Sprouts - Garlic Still Life, Pastel

I picked up this little box of garlic at Walmart.  When I got home and opened it up, the garlic had started to sprout.  Must have been there for awhile, eh?  It just looked like a small pastel painting to me.  I like painting still life as you are painting from the real items and not from a photo.  Very good for the "eye".

Sprouts, 7 x 5 inches, pastel on Pastel Artist Panel

This small pastel landscape is against the glass, taped and framed in a dark mahogany wooden photo frame to hang on the wall or sit on a table.  

This little pastel is in a private collection in Venice, Florida.

One Oak or Two? - Landscape, Acrylic

These little oak trees have already found their way into a couple of my paintings.  I enjoy painting from life and these are right out my window.  I can't tell from the window if the trunks are separate or come out of the same root.  For now we will have to guess if it is one tree or two.  I took a snapshot in the fog and this is the result for this painting.

One Oak or Two?, 8 x 16 inches, acrylic on wrapped canvas.

This is painted on wrapped canvas in acrylics.  This is how the sides look.  It would look great in a floater frame as well.  For the time being it is unframed.

This original landscape is unframed and ready to hang.  $200.00, free shipping in the USA.

Texas Pears - Acrylic, Floral/Fruit, Landscape

There are numerous paintings of Cactus Pears and a large variety in the types of plants, too.  These are Texas natives. The jagged edges fascinated me as the ones in New Mexico are usually rounder.   I love the colors in the fruit and the stems.  Cactuses are one of  my favorite subjects for painting. 

Texas Pears, Acrylic on Canvas, 18 x 18 inches

Texas Pears, framed in wooden floater frame.

This acrylic original painting is framed in a wooden floater frame as shown.  Price includes frame and free shipping in the USA.  $425.00

True Blues - Pastel, Wildflowers,Landscape

I love Texas bluebonnets.  They are happy, pretty and the state flower.  They grow along the highways and naturally in many fields in the hill country.  These are probably along the highway near Bastrop with the loblolly trees in the background.

True Blue, 8 x 10 inches Pastel on Pastelbord

This small original pastel landscape will be framed against the glass and the price includes a wooden frame. 

In private collection in Bastrop, Texas.

Aspen Trees - Pastel, Landscape, Two Views

Aspens are such unique trees.  Mountain views of the aspens are special to see.  These are in the Angel Fire, New Mexico, area.  The reference photo I used is from the fall of 2010.

Aspen Gold, pastel on Pastelbord, 7 x 5 inches

Aspen Gold is against the glass. It would make a nice set with  Summer Aspens, below. $50.00, free shipping.  Buy both for $90.00.

I painted these aspens at the end of summer last year.  They were just starting to turn but were still green.  These were painted plein air, outside on the spot.  It was interesting to try to capture the movement of their shimmering leaves.

Summer Aspens, pastel on Pastelbord, 5 x 7 inches

This is against the glass and is neat with  Aspen Gold above.  Buy it for $50.00 or both for $90.00

Aspens

Aspen Gold $50.00 USD Summer Aspens $50.00 USD Both Aspen Gold and Summer Aspens $90.00 USD

Seldom Used - Pastel, Landscape

This one room cabin was high in the New Mexico mountains. The windows were intact so it must be used occasionally. There is a small lake nearby and probably some great hunting. The compliments of red and green in this small pastel painting spruce it up.  There is a great deal of information in this small painting.

Seldom Used, pastel on Pastelbord, 5 x 7 inches.

This pastel is in auction on Daily Paintworks right now with a starting price of $35.  You might get a bargain.

If you would rather,  you can "Buy Now"  right here.

This small pastel landscape is against the glass, taped and ready to frame or sit on an easel.  $50, free shipping in the USA.

Monte Verde Lake Path - Pastel, Landscape

Jo painted this pastel view plein air on a beautiful morning. It is lovely to paint the landscape and be in the shade painting with a friend, Sue. It is painted with a watercolor under painting that shows through in spots adding movement and interest to the painting.

