Sandy Byers ... paintings of my life

Heart and Soul

2012-01-26T15:50:00.000-08:00

Heart and Soul (18 x 24 oil on belgian/panel)

FEATHERS, FIELD & FELINE

February 16th - March 15th, 2012

Artist Reception: February 16th 5 pm - 8 pm

Cole Gallery 107 15th Ave So, Edmonds, WA

Yay, an animal show! Lots and lots of animals. Also, because all critters are so near and dear to my heart, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of my paintings will be donated to Precious Life Animal Sanctuary. More information, and a preview of the show, is available on the homepage of my website.

I hope this finds you all well.

Cheers,

Sandy

Brrrrrrr, Winter is Upon Us

2011-11-30T16:29:00.000-08:00

Early Snow (click for a larger view)

16 x 20 dry pastel on Sennelier La Carte

availability and purchase information on my website

Gosh, it seems I was just putting out the summer hammocks and here it is, Winter already. I guess I should look out my studio window more often. I've been in a painting frenzy of late, getting ready for my "feature" show at Cole Gallery. I'm excited because it's an animal show and I love having an excuse to spend hours-on-end painting animals. Yes, yes, the piece above is in the animal category but it is making its way to gallery sooner (rather than later) to celebrate the Winter season. If it hasn't flown away by February, it may just be in the show.

I suspect there are many artists who do the same thing I do and that is some pretty intense thinking during painting sessions. I can go for days without making a sound or hearing a sound while I am working (well, excuse me, Miss Biscuit). I'm just stuck there, in my painting and in my brain. My recent awards have me thinking a lot lately about the balance between confidence and humility. One must have enough humility to want to continue to improve and enough confidence to work through the stages of improvements. Sometimes, it seems the stages of wanting improvement are insurmountable and then determination takes on it's role and helps me to the finish line. I do know it is a lot of work to do what we artists do so I solute you all for all you do. Cheers to creativity!

Artist's Magazine Finalist

2011-11-21T11:07:00.000-08:00

City Beach Sunrise

16 x 20 dry pastel

availability and purchase information on my website

I am happy to humbly announce that the painting above is a finalist in the Artist's Magazine 28th Annual Competition (December 2011 issue). Yippie Skippy - thank you Artist's Magazine!

Dusting on Strawberry Point

2011-11-19T15:35:00.000-08:00

Dusting on Strawberry Point (12 x 18 pastel)

availability info on my website

winter's warmth

its soft powder

dusting our strawberry point

Another wonder from my studio window. So, does this make me a plein air painter? Haha!

A Raisin for Everything

2011-11-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

A Raisin for Everything

14 x 20 dry pastel on Pastelmat

(click to enlarge)

availability info on my website

It might be obvious that raisins are her favorite food! This is my grand-daughter all cozied up in her camping chair that is staked out in the living room (fake camping, real raisins).

I still haven't had a chance to make my rounds. I miss seeing what everyone has been working on lately. My days have been filled with studio work so I'm not complaining. I hope y'all are finding peace at your easels. Thanks so much for stopping by. See ya soon!

Cheers,

Sandy

A Little Sea Study

2011-10-04T16:02:00.000-07:00

8 x 10 pastel seascape study (sold)

Hi all,

For those of you dropping by, thank you. I apologize for not posting for so long. I am in one of those art merry-go-rounds. I am deep in my art world and reinventing parts of how I do things and apparently it takes nearly all of me to do that. I miss everyone and will be by shortly to visit and comment.

Cheers and Happy Painting (I hope),

Sandy

Catch me at Cole

2011-08-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

West Beach Road (12 x 24 pastel on pastelmat)

availability information on my website

click the image above for a larger view

I love the water. I love the beach. I love anything that gives me that sense that someone just took their sandy shoes off and left them at the back door.

On the west side of Whidbey Island (in Washington State) lies a perfectly beachy road. It's one I always drive to when I feel the need for a double dose of water.

I am excited to announce my new relationship with Cole Gallery in Edmonds, Washington. I will be at the gallery tomorrow (8/18) from 5:30 - 8:30 and again on Saturday for a champagne reception from 6:30 until 8:30. I hope if you are in the neighborhood you'll get a chance to stop by and visit. There will be plenty of great art by a variety of artists.

Cheers,

Sandy

Miss Biscuit making an appearance

2011-08-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

Daily Blessing (10 x 8 dry pastel on pastelmat)

sold

As a kitty with candy striped legs

you arrived swiftly into my heart.

Sixteen years later and my heart still

smiles with each new day we share.

One of these days I will count how many paintings I have done of my litte Miss Biscuit. I never, ever, get tired of painting her. With each new piece, I can only hope to add more of her amazing spirit to this world.

Skagit Stillness

2011-08-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

Skagit Stillness (11 x 14, pastel)

click to enlarge

availability information on my website

It is an evening like this and the unparalleled thrill of recording it for others to share that inspires me as an artist. There is so much beauty all around us it seems I could paint all day, every day. I smile at my futile attempt to capture it all in this lifetime. And what a life it is!

Skagit Stillness

just in time

to catch the sweet peach sun

kissing leaves on poplar trees

in the fertile Skagit Valley

Freedom Runner

2011-07-20T12:09:00.000-07:00

Freedom Runner (14 x 11 dry pastel) sold

click to enlarge

There are so many ways to describe the beauty of a horse. One of the first ways that comes to mind for me is the joy of sharing a ride across an open field with nothing but the feel of wind brushing on your face and the sound of muffled hooves as they tap the ground in a gentle rhythm. The sound reminds me of the sound of blood moving from one side of my heart to the other. These amazing animals deserve peace and freedom.

Hi all, I'm in the studio painting but haven't posted for a while so I thought I'd post an earlier piece. See ya soon.

Cheers,

Sandy

Foam Dancing

2011-07-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

Foam Dancing (16 x 20 pastel)

click to enlarge

sold

Foam dancing on the water’s edge,

the warm sand teasing toes,

God’s light topping waves.

Surely this is counted as a perfect day.

Romancing the Rock

2011-06-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

Fakkema Road (18 x 30 framed pastel)

view my website for more information

Whidbey Island is in the Pacific Northwest, a beautiful island in the great State of Washington and a place I love to call home. Locals call it "The Rock" because it was formed from glacial rock during the ice age.

When I was younger I never thought I would stay any place more than a year or so. That's how I grew up (military) and I didn't see that changing in my forseeable future. I had not met Whidbey yet. But, when I did, I fell in love with land like I never had before. Yep, I'm pretty well planted here now.

Opposing but Loving You

2011-06-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

Opposing but Loving You (10 x 8 pastel on pastelmat)

Opposing but Loving You

I am always happy

living in the same vase with you,

even though we face

opposite directions sometimes.

you are beautiful

from every direction.

One in a Crowd

2011-06-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

One in a Crowd (8 x 10 pastel)

I didn't pick flowers - they picked me. I was innocently working away on a landscape and this is what appeared on my easel; this along with a few of its friends. I have to wonder if it's because this is the first year I actually planted flowers (my own self). Strange. It came with this little poem, too...

there is one in a crowd and

You are it.

my day would not

be as bright

without the presence of you.

Fiber Art

2011-06-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

Fiber Art (pastel 16 x 20)
click for a larger view

Sometimes it is difficult to think of suitable names for paintings. This one seemed to have so many that were appropriate and one that kept spinning round in my head was "Yesser, yesser, three bags full" but that seemed too long. Since I am also a fiber artist, I was thrilled when the title "Fiber Art" came to mind. It stuck and I think all four of us are happy with it.

I met these sheep during an open studio tour on Whidbey Island. They live at The Black Sheep Studio which is home to artist Kent Lovelace (he was kind enough to allow me to photograph his little buddies). Kent's oils on copper are beautiful as is his studio.

These kids are showbound. I'm putting the final touches on some other pieces for my show at Scott Milo that runs July 2- August 1st. If any of you are in my part of the world, I hope you get a chance to stop by the show. I have plans to be at the opening reception but that will depend on my little Miss Biscuit. She has been ill lately so if she needs me at home, that's where I'll be. Otherwise, I'll be at the opening and hope to see you there.

I'll be around to catch up with everyone once I get my act together (yes, that will be this year). Baaa for now.

Miss Biscuit

2011-05-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

(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

Study Study Study

2011-05-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

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

First Lady of Law

2011-05-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

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!

