on a roll with Tootsie

Now that the paintings have all been gifted, I can show them here.   This first is Tootsie, an elderly mare who was dearly loved.  Sadly she had to be put down this fall due to her failing health, but first I was asked to take photos for a painting.   This old gal did not want me around, no way, no how!   But I got in enough photos to work with, and with a couple from her younger days, was able to complete the portrait.    Once I started the painting I just couldn't put it down, and stayed up half the night, I was on a (Tootsie) roll!  

Tootsie, 18x24 pastel on uart600.  

 

 

Here is the start, you can sort of make out that Tootsie had some old-horse saggy lips, which I 'fixed'.   she also had some loss of muscle tone, also fixed.    I put in the darks first, and washed them in with alcohol.  

Now I started adding local color.   I use all manner of pastels, really couldn't say exactly which were used.    I do have that black tape on the paper, to keep me blocked in, else I wander too much.    And this is where I got so involved, I simply forgot everything and just painted til the painting was done, and I was burned out.  

I hope this little demo has at least been interesting if not helpful!  If you have any questions or comments, I'd love to hear from you!

I'm so tired of painting....

Hmm, maybe I better clarify this.   I am sick and tired of this kind of painting...

One more corner to prime and paint

ugh, the dust and clutter are everywhere!

I should've waited til the trim was on!    Its not as yellow in real life, either, but as least now its so cheerful and bright!   Much more energy from this color.

I don't think I'll ever tire of THIS kind tho!.......

River Ridge Trail   9x12 pastel on PastelMat paper.   $165

I had a few days that I could finally devote to repainting that dull grey in the studio, to a light, pale, sunny yellow.   This has taken so long as I can only do one area at a time due to all the 'stuff'.   But it'll be finished today, and then a New Year can begin with a spiffy studio.    Here's one corner, with a vintage hutch added to display my handmade goat's milk soaps, note cards and mini paintings....


The painting in this post was done on my wall-painting break.   It's a place I rode my horse several times this past summer-- a pickup trail that is at the top ridge of the west side of Missouri River.   The families who own the land graciously let me ride there any time, and its just such a pretty place.  One of my favorite rides.    More paintings will come from that area, no doubt!   I didn't make good time on those rides due to gawking around at how amazing that place is!

Also for this painting, I wanted to try out the new pastel surface, PastelMat.   This was done on a deep gold color from a 9x12 pad.     Its a nice paper, didn't seem to eat up pastels, and did take plenty of layers.   I did seem to feel it didn't do as well using harder pastels, I found using softer types like Unison and Ludwig worked better for me on this.   I think I am somewhat heavy handed if that makes any difference.    I would certainly use it again, but I think I will be happier to continue using my sanded surfaces .  

Our holiday was nice, we didn't go far from home and its most certainly white!    Got in a freezing cold bareback ride with Daughter, visited some friends, had supper with the family which now include 2 of the cutest sweet baby boys ever known!!    With some chocolates and the time for some art, I'd call that a well done holiday!   Wishing the best for you as well!!
 

mounting pastel paper

Hello!   I am not able to show what I'm working on, as they are Christmas gifts and I'm not going to be the one who blows the surprise!   But, I thought today would be a good time to post how I mount sanded paper to a support board. 

Mounting it isn't something that has to be done, as sanded papers are usually heavy enough to stand alone.  I get mine in rolls, which lead to the problem of curled paper.  Not good!   I am currently using UART in 600 grit, and I very much like this paper.  Has lots of grit but doesn't seem to eat my pastels as badly as papers with heavier grit.   It handles wet underpainting well and getting a roll was more economical than sheets.   And, its just fun to have a half acre of paper, just waiting for me! 

First, figure out what you want to mount to.  I won't use products that aren't acid free, so I won't mention that at every turn today, just know, its all acid free.   So that said, you can use foam board, mat board, or mount board.   I chose foam board today.   I also chose to use grafix double tack film.   I also got my brayer and some black tape.

This piece will be 16x20, so I cut my UART to a size a bit larger, so I have space to scribble, try out colors, edges of sticks, etc.  I must have scribble space!   Then I cut the tack film to size of the UART, and the foam board is a tad larger on all sides.    I start by making pencil lines where the paper will go, then peel up one corner of the tack film, (its got slick papers on either side of the film). and smooth-smooth-smooth all the way across the foam board, rubbing with my hand, only peeling as much as I can smooth at one time.   At this point, I have a foam board with a tacky sheet on it, with a slick sheet still on top.   I now peel the top slick sheet, just a corner, and line up the UART and start peeling and rubbing down just like before.   Ta-da!   A mounted piece of sanded paper.

Next, I have started using that black tape to mark my borders.   It makes it easier for me to judge the composition this way, otherwise I seem to just keep going, then when I trim the paper to frame later, sometimes the design suffers as I now have cut off part of the painting.    This black tape fixes that problem.   I can take it off or leave it as its acid free.   (yes, I said it again!)   I run the tape about 1/4 inch outside my border.   