Monte Verde Lake Path, 8 x 9 inches, Pastel on Colourfix sanded paper.

This landscape is framed against museum glass. Museum glass offers little reflection, so the painting resembles an oil painting.   It is in a black metal frame. $145.00 Free Shipping.

Mora Stop - Oil, Landscape

This pastel is of the beautiful stream between Mora and Angel Fire. It could be any stream but Sue and Jo made it their stop for painting on a beautiful summer day. It was calm and peaceful, a great place to paint and pass the afternoon. The paintings had to be finished quickly. Then the rain came and they had to high tail it out of there.

Mora Stop, Pastel on Colorfix, 8 x 9 inches

This painting is framed against museum glass in a plain gold metal frame.  $145.00, free shipping.

Entrada - Landscape

This painting was painted for a pastel challenge sponsored by the Pastel Journal.  You can enter the challenge on my regular blog until September 12, 2011.  You will receive a copy of the Pastel Journal and be entered to win Maggie Price's new book, Painting Sunlight and Shadow in Pastel, by commenting or submitting a pastel painting.

I love adobe houses and entryways.  This scene in Taos captured my interest and was perfect for the painting of sunlight and shadow.

Entrada, Pastel on Pastelbord, 9 x 12 inches

This is framed in a reddish colored wooden frame with black around the opening, about a 2.5 inch width. It is framed against museum glass.  Free shipping.

Los Ranchos de Taos Church - Landscape, Oil Painting

My friend Sue Modrak was here for a week and we did some plein air and studio painting.  It was a whirlwind or marathon painting time.  Lots of fun.  Sue wanted to try the water mixable oils so we broke them open and this is the result.  I painted this on cradled Gessobord.  The paint is not thick so the canvas look of the boards shows through.  I like that sometimes.  The painting is ready to be hung without framing. 

Shadow Side, Oil on cradled Gessobord, 6 x 6 inches

The edges are painted New Mexican Blue to keep the southwest flavor going.  They are not varnished.  The paintings will hold up better if varnished in a few weeks.  They are $75.00 each or you can buy the pair for $135.00.

Shadow Side - $75.00

Magdalena Mountain, Too - Acrylic Painting, Landscape

I thought a Magdalena Mountain painting for my show in Magdalena would be a good idea.  This small acrylic landscape is looking toward the mountain from the road to Riley near the cemetery.  The photo I used for reference was taken in a pretty dry year it seems.

Magdalena Mountain, Acrylic on panel, 8 x 6 inches

This scene is framed in a dark wood plein air style frame.  It is at home in Magdalena, New Mexico.

Sold

Guacamole Time - Acrylic Painting, Still Life

Another food purchase brought on this painting of vegetables for making guacamole.  They looked so fresh and tempting.  I worked a couple of days on this, but had to finish as quick as I could so that we could "eat my models".  Excellent guacamole!

Guacamole Time, Acrylic on panel, 16 x 8 inches

This is framed in a heavy gold wooden frame, very rich and warm looking.  It will be in my New Mexico show, July 9.

In private collection in Texas. Thanks.

Sold.

Cherries Jubilee - Acrylic Painting Still Life

Gene brought home some of the best cherries and grapes the other day.  I put them in this green/pink ceramic bowl a young friend, Veronica, made.  When I saw them on the shelf in the fridge, I just had to get them out and paint them.  Some of the brush strokes show when painted in acrylic, adding a painterly touch to this still life.

Cherries Jubilee - Acrylic painting on panel, 7 x 5 inches.

This small painting looks great in a dark wooden frame about 3 inches wide with gold leaf on the edge of the opening.

This was donated to the Bastrop Fire Relief for Artists and sold there.  Probably belongs to someone in the Bastrop area, now.

