October Challenge #9

Pan Pastel on matboard (white)

Chalenge Paintings

Latest in the challenge

Chalenge Paintings

Same image, different concepts.

October Challenge Paintings

A group of Pastel Artists on Wetcanvas are doing a challenge for the month of October by painting the same reference in different venues. This has been quite interesting. Changes in style, mood, and chroma have been a fun experiment so far.

Plein Aire at Howard County Conservancy

The conversancy held their Fall Festival this weekend, and the MD Pastel Society plein aire group was invited to paint on location. The weather was beautiful and a lot of blooms still rich and colorful!
These are all small paintings done on pastel board, and matboard coated with Liquitex clear gesso.

Provence

A field outside St. Remy

Meadow Stream

I love this painting! This is a small meadow near my Mom's in North Carolina. You just want to relax here and listen to the birds and watch the butterflies and bees on the wildflowers.

Lemons

A bit of a "twist" on a typical subject. I decided to use a high contrast to put a little modern feel to these lemons.

Pears

IT has been a very busy summer and I have been remiss of updating my blog. I will be adding new things I have completed. This is a still life I did as a class demo. Done on Richeson pastel board.

Mountain Meadow

I coated a piece of matboard with gesso and pumice, then did a layer of pastel, and washed with alcohol. Afterwards, I layed down the final layers of color. The surface was rather rough, enabling me to skim soft sticks across the top of underlying color, not disturbing the original. After copying to photoshop, I made some minor changes to the foreground and clouds.

Meadow II

Stick Pastels on a very warm yellow surface

Meadow I

PanPastels on a grey paper with watercolor underpainting. I used some very intense blue/purple in the sky and tree area, then brighter greens and purples in the foreground while doing my underpainting. The washes were smooth ,brilliant, and vibrant on this paper. No buckling at all and the surface was clamped, not taped.

The Path

I did a detailed watercolor painting on a Lana 140lb block, then coated the surface with clear gesso. Because the edges of the block were sealed, the paper didn't buckle from the gesso. I then added layers of pastel to finish the painting. This was kind of an experiment using the Lana paper with the clear gesso over the underpainting, and developing the darks prior to the addition of any pastel.

Carafe avec les Pommes

Pan Pastels on Uart paper.

Peggy's Sonny Boy

A quick sketch of "Sonny" on grey suedeboard and pastel pencil

Marsh at Edgewood Road, Annapolis

I spent my lunch today at the park, and did this small painting on matboard. 8x10 neutral grey coated with Liquitex clear gesso. I really like the fine grit of this, and I applied with a brush to give some underlying stroke marks.

Gary Memorial Methodist Church

This was a cool little church in Daniel's Area at Patapsco State Park, here in Maryland, built in 1889. The church is stone, and the red is brick ornate trim. It is really pretty, and is beautifully maintained. Services are held on Sundays.

Patapsco Waterfall

This is a small waterfall at Patapsco State Park that I shot a photo of. I did several paintings in Daniel's Area, but could not haul my gear into the fishing trails. I went back and hiked in to find these little falls. Punching color is a lot of fun, and even though this gave me a bit of a challenge, I am pleased. Times like this is when my small pochade will come in handy; I could have carried it in, as easy as my camera.

Lavender

I needed a smaller plein air set up for hiking, and lunchtime painting, so, using a small 8x8 purchased cigar box, I lined with foam, I put together a mini Pastel Box. It hold about 60 half pastels , a charcoal stick, and several pieces of paper; the lid is my easel. I can do 6x4, 5x7, and even a 8x10 board. It is really handy, as I sometimes like to downsize my outdoor gear. I painted this from memory of my recent trip to France, whilst sitting on my front porch this afternoon.

On the Way to Gordes

I was in the mood for a "Slash and Burn" painting. This involved applying color wherever it pleased me, and committing myself to the strokes once they were layed down, no second guessing, no rigid format, and no repair! This is why I call it slash and burn, if it works, beautiful, if not, I learn.
I created the support,mixing Liquitex clear gesso and pumice , applying this to a piece of Brenda Mattson Pastel paper by Richeson, after I had toned it with some pastel.
A close up of the application of color and strokes.

Pears

Baltimore City Skyline

9x12 Soft Pastel

Evening Front

Riverfront Park, Laurel Maryland

Poppy Field and Vineyard

9X12 Soft Pastel

Evening Storm on the Bay

9X12 Pan Pastel

Van Gogh Tribute

Painted on location at St Paul Mausole hospital

Iris II

Iris I

Provence Sunlight

Chateau at Lourmarin

Poppies II St Remy

The old riding stable

Poppies I St. Remy

At an old riding stable

An olive grove outside St. Remy

Pan Pastel

This is in Lourmarin, looking out over the field of olive trees from the base of the chateau.

