When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

expressionism

« Previous Entries Next Entries »

Fern Gestures

Saturday, March 12th, 2022


 

Fern Gestures, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Fern Gestures phase 01 before fiddleheads addition, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paperFern Gestures, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper, framed size 27H x 33W”. Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish. There are more purples in the darker areas that aren’t showing up very well in the photo here.

I love feedback and constructive criticism. My artist-friend Virginia suggested adding the fiddleheads, and although I had initially planned not to add any, the design is now much more interesting. Thanks V! Left thumbnail shows the piece before adding the fiddleheads.

Dawn at Bell Rock 02

Tuesday, March 8th, 2022


 

Dawn at Bell Rock 02, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Dawn at Bell Rock 02, Sedona AZ, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper.

 Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish.

The Grandfather Tree

Wednesday, February 16th, 2022


 

The Grandfather Tree, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
The Grandfather Tree, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Estimated to be 1800 years old, this Redwood is 265 ‘ tall with a 24 ft. diameter, located along the Avenue of the Giants, Hwy 101 CA. Framed size 27H x 33W”.

Elements of Nature

Saturday, January 1st, 2022


 

Paint Arson, 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas


 
Cumulonimbus, Montana sunset, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paperPaint Arson, 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas (2009), wrapped sides painted, frame unnecessary. Set on shelf or hang on wall. This and Cumulonimbus: Montana Sunset (2020) are in J. Mane Gallery’s ‘Elements of Nature’ online juried exhibition, showing through January 2022.

I don’t always have clear intentions behind my work, other than to make it interesting of course, because I wonder if too much explanation muddies a fresh impression of it. However, the writing connected to “Paint Arson” is worth the read. Fire is a destructive force, and positive associations with it are not immediate. For example, the pinecones of Sequoia, the largest trees on Earth, only open under the extreme conditions presented by fire. Read on…

English Ivy

Saturday, November 27th, 2021


 

English Ivy, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
English Ivy drooped in oak tree branches, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W”.

Pretty? Pretty invasive! Probably escaped from a nearby garden, English Ivy is beautiful draped in the branches of this Oak tree, but the plant, left unchecked as a ground cover, will choke out any growth of native or desirable flowers or plants. An aggressive perennial, it attaches easily with roots that exude an adhesive substance, destroying rooves and siding, climbing on branches that break under its weight. Once established, it will kill trees by blocking sunlight and thereby, photosynthesis. Because of the labor and enormous expense it takes to eradicate it from public lands and parks, people are encouraged to not plant this in your garden, even though it’s still for sale in nurseries.

Chrysanthemums Abstract

Friday, November 19th, 2021


 

Chrysanthemums Abstract, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Chrysanthemums Abstract, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper, framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish.

Bluebells

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021


 

Bluebells, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Bluebells, Rowley, Alberta, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Chicory

Saturday, November 13th, 2021


 
Chicory, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Chicory, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper (done April 2021 – now sold), showing through December in Las Laguna Art Gallery’s online exhibition, Botanical Art and Illustration.

Bigleaf Maple

Friday, November 5th, 2021


 

Bigleaf Maple, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Bigleaf Maple, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish.

Weathered Trees, Netarts Bay OR

Sunday, October 24th, 2021


 

Weathered Trees, Netarts Bay OR, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Weathered Trees, Netarts Bay OR, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper.
Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish.

« Previous Entries Next Entries »