Sedona Sunset

I’m still working on the pastels. I really like the immediate results you get from these little sticks of pure color. The colors you lay down stay without changing values or shifting color like paint can do after it dries. Still a lot to learn, though…

This is form a photo I took many years ago in Sedona, AZ. One of the challenges of red rock landscapes is all the warm light that bounces around in the shadows – making them much warmer than you would normally expect.

 
9x12 pastel on PastelBord

Desert Storm – Salton Sea

We don't get a lot of rain during the summer here in the Southern California deserts but sometimes the thunder storms come up from down south. When they do it's often worth braving the heat to see something like this.

Late in the day, as I was leaving the Salton Sea, I thought there might be a nice sunset so I stopped to set up and wait. The sunset was somewhat disappointing because of a sudden buildup of thunder clouds. I was thinking of packing up but as the sun disappeared, the light came back up under the clouds and it started to rain over the mountains. This was what I saw… and how I painted it. Nature never ceases to amaze me!

 

 
9x12 pastel on PastelMat

Into The Sun

I'm still on my green kick after my trip to Michigan. I can't seem to get it out of my head. All you Eastern and Northern folk probably don't think it's a big deal but here in So. California everything is brown, dead and yuk! We do get a little green around early spring but I missed it last year - I was in the shower!

 
9x12 Pastel on Wallis Paper

Tawas Bay

Here's the next installment in my short series of scenes from Michigan in Pastel. This is still in progress so I'll update everyone on it's progress.

I'm trying a lot of new papers and sanded boards. This one is on the Ampersand Pastelbord.

9x12 Pastel on sanded panel

Michigan Wildflowers

Here's my first study from the photos I brought back from Michigan a few weeks ago. It appears that I better make sure that I'm stocked up on green paints and pastels!

I've decided to work back into the pastels again. It's been a while and I'm still figuring them out. I'm thinking of doing a series on my trip using pastels. Stay tuned....

 
9x12 soft pastels on sanded paper