Roussillon

This is the "Red village, where they mine the natural pigments, and the whole town is a beauty in colors. Pan Pastel

Prince Edward Island

8x10 Soft Pastel

Two Weeks in Provence

I just returned from a painting trip to Provence, and it was a wonderful experience. I was with a group of artists and we were based in St. Remy de Pvc where Vincent van Gogh was hospitalized at St. Paul Mausole. He painted some of his most famous paintings in this area.

I cannot even describe the feelings I experienced whilst walking around this small picturesque village, knowing I was following in his footsteps.

I arrived on Tuesday, and just got organized, then on Wednesday, it was Market Day. The whole town is filled with various vendors selling their wares; from antiques, to shoes; from fresh fish, to jewelry and Provencale cloth.

On Thursday, we traveled to Arles and took a tour of the city. Christian Lacroix(the designer) is from here, and the city was dressing up to welcome him back for a visit. We started out from the Rhone river at the site where Vincent painted the first "Starry Night". Along side was what was left of a Roman bridge bombed during the war by the Resistance. Across the round about was the location on Vincent's "Yellow House". It was bombed also, and unfortunately did not survive, but the building that was behind is still there, and is a cafe on the bottom floor.

According to our guide, the people of Arles were not very friendly toward Van Gogh. They thought he was grumpy, ecentric, and a bit off, as while they would close up shop for afternoon siesta, here was the "crazy man" out in the hot sun painting his pictures!

He was in a frenzy to paint to have something on the wall for Gauguin's visit.

The Roman ampitheatre is amazing, and they were working on restoration; sandblasting the walls, etc.. I'm not sure if I liked the cleaner side, or the more aged patina of the unrestored.

Friday was a painting day in St. Remy. I hiked out of the village center to a field I had found to paint poppies.

Saturday, was a stop in Gordes de Pvc to take photos.The afternoon was spent touring and sketching in Roussillon, the "Red Village". The Romans first used the pigment of the area, and the whole village is built with this stone. There was a little shop which sold the pure pigments, and of course I had to buy some!

As we were getting ready to leave, it started pouring rain. So, it was off to a wet start to Abbaye de Senanque, the home of the Cistercian monks with the lovely lavender fields. The plants were not in bloom yet, but you could still smell them quite strongly. I got quite soaked in a deluge walking from the carpark to the abbaye. When I went inside there is a tour of the main areas, and a gift shop, where you can buy lavender products, books on the history, and music, chants, etc...leaving was a little scary as we were in a huge coach winding up this narrow little roadway in sheets of rain. Arriving back in St. Remy, the sun was shining.

Sunday was another painting day in the village. Again I explored around and painting and sketched.

Monday I did a lot of sketches in watercolor and pencil in the morning. Photos, lots of photos! In the afternoon three of us took the Van Gogh path from the center of St. Remy up to St. Pauls seeing all the places he painted. Across from the hospital is Galum, an ancient Roman town excavated in 1924. Van Gogh most likely walked right over it, never suspecting it was underneath. Two large columns from the corner of the main temple are standing, along with the spring, and the public baths. Also a part of the hercules temple, and lots of houses.

Tuesday it's off to Aix de Pvc arriving on the Cours Mirabeau, said to be Provence's most beautiful street. First stop was Paul Cezanne"s studio and garden. Again, just the thought of being in the same room as this man had been, looking at the objects he used in his still lifes; his painting coat, hat, and his paint boxes. Wow! What a jolt! There are no words I can use to articulate the emotions and thoughts going through me.

It was also Market day in Aix, so we visited the flower stalls, the vegetable stalls, and took photos. Lunch and then off. As we left, we stopped by the statue of Cezanne with his easel strapped to his back.

We then went to the cliffside village of Les Baux. What a walk! A medieval castle sits at the top, and they have knights dressed in chain mail. The Mistral is wicked here!! It was blowing so hard, we could not paint here as planned, so I found a semi calm place and sketched.

Afterwards, we went down the hill to the limestone quarries to the Cathedrale D'images to see the totally, moving, and awe inspiring exhibit. Walking around looking at Vincent's paintings projected on to 50 foot walls whilst this haunting compelling music is playing is beyond belief. I had chills, and got very emotional, just to stand and watch this display was so intense, I felt tears. I didn't want to leave. Here are a couple of links, if you would like to check it out.

