Surf and Rocks at Laguna Beach

I didn't have much of a chance to paint those glorious rocks at Laguna while I was out in California last month, but as soon as I got home and the house was cleaned, the 12 loads of laundry was done and the lawn was back into shape, I had an urge to paint the California surf.  I also wanted to paint another scene for a charity event a friend is organizing in California for July 19th. 

I've framed it and it will go out tomorrow.  I hope it goes to a good home!

14x11 pastel

Cascade Under the Bridge

 Pastel - 18x12 on Wallis Belgium Mist pastel paper
 
A couple of years ago, we took our granddaughter, Ava, to this landmark in Pottersville, NY, in the Adirondack Park.  Called The Natural Stone Bridge and Caves, it is a natural wonder of water, rocks formations and caves.  I just finished this pastel last week from a reference photo I took on that trip.  I remember how Ava loved climbing around on the rocks below these falls.   I was drawn to paint it because of the composition and the strength of those huge boulders. 

Two days at the North Creek NY Fall Festival - Painting

It was a beautiful weekend, almost too hot, for Fall in the Adirondacks.  I was asked to bring some framed pastels and my easel and paint at the North Creek Fall Festival.  We had so many people and many questions about "chalk" and "how do you do that"?  I gave out lots of my bookmarks and spent time explaining the process in painting with pastel.  It was lots of fun.  I guess if I didn't enjoy people as much as I do, I might have had a huge headache at the end of the two days, but I felt invigorated and happy to share pastels with so many people who have never seen them in action!  These are the paintings I completed during the festival.

                                                               Fall Colors  9x12

Autumn on the Hudson  9x12

                                                        

Sacandaga Falls

When my grandson was about ten, we hiked up to this waterfall.  Actually, there was a trail leading to three waterfalls, off the Sacandaga River, in the Adirondacks of New York.  The photos I took of that day are in my files for potential paintings.  I've used them many times, keying in on the banks along this river. I have one painting with my grandson swimming in the scene and another  painting I did of the rocks along this shore has won a few awards.  I keep coming back to the photos and this special spot for many paintings.  This time I came in close for a painting of the waterfalls themselves.  There's something about rocks, waterfalls, and the light that hits them under a canopy of trees that is so beautiful to me.

$8x10 $145.00

Glistening Water

 9x12 pastel  $125.00

I'm eager to paint outdoors, but we still have so much snow, so I'm going back to photos I've taken on hikes this year.  We hiked up a mountain in North Creek in early Fall, following this creek until we come upon a reservour high on the mountain.  I remember how the water trickled down the rocks all along the route.  It was another amazing day with the Adirondack Mountain Club.   I wanted to show how slick those rocks seemed and the light as it changed on the water.    Painting from photos is the best I can do right now, but as soon as this snow is gone,  you'll see me along the paths and roads with my easel!

Hudson River Respite

 8x12 pastel - $140.00

Last fall we stopped at the Hudson River, where is weaves along Route 28 before North Creek.  There are rest stops along the river, where people can picnic and walk down to the river.  At one of the stops, I found a small tributary off the main part of the river.  Since I had my camera, I took many shots of this lovely little spot.  The sun was shining on the water and rocks, the colors of the leaves, bushes and water was incredibly vibrant.  A true respite from the swift flow of the Hudson and the cars driving by.

Road to Sedona

I have some wonderful photos of our trip across country, especially to Sedona. With the cold and snow outside, it's nice to "get away" to the west and paint Sedona. This is 12x18

Night on the River

I've been sick with the flu and haven't been out in a couple of weeks now. I've decided to take some photos and play with them, changing sunlight to dusk and night scenes. Have to think about everything in the scene that must be changed with the light. This is one I've been playing with. This is 12x16.

Snowy Ledge

9x12 - 

This beautiful spot is near North Creek, NY, on the Hudson River. I have so many lovely photos and not enough time to paint them all! I hope you can feel the cold.

Last week I decided to paint on my patio - it was a beautiful day, but couldn't get out to a park. I went through my photos and found three of Casper Park in San Juan Capistrano. There was something wrong with all three photos, from a composition viewpoint, so I joined all three and came up with this! So, don't go looking for it at Casper. It's my dream view!

Hudson Sentinel

United Society of Pastel Artists are exhibiting our pastels at The Cottage Gallery in Laguna Beach from Nov 4-Dec. 13. During artwalk last week, I did a demonstration at the gallery. I'd never done that before and it was fun and interesting to hear people's take on pastel painting. "Chalk" is mentioned over and over again. I worked from a photo I took in North Creek, New York during September. Had to finish it at home since it's 16x20 on a black board and I did way too much talking and not enough painting during the artwalk!

Ledge and Falls

12x18 

This pastel is also from the Sacandaga River edge.

Ocean Palette

This one was started in class a few months ago, but never finished. I wanted it to be very "painterly". 9x12