Sold

Chile Hoe-Down - Pastel Painting

Chile is a big deal in New Mexico and I can understand why.  New Mexico chile is the best tasting of all hot peppers.  It comes in all temps from mild to extra, extra hot so everyone can find their favorite flavor and heat.  You can see the workers in the fields in the summer along the Rio Grande and other farming areas.  The taste varies with the part of the State as well.  Hatch chile, the most famous now, is a little bit sweet for my taste.  I prefer the chile from the north,  Chimayo, for example.  You can find companies on Google to ship you some to try out!

Chile Hoe-Down, Pastel on Pastelbord, 12 x 9 inches

This pastel painting captures some of the workers weeding a field.  This painting is in a private collection in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

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Sunny Disposition - Sunflower Pastel Painting

This floral painting was inspired by a photo of some sunflowers given to me at an opening reception a couple of years ago.  Sunflowers always look happy and brighten our days.  The stems and leaves are a little rough, making the flowers seem softer to me.

Sunny Disposition, Pastel on Pastelbord, 10 x 8 inches

This original pastel floral is framed in a very dark brown/black plein air frame. This floral is in a private collection in Datil, New Mexico.

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Purple Thistle - Pastel Painting

I painted this small floral in pastels yesterday.  I took a photo of this wildflower up on our street about a week or so ago.  They are not as plentiful this year because of the draught, so I wanted to finally paint one of these pretty blooms.  Pastel seemed the natural choice to capture the freshness and bright color.

Purple Thistle - Pastel on Colourfix sanded paper, 6 x 6 inches.

**Note, I revised the size and price on June 17, 2011. It is now framed in a black gallery style frame against museum glass.  Framed.    In a private collection in Bastrop.

Sold.

Cactus Blooms - Acrylic Paintings

This cactus flower painting was painted as a commission. It was fun to paint and is such a reminder of New Mexico. It is painted on panel with 1/2 inch sides so the image is painted around and will hang with no frame.

Pink Cholla Blooms - Acrylic on Panel, 6 x 6 inches

These cactus pear blooms are also the same commission.  They will hang together.  Cactus pears are a wonderful plant.  The blooms only last for a short time so it was great to capture the moment.  More information about the paintings on my art blog.

Yellow Pear Blooms - Acrylic on Panel, 6 x 6 inches

These two small paintings will hang together in a private collection in Elgin, Texas.

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The Monarch - Acrylic Painting

I have been working on a fairly large commission painting and needed a break.  I was looking for cactus pear photos and ran across this photo I took several years ago.  I had never tried painting a butterfly, a common subject.  It was fun and I like the results.  It will be traveling with me to New Mexico for my show there in July.

The Monarch, Acrylic on canvas panel, 7 x 5 inches

This small original painting is now framed in a coppery colored wooden frame about 3 inches wide.

Now residing with my granddaughter in Kentucky.

Pear Blooms, Too - Pastel Painting

I love cactus pears or pear cactus.  The flowers are beautiful and the fruit is so good to eat.  When horseback riding in New Mexico we would stop and pick the pears when we were thirsty.  Yummy.  These were around the corner from our Bastrop home.  They were painted from a photo on Pastelbord and was framed against the glass.

Pear Blooms, Too - Pastel on Pastelbord, 7 x 5 inches.

Sold (at Jo's Gallery)

Odd Man Out, Pastel Painting

I painted yesterday at the gallery.  I was painting a still life of apples and a pear.  I intended it for the Challenge of 200 paintings.  This doesn't qualify for that, see my blog post here about that.  This still life was fun to do.  I love to paint apples.  I usually paint them when I have nothing in mind to paint.  I did not do an under painting, but did put on a sketch in color and wipe it off to get started.

Odd Man Out, Pastel on Pastelbord, 7 x 5 inches.

The painting is unframed, fixed against glass so that you can pop it in a frame of your choice or show it on an easel.

