Morning Glow

 16x20 - pastel (sold)

I put this painting on my facebook page but never included it in my blog.  I'm starting to get interested in painting Adirondack inspired still life. I have another on my easel right now, but haven't finished it.    I loved this pewter pitcher sitting near a window, filled with light, at Washington's Headquarters in Morristown, NJ.  I went to my high school reunion last year and visited some nostalgic tourist spots.  Washington's Headquarters was one of my favorite places to visit. It's just as I remembered it.  It reminded me of the Adirondacks - light-filled, historic and beautiful.

I'm not a painter who gets too inspired by detail, I'm too impatient to spend lots of time painting things to look exactly as a photograph.  Why bother?  This pastel is as close as I can get to detail!

Morning Mist

With all the rain we've been getting here in the Adirondacks, we've had some mornings where the mist has lingered over the mountains and lakes, creating lovely fall mosaics.  Last Tuesday,  I drove to Adirondack Lake and took some photos of that fog lingering over the water and trees on the shores of the lake.  It begged to be painted.

 16x20 pastel - $675.00

A week later, it's still raining, and only things that are begging are the dogs, who need their walk in the rain!  At least we don't have to worry about forest fires now.

Summer Chickadee

 11x14 pastel  $145.00

This summer we had so many chickadees at the feeder, in competition with the squirrels, I might add, and the nuthatches.  The chickadees are friendly little birds, chicka-dee-dee-deeing away.  They are not afraid of anyone or anything, as far as I can see, and will eat out of your hand if you're very still and very quiet.

Over the Hill to Home

 16x20 pastel


Autumn is the time of year when we like to travel around the park and leaf peak, just like other tourists.  We were traveling from Speculator when we climbed this hill on the way home.  The Adirondack Park is so special, because you can be in civilization, on a road to home, but be within a three minute walk into the forest and be lost forever!  I hope this pastel shows that kind of wildness at the edge of the road.

Along the Grassy Pond

 8x10 pastel - $125.00

Kayaking last week,  I hugged the shore near a friend's house.  The light was brilliant behind the trees and lit up their entire lawn, stretching down to the water.  This is a very grassy pond and as I was quietly enjoying the scene, a family of geese swam by.   Could life be better than this?

Autumn on the Moose River

 14x11 pastel- $145.00

During the plein aire paint out last week, I was able to paint three for the center and one for myself.  This is the pastel I completed the last day of the fund raiser.  I just didn't want to leave such a beautiful area on such a gorgeous day.  This was painted behind a canoe rental place on the Moose River, so I was able to people watch as I painted.  I took photos with all the canoes out on the river and may also paint that in my studio at a later date.  I can't even believe that it's only the first week of September and we have such brilliant color on the trees.

Resting Place

18x24 image, framed to 24x30
 $675.00

I just took this pastel out, after having put it away for a couple of years.  I painted it after a visit to the Adirondack Camp, The Hedges.  It shows their dock and the boats and kayaks available for the guests.  I do love this place, on Blue Mountain Lake.  I hope it conveys the feeling of a resting place, where one can relax, commune with nature and enjoy the quiet.

Along Lake Durant

 12x18 pastel on Wallis matboard
 $225.00

There are so many hiking areas in the Adirondacks that it's hard to pick one to spend an afternoon.  The Northville Placid trail is one that we go back to again and again, mainly because, in the early spring, late fall and winter, we can be alone with nature.  It is right off the main road, and in five minutes, one is totally in wilderness, on the banks of Lake Durant, with Blue Mountain across the lake.  I love to paint here.   This was done with an underpainting of mineral spirits, mixed with pastel.

Afternoon on Abanakee

 12x16 Pastel on Richeson Gater Board - $175.00 (sold)

What a beautiful day it was yesterday - 70 degrees, sunny, slight breeze.  I started a painting in my studio, did an underpainting with mineral spirits and just couldn't wait for it to dry.  I was inpatient to start painting, so I put my portable easel and supplies in the car and headed to the back of Abanakee Lake, about three miles away from my home.  People were kayaking and swimming, the loons were vocal,  cars drove by and slowed down to watch my progress.  Two hours later I needed to pack up and head for home, very happy and content.

Hollyhocks

 16x12 pastel on pastelmat  $150.00

Summer in the Adirondacks.....filled with flowers.  Whether wild or planted, they are everywhere we look.  I loved these hollyhocks planted at the Adirondack Museum, in front of some steps leading to an exhibit.  I took the photo about two weeks ago, and when I went back to the Museum last week, they were already fading.  I'm glad I caught them at the exact right time for a pastel.

My Pastel Workshop July 19, 2012

I gave a pastel workshop this week at Abanakee Studios in Indian Lake.  When I first started doing these a few years ago, I wasn't sure I could be an effective teacher, but I find I love it.  It's so rewarding to see people discover pastels and enjoy a day of painting and learning the medium.  It's also especially nice when the weather cooperates, as it did this year - a lovely day in the high 70's, with lots of sunshine and  beautiful skies to paint.  My students were so talented - they each caught on easily and each produced at least one piece they could be proud of.