One Show, two pieces

2011-03-05T13:50:00.000-08:00

City Beach Sunrise (16 x 20 dry pastel)

more info on my website

AND

Symphony of Swans (18 x 24, dry pastel)

more info on my website

I am happy to share that the two pieces posted above were accepted into the Northwest Pastel Society's show in Seattle that runs April 10th - May 8th.

Just in case you're looking for some fun shows to attend, here are a few I am aware of (yes, yes, they are all about me :) SHOW SCHEDULE

Saratoga Gold

2011-02-16T13:26:00.000-08:00

Saratoga Gold (12 x 24, pastel)

click to enlarge

In honor of the windy weather we have been having on Whidbey Island over the past several days, I thought I would post this little piece of the storm just outside my studio. I love this kind of weather. Well, except for the power outages. That's a bit of a bother.

Waves from the island to all,

and always,

cheers,

Sandy

Heart Stealer

2011-02-14T10:21:00.000-08:00

Heart Stealer (5 x 7, oil on panel) sold

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

from Miss Biscuit and Me

Carry Hope

2011-02-11T11:27:00.000-08:00

Carry Hope 6" x 12" oil on panel

Six inches tall, nine months to completion....I'm not sure that is going to work well in a production mode but some paintings just won't get off the easel until they are ready. This is one of those. For all that I put in to this piece I am a bit sad that I started it last May before I started making my own panels because I am not thrilled with the texture of this one. I used a Dick Blick 3/8" canvas panel for this oil painting and you can see the texture pretty clearly in the image below (especially so if you click on it).

I am considering using this piece as a study for a larger piece but if I do that math, it will take me 5 years (60 months) to complete a 20 x 24 and I'm not sure I'm up for that. On the subject of birds and girls...take a look at this amazing painting by Karen Martin Sampson (on her blog: http://karenmartinarts.blogspot.com/).

Thanks to all for stopping by. Happy Painting!

Sandy

Red

2011-02-04T15:31:00.000-08:00

Red 16 x 20 on Byers panel

Four more days, four more glazes and I am pretty certain I am done with this one. Even though trucks out in fields aren't my usual subject matter, I really enjoyed working on this piece because, just as with most all of my work, I used my own photo reference for this. As you know, I had lots of time at the easel with this piece so that also meant I had lots of time to reminisce about the source of the photo.

I recall my husband (Larry) and I taking a trip to Eastern Washington and, like I often do when we take trips, I had my window rolled down with my camera halfway hanging outside just waiting for something to catch my attention. You can probably imagine after miles and miles of nothing but wheat fields, just how excited I was when we zoomed past old "RED!" I snapped my one-chance picture and that was all I needed. Just that and my sweet memory. I wonder if they ever sold any hey off that old truck. Oh, and by the way, Larry says that's a c. 1970 International.

THE GLAZE: Below is a photo of the next-to-the last step when I thought I was done but I just kept staring at it waiting to find out why I didn't really care for the finished piece as much as I did the washes. That's when I decided to add (yet another) thin glaze of white, yellow ochre and ivory black to a) give the hill a bit more distance and b) to add a little more sunshine to the hill. I wanted to get more of that golden cast back that was in the inital glazes. I also ended up adding a few more details to Red.

My Palette

For the majority of the painting, I used:

Ivory Black

Cad Red Deep

Mixed White

Cad Yellow Medium

for final glazes on the sky I added ultramarine blue

for final glazes on the hey I added yellow ochre

My Panel

All-in-all, I am happy with how my Byer's Board held up to all the glazing and some of the scrubbing I did with this piece. I will certainly be using it again!

Thanks for coming by to see the end result.

May you find peace at your easel.

Cheers,

Sandy

Glaze upon glaze upon glaze

2011-02-01T16:08:00.000-08:00

Goodness me, that's a lot of glazing! I'm on my 7th coat and still have a way to go. I decided to use Galkyd Lite for this experiment and I am finding this a real test of patience for me. I enjoy the process of working with a pretty well thought-out value study and building up slowly but alright, already - it seems like I could have actually built the truck by now :). I still have several layers to go and thought you might enjoy seeing the process so far.

The Galkyd Lite was nice to work with but I must say if I didn't have a full-on VOC (volatile organic compounds) air purifier in my studio, I don't think I could handle the odor. Oh, the things we do for love.

More to come...later.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy painting, all!

Cheers,

Sandy

The Value of a Study

2011-01-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

Patio Party (oil study on panel, 8 x 10)

While Great-Grandmother is resting in the studio, I am working on several other pieces and working with an entirely new process. Well, new for me. I've been at this oil painting thing for many years but I have never found my personal perfect setup. Whether oils or pastels (or any medium for that matter), the tallest hurdle for me seems to be the substrate. If that's not right, nothing is right. So that is what I have spent the past few years working on with my oils. You name it, I have probably painted on it. I think I have it now and as much as I resisted making my own panels, that's what it has taken for me to get to this next step.

My resistance to making my own panels was mostly about the time it would take away from my easel. That's pretty much how I measure everything but I admit that once I forced myself (out of desperation) to make my own panels, I actually treasure each one more than if I had just picked it off a shelf. I feel more bonded to the art piece as a whole, too, which is an added benefit I had not anticipated. I'm serious. After putting 8 coats of gesso on these puppies and sanding in between each one, I feel like I should name them. Each coat is applied in the opposite direction of the previous coat which, upon close inspection, gives a nice cross-grain affect to the final board. If you click on the image below, you should be able to see what I am referring to.

So, now I am thinking I can get on with the painting part. I have only gotten as far as the value studies because I enjoy them so much I don't really want to go further. But, I will...just not with this one. My next step will be to apply multiple glazes to well-developed value studies. I am equiped with an arsenal of options to try on this new surface; Neo Megilp, Galkyd, Galkyd Lite, Liquin Light and Stand oil and each seems to have its own advantages and disadvantages. Do you have a favorite? If so I would love to know which is your favorite and why.

Cheers,
Sandy

Still working...

2011-01-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

Biscuit and I are back from our caroling. Well, actually we got back quite a while ago and now are buried deep (really deep) in the studio. I am working on an oil painting of my great grandmother (24 x 30) that I am doing from a black and white photo from 1896. I'm sure you all can appreciate the challenge this has been and it has taken nearly all the focus I have to keep at it until it is complete. I fear if I stop, I won't have the gumption to start again and there is a timeline for this piece. My great grandmother was the first lady to graduate with a law degree (and science degree) from Ohio Northern University and so has the honorable title of being their "First Lady of the Law." This Spring the University will be doing a dedication in her honor and the painting will be part of that ceremony so I must be done soon to allow ample time for drying. No pressure, of course :). Admittedly, I am honored to do this but admit I would have found the task much easier if she had whiskers.

I am anxious to see what you (all) have been working on and apologize for being absent for so long. As soon as Miss Biscuit gives that approving look for the painting, I'll call her done and come visiting. I could use the break.

In the meantime, I hope everyone is enjoying the new year!
Cheers,
Sandy and my little sidekick

Happy Holidays and Best of the New Year

2010-12-21T12:39:00.000-08:00

Miss Biscuit and I are off singing carols and dashing around in our sleigh but I would like to take a moment to thank all my new (and old :)) blog friends for visiting with me throughout the year. I have enjoyed visiting your blogs and sharing art and soooo appreciate your comments on my art.

Next year marks one more year I am excited to see coming - they just seem to get better and better. Cheers all. See you next year!

Howard Mandville Show in Kirkland, WA

2010-11-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Return Ever Safely (pastel 11 x 14)

You can read more about this painting on my website

YOU ARE INVITED

Is there any chance you'll be in KIRKLAND, Washington, soon? If so, I would love to have you visit the Howard/Mandville Gallery where I have been invited to participate in their 20th Annual Small Works Show. I have been visiting the Howard/Mandville Gallery for years as a guest. Now, I am humbled to have my paintings hanging next to the works of many notable artists such as:
       • Robert Bateman
       • Deborah Bays
       • David Gray
       • Andre Kohn
       • Yingzhoa Liu and so many more (show preview is here)

Below is the additional piece I have submitted for the Howard/Mandville Show (another from my Morro obsession series):

Liquid Light (pastel 14 x 11)

You can read more about this painting on my website

SHOW PREVIEW DAYS: November 6th - 13th

RECEPTION & Set Price Sale of Paintings

Saturday, November 13th - 5:30 - 8pm

I will be attending the reception and HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

For gallery hours and directions, click here.

Back to Morro

2010-10-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

Back to Morro (dry pastel triptych on La Carte, 24 x 54)

sold

Cathump, cathump, cathump. There goes my heart again while I stand smack dab in the middle of the ocean's spray.

