10″x8″ pastel on sanded paper
“‘Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year is all about.” -John Mayer
Last day of school is when summer starts in my book! Today is the beginning…
Let’s Take This Side Road
8″ x 10″ pastel on sanded paper
“Some beautiful paths can’t be discovered without getting lost.” -Erol Oman
We are driving across West Texas today. The wildflowers have been delightful! I love all to imagine what is down all those side roads. And to further imagine what would, or could happen when we get off the beaten path whether it be the highway, or just the course we are heading.
My lap studio.
We and Our Shadow
4’x3′ mixed media
Walking to School series No• 15
“Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which increases with the setting sun of life.” -Jean de La Fontaine
I count the friendship between these two among my biggest blessings.
Prairie in a Park
10″x8″ pastel on sanded paper
Thank you Texas State Park pass.
Early Morning Mirror
18″x12″
This painting captures beautiful morning light on my pond. Below are my studies. I tried toning the paper with 3 different colors and doing small studies to see which color I preferred. I went with the lavender, which was I interesting because I would have guessed the orange or yellow orange would have been my preference.
Towards Dusk
9″x12″ pastel on sanded paper
Here is an example of my painting process. Doing value, and color studies often make the painting go faster, and the result has better energy and freshness than when I fail to plan.
The Road to Ghost Ranch
If you are in need of a fall retreat, throw your wool socks and yellow paint in a bag and come along with me to Northern New Mexico. The Cottonwood trees are so beautiful, they seem to glow from within.
Flowers Shall Grow
This is a field of yellow flowers. I didn’t note which species on my photo, but I know enough about yellow composites to know each flower is not that remarkable on its own. It probably had a woody stem, perhaps even slightly prickly, and they usually have a fragrance that is…well, stinky. As I painted, I thought of the thousands and thousands of acts we go through as mothers – the small things that alone don’t amount to much, honestly, they too might be just a wee bit stinky. However, if you can get a bit of perspective, by climbing a tree, standing on your car, or perhaps a stack of calendars and yearbooks the big picture can take your breath away.
From My Rotting Body, Flowers Shall Grow, and I Am in Them, and That Is Eternity
—Edvard Munch
Single Child
I have never wished that I was a single child, but I know some single mothers with one child who have really special relationships. I love how this little bud is peeking around.
Three buds
paintandsimple 