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu6zmPj9IL0EBWXVXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEybDB0bXFuBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMwRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0Y4MjRfODU-/SIG=12036551q/EXP=1212190822/**http%3a//www.youtube.com/watch%3fv=9ml5dABEYyA

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu6zmPj9IL0EBX3VXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyaGtiMWFxBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNARjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0Y4MjRfODU-/SIG=12eq853a2/EXP=1212190822/**http%3a//www.lesbauxdeprovence.com/us/cult/lieux/images.html

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu6zmPj9IL0EBY3VXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEydWw1NGdtBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNgRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0Y4MjRfODU-/SIG=12fl6is5j/EXP=1212190822/**http%3a//www.cathedrale-images.com/uk/iframe_fondateur_01.htm

More Later...

Wednesday again! Time is flying by! today we went to Monastere St Paul Mausole to tour and paint. going into the room where Vincent stayed whilst he was committed here was quite sad. A small iron bed, a desk, and chair, and a table. A window looking out over the garden, but with heavy iron bars. Across the hall was a room with bathtubs and a board over top with a neck opening. The nuns used to place patients in ice cold baths as shock therapy, and all that was above this was their heads. I got very emotional here again in a very sad almost depressing way, but as I walked down the stairs, I felt overwhelmed that I was walking down the same steps he used every day! After going out into the gardens, I felt a peacefulness that was very serene, as I recalled that the sisters were very kind to Vincent, and allowed him to leave the hospital to paint. As I walked by the statue of him standing with the sunflowers in his hand, I then decided to spend my time learning from him that afternoon, and so I made my humble attempt to paint the ivy trees. I could see the tops of the trees, but unfortunately the area is walled, as St Paul's is still a functioning hospital, so I had to look at the print on the side of a wall outside, and work from that. It was a revealing experience. Trying to capture his use of brush strokes in Pastel! I don't think I have enjoyed painting more than I did that day!.

One of the great legacies of Vincent, is St Paul's offers a very wonderful Art Therapy program, and permently exhibits the patients' works.

More later...

Thursday, it' s off to the Luberon Valley, with the first stop Bonnieux for photos, and quick sketches, along with a visit to a local Pastel artist's studio. Her name is Janin Ruggeri, and she is represented all over France, England, along with California and Oregon in the US. Beautiful pastel paintings, and I purchased some prints, of which she signed. She could not speak very much English, but was very friendly and for several people who bought a book, did a quick sketch in each one.

Lunch in a cafe, then off to Lourmarin to spend the rest of the day painting. A chateau sits on the hill with fields of olive trees and poppies all around. the town is very lovely. I decided to paint the chateau, so I am across the fields, and along side some children were playing.

With my Ipod on,I was completing my charcoal sketch when I noticed two young girls behind me watching. I smiled and continued. I then started an underpainting of watercolor. Again I turned and there are about 8 kids sitting in the grass watching me paint. As I got going with the pastels, one of the girls finially came over and asked me in French, why I had painted the tree red? She spoke very fast, so I had to listen to catch and finally I understood. I laughed and pick up the pastel and started showing her how the greens went over the red leaving just peeks showing through. She thought this was very cool, as did the other kids. What fun, showing them how the pastel went over the layers of color. They stayed until I was almost finished, sitting very quietly, talking among themselves. As they were leaving they all said goodbye, and pointed to the painting and clapped. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.

I then packed up my gear, taking it to the coach, then went in search of a cafe to sit and enjoy a fruit presse, as it was a very hot day. Then, it was up to the chateau to tour the inside and gardens. The castle was in ruins until a renovation in the 19th century by an entrepreneur, who upon his death in 1924 , left it to the Art Society.

Friday, I walked around the outskirts of St Remy, and sketching and taking photos. I visited a beautiful cemeterie, saw lots of olive trees, poppies, and a yard with goats, chickens, and beautiful flowers. I took lots of pictures of my favorite tree, the cyprus.

St Remy is a very unique little town, and is steeped in history, and has quite a few famous people to it's credit. First a Gallo-Roman town in the 5th century, it became known as St Remy in the Middle Ages, when it was given to the monks of Abbaye St Remi -en -France. The old Roman interior still exists and is surrounded by the remnants of the 14th century protective wall.

Nostradamas was reputedly born here, at nbr 4 Rue Hoch.

Doctor Albert Schweitzer was "hospitalized" here in 1917-18, for the remainder of the war. He wasn't so much ill as German. He took advantage of his "hospitalization" to write "The Decay and the Restoration of Civilization" and" Civilization and Ethics", part of his philosophical study of civilization.

Of course, the history of Vincent van Gogh in St Remy is very widely publisized today.

