May 27, 2011

Miss Biscuit

(Turvy, 5 x 7 pastel, sold)
I'm getting ready for a show so while I am working on those pieces, I thought I would share this small study I did a few years ago of Miss Biscuit. I have done a LOT of paintings of her :), this remains one of my favorites. She is never far from my side or my heart.

I hope you all are enjoying your art!
Cheers,
Sandy

May 16, 2011

Study Study Study

Water Me (9 x 12 pastel), a study sold
click to enlarge

It is probably no surprise that I love the water (dur). What I also love is playing with studies and stopping at points that feel a bit edgy or uncomfortable to me. This piece, done with just a few strokes of color on gray paper just calls out to me as wanting to be finished yet I really enjoy it at this stage, too. By the simple fact that is is not finished, it imbues action, almost a sense of anticipation; "it" becomes demanding. I will likely heed its demand and pursue a completed painting based on this study. It seems one just can't turn down the volume on a painting that wants to be heard!

Cheers,
Sandy

May 10, 2011

First Lady of Law


The First Lady of Law
Ohio Northern University Class of 1896
(formerly Ohio Normal University)
 30 x 36, oil on canvas

For anyone stopping by, I would like to apologize for my absence. To my new followers, I would like to say "Welcome and thank you for your interest in my art!"

Larry and I made the trip to Ohio for the dedication of my great-grandmother's painting and were treated like royalty by the University.

The painting above was completed from a faded 1896 black and white photo of my great-grandmother. Because the photo originally came from a group photograph, mostly all you could see of Lena was her head and shoulders so what you see in the painting is what I composed as part of the storyline. You are welcome to read more about Lena and the rest of the painting on my website.

For our trip, we flew in (and out of) the St. Louis airport and feel lucky that we got out of there before the tornado hit the airport! Our hearts and prayers certainly go out to those who have felt the loss from all those tornadoes. We are certainly glad to be home and back in to the swing of things. 

I can't believe it's already time to pick up paintings from the Northwest Pastel Show! I would like to share that the "Symphony of Swans" painting was granted the Director's Award and I am very honored. I would also like to thank Kari Tirrell for her amazingly generous comment about my painting. Please be sure to see her wonderful and heartfelt painting that deservedly won Best of Show. Congratulations, Kari!