If you imagine standing on this shorline, then turning just to your left, you would see the scene from the painting below ("Return to Morro"). You can see them both, unobstructed, on my website. It is probably apparent by now that I am a bit obsessed with this place. I love the idea of a series because it is the perfect excuse to indulge such an obsession; just coming up long enough for air.

Return to Morro

2010-10-02T11:32:00.000-07:00

I simply can't believe how fast time is zooming past. As I'm sure is true for most of you, there are tons of things going on in my little world and I do thank those of you who have continued to check in with me even though I'm not great at posting on a regular basis. Welcome, too, to my new readers.

Return to Morro (dry pastel, 16 x 47)

The only thing even remotely close to being there is this...painting this, standing in front of this, absorbing this. Every inch of this piece is filled with the excitement of the sea as I recalled standing on the shores along the coast of Morro Bay, California, with my heart pounding faster and faster as each wave struck the rocks in front of me.

The great news is I've been painting up a storm. Well, okay not really a storm, a sea. Lots and lots of water and some mighty BIG water, too! Last night was the opening reception for my shared show at the Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, Washington. I love that place and it was a delightful event. I always look forward to meeting new folks and talking endlessly about art (no, not just mine :).

For the piece above I prepared a piece of Russian Birch by first applying a coat of latex to both sides (to keep it from warping). Then I prepared a mix of gesso, marble dust and just a touch of water until I got the consistency I thought would work best. I also added some acrylics to tint the mixture - I chose a warm grey. At first, I brushed the mixture on the board but I didn't feel like that gave me enough "tooth" so, for the last coat, I used a small foam roller to get a bit more texture on the surface. It worked perfectly for this large piece and I really enjoyed having the ability to create the exact surface I needed for for what I envisioned.

Cheers all.

Boldbrush Fav 15% Winner

2010-08-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

Just Peachy (20 x 16 dry pastel) sold

Hi, and welcome new readers. Thank you all for stopping by! I just wanted to pop in to do a little braggin' on an older piece that made it in to the FAV 15% of the BoldBrush competition for August.

about the painting...Setting up a fruit bowl just never occurred to me while contemplating my next still life painting. I was headed to my studio to "set something up" when I spotted one of our end tables being drenched in light from the rising sun. I grabbed a peach (yummmm) and my favorite basket and got to work trying out several arrangements before settling on this one.

I chose this one, not realizing how much work I had set myself up for by including the basket! Now, I think I know where the phrase "basket-case" really comes from. A fun part of this still life is that my husband made the table top from a piece of wood my dad gave him and the table legs are pieces of driftwood from the beach in front of our home (on Whidbey Island). They drifted on to our yard, looking for a new home...

Well, I'm heading back to my seascape. Cheers, all, and happy painting!

Porcelain Cat and His World

2010-08-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

Porcelain Cat and His World (oil 16 x 20) sold

I've been away for a bit so I thought I would post an earlier piece until I can get back to the studio.

THE PAINTING The style of this painting is primarily realism; keeping some parts intentionally loose to allow your eyes to rest on the focal points. Bold greens and reds are used to add excitement and to give a contrasting background to the more neutral colors of the main characters. The red peonies would melt in to the background were it not for their strong texture. Textural changes throughout the painting add depth and richness. The light, entering from the left of the viewer, strikes each of the characters boldly, like little treats for your eyes at every point.

THE PIECES The pieces in this still life painting are very near and dear to my heart and I thought you might enjoy knowing a little bit about them...

The porcelain cat is a piece I sculpted in honor of Gravy, our male (golden tabby) cat. It has a cup in the center of it that is generally used for a candle but for this composition I placed a painted wooden ball (yes, I painted that, too :-) to represent Gravy's world. Gravy loved to play with this ball so it seemed fitting to include it in this painting. To strengthen eye movement, I used the same colors in the ball, the wood shelf and the clay pot. The book of "Love Stories" symbolizes the relationship between our two cats; Biscuit and Gravy (they are vaguely painted on the cover of the book). Constantly at my side is the spiral-bound tablet given to me years ago by a dear friend. It contains numerous sketches I have done, over the years, of both our cats. Since my husband and I both enjoy doing pottery, I included a large pot that I drew designs for but which never made it to the potter's wheel. It's so much quicker to paint it.

A HUGE welcome to my new followers and a HUGE thank you to those who continue to follow my blog. I appreciate the comments and your interest in my art world and adventures.

The Ceremonial Princess Biscuitrina

2010-07-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

The Ceremonial Princess Biscuitrina of the Faux Feather Tribe (nfs)

I am not a mask painter but I just had to find a way to celebrate the Master Mask Painter Don's new kitty and, well, there was Miss Biscuit, all ready for the task. Congratulations on your new studio friend, Don. May you have many happy paw prints together.

Grand Indeed, pastel

2010-07-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

Grand Indeed (25 x 19.75 dry pastel)

In preparation for our trip to the Grand Canyon, I read books about it. I saw pictures of it. I studied maps of it. I watched videos. I must say, though, that there is no way I could have prepared myself for the reality of standing on the edge of that magnificent canyon! There simply are no words to describe the feeling. It seems as though there should be a stamp, or tattoo, one gets once you've "canyoned" so when you're talking about it, someone else can know if you really know the canyon. It is truly beyond words.

Some subject matters seem almost "hands-off" to me when I consider painting them because they seem impossible to capture. That's a bit how I feel about the Grand Canyon. However, I was compelled to spend more time there after returning home and getting lost in this painting was a wonderful way to do that. I wandered around all the nooks and crannies and hilltops and studied the ledges formed over thousands of years. It was such a joy to work on this piece.

I was prompted to post this piece because I was reading a wonderful blogpost by Katie who's husband taught her to fly (so cool!) and one of their trips was over the Canyonlands. Travel safely!

City Beach Sunrise

2010-07-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

City Beach Sunrise (16 x 20 dry pastel)

available on my website

It seems nearly every spot on beautiful Whidbey Island has views to offer and gorgeous sunrises and glistening waters. I just can't seem to get enough of it! This scene is from an early morning adventure to City Beach in Oak Harbor.

Sam's a Thinker

2010-06-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

Sam (dry pastel 12" x 24")

After some good advice from a friend, I made a few tweaks and I think I am done. I'm just not sure if Sam thinks I am. It was nice to have the oil study since I had already done a lot of the work on that earlier piece it made this one flow a bit easier than I think it would have otherwise. This final was completed on Sennelier La Carte Pastel paper - one of my all-time favorites. This was fun.

Thanks so much for checking up on my work and a warm welcome to the new followers, too!

What a Wonderful World

2010-06-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

What a Wonderful World (8 x 10 oil on panel)

Fundraiser for Pasado's Safe Haven - SOLD

Having been blessed with a heart wide open for animals, one of my greatest passions is painting to raise money to support the welfare of animals. So, yesterday I did just that. I had a perfect day enjoying the company of this kitty (on the easel) I met a while ago at our local animal shelter. He was subsequently adopted and I have a feeling his new theme song must be "What a Wonderful World".

I see skies of blue, clouds of white

Bright blessed days, dark sacred nights

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world!

Thanks for the tunes, Mr. Armstrong!

Beach Bound (in my heart)

2010-06-14T14:36:00.000-07:00

Steppin' Out (dry pastel, 11 x 14) available on my website

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE the water? It is the anticipation of that very first toe-dip that can keep me on the edge of my seat for a ride that seems to take for...e...v...e...r. I feel like Donkey in Shrek, always saying "are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

I'll leave you with this. I'm off to paint some water.

Welcome new followers.

Thank you, all, for stopping by.

Wee Three selected for Fav 15% BOLDBRUSH competition

2010-06-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

Wee Three (dry pastel 16" x 20") sold

It sure makes my day to open an email and see the word "Congratulations" and know it's real. This morning I recieved one of those from FineArtViews letting me know my painting, Wee Three, made it in to the Fav 15% for the March 2010 BoldBrush competition. I consider that quite an honor since it was up against some fabulous competition! Thanks FineArtViews; next time I'm going for an award (check out these winning pieces).

And I Said to the Sea...I love thee

2010-06-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

In Perfect Rythm (20" x 16" dry pastel) sold

And I said to the Sea, so see, I do love thee.

And she said back to me, Yes, Sand, I see.

And, I love thee.

Love,

The Sea.

