Pastel on sanded board 24″x18″
I jumped out of my seat the other day when I saw this beautiful, sprite of a woman charging across the alfalfa field. I loved the abstract shape that the sunlight was making connecting her hat and blouse and I knew it would make a beautiful painting. So…I ran and chased her down the road trying to snap a photo. Don’t let the walker fool you, she was trucking. I was inspired and touched. I loved that she returned to the ranch with a walker instead of staying home. I enjoyed watching several elders interact with their families last week. Three different families were here with someone who was in need of special care and it was a joy to watch them nurture and help. I hope that when someone in my family has a stroke, or goes blind in one eye, or whatever ailments age or life bring I will be there to help them continue to do what gives them life. I also hope that when my balance falters I will buy a walker, ask for the help I need, and keep on trucking!
Adobe early afternoon
24″x18″ pastel on sanded paper
I did this painting as a demo. I enjoyed painting for a group of friends/ students/ artists, and listening to live music. I started with a complimentary color study of the scene, and ended by being gifted with a snickers ice cream bar. It was a great afternoon!
Underpainting before denatured alcohol wash
Underpainting after alcohol wash.
I love the way an underpainting adds complexity to colors in way that is hard to duplicate.
Sobering Beauty
These beauties continue to make my blood run cold when I hear their warning rattle. I have encountered 5 so far this year.
Sunset 8:37
It breaks my heart that there is a forest fire nearby, but it us makes pretty sunsets.
Cello at Sunset
I wish I could add the music that I heard as I painted this sunset on Chimney Rock. It was a lovely evening.
Notice my 4 year old resting her head in my lap as I painted and we listened to music, and those are my son’s feet behind me. He did a painting, too, we shared a box of pastels.
Prickly Pear: Yellow Bloom, Red Dirt
7×5″ pastel on sanded paper
Sunrise 20 June 5:47am
Between sunset last night, and sunrise this morning I went to the camp talent show. We gathered out on a beautiful porch and enjoyed songs, and poems, stories, and jokes. The desert got darker and the community closer. I found myself thinking about the year we lived in Cuba. When we arrived, we had paperwork to fill out: name, passport number, home address, and then we had to list our skill and our talent. Those were two things that everyone should have to contribute to the community. As I enjoyed the talent show last night I thought how wonderful it was, and what talent I might offer up. What would your talent be if you had a minute, a week, a month, or a year to prepare? Think about it, perhaps we will meet next summer in the desert and by the light of the stars, share a little part of ourselves in a way we humans have for thousands of years.
Sunset 8:27
There is no better way to end a day than sitting back and watching nature’s light show, and a fun challenge to try to capture the moment.
Pastel on sanded paper 7″x5″
Prickly Pear: Orange Dirt, Purple Flower
7″x5″ pastel on sanded paper. I love the warm analogous colors of the blooms and soil. Perhaps where there are flowers there soon will be fruit!
Pedernal After the Rain
I love the weird quality of the light right aft a big storm.
paintandsimple 