying it on their website. I think I’m sticking with Kitty Wallis and Art Spectrum Colourfix paper. I seem to get the best results with them…

Plein air pastel landscape painting of the Huron River at Gallup Park

Pastel painting 11.5 inches x 8.5 inches

I attended the most wonderful plein air workshop this weekend! Marla Bagetta, acclaimed pastelist, came to Ann to teach a 2-day outdoor painting class and a 3-day studio glass. I absolutely love her work and wanted to attend both classes but my work schedule wouldn’t allow it. She packed a lot into two hot days in the sun — every minute worth the price of admission. Its going to take a while to assimilate all the information and try to bring it into my own art. I especially liked her method of underpainting with watercolor and simplifying shapes.

A great group of about 14 artists spent the first day at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor. Marla lectured and did a quick and masterful study to show us how she works. Afterwards, we all went out to try our own pastel landscapes using the new techniques she had suggested–this pastel painting of a river is my first one of three I attempted that afternoon…

Check out Marla’s work at   http://marlabaggettastudio.com/ and   http://marlabaggetta.blogspot.com/

Plein air pastel seascape painting of a sand bar in the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix.

Pastel painting 8.5 inches x 11.5 inches

One day, while the guys were golfing up north, I spent the day painting pastel landscapes in the little town of East Jordan which is situated along the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix. This was my first work of the day, done early in the morning, before 9 am. As a plein air artist I’m always looking for interesting seascape opportunities. Although I really respect artists who can create a work of art solely from miles of endless water, I tend to shy away from scenes that are nothing but lake or ocean. I like to find something with an interesting center of interest that integrates with the water around it. This little sand bar did the trick.

I’m leaving for a week at Bonanza Creek in Montana today! Non-stop horseback riding and painting with close friends…Ahhhh!!! Check out their website at http://www.bonanzacreekcountry.com. If you are looking for a wonderful place to ride and experience the wonders of “out west”, I recommend it highly!

Plein air pastel landscape painting of a Michigan wetland area.

Pastel painting 8.5 inches x 11.5 inches

Yay! First plein air painting of the season in the Mitten State!

Its difficult to be a Michigan artist who loves plein air painting. Unless you are willing to brave the frigid cold, 4 or 5 months of the year are just plain shot. And, on top of that, we have had a very hard spring this year. Add that to a busy work schedule and very little outdoor work gets done. Today was the first time I was able to get out and work from life. The sparkling water in the wetlands near my house grabbed my attention, so I parked on a rutted, dirt road and went to work out of the back of my SUV. Ahhhhh…. it feels so good to get in nature to work on pastel landscapes!

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 painting of water lilies in a pond.

Plein air watercolor painting of water lilies in a pond

Plein air watercolor paintings    6.5 inches x 9.5 inches

More watercolors of water lilies! Nothing like doing plein air watercolor paintings in a lovely botanical garden setting!

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…