Sweet Vidalia

Sweet Vidalia

8x8 pastel on Canson $150

 

I love the DPW Challenge.  First thing Sunday morning I check to see what is posted. This one was perfect because I bought these salad onions a few days ago.  I was set up to do landscapes in pastel so I decided to this instead.  I had a mounted piece of gray-green Canson - exactly the wrong color for this but I decided to use it anyway.  I focused on the positive and negative spaces and lost and found edges.  It was fun. 

Oranges, mini

Oranges

2x2" oil on canvas paper, 45.99

This is another for the Minumental exhibit.  I like doing these little studies. 

 

I am trying to paint and post everyday to get ready for Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 challenge starting Jan. 1st.  I can't imagine painting everyday and working full time.  I did it in September but somehow that seemed easier!

Wedges

 

 

 

 

Wedges

6x6 oil on cradled panel $150

 

 

 

 

Hopewell Rocks

Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Fundy $150

6x6 Terry Ludwig pastels on Art Spectrum Colorfix Suede paper

 

I did this for the Daily Paintworks Challenge - "Away from Home"

A few years ago we visited my brother-in-law and his wife in Cape Breton, a 12 hour drive! We stopped in New Brunswick to explore the Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tide range in the world.

 

I rearranged my studio so I could have an area just for pastels and one for oils to make it easier to switch from one media to another.  It is working well so far. 

 

 

 

 

Apples - Minumentals

Apples, Minumentals

2x2 oil on canvas paper $49.95

 

I am getting ready for an exhibit called "Minumentals" at New Hampshire Institute of the Arts. All the art work is 2x2" or less and priced at 49.95 or less.   I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for my two paintings so I decided to do one of these little minis whenever I finished one of my daily paintings.  The still life was set up and I already worked out the composition.  This was fun but I need to buy smaller brushes!



Apples

Apples

6x6 oil on panel $150

 

The solstice is here and even though Winter has just begun we can look forward to increased light. Today was mild and some of the snow is melting, I was even able to photograph this outside.

 

This is the sketch.  I find drawing and composition to be very relaxing.  After work if I am too tired to paint I will set up a small still life and do a value and composition study.

I use an imprimatur of Transparent Earth Orange and a brush drawing in umber.  I refer to my sketch as well as my still life while I do this.



I block in basic colors and values in order to cover the whole panel with thin paint.

 

First Layer of thicker paint.  After this I often take a break, sometimes just for a coffee.  Today my sisters and I helped my mother get her house decorated for a major family party.  The garland looked nice wrapped around the stair rail.

Often when I get back to a painting I see flaws major or minor that were not obvious before. I wiped out some areas and adjusted my drawing.

 

The Red Door

 

The Red Door

8x8 oil on panel, $150

 

I worked on this throughout the week and put finishing touches on it this morning.  I think it is done.

I painted this farm for the first time about thirty years ago using nupastels.  I have gone back many times for more reference photos and I think I would like to go back today and see it in the snow.

 

 

Daily Paintworks Challenge

 

First Snow

5x7 oil on panel $100

 

The Daily Paintworks Challenge was to paint a view out a window and to include the window. This was the scene that greeted me first thing this morning. We were prepped for a major storm.  I live on a private dirt road so we had the plow truck ready.  The snow only amounted to a little over 8 inches and we can drive over that.  I'm going to put on some wool socks, tall boots and go for a walk.

Wine and Cheese

Wine and Cheese

8x8 oil on panel $150

 

We are buttoned down and waiting for the storm.  The plow truck is ready and the flashlights have fresh batteries. If it amounts to anything I will have the whole day tomorrow in the studio.

 

I bought these props at Hobby Lobby but maybe if we get snowed in I'll pull out the real wine and cheese.

 

This is the sketch, I started before the sun was up.  I like using the golden section for my compositions.  I find all this geometry very relaxing.

 

 

Umber on panel

Block in with thinned paint

 

 

Zorn Palette

Winter

5x7 oil 100

Why would someone who owns 15 different blues want to try the Zorn palette?  That's what I asked myself, but the last challenge was so much fun and I learned a lot so I thought I would give it a try.

 

This time I used the same composition as my pastel from earlier this week.  I couldn't find my photo so I used the pastel as a reference.  

 

I hadn't used my ivory black since art school many years ago and my ochre was suffering from neglect.  I added the titanium white and vermillion and was pleasantly surprised. This was a lot of fun but tomorrow I will use my blue!



 

Christmas Glitz

Christmas Glitz

10x10 pastel

This was done as a demonstration and finished in the studio.

The Woods

The Woods

pastel 8x10 $125.00

 

I did this at the Robert Carsten Master's Class at the Currier Museum.  Robert is an excellent teacher and demonstrator.  I have learned more about landscapes and pastels from him than from all my other classes combined. He brings a sense of humor to his lessons, it was a truly enjoyable day.

 

We left Manchester and headed for Bedford, 13 minutes away but were delayed by a road race, a santa road race! Just picture hundreds of santas and elves running!