-sandy

My Mom tells me that when we were babies she would put us in hammocks (I think used for clothes on sailboats) on our family boat and off to sea we would go. Mind you, it was likely just for the weekend but to a baby it probably seemed like a month-long adventure. I know I loved it. Right, Mom? There are also family stories of living in Florida during hurricane season and when everyone else was packing their cars and hitting the roads, we were heading down the dock (no running allowed) where we could board our boat, head to sea, and be really safe.

Moving on to when I was eight, my family moved to Cannes (on the French Riviera) and the best way to get there seemed to be a trans-Atlantic trip aboard the Leonardo da Vinci cruise liner. During our return trip the weather turned and we were tossed about in 35ft-high seas with the wind kicking up to 65 knots. During that storm, the British freighter Ambassador was sinking and had radioed the coastguard that the crew was going to abandon ship but that they did not have any lifeboats available (on the leeward side). The Leonardo da Vinci was one of six ships in the vicinity of the sinking ship and changed course to assist. Because of the high seas, she was unable to get close enough to the Ambassador; although she continued with her attempts until the Norwegian vessel Fruen arrived. After futile rescue attempts, The Ambassador sank in turbulent waters a thousand miles off the coast of New York. Thankfully, the crew was rescued.

My memories are not filled with the scary stuff; they are filled with the blessings of the water and excitement of it. I lost track of how many boats my family has owned over the years but I’ve never lost track of my love for the waves lapping up against the hulls!

Gully and the Jeepers

2010-06-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

Gully and His Jeepers (dry pastel on pastelbord, 11 x 14)

Can't you just imagine them getting ready for their sunset gig at the beach? Soon all the little sandpiper girls will be gathering around oohing and ahhing and shaking their tail-feathers! There is always fun to be had at the beach.

A little closer view of the bandleader...

Building Trust

2010-06-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Building Trust (oil 16" x 20")

During the Whidbey Island Farm Tour last fall, I had an opportunity to visit one of my favorite places on the island, the Wildwood Farms. They are just a skip and jump down the road from where we live. I have been going there to sneak a peek at their horses for over thirty years!

The two horses in this painting really caught my attention during my last visit because of their obvious closeness to each other. I could feel they trusted each other, I just wasn't sure they trusted the photographer quite as much...perhaps an apple could help persuade them?

This piece will be included in my upcoming Art Show in Coupeville, WA, over the 4th of July weekend. I will be among some other wonderful artists and we would love to have you stop by:

July 3 & 4th
10 am - 5pm
Coupeville, WA (corner of Coveland and Alexander Streets)

To Crop or Not to Crop

2010-06-03T16:10:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Point (dry pastel 8 x 10)

Hmmm, I'm not sure I've done the right thing here but something was nagging me about this painting. Often, if a painting stares at me from my wall, sending off vibes like that, for too long something is bound to happen. Since this was painted on paper, it was safe from a total scrub :). Instead I cropped it and reworked some of the areas to make the composition work a little better in its new space and boundries.

This is what it looked like before, as an 11 x 14.

I would really like your honest feedback so if you feel so inclined, please leave me a comment and let me know which you prefer. I can handle it (though I can't get the old one back - no "undo" button here).

Thanks for stopping by!

A Calling of the Heart - pastel seascape

2010-05-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

A Calling of the Heart (16 x 20 dry pastel) sold

My heart is visiting Bandon, Oregon, so I thought I would share this earlier seascape I painted from the magnificent beaches there. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday weekend.

Lazy Painting!

2010-05-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Camano Highlights (pastel 6" x 8") sold

Feeling really lazy, I was going for the fewest strokes possible to make this painting believable. The strong colors may have been my saving grace in this one because if you click the image to enlarge it, you can see just how lazy I was.

Study of Sam, from oils to pastels

2010-05-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

Sam, a study (oil 8 x 10) available on Etsy

Traditionally, pastels were used as studies for oil paintings. I often like to use oil paintings as studies for my pastel paintings and this one of "Sam" (named in honor of Sam-Dolman, painter) is no exception. I still have a few refinements to make to the pastel painting which is larger and longer (12 x 24).

I really enjoy the process of working on a study. I know there are lots of things I can work out in Photoshop (I love Photoshop) but there are some things that can only happen, for me anyway, while working at the easel. Doing a study gives me a chance to really study and experiment on a particular subject in the painting without the fear of wearing out the paper or canvas.

Oh, those lovely Colors!

2010-05-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

Turvy - crop (5 x 7 pastel) sold

When an artist uses colors correctly, it makes our eyes yearn to view the image again and again. It’s addictive. Suzanne Berry’s painting, "Ciree" is such a fine example of the skilled use of color!

Biscuit is often referred to as a black and white cat. Ha! I am pretty certain I have used nearly every color in my pastel box to get all the colors in her fur correctly represented. There is not much restraint here as I start pouring them onto one of my favorite pastel papers; Sennelier La Carte.

Once the patches of color are established with Unison and Diane Townsend pastels, I use NuPastels to blend them together and to define the fur. I don’t want to overdo the blending process; otherwise the colors will turn muddy and lose their sparkle. Eventually, I work over the entire painting, defining shapes, adjusting value and color as needed.

I will intentionally leave some of the edges undone and fuzzy to give the viewer’s eyes some resting spots and to allow her to participate in filling in the blanks. I also add a few token hairs and/or whiskers to give the “feel” of fur without actually putting in every hair. Each painting tends to dictate just how much detail is required to make the story believable. I err on the side of less is better.

This is the uncropped version of the painting:

Purrs, Sandy.

Seascape Pastel Tutorial you can Download

2010-05-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

Whidbey Island Life (pastel, 16 x 20) sold

I find it an honor that other artists have sought to gain some insight into the way I work either through watching my videos on youtube or by emailing me and seeking my advice.

It is because of these inquires that I have put together a downloadable step-by-step tutorial for painting a seascape in pastels.

This tutorial is:

Downloadable( PDF you need Adobe Reader 5.0 or higher) Download the reader FREE
Mac or PC compatible
30 Work-in-Progress photos with instructions
written for intermediate-to-advanced pastelists
offered with a $9.95 introductory price
now available by clicking HERE

Below are some sample pages from the tutorial showing the progression of the painting and the descriptive text below each step. The salmon is the color of the paper I use (Sennelier La Carte).

You will get a link in email and then you will be able to download the PDF once your payment clears. Currently I offer Paypal and if I get any requests, I'll get Google pay set up, too. I am using an automated service to download the PDF so even if I'm not available (hopefully I will be in my studio), you will get the tutorial right away. Well, let's see...go to the movies or learn something new about painting...I know what I would pick!

Cat Pastel Painting - A Reason for the Sun

2010-05-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

A Reason for the Sun (pastel, 8 x 14 sold)

Biscuit is my constant studio companion and never ceases to be inspiration for me at the easel. It is more than her external beauty. It is much more than what you see with her long flowing mane and those beautiful sun-catching eyes of hers. It is really much more than that. She has the sweetest, kindest, most generous little personality I have ever encountered in an animal. She has made an appearance in The Pastel Journal four times and I have lost count of how many times I have painted her. I wonder if there is a spot for her in the Guinness World Records. Hmmm....

Winter Tulip Crew

2010-05-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

Winter Tulip Crew (oil, 16 x 20) click to enlarge

I have been buried in my studio so I thought I would share another of my bird paintings in honor of the eagle meeting at our "cove" this morning. You can see some of the photos I took (here) on my photo blog. It was quite a sight and the sounds were amazing, too. Happy painting!

Light or Dark - Pick a Value

2010-05-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

Colors are such an addiction, aren't they? I was thinking about some of my other SEAL (Self Engendered Art Lesson) projects and thought I would share this one that I know many artists before me have done and many artists after me will do; a basic value study. I think it is such a great exercise. To mix it up a little, I chose to do this one using pastels. Yum. I thought I would miss the color but, really, there was something that felt free about not having to make color choices...but just for a little bit. I'll soon be back to my addiction.

About the painting: This Little Light (pastel, 9 x 12) Ever since she was born, my grand-daughter has held that special little place in the heart and arms of her Papa. My goal for this painting was to convey that sense of security, trust and love she has for him and, in return, the love, sense of protection and longing for the right future he has for her.

High or Low - Pick a Key

2010-04-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

Flight Plans (oil on panel, 11 x 14)

available on my website

For me, painting the same subject in both high-key and low key goes in to my SEAL (Self Engendered Art Lesson) bucket. I've seen them, I just don't usually do them. For those not familiar, a high-key painting is when you drop out most of the bottom half of your value range and what is left is what is on your palette. Those colors can be a lot of fun! A few darks can sneak in here and there but overall the painting will be quite light, as if all the shades on all the windows have been removed.