On a light aside, Princess Caroline of Monaco lives here, and the late Princess Diana had a home here.

Saturday, up early and off to Marseille to spend the day. This was the last day in St Remy, and some were going home. After a stop at the airport, Anna, our French guide, and I took off to explore the old city of Marseille. The old harbor is lovely, and the streets are lined with huge old buildings built in Napolean's time. These are being renovated and are selling for millions.There is the chateau on the sea built by him for Josephine, although she never visited there.

We had lunch in the city center and I had eggplant with mint, fish, snails and their famous garlic mayo. For dessert mousse au chocolat.

We met up with a friend of Anna's from Tel Aviv, and walked around the city, saw a wedding at one of the old chapels, and just wandered. We visited the Pedestrian center, a shopping district, with everything from jeans to Prada shoes. Late evening Anna took me to my hotel, we said goodbye, with promises to keep in touch, and then it was time to pack for my flight back to the States the next day.

A perfect ending to a great adventure.

Field Flowers

A Storm was coming and it was late evening, as I was driving home. I saw the sun setting over this field of wild flowers , and had to stop...

Betsy's Garden

Cherries

5x7 Suede Matboard
Various Soft Pastels

Tuscan Sky Over Cyprus

11x14 Pan Pastels on Midnight Blue Suede Matboard

Published in the Jack Richeson 2008 Artist's Choice Exhibition Hardcover Volume

Poppies in the Field (after Colleen Howe) Class Demo

Spring Meadow

Balsam Grove, NC

Balsam Grove, NC
Primer on Matboard 12x12 PanPastels

Poppies Fast and Loose

These were done with the PanPastels, a new product for Pastelists. I am really loving exploring what these little pots can achieve. The colors are luscious, and the ability to make thin glazes is amazing. The applicators are made of a sponge like material and come in several shapes and sizes, including several different "pallette knife" shapes with little "socks" to fit over the end. I have not yet found a satisfactory way to do foliage yet, but I am still practicing, and clouds are phenomenal!! You can check them out at http://www.panpastel.com/colorfin.html

Waynesville, NC (BLue Ridge Parkway)

This was part of the Fast Challenge, and I finished up as a scene late evening. Created using the new PanPastels by Colorfin

Fast and Loose Challenge to Paint 10 in 30 Set 2

Fast and Loose Challenge to Paint 10 in 30

These were all done on the stop watch , painting quickly and without any predrawing more than 3 charcoal lines.I learned a lot by doing these. For example, I have a tendancy to pick up a stick based on value, with very little thinking of color. I like loose bold strokes, and this was a great opportunity to play with that. I also observed many of the same strokes I used repeatedly, so this was a clue to my painting style that I had never noticed before.

Highland Heather

Heather blooming in the Highlands of Scotland...the hills were covered and was absolutely breathtaking.
9X12 black Matboard coated with clear Colourfix Primer.

Colorado Afternoon II

I was not very happy with the vagueness of the original so I redid, and am done...so be it, I am happy with this final version...

Colorado Afternoon done from a photo

Bird Rocks Falls Extention

Waterfalls are one of my favorite subjects when I visit the mountains in NC. Transylvania County is known as the "Land of Waterfalls" and I love to paint them on location. This is a small falls adjacent to the larger ones down the road from my Mom's house, and a place I have spent many a good time playing in the waters , photographing them, and painting them.

Sunflowers

This was a lot of fun and a bit different for me. I had a lot of fun using the velour matboard for a support, and the soft pastels just glide on. The petals were interesing to work on, as I just kind of drifted as I painted. A very relaxing rendition.

Plein Air Paintings of Rocks State Park,MD

Notecard Series Three

 

Oregon Deer Sketch for Brady

 

A Symphony

 

Naval Academy Annapolis, MD

Watercolor Notecard Series 2

 

Watercolor Notecard Series

 

The Homeplace

 

The Queen's Lady

From the MD Renaissance Website:

"Take a step back in history! The Maryland Renaissance Festival has been
delighting visitors since 1977, with our recreation of a 16th century
English
village called Revel Grove. The walled village is set on a beautiful
125-acre
wooded site with 85 acres of free parking, and includes a Jousting
Arena, eight
large stages, five pubs, and lots of games, food and craft
booths. We are
conveniently located in Crownsville, Maryland just outside
historic Annapolis."

This is a painting done for a year long group challenge to do a landmark scene bi-weekly of the area in which you live.

Evening

 

ON EXHIBIT

CHARLES SUMNER MUSEUM LOCATED AT M & 17TH STREETS WASHINGTON, D.C.

