Lilies 2

Pastel, 4x6

The lily pads float in the reflection of the azure sky like star ships passing among the bright blossoms.

Daily - Lilies 1

Daily Painting - Pastel 4x6

This small pastel is another of my daily "quick" studies.  It is available in  5x7 mats as pictured for $40.  That price includes postage. Contact me by e-mail or Facebook if you are interested.

"Pond Colors"

Pastel on Sanded Arches - 5x7

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This painting started life as a watercolor that needed help, so I coated it with sanded gel and redid the problems with pastel.  I am very pleased with the result.

The scene is one from a sketch and reference photos from the Arboretum paint out.  Early and late in the day, the sun casts the background in shadows but pours bright sunlight on the outer and higher branches of the trees next to the pond.  This gives me the opportunity to deal with values by changing the colors, using deep purple for the dark greens and grays.

"Fall Color, Falling Light"

Pastel on sanded gatorboard, 24x20

This painting was originally called, "Across the Pond."  The original drawings and reference photos were done on an overcast day.  The colors were intense, but with no clear source of light and no deep shadows, it was difficult to capture the atmosphere that had impressed me. 

The pond surface is covered with spatterdock, a variety of water lily with large leaves.  The intense green of the lilies on the blue/gray reflections of the pond stood out against the golds, reds and yellows of the brush and trees.  It is that drama that I have sought to capture.  In the middle of the riot of color, stands the lone, faded duck box tilted a little forward with age.  Here lies my point of interest.

I placed the work-in-progress out on Facebook for comments and was flooded with good suggestions.  The final work is a composite of many of those ideas.

"Across the Pond"

Pastel on sanded gatorboard, 24x22

The idea of this painting is a view across the old mining pond at the Jacksonville Arboretum.  The old duck box and the color in the poplar and maple trees caught my attention.  The painting was begun on site with drawings, color references, and reference photos.  The day was cloudy with no distinct shadows which proved later to be a difficult atmosphere for me to catch.

I received more response on this with suggestions than anything else I've put on Facebook.  This is the result of more than a dozen suggestions.  Some I could incorporate, some I tried but didn't think they worked, and some were beyond my skill in the medium.

I have not signed this - giving it a night to "simmer."