While working on my last group of gallery pieces (oils this time), I spent quite a lot of time on the composition and desired mood for "Flight Plans." After careful consideration and a few trial runs, I opted for a low-key piece with drama because I just tend to like those best. I do, however, want to share this high-key study I did, too, so you can see the other direction this painting could have gone. Notice how saturated some of those colors are, especially on the duck's right (shadowed) side. Which do you prefer?

Bunny Pot and Friends, I am not a pastel

2010-04-28T12:31:00.000-07:00

Bunny Pot and Friends is another of my not-pastel paintings. It is an oil (16 x 20) painted on linen. I have since taken to painting on panels and like it much better. I often prep my own but admit that my studio is really half studio, half mad-artist lab. I love to experiment. I must dash, something is bubbling....

Multi media ... pastels, oils, acryilcs, you-name-it

2010-04-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

The Socialite (acrylic 20 x 24)

On the off chance you think I only work in pastels, I thought I would post one of my acrylic paintings (from some time back). As much as I love pastels I do enjoy mixing things up a bit in my studio and I think having more than one medium to work in is good for learning. I work a lot in oils, too, and confess to loving the smell of a freshly laid palette.

The easel calls. Happy Painting!

Easel Struggles, even Andrew Hemingway has them

2010-04-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

While reading Andrew Hemingway's The Making of a Painting (The Diary of Andrew Hemingway), I smiled in heartfelt recognition at the anguish he shared and his ongoing arguments with the painting on his easel. It surprised me, and in some way comforted me, to hear someone as accomplished as he is say what he did in his book. Following is an excerpt from his diary:

Monday 17th April

The picture looks like nothing. Can it ever hope to work. I am confronted with a solid mass of dull slate grey, the surface colour. If only it was something else. How long will I have to stare at this nothing of a colour? Gainsbourough's pink ground (the colour of my last big painting, 1994) to Ruben's honey colour, but not this dead grey.

Almost for the entire day I battle inwardly with thoughts of the fruitlessness of the entire project. I have little or no hope that this picture is going to work. Can I go back? If I do I will never know what could have been. What a dilemma! For any reader of this diary this may seem a small thing, but to me it is a dreadful torment. The work on the background continues; however, I operate on a kind of auto-pilot.

Let me assure you that Andrew and his painting, "Still Life with a Green Glazed Bowl" (60 x 45), both came out of this experience in tip-top shape. My point in sharing this is as a note of encouragement for those times when the struggle at the easel seems overwhelming. I find comfort in knowing that other artists have the same struggles I do, stand and stare endlessly at their paintings and anguish over a multitude of issues. What gives me even more comfort is knowing that by sticking with it and working through the tough times we all come out of it more accomplished whether the painting makes it or not.

May you find peace at the easel,
Sandy

Trusted Wings - pastel on Wallis (WIP)

2010-04-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

"I Choose Flight" is the name of one of the paintings I am currently working on and that prompted me to review some of my earlier bird paintings. I thought I would share this one since I have a couple of photos of the piece in progress and I always enjoy seeing others' WIPs. This little bird was just outside my office window and I felt compelled to capture him on Wallis paper.

Using a turp wash for a smooth, gradiated surface in the background ended up as a nice touch though it takes a bit of nerve since there was no way for me to fix anything without completely redoing the entire background. I skated out of that one with a large brush and by holding my breath (whew).

I added more texture with the build-up of pastels as I added the foreground rocks (ala big bird).

I left the little baby bird whispy and soft so it felt, to me, like you could reach down and pick him up, ever-so-gently.

Well, back to the easel. Thanks for stopping by!

Making Pastels from Dust

2010-04-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

Do you have a catch-tray full of pastel dust? If so, you might want to reclaim that expensive falling dust and turn it in to little bars of gold. Well, okay, they look more like slugs but they are easy to make and you can even get creative with the shapes. I actually formed mine to look like slugs. What can I say? I am inspired by my (Pacific Northwest) surroundings.

You will need

Pastel Dust
Gloves
A mixing container (preferably a disposable one)
A spoon or palette knife for stirring
A smooth surface for forming your pastel stick/log/slug

I am assuming you are using professional pastels and it doesn't matter if you have used a variety of brands. If you want, you can even leave the tiny chunks of color in for "surprise" streaks.

The pastel dust already has a binder in it so you won't need to add that. Just add enough (filtered) water to make the dust moldable. You don't want it too gooey so go light with the water. Once you have have the right consistency, form your logs, or slugs, and leave them out to dry for a couple days or until they no longer feel cold to the touch.

Have fun! I would love to know if your experiment was successful.

Cheers,

Sandy

Cheers to Blooms

2010-04-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

Skagit Pinks (16 x 20, dry pastel)

The tulips are blooming, the tulips are blooming! Everyone grab your paints and easels and head to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. I just know you won’t be disappointed. There are so many reasons I love this part of the country; the Grand and Beautiful Pacific Northwest. It certainly has my heart and now my pastels and paper, too. In all honesty, I painted this piece last year and have not been to the fields yet this year but I am going and soon. So soon I can hardly stand it. My camera and pastels are shaking with anticipation.

Before this tulip painting, I completely avoided the pinks in my pastel box. In a way, that was nice because I had all brand new colors to work with and then there was this moment of “uh-oh” how does one actually see pink? Not having worked with them much my eyes were not well trained to see the value shifts between these hues. To help me sort through my value issues, I got out my handy-dandy-can’t-live-without-value tool-thingy and put it to work as I soaked up a new SEAL (Self Engendered Art Lesson). That was a fun little lesson and I now have a newfound respect for the pinks.

By the way, if you don’t have a Picture Perfect Value Finder, I highly recommend this tool for any artist. It has dug me out of more than one hole, I promise you. If I were to need another, I would buy mine from Dakotapastels (no, I don't get a kickback, I just love their store!) but you can find them from a variety of places through Google.

May you find peace at the easel.

Cheers, Sandy

Thank you to The Pastel Journal

2010-03-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

SYMPHONY OF SWANS

18 x 24

In her editor's comments of the April 2010 issue (the 11th annual Pastel 100 Competition), Anne Hevener, editor of The Pastel Journal, points out that the magazine regularly receives around 4,000 entries for its international competitions. With that in mind, I really can't tell you how humbling it is to be selected to receive an award with so few slots open (only 20 in the animal/wildlife category). So my very sincere thanks, once again, to The Pastel Journal and the folks behind the curtains and the panel of judges who spend endless hours making these things happen for us artists.

The piece I submitted was inspired by a trip to Skagit Valley, Washington, a place where I often find inspiration for paintings. The swans spend several months there during the winter and show up by the thousands! It is an amazing sight to see them gathered in the fertile fields of the valley. Below is one of the reference photos for my painting.

By the time I was done with the photo-shoot, the sun was starting to set and there was a beautiful warm glow on the birds and that was something I was anxious to capture in the painting. I created a bit more of that drama with the lighting than was actually there (in the photos) and it's having the ability to copy but the courage to create that I (now) find so enjoyable when painting.

Cheers,
Sandy

Indecision

2010-02-26T13:54:00.000-08:00

Tada Today

I have several paintings in several different stages (I am getting ready to deliver to a show at the Scott Milo Gallery) so I don't really have anything to post. I thought rather than wait, instead I would share a great photo I captured just outside my studio. This is my daily inspiration! Cheers and see you soon with art-in-hand.

Must Be Present to Win

2010-01-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

I was “stuck” in a painting which at some point during the creation of a piece is often the case. I wondered if I could get beyond that point of stuckness (yes, spellcheck, I know). Stopping, looking, wondering, thinking, and pulling up all the usual questions and answers I have on hand did not work.

Then I remembered my treasured move; one that comes so naturally I don’t usually have to think about it but for some reason the idea escaped me this time. Until now. It is my “must be present to win” trick. This is where I stop everything that is happening around me. No music, no interruptions, no food, no water, nothing except me and the painting. I start the stare-down and wait for it to happen. At the perfect moment, I jump in. I mean IN. I am not referring to plein air painting, when one stands next to what is being painted. I am talking about getting inside the painting. I must stand (in) there and be in that space to produce that feeling of co-existence with my painting, like wake-dreaming, and I know when I have arrived because all of a sudden the dust starts flying (or the brushes) and I can’t move fast enough! And then something happens. A phone rings, a dog barks, a fog horn howls in the distance and I stop. Realizing it is two hours later is thrilling but realizing my piece has painted itself is even more so. So, jump in, because in my opinion, you absolutely must be present to win and the thrill is, well, pure addiction.