Ready to paint!    I put it on my main easel, using some cheapo (not acid free!) wide masking tape at the top corners, and a small clamp at the bottom.   The large white board is my drawing board, I made that with foam board on top of luan board, then painted it with floor finish poly so tape won't rip it.   I did this so I dont' have to keep adjusting my easel height--now I just tape/clip where I want the paper.  and sometimes I work big enough to cover that whole drawing board.   I also like my little quotes where I can see them.    Have a Great week!

Too Darned Cold!

All was nice here one day, then pow, next day winter has set in with a vengeance!  eek!  
Ah, well, that's ok, as my studio is very cozy.   I am hard at work doing Christmas commissions, but in between, I snuck in a couple smalls of my own.   Both 8x10, one is framed and one is simply in one of my 'package frames'....a very inexpensive document type frame that just snaps on, and makes for a very easy way to ship, store and view works.  

A hay bale in new snow, with a rooster pheasant on top.   framed with a rustic style and no-glare glass.

A view from a recent plein air trip to DeSmet, home of Laura Ingalls.  And I didn't make this up, it was really just this way!   "Breaking Thru" 8x10 pastel

My Happy Place

I hope everyone has one, as I really think its completely essential.   Especially if you create, having a place of one's own, where you can make a mess and leave it, make mistakes and not worry about what anyone thinks, the freedom to experiment, and somehow, it just feels good to be there, in that space.  Big or small, but it must be your own.

I love love love my studio!!  It was built to my spec's a few years ago when the whole house was built.  I got to say what lights went in, where the switches are, what color to paint the walls.    For that, I went with what I had read, a neutral grey, is best.  I painted both the frame room and studio a dove grey.   I kinda liked it, I lived with it, and about a year ago I came to realization that I hate it.   Truly despise it, as it feels like a prison.  So I think, as I've never actually been to a prison, but this is what I imagined it to feel like.  Dismal, gloomy, grey.   

And, I also came to the conclusion that my studio is MY happy place, and should be as I wish.   I have long loved cream/butter/yellow.   I love farmhouse style.   Simple off white elegance.   So why shouldn't my bestest happy place be the happy color I love?   So, without further ado, I went looking at swatches.  

You would think simple cream would be, well, simple to get.   There are tons of 'cream' colors.   I finally chose one that looks very much like the rich cream of my neighbor's jersey cow.    And a lovely sage green for the trim, which currently is also grey.   Sadly, I am really busy and didn't think I  have time to get to this project.  But, today, I succumbed and just did one wall.   I just couldn't wait another day!!  

I am sure the photos don't show how perfectly charming it is, but trust me, its now so much more of a happy place!

you can see how much brighter the cream is vs. the grey, I think my paintings will look better against it.   The cream is also semi gloss whereas the grey was eggshell and just ate any light it could get.   blah! 

Black Hills Ride

A few posts ago I mentioned a horse event and I'd like to share that with you now.   I have always loved to ride, and I tried different things like roping, barrels, and trails.   The trails won out, hands (or hoofs?) down.   My mom had me riding for miles and miles since I was little and its that kind of riding I still like best.  In fact, I seldom do anything other, except round up cows now and then.  

So it seems pretty natural that endurance riding has always appealed to me too.   Going long distances, on one horse, in a certain amount of time.   How I've drooled over the idea!!!   For years now!    But it seemed out of reach by now, and that was sad to me. 

I thought though, I could buy one of those nifty lightweight saddles.   So I did.  And it was good.   Then I thought, hmm, how bout one of those classy breast plates and a sweet little hackamore?   oh yes, I got those too, and it was better yet.   hmm.   Now I am thinking, maybe I can just go watch an endurance race, help out a bit?    Or, better yet, try it?!  Did I dare?   My horse isn't one of those streamlined Arabian beauties, but rather a big ol lug of a quarter horse.   So after MUCH encouragement from friends and family, I signed up.   And it was GREAT!!    I laughed, I cried, and I slept in the rain.   And I can't wait to try it again!

 The open area where we camped,

 we're in the middle there.

  My neighbors were some awesome 

gals who were helpful and fun.

Just ridin down the trail on ol' Copper....best view in the world!

the vet check area

The Sound of Silence

A few weeks ago I realized I was spending too much time on gadgets---phone and computer.   I decided to give it a rest.   So I let my friends know that I was going out of range for a week.  

I thought it'd be hard.  Nope.  I thought I'd go a bit stir crazy.  Nope.  What did happen is I got TONS done.  Tons of art, tons of riding, and even more contemplating.  
It was relaxing and energizing at the same time.   It was so good, I plan another soon.   But in the meantime, here's what I was working on.   Actually, its a *part* of what I'm working on, as I don't want to show the whole thing til its done.  

It's a commission from a very fun lady from Tennessee.   Ms. B asked me to do an 18x24 painting of her husband, his son, and their labs, out hunting during a hoar frost.   The challenges of this piece are first, the orange!  Not a color commonly found or used, and can be tricky to work with.   Second, that frost is also tricky, really messes with the values that are normally found.  

Ms. B did provide fantastic photos to work with however, and I'm happy about that.  

I'm working on Uart 600, with an underwash, that you can see bits of in the background especially.