In a private collection in Smithville, Texas

Holy Guacamole! Pastel Painting

I took on the challenge of painting "Delicious" today.  I went across to Anita's Restaurant and asked the cashier for some guacamole to paint.  She looked at me in a questioning manner.  And, "Do you have a red plate?"  I also wanted it on a lettuce leaf to make it easier to paint, but they didn't have any.  So I came back to the gallery with guacamole on chopped lettuce in a styrofoam box.  I had some red plastic plates so adapted for the painting.  I didn't have dramatic lighting, so I just painted as it was.

I had a hard time, trying to hurry so that I could eat the model.  I mentioned that with the grapes the other day, right?

Holy Guacamole!, Pastel on Pastelbord, 7 x 5 inches

The painting is unframed, fixed against glass so that you can pop it in a frame of your choice or show it on an easel. 


This painting burned in the Bastrop Fire in September, 2011, in our house along with 1600+ homes.

Locomotive, Pastel Painting

This is the first train I have ever painted, well part of a train.  I have taken many photos with good intentions.  This is the engine of a narrow gauge train that runs from Antonito, Colorado, to Chama, New Mexico.  I took the photo this past summer.  I took several photos while the train was at the station.  The engineer saw me and asked if I would like my photo on the engine so he took one of me.  Great experience.  We rode a similar train years ago from Durango, Colorado to Silverton, Colorado.  So many memories.....

Locomotive, Pastel on Pastelbord, 7 x 5 inches

The painting is unframed, fixed against glass so that you can pop it in a frame of your choice or show it on an easel. This painting burned in the fire in Bastrop in 2011.

Painting Time, Pastel on Pastelbord

With no fresh models on hand (fruit or veggies) I decided to paint my paint brushes and some paint.  For me it is so much nicer to paint from life rather than a photograph.  This one went quickly and was a great way to pass a rainy afternoon at my gallery/studio.

Painting Time, Pastel on Pastelbord, 5 x 7 inches

Gift.  In private collection, Bastrop, Texas.

Down Main Street, Pastel on Colourfix Sanded Paper

This little pastel painting was painted out in front of my gallery on Thursday, January 6.  It was a gorgeous day and too nice to be inside my studio painting from a photo.  Main Street was pretty busy that day.  Luckily the red car and the yellow one stayed put long enough to sketch them in.

Down Main Street, Pastel on Colourfix, 5 x 7 inches.

The painting is unframed, fixed against glass so that you can pop it in a frame of your choice or show it on an easel.  Free shipping, $50.00

Donation to the Empty Bowl Project, February 25, 2011

Grapes Waiting, Pastel on Pastelbord

These grapes just seem to be waiting. Waiting to be eaten or painted? Well, both happened. It is good to be able to eat the "models". This small still life was painted from life in a pewter/glass bowl from Bolivia.

Grapes Waiting, Pastel on Pastelbord, 7 x 5 inches.

The painting is unframed, fixed against glass so that you can pop it in a frame of your choice or show it on an easel.

This painting burned in the Bastrop Fire, September, 2011, in our house which burned along with 1600+ other homes.

Cholita, Pastel on Pastelbord

This small pastel painting was done from memories of Bolivia. These pots sit in my yard and look like the ladies are sitting around visiting. Geraniums are popular in La Paz and they are tied up on the walls and grow 20 or more feet high.  You can see other paintings of these pots on my website on the Bolivia paintings.

Cholita, Pastel  on Pastelbord, 5 x 7 inches

The painting is unframed, fixed against glass so that you can pop it in a frame of your choice or show it on an easel.  Free shipping, $60.00

The Blues, Oil on Canvas Panel

This small still life is painted of keepsakes from Chile. The ceramic chicken was purchased at Parque O'Higgans as a gift from husband, Gene. He bought one every time he ate at a restaurant there. The park has many shops and eateries.  The blue glass was very popular and I love that, too.  The bottle is about four inches tall.

The Blues, Oil on Canvas Panel, 7 x 5 inches

This painting is unframed and ready to put in your frame or display on a small easel.  Free shipping in the USA.  $50.00