Winter Show December 19 & 20, 2009

2009-12-15T10:08:00.000-08:00

Come and Enjoy!

December 19 & 20th, 2009

10 - 5 pm

Coupeville Recreation Hall

on beautiful Whidbey Island

Washington

Calendar Art Project

2009-11-16T15:29:00.000-08:00

This past month has been pretty much wrapped up in making calendars which I thoroughly enjoy doing but I do find myself longing for the feel of pastel dust between my fingers or the smell of a freshly laid palette of oils. I admit to sneaking in a day here and there just so I could get that "ahhh" moment.

So, I thought I would share what I've been working on that's kept me so far from my easel's edge. They are little desk-sized calendars of my art. I think it's a really good exercise to see one's own work grouped together and to have to scrutinize and make the tough choices about which images get cut. It reminds me of the submission process for exhibitions. It's not always about being the prettiest picture. Sometimes it is a matter of balancing how one image looks when grouped with 11 other images. I also found that, on occasion, I couldn't include the image I initially selected because when it printed, the colors didn't hold up to the original as well as I would have liked. I find that happens most often when there are strong complementary colors competing with each other.

I really wanted to focus on these calendars as miniature art which is why I included the mini easels as part of the package. Besides that, I think these easels are just adorable. With that in mind, the paper and image quality were paramount for this project. For those of you who might want to try this at home...I decided on Moab Lasal double-sided Photo Matte paper. It's spendy but worth it if what you want is a top-quality feel to your little print (or big print). Even though I'm not printing on both sides, I like that the paper is thick, rich and is the same color on both sides. The colors come out beautifully on my Epson printer. Well, now that those are done, I am off to the easel! Yay.

The calendars I did for this year are CATS, SEASCAPES and BIRDS. You are welcome to view (and purchase) them on my wesite:

Why Use Colored Pastel Paper?

2009-10-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

I love, love, love different surfaces to paint on and a variety of them to choose from is an important factor for me when trying to plan for the best outcome for a painting. While posting this painting, “Return Ever Safely,” I was thinking about what an important role the color and texture of the paper can make in the outcome of the piece. The paper I chose for this is Sennelier La Carte Light Grey. The name of the color is deceiving because in reality, it is a nice warm brown tone. I chose this color because I wanted that color to dominate the painting. I also chose Sennelier La Carte paper because it has a wonderful sanded surface that enables the pastel to just skim the surface and that’s just the look I wanted for the driftwood highlights. I stayed away from the buttery-soft pastels because I wanted the brands that would tend to sit on top of the sanded surface. I therefore chose primarily Unisons and Diane Townsends to get the effect I was after.

RETURN EVER SAFELY

11 x 14 pastel

a bit more about this painting...

The swallow was often the first sign sailors saw when approaching land and, as such, they became a symbol of hope and, later, one of honor. They were so revered by sailors that after sailing five thousand miles a sailor would have a swallow tattooed on his chest to proudly display his ability to weather many storms at sea. After ten thousand miles a second swallow-tattoo would be added to the other side of his chest.

I was reminded of this legend while visiting our nearby beach on Whidbey Island (Washington). I saw this swallow resting on a stump of driftwood and wondered if it was beckoning to a certain sailor in the nearby ocean.

Purchase information is available on my website.

A poem for my pastels

2009-09-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

Be still my heart whilst I paint
so that I might hear the pastel
as it glides across its sanded surface,
textured like a sweet cat’s tongue.
The sound, like a violin
and the sight becomes the orchestra.

~sandy byers

Waking Up...and happy

2009-09-21T15:38:00.000-07:00

One thing led to another and I found myself at a friend's blog that I contributed to last year. I still feel the same today as I did when I wrote this (then) and want to share it here. I also want to share Robin's Paint a Positive Picture blog because I think anytime we share something positive, that's good for all of us.

This is the painting:

"Waking Up"
Soft Pastel 11"x 14" (sold - thank you :)

And this is the positive thought that went with it:
The blessings of each day are not always obvious unless they are the very first thing one looks for when opening your heart's eyes in the morning. Already being blessed with health and a perfect family seems enough for any one person. For me, when you add to that the joy of rubbing pastel dust between my fingers, and the sound of the pastel gliding across a sanded surface, that cup begins to spill over onto everything. This pastel painting of Camano Island, the morning view from my studio on the east side of Whidbey Island, is just one more reason I can't help but put on my happy face when I open my eyes in the morning. From where I stand, each day is a day to look forward to and that makes me smile.

Peace after All

2009-09-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

Happily, I am back to say that after three failed attempts, the painting that “wanted to be” delivered itself on my easel. Whew. I was really beginning to think I had lost my touch. In fact, what I just did was gain my loss of control. What a sense of freedom that is! It is difficult to let go and just allow the painting to take over, especially when I think I know what needs to happen; when I have “a plan.” Funny, I think I’ve already learned this in life and now it is manifesting itself right on my easel. Right in my face. That is reinforcement. So, I am going with it. And, I can say it has been a bit tough lately but I can also say I have made the longest and most rewarding strides in my work since I’ve made these latest “allowances.”

It isn’t always about the result. Sometimes, it is about what I learn as I move from one phase to another and that is what I see when I look at a piece of work. That is why I can love something I finished years ago and, even though it is technically incorrect, it may hold personal value to me – it may hold an entire life-lesson. I am not running around trying to “fix” what I did back then. I am trying to build upon the knowledge I have spent a lifetime investing my heart in since then. This is the piece that would not be refused and would not succumb to my directives:

Proof of Peace

16 x 20

A larger version can be seen on my website

As always, thanks for stopping by and, for you artists....

may you find peace at the easel.

Bye Bye Painting!

2009-08-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

I’m currently working on my next body of work for a gallery show in Anacortes, Washington; one of my favorite little coastal towns in the ever-beautiful Pacific Northwest. I’ll be showing at the Scott Milo gallery and I really enjoy showing at such a warm and welcoming place. Kathy, the curator, always selects nice pieces (oh, I hear a horn tooting) and does a wonderful job of displaying the paintings alongside some gorgeous sculptures and jewelry.

The topic that came to mind while working on this new body (no not mine, though it could use some work) is how tough it is to give up on a painting once I’ve committed to it but can’t get all the way in to it. Yes, this just happened. While I think commitment is a great thing, and has served me well in lots of ways, I’m learning to let go of some of it. Finally. So, I am tossing more paintings lately. Well, okay, not completely tossing them but stopping them in their tracks and using them for something else later.

Here’s my analogy for this; I liken this to a bad relationship that consumes lots of time and energy but you know it’s just not working. I could just keep putting more and more paint on the canvas and try to cover up all the ugly stuff I don’t like but if I did that several things would happen:

A. I wouldn’t be happy while I was doing it.
B. I would be wishing I was working on something else.
C. I’d be grumpy because deep down I would know I was wasting my time and creativity.
D. I would be working on this which means I wouldn’t be working on my potential masterpiece.

I’m off to work on something I love. I'll be back...

Tuxedo Maine Coon Oil Painting

2009-08-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

"One Good Scratch"
8 x 10
Oil on Panel
SOLD (thank you :)

I often ask myself what it is that seems so endearing about every single move Biscuit makes. In this painting I have captured one of the activities she probably performs at least twenty times throughout the day; that yummy little scratch right behind her left ear. But, look how graceful she looks when she's doing it! Even when she is scratching, her inside beauty radiates through to the outside.

In this oil painting on panel, I combined fine-detail brush work and highly textured palette knife work to create an exciting piece of textural art. Once completed and dried, I hand-brushed 8 coats of crystal-clear varnish, patiently waiting (not my strong suit) for each one to dry before applying the next. Parts of the painting look like shattered glass because of the richness of the varnish. In other parts of the painting, the texture of the panel is apparent. The overall painting has a very "deep" feel to it because of the varnish. I used what I think is the best varnish available - it's Gamblin and it is as clear as it can possibly be. Yum.

Original oil painting, gold cat

2009-07-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

Master of the Harbor, Oil

11x14

SOLD thank you :)

partial funds to Pasado's Safe Haven

Ropes are slung along the docks and boats creak against the weathered boards. Sailors come and go and some stop to bid good-day. But this cat’s heart is as strong as the sea and he sits steadfastly waiting for his master to return. He will; he always does. No one doubts that there is only one love for this Master of the Harbor.