 

We did get to Bedford in time for the opening reception at Sullivan Frameworks where I found that two of my paintings had sold.

Dancing Light

Dancing Light

Threat of Rain

Threat of Rain

5x7 pastel $100

 

This was done for the Daily Paintworks Challenge "Clouds".  The reference was taken at Plum Island last Spring.

Late November

 

"Late November"

5x7 pastel $100

 

I spent Black Friday on the Coast.  The Marsh was beautiful in its late fall colors.  The sky was a clear blue without a cloud in sight.  I wore two shirts and two pair of pants and my double layer jacket. In another month I will think 30 degrees is a warming trend!

Wine and Cheese

Wine and Cheese

6x6 oil

This was done during my last class with Trish.  I gave up on the idea of layers of paint with glazes because the glazing medium gave me a headache.  I loved the process so it will have to wait until the summertime when I can paint outdoors. All the artists had such a good time painting and laughing together that I did not get this finished.  Now we are talking about an open studio or shared space where we can all work together. I love working with other artists for the support, camaraderie and helpful critiques.

Persimmons

Persimmons

6x6 oil on panel $125.00

 

Persimmons, even the name sounds exotic.  These are beautiful to look at and so much fun to paint. I can not imagine how one would taste.

 

Green Apple and Grapes

Green Apple and Grapes

6x6 oil on panel $125.00

This was fun to do.  I have included process shots.

Sketch done the evening before.  I use a golden section grid to set up my composition.  I find the sketch to be the most relaxing part of the process.

Initial block in. At this point I am trying to get the general shapes and cover the whole panel which had a light wash of Transparent Earth Orange.

1st. layer. At this point I take a break and evaluate.  The background needs to be cooled down and darkened. I also need to lighten the lights, darken the darks and punch up the color.

I have been playing around with blogging.  I learned how to "follow" and I "unfollowed" where I had accidently followed myself. I clicked on something that said I could "manage my friends". I have a hard enough time managing myself and it said I had no friends! Next thing I will figure out is "Circles".

Scent of Pine

Scent of Pine

6x6 on canvas paper

 

This started out as a timed study but I lost track of how many times I reset the timer!

 

I stopped a t Barnes and Noble looking for a book on blogging.  I want to know the difference between circles and following.  I want to know how to make a list of blogs I like and how to create links.  The book I found was $35.00 and so thick I left overwhelmed. I will make this a winter goal and spend some time figuring it out or maybe just "google" it.

'Tis the Season

'Tis the Season

6x6 oil on hard board panel $125.00

 

I'm not one to rush the seasons, I went looking for Halloween decorations on Oct. 30th. and I've never been to a Black Friday event.

 

Another teacher set up a Holiday themed still life for her class and I worked on it along with them in pastels. It put me in the spirit so I set this up in my own studio and worked on it in my favorite time to paint - Saturday morning before the sun was up!

Low Tide on the Marsh

Low Tide on the Marsh

5x7 pastel $100

 

I set out this morning to tweak this one,it needed a spark. I ended up scrubbing off all the pastel and re-doing it. I like it better now.

This was the original image.

Rye

 

Rye

5x7 pastel $100

 

Another Salt Marsh in New Hampshire.  I love the colors of the grasses in the fall.

 

I painted this at Mack's at the end of the day.  I had such a good time meeting other artists and talking to all the folks who came to see art in the making or who just came by to buy apples.



Len's

 

Len's Flowers

6x6 oil

 

I painted this for my brother-in-law.  He took the photo on his trip out west.  I loved the way the flowers were growing out of the fallen tree and branches.

Old Blue

 

Old Blue (International)

6x6 oil on cradled panel $100

 

Day 2 at Mack's.  I put my reference photos on my Kindle and then forgot my kindle! I did have this panel ready to go so I started the day with a tractor again.  I sold "Nerves of Steel" my John Deere from Lawrence Airport and got a commission for another tractor painting. It was a good morning.

Scarlet Wetlands

Scarlet Wetlands

7x10 pastel on Colorfix olive $150.00

 

I love this scene.  It was so vibrant and so beautiful.  The wetlands change color first but the color doesn't last long.  I will have to wait until next year to see this again.

 

I painted this in the afternoon at Mack's.  I usually work on a sienna or rust colored background but I wanted to try the green to offset the reds.  I really enjoyed working n this - maybe I will try it even larger!

Mack's Apple

Farmall

6x6 oil on cradled panel $100

 

This was my first painting of the day at the LAC's event at Mack's Apple Farm.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit.  I had a great day.

10 minute challenge

 

Daily Paintworks 10 minute challenge.

 

This was a triple challenge for me.  Each view was timed, 10 minutes only.  I also used canvas paper, I'm not used to the slick surface and I painted in natural sunlight.  Maybe if I did 2 more I would get there! Actually I was starting to like #4 and then the bell rang!  It was fun.