"Red Barn"

 5x7 - pastel - sold


I painted some small works for the Writers/Artists weekend at Abanakee Studios and this is one of them.  We have a few barns in town that are very picturesque and this is one of them.  I took some artist license with the actual barn.   It's 5x7.

"Moose River Plains Afternoon"

 12x16 - Pastel - $150.00

This weekend I demonstrated and sold pastels at a Writers/Artists weekend at the Abanakee Gallery in Indian Lake, NY.  Usually the weather in summer is wonderful, 70-80 degrees and cool, but this weekend was unusual.  Saturday's weather almost hit 90 and Sunday afternoon the rains came - a deluge!  But, people did come and it turned at to be an enjoyable two days.  I always get the question about painting with chalk, but I think, after I explain the medium, people tend to understand.  This painting, from a photo I took last year on the Moose River Plains, was one I did as a demonstration.

"ON HENDERSON LAKE"

 16x20 pastel - $275.00

Last year the Adirondack Mountain Club went on a canoe to Henderson Lake, which is a wild and beautiful lake, near the high peaks.  It was a clear and bright fall day and I took this picture from my kayak.  I've wanted to paint it for quite some time and this week, when I went through some photos, I knew this was the opportunity.  So many people never get a chance to kayak this quiet spot where the loons congregate and the wind talks through the trees.  Even painting this place put me at peace.

"NEIGHBORHOOD BLOOMS"

I've been so busy these past two months that I haven't had much time to paint.  I need to start painting for my show next February at the Tannery Pond Widlund Gallery in North Creek, plus I miss painting so much!  We drove to Florida this past month to visit with the grandkids - had a great time, but it was much to hot to get out and paint on location.  I did take lots of pictures for future pastels. 

 11x14 - Pastel - $175.00

This spring I was fascinated with all the gorgeous forsythias in our neighborhood and in the Catskills.  Along with lilacs, they are my favorite blooms - and we sure have an abundance of both!

The Dock at the Lake

 11x14 - pastel on Richeson Board


Last weekend I was at the quilting weekend at the Minnebrook Conference Center on Blue Mountain Lake, in the Adirondacks of New York.  I spent most of Saturday trying to finish a quilt I started in January for my 21 year old grandson.  It's all large colorful blocks - the design is called "Tokyo" and it does remind one of Japan.  In the afternoon, it got to almost 70 degrees and I had to go and paint.  The loons were back and  calling each other, I was sitting on a covered dock overlooking the water and this dock was across the lake.   These moments are why I love it here so much.

"Forsythias in Bloom"

12x16 - pastel on Richeson Board

We might be having 40 degree weather, but three hours south of us, in Woodstock, NY, it's spring!  We went down to visit with our daughter's family last week and so many spring flowers were blooming.  The forsythias were marvelous, lining all the small roads surrounding the town.  I, of course, couldn't stop taking photos of them.  This barn is part of an old mill, about a quarter mile from the center of Woodstock.  It's lovely, even with snow, but the yellow blossoms took my breath away.

"Last Snow on the Hudson"

 16x20 - pastel on Richeson board




Well, I call this Last Snow on the Hudson, but I rushed to judgment, since it's snowing today, March 31st, and we've already got about a half inch on the ground!  You never can predict the weather in the Adirondacks.  I took this picture a couple of weeks ago and was just in love with the sky and the mountains against that sky.  Some photos speak to me, "paint me, paint me".    I did manipulate the foreground, though, as I wasn't really happy with the total composition of the photo.  

"Melting Ice on Adirondack Lake"

 11zx14 pastel on Richeson board

At 70 degrees today, you can just imagine how the ice is melting on the lakes around here.  Adirondack Lake is not a very deep lake and usually the ice breaks up a bit faster here.  The water is seeping through and soon the ice will be all gone.  This was the first pastel I did this morning.  I'm eagerly awaiting for my Schminke pastels "English Rose" color to come in the mail.  It's the perfect color for the hills and trees at this time of year.  A very lovely light rose color.  Anyway, without it, this was the best I could do!

Tumbling Clouds

 14x11 pastel on Amerpand board

Today was gorgeous in the north country.   It was at least 70 degrees, maybe warmer, with bright skies and a slight breeze.  The air smelled fresh and wonderful.  I just didn't want to sit inside and paint, so I went to Adirondack Lake and Byron Park and did two plein air paintings.  In the morning, the skies were blue and pink and lavender, but in the afternoon, they were tumbling with clouds.  To be outside painting is the best relief for anything, as far as I can tell. 

 18x12 pastel


I joined a wonderful group of women here in the Adirondacks who meet every Tuesday to make quilts, paint, sew, and create things to benefit the school and fire department in town.  One of those women gave me some photos she took of the sunsets on her lake.  I am absolutely amazed at how beautiful the sunsets are here.  Of course, I've seen many of them, but don't often have my camera with me to preserve them digitally.  I want to thank Loraine for so many great photos.  Here's a pastel of one of them.  This is on canson pastel paper.

