"Summer Evening"

Hopefully the dolrums are over! Finally felt like doing something. 8x10, colored pencil. I've come to use "don't paint from a photo unless you can improve the photo" as a guide. I really loved the photo of this geranium bloom but I did make a few changes to hopefully improve the composition. The little batch of buds on the right side actually pointed straight out to the side and I felt like it led your eye out of the painting, so I re-directed them upward so hopefully they help your eye move in a circle around the flower. I wanted them to still break the plane of the circle of leaves and for the brightness of the largest bud to show up against the dark background. Other changes were very minor, but I think helped.

Russell Raccoon

Just to show that I at least tried something! This pastel (about 6x9") was done from a photo my son-in-law took of a baby raccoon who seemed to have been abandoned by his mom. They saw her carry one baby off, but she didn't come back for hours and hours, leaving little Russell worried, I'm sure. She finally did come and retrieve him and they moved on.

Summer Doldrums Continue

Spending every spare minute in my garden...art seems to have taken a back seat for now. I keep thinking I should be painting something from my garden, but find myself doing more photography for now (my garden blog: http://susnfxgarden.blogspot.com/ ).

Third Place, Mixed Media, Intermountain Society of Artists Spring Show

"Watch Your Step" took third place in the mixed media category (which is where they put everything that isn't watercolor or oil). Very fun to win an award! Now if I could just get my creative brain going again...it seems to have been in neutral for a very long time...

Intermountain Society of Artists Spring Show

I'm entering these three pieces into the show this year. They're framed and ready to go--keeping my fingers crossed that at least one will be accepted into the show. Opening social and award presentation is next Friday (May 21). I had good luck last year (3rd place, mixed media)--the first show I ever entered, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this year.

The Doldrums

Seem to be in an artistic slump right now...haven't been doing much at all. Getting a few pieces matted and framed for the upcoming Intermountain Society of Artists spring show. Still here and kicking, but need something to get me jump-started with my pencils or pastels again!

Gander

I've spent a couple of frustrating weeks working with pastels...nothing to show for it at all. Took a photo of this gander this morning at Wheeler Farm. He was standing on one leg when a little girl ran toward him. He stretched his head up and was about to give her a warning honk. I loved his long neck and his almost ballet-like stance. Pastel on white velour paper. May have gotten a bit carried away with the background...I may try this on another surface later.