Garden Lace - a pastel painting

I finished this today.  Since it involved so many delicate little shapes, I decided to call this Garden Lace, because it was like painting lace! 

Time to clean up, sort out my supplies to take to the workshop, shop for the food I plan to bring, dig out warm clothes in storage.  So, I won't be posting any painting this week.  So I may post my first Newsletter (if I can figure out how to import it).  I've been reading a book on MS Publisher 2007, trying to find out how to make my own e-newsletters and one page brochures.  Just trying to be techie in a techie world!

I am bringing my computer to the workshop.  Hopefully there will be a little time to post about it.

Getting closer ...

I know the light colored flowers look stripey, but I was just blocking in the value and color note.  When I get more done on the lower half, then I have to balance everything and bring out the focal point.  There is a lot of negative painting in this (painting the spaces between objects).  It is actually fun for me, and keeps me from overdoing the objects.

As we approach autumn, we sadly clean up and cut back spent blooms.  My hollyhocks are mostly done and cut back.  The weather is a little cooler (but still hot - in the 80s) and the rosebushes like that a lot and are blooming for us to ease the pain (we love summer).  Maybe that is why I am lingering while painting this scene...

Continuing on...

I like to build this up gradually.  Must be because I am a control freak ... also, because it is nice to not be in a rush, listen to relaxing music ... There is a benefit (I tell myself) to not having an actual studio.  You can eat, drink, watch the news, feed the fish, clean the birdcage, vacuum the carpet, prepare meals, read a magazine, and view your work-in-progress, maybe add a few strokes ... all in the same room!!!  You get a great sense of multi-tasking!  OMG, I am wonderwoman!  LOL.

Beginning a new painting of cone flowers

Sometimes it is nice to do something a little different.  I took a close-up photo of cone flowers in a garden and I'm starting a painting here.  This is blue La Carte paper with a dark green pastel underpainting that is diluted with odorless turpenoid.  I really like this method too.  The shapes are soft right now, but will be built up layer over layer, so you will see the plants "grow".

We have some fun things coming up.  Tonite my husband and I will go to the Sparks Nugget Rib Cook-Off.  For those of you who've never been, it is a street fair of sorts.  BBQ rib specialists come from all over the country and also Australia, to compete for the "best ribs".  Yum!  And I don't have to make dinner tonite either!  There is also funnel cakes and corn on the cob, live music, and usually a craft fair.

Then, in another week will be the Hot Air Balloon Races.  I am entering two watercolor paintings in the Sierra Watercolor Society Art Show that is at the races each year in the museum at the park there.