Mack's Apple Orchard, Londonderry Art's Council

"View from my Studio"

5x7 oil $100

 

This was done last spring.   I teach High School Art, teachers like snow days as much as kids!

 

This painting will be at the Londonderry Art's Council show at Mack's Apple in Londonderry NH. Not knowing what to expect, I am packed everything.  I am prepared to demo a pastel landscape and an oil tractor painting.  Now I just need to focus!

 

The show runs from 10 to 4 today and tomorrow, come on by if you're in the area.

Field Impression

Field Impression

5x7 oil $100

 

Another day at the Parker River Wildlife Preserve.

 

I am just about all packed for the show at Mack's Apple Orchard in Londonderry NH.  I haven't yet decided what to demo so as usual I bring too much stuff. Not only will I bring my oils but my pastels, paper and panels, maybe even a still life. I can't forget coffee and lunch and especially warm layers. 

 

If you are in the area, stop by and say hello.

September Wetlands

September Wetlands

5x7 oil $100

 

I posted this before.  Today I lightened the lights and darkened the darks and punched up the color.  I liked this scene in both oil and pastel.  I want to do a larger version in pastel.

 

 

Sunlight and Shadows

 

5x7 oil $100

 

This is another one that I tweaked - it needed the foreground shadow.

Sunflowers in a Blue Vase

Sunflowers in a Blue Vase

11x14 oil $250.

 

I tried a few things out of my comfort zone. First of all I painted standing up, I know its better but I was resistant, I thought I would get tired.  I didn't.  I painted larger than my usual 6x6.

I bought a brush washer, a little chrome bucket for OMS.  When I paint at NH Institute of the Arts solvent is not allowed so I got used to using paint as it came out of the tube.  It was so nice to be able to do a block in with thinned down paint and to swish my brushes clean!

 

This was fun from beginning to end.

 

I will be at Mack's Apple Orchard on Saturday and Sunday Nov. 9th and 10th displaying and demonstrating. I haven't decided whether to bring pastels or oils.  Stop in and say hello if you are in the area.

 

Cattails

Cattails

7x10 Pastel on Colorfix suede $150.00

 

I painted this a while ago and didn't think it had the spark it needed. In re-working I overworked.

I scraped the pastel off the surface with a palette knife, that didn't work.  I washed the surface with alcohol and that didn't work either. Now I had nothing to lose because I had already ruined it three times.  I heard this paper was indestructible so I took it to the sink, ran water over it and scrubbed off the pastel and let it dry overnight.  The next day I painted over the ghost image.  I think I will leave it alone for now.

 



Late Spring at Mack's

Late Spring at Mack's

 

5x7 pastel on colorfix terracotta $100

 

I visited the art show at Mack's last Spring.  This path with it's cool shadows and sunlit areas invited me down to a view of the orchard.

Today is the opening for the juried show in New London, my painting "Tranquil Morning" is in the show.
I am getting ready for next week's show at Mack's.  Oils are framed and pastels are matted. I will be doing a demo there for the two days.  I haven't decided on oils or pastels.  I would like to do a larger version of the September marshes in pastels, I bought more colorfix paper in a deep green to show off all the bright pinks and reds.

Late Afternoon

"Late Afternoon"

 

Pastel on Colorfix Terracotta, 5x7 $100

 

I love the contrast between the late afternoon shadows and sunlight hitting the grass in the summertime.  Actually I love everything about summertime.

Golden Glow, The Marsh in Autumn

 

Golden Glow

7x10 pastel (matted to 11x14)

 

The Marsh is beautiful any time of year but in the fall it glows.

Essex Salt Marsh

 

Essex Salt Marsh

 pastel on Colorfix 7x10 matted to 11x14

 

This is another of the pastels I re-worked this week. I altered the shapes and color temperatures on this one.  I like it now.

 

My painting was safely delivered to the New London Inn for the 2013 Winter Juried Show.

"Ice Out"

 

"Ice Out" pastel on Canson paper 5x7 matted to 8x10 $100

 

I pass this pond on my way to and from work, this was an early evening in March.  It is a true sign of Spring in New England when the ice leaves the ponds and lakes.

 

Today I delivered my painting "Tranquil Morning" to the New London Inn for the 2013 Winter Art Show by the Center for the Arts, Micro Gallery.  It runs from Nov. 1st to the 30th.  and the reception is Nov. 1st. from 5 to 7.  Stop by if you are in the area.

The Chocolate River

The Chocolate River

4.5x6.5 (matted to 8x10) pastel on  board $100

 

This was done from a reference photo taken in New Brunswick, Canada.  The river has this nickname because at low tide it is chocolate brown.

 

I spent the day getting ready for the show at Mack's Apple Farm.  I re-touched some pastels and re-matted others.  I liked this one just the way it was!

 

There is more work than I imagined getting ready for a show, matting pastels and varnishing oils.

Tomorrow I head back up to the mountains - a visit with my daughter and delivery of my pastel "Tranquil Morning" to the juried show in New London.

"Tranquil Morning"