Mixed Media Workshop

Last week I took a 3-day, mixed media workshop at our local art center. I've taken these regularly over the last several years and this time something suddenly clicked and I got paintings that I like, or can at least look at for a while. Usually I either make mud or an all-over pattern with no center of interest and no place for the eye to travel. Rather than put all that I did, and have continued to do this week, I'll offer you a slideshow. You can see larger versions by clicking on the little Picasa icon at the bottom right of the slideshow. Any of these paintings is subject to change!

Purple Sky

Done with pastels on black paper. It may or may not be finished, depending on what feedback I get (hint!). It's from an ordinary photo I took, then changed the colors in Photoshop.

Storm Passing

One day in the fall, late in the day, I looked out the window to see the western sun shining on the trees across the cul-de-sac, with the day's storm clouds moving off to the east. I used that light as inspiration for this pastel. The light on the trees is the only resemblance to what I see out the window! It's good to be back making art. As always, this version of this picture next to the words you're reading is muted; you'll get a better idea of the painting if you click on the picture and see the larger version.

Mad Dogs and Englishmen

Who wrote "only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun"? Anyway, that's what came to me as I did this painting. It's taken me weeks to do; these holidays sure do mess up our schedules, don't they? The photo was taken somewhere in Germany, I think, by my father in 1964. I love the light and the angle until, that is, I tried to draw it. I see a couple of things to finish, but basically it's done.