"Snow Covered Rocks"

This is some winter in the Adirondacks.  Hardly any snow, but when it comes, it comes in a foot at a time.  I took a photo off the main road a month ago of these rocks, finally covered in snow.  I was intrigued by the colors of the rocks, all bluish and purple against the white of the snow.  Of course, when you really look at the snow, you see that it's not all white, but a reflection of all the colors around it, including the shadows.  I love painting snow.  An instructor once told us that observing is the most important part of an artists life and a relative said to me that she's always painting....in her head first and foremost.

Pastel - 12x20

"Woodstock Rock"

 9x12  pastel

I'm staying at my daughter and son-in-law's home this week, as she's having a baby.  Exciting time for us as we wait patiently for little Stellan to decide to join the world.  I think today is the day!  Yesterday, as I was babysitting the dogs, cleaning and trying to help before she returns home with their son, I was able to do a small plein air painting for the first time in quite awhile.  It was 70 degrees and perfectly beautiful outside.  The sun was steady, spilling shadows on the rock, trees and ground in back of their house.  Well, over night it snowed and today the trees are laden with white and there must be three inches on the ground.  I actually might just try the same rock in the snow!

"Chops"

 Pastel - 18x12

My daughter found Chops about eight years ago, when he ran away from a pet shop where someone had just dropped him off.  Because she wanted a dog, she decided to adopt the little bugger - and he is a handful.   I hope I captured his huge ego, his "I'm in charge" attitude.    Many years ago I spent 10 days babysitting him and we became best of friends, which isn't easy for Chops.  As he's gotten older, he's become more accepting but for a little guy, he sure has a big bark!

Beaver Meadow Brook

This pastel was painted from a very exposed photo that I had taken sometime this past summer.  It was a gorgeous, sunny day when we hiked in to this spot and I loved how the sun highlighted the water, yet much of the area was in deep shade.

 9x12 - $95.00

 Feeling and seeing color everywhere lately, mainly because of all the ice and gloomy days we've had here lately.  I think I "exposed" the spot with lots of color - not that it wasn't already there!

A Garden Jumble

14x11 on Richeson board - $145.00

I've had a bad cold for a week now and I've been home, trying to paint, taking it easy and hoping I'll feel better soon.  The weather hasn't cooperated at all.  It snows, then rains, then gets warm, the snow melts, the roads get icy and I don't want to move!  I went through my stash of photos and found some of the garden at my mom's complex in Mission Viejo, California.  Flowers......I haven't seen fresh flowers since the summer.  I painted this riot of flowers in the garden.  Made me feel good.  I'd love to find some flowers and paint fresh ones.  Wonder where I might get my hands on some?

River at Balsam Road

 12x15.5 - $125.00

A few weeks ago, Bill and I walked our dogs to this remote little spot not far from our house.  We don't have much snow this year - we seem to get it and then it rains and disappears.  The day we walked to this river, which wanders to our lake another mile away, the snow was a few inches thick.  Our dogs loved this spot as much as we did.  When taking pictures of the snow in the winter, most of the photos end up black and white.  Not this one, as the colors in the sky reflected beautifully in the water, and the scrub around the river was rust and light orange.  Absolutely wonderful!

Admiring Degas

 12x9   $95.00

During the Christmas season, Bill and I spent the day in New York City.  It turned out to be a rainy day, but we spent a good part of it at the Met, on the second floor, admiring all the impressionists.  The museum had almost three rooms of Degas, alone.  I happened into one room and saw these two talking between themselves, in front of two Degas paintings.  She just made me think of all the women in his paintings - long dresses and hair styled just right, holding a glove in one hand........

The Catch is In

 16x20 Pastel on Richeson board
  $225.00

Another view of the fishing boats, docked in the early evening, in Provincetown, MA.  I find it very difficult to paint all the lines that are an integral part of the boat, and try  to simplify whenever possible. I only painted three of the ten seagulls surrounding these boats - I think they hadn't been in dock very long, so the gulls were out in force.  I just wanted to give the viewer a "feel" of the gulls.

Winter Sprint

 12x15 1/2 - $175.00

Last year, in February, the women from our quilting group spent a weekend at a resort.  They all quilted, but I just wanted to have an entire two days to paint.  I brought lots of my photos and was so happy to spend the entire weekend just painting - no cooking, cleaning, laundry - just pastels.  On Saturday evening, before it got dark, I took a walk by myself, and took lots more photos.  Came across about five deer all together, in the snow.  They saw me right away, but decided I wasn't a threat and so I was able to take a bunch of pictures.  Finally one sprinted away and I got a shot of it near a shed just running.  It made me smile to see how fast it was going.  Anyway, here's my version of it, in pastel.