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)

Ontario

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Fireweed

Saturday, July 23rd, 2022


 

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

Fireweed, Goldenrod and new-growth forest beside the Trans-Canada Highway near Yorkton, Manitoba, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W inches.

Daisies and Hawkweed

Monday, June 6th, 2022


 

Daisies and Hawkweed, 24H x 18W inches soft pastels on paper
Daisies and Hawkweed, Stony Swamp Trail, Ottawa ON, 24H x 18W inches soft pastels on paper

Raccoons

Saturday, March 19th, 2022


 

Raccoons, Ottawa ON, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Raccoons, Ottawa ON – soft pastels version – 16H x 22W inches, framed size 27H x 33W”.

Sarsaparilla Trail

Saturday, November 20th, 2021


 

Sarsaparilla Trail, Ottawa, ON, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Sarsaparilla Trail, Ottawa, ON Canada, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Viper’s Bugloss

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021


 

Vipers Bugloss, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Viper’s Bugloss – Echium vulgare – beside Highway 15 near Franktown, ON  – this is the second version, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. The earlier version done in 2010 was probably my first success with soft pastels. I didn’t try them again until last year.

So cheerful and beautiful with pink buds and blue-violet flowers along tall stems, it’s tempting to pick them for wildflower bouquets, but the plant has tiny spines along the stem and leaves that are very irritating to the skin, so are best enjoyed left where they are, growing en masse in summer fields beside the highways in eastern Ontario.

I was curious about the name… according to the Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism edited by Michael Stuart (c. 1979, 1987 ISBN 0-9999-48911), they were formerly one of the most respected plants used for the treatment of viper’s snake bite venom.

Stony Swamp

Sunday, June 27th, 2021


 

Stony Swamp, Ottawa ON, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Stony Swamp, Ottawa ON, Canada – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 90 lb WC paper. Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish.

Sugar Maple Leaves

Monday, February 22nd, 2021


 

Sugar Maple, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Sugar Maple Leaves, Napanee ON Canada, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W”.

Native to eastern Canada and the US., sugar maple trees (Acer saccharum) are the showiest variety during Autumn, with colder nights producing deeper red colors. They are also the primary source of maple syrup, as well as hardwood lumber used for furniture and flooring. The sugar maple leaf is the central emblem on the Canadian flag.

January Thaw 02

Friday, October 16th, 2020


 

January Thaw 02, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

January Thaw 02, Dogwood along Fallowfield Road near Richmond ON – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish.
In eastern Ontario, usually about mid-January, snow melts with mild weather for 2 weeks or so. It’s a pleasant break, but winter hits with a vengeance after that and temps don’t warm up again until about mid-March.

Showcased in J. Mane Gallery “Seasons 2020” online exhibition.

Red Squirrel

Thursday, October 1st, 2020


 

Red Squirrel, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 90 lb watercolor paper

Red Squirrel in Ottawa, Ontario – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 90 lb watercolor paper

Raccoons

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018


 

Raccoons, Ontario Canada, 14H x 20W inches watercolors on 140 lb cold pressed
Raccoons, Ottawa ON Canada – 14H x 20W inches watercolors on 140 lb cold pressed. Framed size approx. 20H x 26W inches – white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish.

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