A Little Sea Study

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

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

 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(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

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

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

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

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