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.