Although I live in and love the Midwest where big skies, wind and sun are abundant, a part of me seeks the salt spray and reflective beauty of being by the sea. This pastel painting I recently completed is of a moment watching the waves come in at Leo Carrillo State Beach in California just north of Malibu.
Since we are in a deep freeze in most of the country now, thought this image might bring warmth and a bit of “escape”…..spring is always on its way!
This pastel painting came from memory and a photo I took last Spring when visiting the Sedona area for the first time. What a landscape. This particular view was early morning when the light is soft but brilliant with lots of shadows. I like to start with an underpainting that focuses on the overall values and local color. Then playing all around the painting with selected colors to bring out light and shadow. I’m never sure how the painting will emerge as I do not want it to be a copy of the photo but to allow feeling and wonder to come about. Loved the cast shadows and pinky peach rocks in this scene.
Pacific Coast Morning – pastel painting
I just found this video of hot ’60’s jazz artist Herb Alpert and couldn’t stop smiling. Wanted to share regardless whether the viewer/listener was around at that time, but just for the coolness, the pleasure, the feeling of the 50+ year old music video (film, I’m sure)!!
Simply enjoy ….and reminisce if it takes you into moments gone by….
I was a child then, but when this music came on the radio it always made me feel like dancing. I didn’t know how charming the musician was back then!
I’ve continued with a multi media art class weekly for over a year, and just about a month ago had a breakthrough where I suddenly felt that I “got it.” That did not mean anything rare but something in me suddenly blended with the medium of pastel. It began to work. I no longer struggled with the dust, with the making of marks, with my response to what I was looking at as reference. I was thrilled to get to class and every day wanted to do nothing but paint. Of course, I had to do other things, but the shift inside me was radical. I no longer think of myself as a hobbyist…because, I really don’t believe I could live without putting my heart and mind’s inspiration to paper ever again.
By the way, I have a wonderful teacher….and my fellow students are inspiring. Returning to art after 25 plus years of focusing mostly on job, raising family, and surviving the pace of life…is a gift.
Spring is such a time of discovery. Whatever season, my life is like Spring because of the room I now have to till and plant this fertile creative ground.
I did this pastel painting a few months ago – titled Think About It – a charming duo one sees when walking up to the Nelson Atkins Art Museum in Kansas City.
Photo taken by my daughter and son in law while touring Ireland this winter. Although I have traveled England in the past couple years it has been over 25 years since I’ve seen Ireland! I remember the green and the beautiful rivers.
Some mornings I feel I could walk across America. Rising sunlight filtering through tree branches, brisk dog walk, my full breath with lungs wide…
Strength is being present and awake. My lab gets it. This is “whispering” – no effort, our tandem strides are in sync moving through the crisp morning air.
Light surrounds me. The morning scent is clean, soft and cool. Out of the trees into the neighborhood – it awakens too – shop windows sparkle lit by the rising sun, casting shadows across the street.
I am grateful no car separates me from the sight, sound, smells and breath of this morning. The light is my breakfast, it energizes me.
I will transfer this brilliance in all that I touch today.
Bidding 2011 a satisfied farewell! Thanks for the love, the health, the family blessings and inspirations…much culminated with beauty and grace. Amen!
Love by Pilar and Peter
Onto a new year, leave the door wide for inspiration, hope, wonder, and love. It surrounds us, let it in….
Photo by Rene Carrillo
Then, “pay it back” through your art, your words, your love, your music, so that others may discover it too!
Watercolor by Nana
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