Day 23 "Corn Rows"

This design seems disconnected from the more realistic landscapes. My artist friend, Pat Lawrence, and I are creating images for a show and "Corn Rows 2" will be part of that exploratory show.

"Corn Rows 2"

 Pat and I assign ourselves subjects for the show and the first subject was "Chickens," although mine are apparently roosters.

"The Flock"

Day 22

"The painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through." Jackson Pollock
Today was my demonstration day at Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea which is a fun experience. Gwen Heffner organizers the event and produces great PR plus they treat me to lunch and pay a small stipend for me to work on new pieces and talk to visitors.
"Pisgah Pike Fall" was completed at the Artisan Center today. Looks like I need to finish the left side.

"Pisgah Pike Fall" 8" x 12" pastel on LaCarte sanded pastel paper

Now back to yesterday's problem child. When I'm frustrated with a piece sometimes I crop it tighter to focus on the point of interest. Maybe "Grassy Springs1" should be a 6"x6".

"Grassy Springs 1.5"  6" x6"

Day 21

Isn't this fun. Today you get to see another failure and hopefully a "save". (Jan. 28-Day 14 was the other problem pastel in need of changes and Jan. 30 Day 16 was the correction)
Here's "Grassy Springs" and "Grassy Springs Sunset". Which do you think is the failure?

"Grassy Springs"   8" x 12" pastel on LaCarte sanded paper

"Grassy Springs Sunset"   8" x 12"  pastel on Wallis sanded paper

Day 20 Browns

"That painter who has no doubts will achieve little." Leonardo da Vinci
I don't work with browns very much but in search of other color combinations that convey light and shadow in this hayfield, I decided to try warmer colors in the shadow area which may occur on a very warm summer evening.

"Knob Meadow Browns"   8" x 12" pastel on Wallis sanded paper

Day 19 "Knob Meadow"

"Blessed are those who see beauty in humble places where others see nothing." Camille Pissaro
What is the color of sunshine or the color of shadows? Each is dependent upon one another and as long as the value is correct the colors can vary greatly.
"Knob Meadow Evening" was a demonstration piece that I created for my Saturday beginners pastel class at Artists Attic, but when I looked at the piece today, it was much too dark. I've lighten the colors and added some lavender.

"Knob Meadow Evening" demo    8" x 12" pastel

For the next piece in the series I experimented with color choices using more purple in the shadows and warm tans, oranges, gold and yellows in the sunshine areas. These colors are more expressionistic. And I left out the gate so the viewers eye can explore the foreground.

"Knob Meadow Evening Too"  8" x 12" pastel on LaCarte paper

Day 18 "The Way Home" demo

"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls" - Piccaso
 "The Way Home" is a demonstration piece for my weekly pastel class for adults. Each time I create this piece for a class demo I change it and this time I increased the sunlight in the foreground and eliminated a shadow and tree area in the foreground  to focus the eye on the shaded gate area.

"The Way Home" demo   8" x 12"   pastel on LaCarte sanded paper    $185

Day 17 "Pisgah Pike"

Pisgah Pike is part of the Kentucky Scenic Highway system. It runs from Versailles Road through to Frankfort Pike and is truly a beautiful country road. 
My favorite spot is this corner beside the Pisgah Presbyterian Church. I've photographed and drawn it many time including this newest one first using an oil wash on the sanded paper before applying the pastel. 

"Pisgah Corner Early Morning"   8" x 12"   $285