Original pastel painting, gold ginger tabby

2009-06-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

Reflecting Gold, dry pastel

8x10

Sold $280

partial funds to Sarvey Wildlife Care Center

Everywhere I look, I see Gravy. Everywhere Gravy looks, he sees me smiling back at him with my heart.

Gallery Show

2009-06-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how time is flying past and how long it's been since I have posted. I am just finishing details for my gallery show that opens this Friday at Scott Milo in Anacortes, Washington. I really had fun Celebrating Summer for this show! We continue to have gorgeous weather on Whidbey Island so I am completely in the mood, still, even though I am framing which isn't really my favorite part of the process.

Stop by if you get a chance. Here are the details of the show.

June 5th, 6-9 Artists' Reception (I'll be there from 6-8)

Show runs June 5th - 30th.

Hope to see you there!

Pastel Study, Seascape

2009-04-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

Water Me - a study, dry pastel
18 x 15
Sold partial funds to Pasado's Safe Haven
As part of my upcoming gallery show, I am doing some color studies and experimental pieces to figure out which ideas I want to pursue further. I will be offering a few of these on eBay. This study is from a beach along the Oregon coast which has always been one of my favorite spots to gather some inspiration.

This is some smashing fun water! I mixed up the media a little and used a small amount of acrylic in this, mostly for the rocks. Oh, and as usual, I probably used most of the colors in my pastel box for the water :). This is usually what goes on under the water before I start putting final coats on it. You can see all the activity starting to build. In this case I liked it so much at this stage, I put it in a frame and called it Macaroni. Just kidding, I called it
Water Me.

Original pastel painting, Golden tabby cat

2009-03-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

The Beckoning Cat, dry pastel

5 x 7

Sold $256

partial funds to Animal Dreams
I have used this pose of Gravy in a previous painting and just love it so much I decided to use it a little differently this time because I felt it so fitting for this piece.

My niece first introduced me to Neko by gifting me with this little porcelain version (that I used as the model for the painting) after one of her trips abroad.

The story is about a cat in Japan (Maneki Neko) who beckoned several samurai to follow it into a temple, near Tokyo, by raising its left paw. There the samurai took shelter from a storm and then spread the word of the shrine and the cat who found them shelter from the storm and brought them luck. Since then the cat with the raised paw has been a symbol for good luck and wealth.

My story is about (our) Gravy who, like Neko, brought nothing but good fortune to those he met. When we found him, he raised his paw and placed it directly and very intently on my husband's leg and there and then he entered our hearts forever. He always brought us a wealth of love so I guess that paw thing works!

Tuxedo cat,original pastel painting

2009-03-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

Love bug

5 X 7

Sold $205
partial funds to Animal Dreams

Another "caught by the sun" moment with Biscuit. I was actually trying to work on a landscape painting when she pulled this little number on me! Look at that face ~ just begging to be painting. So, this is how we spent our afternoon together. Sweet, huh?

Pastel 100 Competition, Wee Three

2009-02-26T10:18:00.000-08:00

I’m happy to share some great news with you. One of my pieces, “Wee Three,” was selected as a finalist in the Wildlife/Animal portion of the Pastel 100 Competition and appears in the April issue of the Pastel Journal. My thanks to the Pastel Journal for including my work alongside some great art! I have to admit, it is really humbling to have my piece be one of only nineteen (in the animal category) selected in an international competition.

You can see a closer view of the painting on my website, by clicking here.

ORIGINAL Pastel Painting, Tuxedo Cat

2009-02-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

A reason for the sun

8x14

Sold

partial funds to Animal Dreams

Biscuit never ceases to be inspiration for me at the easel. It is more than her external beauty. It is much more than what you see with her long flowing mane and those beautiful sun-catching eyes of hers. It is really much more than that. She has the sweetest, kindest, most generous little personality I have ever encountered in an animal.

Tuxedo Cat Vintage Rose Pastel Painting

2009-02-21T10:24:00.000-08:00

Always B, dry pastel

5 x 7 framed

sold

partial funds to Animal Dreams

Time and distance have little meaning when it comes to matters of the heart. I do know our hearts beat softer when we see a loved one. No matter where I hang my heart, no matter the space or time, Biscuit will hold her own special little key that will always, ALWAYS, get her back where she belongs; next to me.

Ram Pastel Painting

2009-02-13T10:36:00.001-08:00

Rings of Honor, dry pastel
11x14
partial funds to Pasado's Safe Haven

Seriously? I almost named this "Wooly Bugger" but it just didn't seem an honorable enough name for this fellow. I met him at one of my favorite hangouts - a local nursery in Skagit Valley. My goal was to show him in a very traditional pose (side profile) and to keep the background fairly simple since there is so much going on with his wooly coat and rings of honor. He's so serious, isn't he? I just feel like telling him the joke about the ewe, the duck and the rooster.

Oil Painting, Peony

2009-02-13T09:49:00.000-08:00

Sweet Heart of a Peony, Oil
11 x 14

sold

partial funds to Pasado's Safe Haven

More of my Spring fever series. This is about how close I got to this peony every day as it bloomed. I would wake, have my coffee, get my slippers on and go check on my "Lacey" peonies. Can you smell this one? Oh, wait, that's oil paint! It's probably not even dry yet :).

Pastel Seascape Whidbey Island

2009-02-02T15:43:00.000-08:00

Wave Seekers, dry pastel

11 x 14

sold

partial funds for Sarvey Wildlife Care Center

Sunny days, ocean breezes, the lapping of water and just waiting for those two pieces of driftwood to make it out to the waves....Now THAT is a perfect island day in my book!

This piece is done on a panel I prepared myself using pastel ground, gesso, marble dust and Quinacridone Gold acrylic paint. I used broad brushstrokes, leaving a nice thick, layered and textured surface for the pastel to dance upon when sweeping across the tops of the "waves" created by the texture. I am really happy with how this came together, from beginning to end it just seemed to want to "be."

2009-01-28T12:38:00.001-08:00

Big Joy, dry pastel
8 x 10
sold
partial funds to Pasado's Safe Haven

This is a Bernese Mountain dog I met while visiting one of our local islands, Lopez (one of the Washington San Juan Islands). He was patiently waiting outside a cafe while his people sipped on their espressos and ate bagels. He didn't seem to mind much since the sun was nice and toasty. I'm pretty sure the next order of the day was a nice long nap!

Dog and Cat pastel painting

2009-01-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

Buster and His Shadow, dry pastel

8 x 10

sold

partial funds to Pasado's Safe Haven

This is Buster, my aunt's dog, and his shadow, Goldie. If Buster went to the greenhouse, Goldie went to the greenhouse. If Buster got a drink of water, Goldie got a drink of water. If Buster went to round up the cattle, well, there went Goldie right beside him. What a pair and what a hoot to watch them together!

Bird Pastel Painting

2009-01-22T11:28:00.000-08:00

Singer at Heart, dry pastel

14 x 18

available for a short time through eBay

Yes, typically flickers can't sing, but you won't convince this flicker who discovered a grand piano and an open window.

After initially finishing this piece, I lived with it for awhile. Some paintings just want to stay close to home longer than others and I have found there is usually a reason. Either it is a heart tug so strong it can't let go or there's just a little something that needs tweaking. This one wanted a little more of something, it just took me a while to figure out exactly what that was. You have to be verrrrrry quiet to hear what a flower wants. I recently added the fallen flower petal and I feel that the petal gave this painting the balance it needed. Ah. Silence.

Pansy Pastel Painting, Pansy Paradise

2009-01-19T12:50:00.000-08:00

Pansy Paradise, dry pastel
11 x 14 (sold)

I can hardly wait for Spring! It's my favorite time of year, when everything is in bloom and gardens are full of God's amazing array of saturated color.

2008-12-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

Tell me it's not already December :). Oh, wait, I have a few holiday things to share so I guess that's a good thing.

The Singing Tree

5 x 7

pastel (sold)

I found this tree while skipping through the forest and was so surprised when I saw how bright it was! After considerable thought, and careful investigation, I surmised those glowballs are fireflies all bunched up together so they can stay warm in the winter snow. I find it enchanting how they light up the snow and pine needles around them. It is possible I may have heard them singing Christmas carols; I know I found myself humming a few while I was painting...