SEPTEMBER 9 THROUGH JANUARY 31

MARYLAND PASTEL "SHADES OF PASTEL" EXHIBITION

Blair Castle, Blair Atholl

The Village

Daebry Cottage

 

Killin Rapids, Scotland

 

Willi Lotts Cottage

Eilean Donan Castle

 

Aberfeldy, Scotland

 

Taymouth Castle Footpath Gate

 

Heather

 

The Feel of Scotland

This was just my expression of the country as a whole.

The Quince Tree

This is at Fortingall, where the Yew Tree is in the churchyard, and is reputed to be the oldest tree in Great Britian, at aprox 3-5000 years old.

Aberfeldy

Loch Tay

Taymouth Castle Gate(Kenmore)

View From Aberfeldy Bridge

The clouds were moving in, but the fields in the distance were golden in the light.

Loch Tay at Sunrise

The mists were just lifting off the tops of the mountains, and we were down by the boatlift on a grassy area painting.

Craigs of Fortingall

These craigs were across the sheep pasture, and the sun was just peeking over the top of the rise. The colors were beautiful.

View of Fields From Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Scotland

Where'd You Go? (in memory of a good friend and fellow artist, Sooz)

 

Back From Scotland

I had a wonderful time painting the countryside of Perthshire...We stayed in Kenmore Village about 6k from Aberfeldy, and about 20 mins from Pitlochry. I missed my flight out of Newark, as the Baltimore flight was late, so I had to overnight in NJ..Rather than waste the day, a couple from Scotland, who were on the same flight, and I , went to the Met and enjoyed the museum for the day. After a beautiful day in NY, we arrived back at Penn Station, and all the trains were stopped due to police activity outside. Not to be undone, we took a Path train to Newark, then got the train again to the airport to catch our flight that evening.. We arrived in Edinburgh about 10 am the following morning, and I needed to arrange transportation to Kenmore. A taxi was about 4ooUS, so I ditched that idea! YIKES! I took a taxi to the train station, and got a ticket to Pitlochry for 13 pounds..Much better!! Colleen Richeson met me at the station, and I got to the hotel, got settled in and met the rest of the group for dinner. Needless to say, I was tired!! So , an early night for me, and the next morning, I was ready to go paint!!! We traveled by motercoach all over the area to paint, and our driver, Norman, was very knowledgeable about the area, and also had a lot of funny little anecdotes to tell!! The towns, villages, cities, and castles, along with the mountains were stunning!!! We took a drive thru the Highlands, and the heather was just beginning to bloom!! Glorious!!! The lochs were chrystal clear!! No rain plagued us the entire trip, but a bit of mist on two days!! I would have gladly stayed another month or two , just to be able to see and paint more!! Everywhere you looked, a scene was begging to be painted!!!
The people were so gracious, friendly, and helpful!!! I really want to go back!

As for the workshop, both Tom Fong, and Chris Van Winkle did a fabulous job as instructors. Both are very acomplished painters, and I learned a lot of new ideas and techniques.
Jack Richeson, and his wife, Linda(who is a native Scots) were gracious hosts, fantastic, funny, people, and Colleen Richeson(our workshop leader)she was the TOPS!!!!
Colleen, you were wonderful!!! Thanks for everything!!

The Affect of Terrorism on Art (My Scotland Trip)

As of yesterday, I have decided to leave my paintbox at home for this trip, as the airlines and government has ask for everyone to be cooperative in what one brings as carry ons for air travel. I am by no means going to let these people have such an impact on my life, that I would choose to give up a wonderful opportunity to paint in a beautiful countryside, and stay home out of fear. I am going to rethink the items I had originally planned to take on board with me, as I want to be able to move quickly and safely through the process of travel, and to show my support and patience for the need for such extreme measures. We all need to be aware of the dangers in the world, and be diligent in the prevention of such disasters, as the age of technology continues to enable such fanatics to plan widescope destruction with the use of a few common items.

Painting Trip to Edinburgh, Scotland

A week from tomorrow I leave for 10days of painting in Scotland. I have my rain gear , some of my favorite pastels , paper, and camera all ready . The scenery around our hotel where we will be staying is breathtaking, and I am itching to get there, and just drink it all in...There will be a small group of us, and several itineraries are planned for painting excursions, some sightseeing, and shopping, of course...
I am taking my Guerrilla Painter box as a carry on, as I have a bit of a layover in NYC, and I am going to sketch and paint in the airport, great place to study movement...
I am looking forward to a great experience, and some wonderful creative opportunities..

Troubled Sky

Weekly Drawing challenge
Private Collection

Iris

8X10 on sanded paper...

Scottish Coastline