Saturday Night

A few years back, my sister-in-law gave me a photo of her Grandson Ryan and told me it would make a nice painting.
After I finished it, I really liked it because basically it's an outline with very little detail.   I would like to paint a similar piece with my granddaughter playing her viola.  I enjoyed painting this in oil because it doesn't have to be protected under glass like my pastels.

Irving Kerr

Irving Kerr was a watercolor Artist from my workshop who passed away recently at the age of 101.  I was invited by his son to join his family and other Artists from the workshop for a Memorial luncheon.  There was a table set up displaying his beautiful work.  The reference photo for this pastel portrait was on the table.  Unfortunately, I never met Irving since I started the workshop after he stopped going but I feel like I knew him especially after seeing his work and listening to all the stories from the Artists in the group.  I will be showing this painting in the Rockville Centre Library in the Fall and will present this painting to his son after the show.

A perfect day at the zoo

I did this pastel portrait of this little girl  enjoying the animals in the zoo the same day that I took the reference picture for my "China Doll" (back in March).... She was in a stroller next to her... so maybe they were sisters?.  I loved her face and her pretty pink angora sweater.  I enjoy  watching children enjoying the day!!    Their faces are always full of amazement.  Priceless in my eyes!!

Somebody's grandchild

The reference photo was of my granddaughter.
However, when I finished this pastel portrait I realized how much it doesn't look like her !  But since I like the portrait, I will show you before I throw it out.  I usually know what I did wrong.. this time I can't figure it out!!  I guess I'm a little frustrated.   Maybe I'll pull it apart and fix it OR start over...hmmmm

Tucson, Arizona

A few years back, we visited Sabino Canyon in
beautiful Arizona.  We decided to hike but it was pretty hot that day.  We were enjoying all the pretty wildflowers....I believe it was 104 degrees.
(but it was a dry heat !!!! NOT....lol !)
We might have gone in about 1/2 mile or so when we decided to turn back...much too hot.  When we arrived back to the start of the hike there was police cars and a news truck... why?
Someone had spotted a mountain lion and they were going to tell everyone to come back.. My hair stood up and needless to say we went back to the car....jogging this time !!!!

Christina

I painted this pastel portrait from a photo.  Christina is my cousins daughter and a beautiful girl perfect for this portrait.  I painted her awhile ago with her husband on her wedding day.  The lighting hitting her face and her hair is what I love and always look for from a reference picture.

"Family"

When Maggie's owner saw Maggie and Pippin's portrait, she commissioned me to paint a pastel portrait of Maggie's family.  The first dog is Maggie's Dad and the little one is Maggie's Mom.  The rest of them are family as well except for the older one in the middle who was found abused so the breeder took him in and took care of him until he died.  The reference picture was taken by the breeder as they all looked through the back window of the car.  I know I've been painting animals lately but I "really" needed to paint this one.  Don't you just want to smile when you look at this happy family?  

Portrait of a cat

I never knew painting animals could be so much fun.  I found the reference picture for this pastel portrait from a photo I took many years ago but was always afraid to paint it....  I'm a dog person and never owned a cat but I think they are beautiful animals.....some with amazing markings and colors.  I hope you like this little guy as much as I enjoyed painting him!!

Joshemari Sketching

I saw Josh's picture on his blog and got his permission to paint this portrait.  Josh does plein aire painting mostly in beautiful Barcelona... his
passion for watercolors is so evident in his work.  He paints a lot of landscapes,  Cityscapes but I have to admit his Seascapes are fantastic
and I enjoy seeing them SO much!  In this pastel portrait, Josh was sketching and I loved the expression on this wonderful man doing what he loves so much!!  If you get a chance, drop by his blog... you'll love his work!!
http://jmlarranagaacuarelas.blogspot.com

Rembrandt Study

I think copying the work of the Masters is a learning experience.  I enjoyed painting this portrait of Rembrandt.  He studied himself very closely in the mirror for most of his life...painting about 100 self-portraits, which explains how there's so many facial changes with his portraits.  I imagine it had to be very challenging.  Some people say that he did it because he always had a model on hand!!  He always painted with dark shadows that I always liked.  I would have painted this in oils, like he did, but I still don't have the nerve... so I stuck to the comfort of my pastels!!!

Montana Beauty

Driving through Montana is always so beautiful.  I never get tired of all those greens you see in this amazing land of ours.  I love horses and I really enjoyed painting this horse since he was so close and I was able to "see" those details that you need in a painting.  I think he knew I was taking a photo...he stood perfectly still for me..LOL

Spare Moment

One of many reference pictures that I have..this one is of a man enjoying Gramercy Park, NYC on a sunny and brisk afternoon... maybe on his break?  but his expression caught my eye and thought it would make a nice pastel portrait...