Whidbey Island view pastel painting

2008-11-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

Strawberry Point along the Sweet Saratoga

11 x 14

sold

A very fine evening was spent here. This is part of my plein air series - can you hear the geese in the background? The field behind where I was positioned for doing this painting is the same field where the Snow Geese visit in the Skagit Valley every winter. Thousands of them!

The main land mass in the painting is Strawberry Point (where I live) on the east side of Whidbey Island. When I got home and looked reeeallly closely at my reference photos I realized I could actually see my house in the pictures!

This piece is part of my current gallery showing at: Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, Washington.

Bird Pastel Painting, Mourning Doves

2008-10-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

Early Snow, dry pastel

16 x 20

Pricing and availability can be found on my website.

Our mourning doves come to visit every year and they always bring a smile when they arrive. Sometimes I think I know which one is which from the previous year but then when there are twelve or thirteen on the birdbath it gets a bit difficult to tell who is who!

Cat Oil Painting, Perfect Perch

2008-10-21T14:12:00.001-07:00

Perfect Perch
5 x 7, mixed media

Oh my, this was fun! This is a mixed media experiment on Richeson’s (relatively new) pastel paper. I am so excited about this new process I can barely contain myself! The paper has a bit of texture to it and the best I can describe it is “grainy” but it's not overwhelming - it adds just the perfect amount of texture. It’s just luscious and the colors are well-saturated. Though technically a "mixed media," the final stages of this piece were done in oils and then varnished.

The scene is of Biscuit, back on top of her favorite chair in “our” studio. I think she likes it on her perch because she is perfectly positioned for getting petted every time Larry and/or I walk past her to get to the studio sink or to the office. AND her chair is right next to the gas fireplace so she can stay nice and toasty during her long winter baths. So, the more I write, the more obvious it becomes that, indeed, Biscuit has discovered the perfect perch.

Cows and poetry

2008-10-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

Most Magical

I'm quite

certain

we heard

the same

laugh of the

same little

girl in the pasture.

I'm glad

we could share

that.

about those gulls...

2008-10-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

11 x 14 pastel
And Five Makes Happy Hour

Gull and Girls
where there are gulls
there will be girls
because they, too,
love the wind
and sea
and warm sand
on their toes.

I discovered that along the California Coast, just as along the Washington Coast, seagulls seem to gather on the sandy beaches just about the same time every day. Hmmmm.... just makes me wonder if they have their own kind of Happy Hour. I know these five seagulls certainly had a lot of catching up to do when they arrived.

This painting was selected for inclusion in a limited-edition hardcover, book published in 2007 by Richeson School of Art and Gallery.

So what's this about you being an artist?

2008-10-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Forever Yours

11 x 14

No, not everything is for sale, well, at least not my husband or cats :)

Just to answer a few questions I've been asked about my art...

When do you know when to stop?

How perfect does it have to be?

What difference does it make?

Are you obsessive about your art?

I can't "release it" if it's not right. I can let some parts of a painting remain “mooshed” and completely obsess over a strand of hair in another part. I can think I’m done, sign it and walk away from it. That sounds simple enough, doesn't it?

It's not, because the painting (or so it seems) will call me back to the easel, relentlessly at times. Time and time again. You might think I could choose to ignore it. The fact is, I can’t. It's the very thing that keeps me awake at night and what makes an eight hour drive seem like one. It’s that one thing in a painting that’s just not quite right...WHAT is IT? Is it the surface? Is it the value? the hue?...the message? chomp, chomp, chomp. It eats away until it gets what it wants; resolution on the canvas.

It's that inability to let it go that I hope, one day, will be what makes me a great artist in my own eyes and heart. Though I doubt I will ever know when (or if) that actually happens. I think there’s too much elusiveness in the creation of art to have a “there” moment. Art is ever-changing; it will never repeat itself and is never predictable. That’s the very reason art is so treasured and it is the essence of what makes it so valuable. After every piece, the artist stops doing that thing and starts doing another. Growing with one’s art, as in any relationship, is learning to understand and accept change and probably more than anything, embrace serendipity. It’s wonderful that as an artist I can have, and share, snapshots of that relationship in the form of paintings.

Cat Oil Painting, A Warm Welcome

2008-10-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

A Warm Welcome 6 x 6 x 1.25

What a welcome sight she is when we walk in the door! Biscuit’s always got that look like she’s just so happy to see us. This painting captures the moment just before she bounces off the couch to tell us all about her day and what she did, and who she saw, and how many things she protected us from while we were out playing all day.

This is painted on one of those small 6 x 6 x 1 ¼ canvasses that doesn’t require a frame; it’s just so adorable! I love that it can sit on a table top, a shelf, a window sill…just about any place that needs an added smile and a purr.

Pastel on Watercolor Paper

2008-09-26T11:08:00.001-07:00

Tread Lightly 12 x 22
Pastel on Arches Watercolor paper
Charity Supported: Pasado's Safe Haven

It has taken me awhile to let go of this piece. I have decided to finally decided to offer it for sale. In my mind, it is just so tranquil. I can pop in there so fast when I need a place to "be" that is just a little more calm than where I am. It's a special place in the valley (Skagit Valley in Washington) that is home to lots of animals roaming freely and, strangely, every time I've been there the sun has been shining. Anyone living in Washington knows just how strange that is.

This was one of those experimental pieces that just fell together and I loved every minute of working on it. One of those I was there but not there pieces so it was fun to be done, sit back, and then say "Oh, look what happened while I was gone!" It is painted with a variety of pastels (Nupastels, Unisons, Schmincke's, Diane Townsends, and a few others I'm sure) on Arches watercolor paper. From a distance, it looks pretty smooth but up close you can see the texture of the surface. Loads of fun!

Alley, a crop of a pastel

2008-09-25T17:37:00.001-07:00

This is a crop of a painting I did of my niece's friend. I took the liberty using lots of different textures for her scarves and her jacket. I like the way the soft green and teal scarf contrast with the metal and zipper on her jacket. Just my take but I think it works.

I used Wallis museum sanded paper and did a full turpentine wash to get the soft gradiated background. That orange is an intense color but was a blast to work with - especially against Alley's soft skin tones and green, green eyes!

Cat Oil Painting, Heart Stealer

2008-09-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

Heart Stealer 5 x 7
supported charity: Best Friends
sold $150

This piece was auctioned with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary as the recipient of the eBay Givingworks donation. I chose them because they are a member of the Rapid Response team in compliance with the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition and are assisting as needed with misplaced animals of the GUSTAV hurricane.

No matter which way you look at her, she'll steal your heart if you get too close. I had so much fun painting this oil of Biscuit on her favorite rug, playing with her favorite red heart toy, and giving me that little wink that she does sometimes. If you are at all familiar with my art, it might appear that everything is all about Biscuit. Oh, wait, it is.

It was so much fun to get back in to oils again for this piece. I've been away from them for awhile and, perhaps because they were my first art-love, I always get the "ah" factor when I get them out again to start a new painting. This one was especially enjoyable because I used a new surface, too. I tried using the relatively new Unison pastel board. What a treat that is for oils. As a precaution, I checked with Terry Stanley at Richeson art (the manufacturers) and she noted the surface holds up great for oils. So, this won't be my last on oil on this board. I will, however, be buying more brushes. They look like Biscuit's new chew toys after using them on the pastel surface.

Imagination

2008-08-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

Cat Pastel Painting, Classic Beauty

2008-08-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

Classic Beauty
7 x 5 supported charity: Sarvey Wildlife Center

Our Biscuit seems to be transfixed by the sweet smell of the freshly picked roses. Often, the problem is deciding between the red, white and pink ones. For this painting I decided not to choose. But instead, I included as many as I could fit in this small format, being certain to leave room for the little Princess to make her cameo appearance and to show her approval of my selection.

Cat Pastel Painting, Evesdroppers in the Kitchen

2008-08-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

Evesdroppers in the Kitchen

5 x 7 supported charity: Cast-away Cats
sold $100

Gravy always seemed to think he was in charge of everything that went on in our house (hmmm) so when Larry and I would be making plans, Gravy and his little sidekick, Biscuit, could usually be found with their ears tipped just right for listening to every....single....detail.

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with our beloved Gravy while working on this painting! We are so blessed to have had him in our lives.

Cat Pastel painting, Cover Girl

2008-06-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

Cover Girl
5 x 7 supported charity: Cast-away Cats

sold $153

You know, Biscuit gets a little worn out with all the modeling she does. I can't really blame her for wanting to just kick back and take a break every now-and-again. And just to be sure I don't get the camera out, she covers up that sweet little face when she's on break. Ha!