Thursday, July 1, 2010

It's a different picture, really...click in

Well, kiddies, another week has passed and I was able to spend some more time in the studio. Here is what I worked on this week. When it comes to art, I was usually a pen and ink, or a pencil artist. In other words, I draw. As you know I am trying to branch out with the pastels and learn to paint. For some reason, I just naturally started out small. I suppose I got in the habit of drawing on pads that were small enough to hold in my lap while watching the television. The pastel work that I have done recently has all been done on sheets smaller than 8 x 10, so at the suggestion of my sister, who has been painting with pastel throughout her career, I went much larger. She wanted me to do a large version of the picture with the mountains and the path, so here we go.

If you could not visualize it before, you can easily see that 18" x 24" is much larger than the 6" x 6" from last post, but it shows you how versatile pastels are.

Still working somewhat large, I used my 10 x 14 sketch pad for a study in color. Since I wanted something else colorful, I went looking around the studio for something with a lot of color. Sitting atop my sewing machine stash was a plastic bag that holds my thread, so I just plopped the bag of spools next to my table top easel and began to block in the colors using the side of the pastel. After blocking in the size and shapes, I went on to add in the tops and bottoms of the spools, using circular movements. A few dark strokes were added to show depth and then some loose curved squiggles for detail and I ended up with this.



Well, that's what I've been working on. I hope everyone has had a good summer so far and are planning all kinds of fun things for our Independence Day holiday. DH and I will be attending our
local celebration. Everyone will setting aside differences, if any and celebrating as one, while listening to speakers and celebrating our freedoms. Freedoms that have been fought for so diligently over the years. If you live near by, please join us at An American Celebration here in Roanoke, Virginia.

Well, that's it for now. Enjoy your week and celebrate this weekend safely and securely.

9 comments:

Tricia said...

it's been a while since i've been on the computer but wanted to make sure i made time to stop by and say hi! :) i love, and i mean LOVE, what you have been doing with the pastels. you are a true inspiration to me! happy 4th to you and hubby!

Anonymous said...

I hope your holiday weekend is spectacular! I am loving your pastel work.

Peri said...

Really am pleased with the increase in sizes! Way to go, Susan! I like the thread piece a lot and think it would make a really neat pillow top to quilt if you did it in dyes...hmmm. Also, I wonder what is behind that purple mountain in the big picture? Any ideas???
Hope you enjoy your holiday! Make us all something pretty!

Countryfolk Keepsakes said...

Happy Independence Day to you and Tim, my two fellow patriots!!!
God bless and keep fightin' the good fight! ♥
Peanut the Patriot
:> )

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Your work is really impressive. I LOVE it. Those spools are so cool! The colors just make me happy.

Dolly Cloth said...

I love your work what a great job you have done with the spools
Dolly Hugs
Rita.

Sea Gypsy said...

Beautiful!!!!!!

Crown of Beauty said...

I came over from Cindy's blog. Something in the way you wrote your comment struck me, so I decided to hop over here to "meet" you.

Love your art work. Been looking around a bit. I especially loved what you wrote about yourself on your profile -- your happiness is contagious, shows in your art, your smile.

Thanks for allowing me a peek into your life.


Blessings,
Lidj

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Sweetie, cover up girl, your talent is showin'! I'm impressed! What a beautiful job you've done. I love,love,love the spools. I can almost reach out and touch them.

I'm still fightin' those dang shingles and have been ordered to do nothing until I heal up but I live on the Ponderosa where gates get left open and cattle get out. I just came in from corralling all the feeder cattle plus an bunch of unreasonable donkeys. Ahhhhhh, not that's a no stress morning!!! Heeehehehe!!!

God bless ya and have an incredibly creative day!