Purple Onions

9 x 12"

Oil on board

Blue Tablecloth

5"x7"
Pastel on sanded paper

Today, was experimentation day.
Always a fun time. This little study was
painted with acrylic paints and then
layers of hard and soft pastels. Just
trying to keep it loose.

Fancy Red Delicious #2

8x10"
Pastel on sanded 300 lb paper

I have ordinary artistic talent.
I have to work at getting the drawing
down correctly, or the perspective just right.
Some days, it's just a struggle to decide what to paint.

Although, I was happy with the concept of this design,
I felt that my execution of the painting was not done well.
So, that is why I repeated it. I think that I did a
better job of the background on todays painting, but
I like the apple better in my previous post of this design.
The ground that I chose to paint on, did make a huge
difference and that is something I am still learning about.
When I paint, I learn something every time.

"There is no such thing as perfection in art. There is only the continued pursuit of passion." (Barrett Edwards)

Colored Glass

5x7"
Pastel on sanded paper.
Pastel is pure pigment, not chalk.
I would never be able to achieve the
deep darks or brilliant reds with sidewalk chalk.
To learn more about this versatile medium,
check out this link.
www.pastelinternational.com/about/drypastel.asp

This is my last post for a few days.
I am off to a Margaret Dyer pastel workshop.
I'll post my workshop pieces when I get back.

A Recipe for Fun

5x7"
Pastel on archival sanded paper
I didn't paint the marbles. I painted how the light fell on them

Glass marbles were invented in
Germany in 1848. There are at least
22 types of marbles and a number
of games you can play with them. Here is one of them

RING TAW This is one of the best known and most popular of all marble games for a group of players. As with 'INCREASE POUND', two circles are drawn on the ground. The inner circle should be about 1' (30cms) in diameter, the outer should be about 7' (2m) diameter. Each player puts an agreed number of marbles into the inner ring. The order of play is decided and the players take turns to shoot their TAW from any point on the outer ring, at the marbles in the center. Any marbles knocked out of the center ring are pocketed by the shooter and he is entitled to shoot again from the spot where his TAW lies. When a shot is unsuccessful play passes to the next player and the TAW remains on the ground where it comes to rest, if that spot is within the outer ring. The next player may then shoot at the marbles in the center or at any of his opponents TAWS. If he strikes a TAW, the owner of that TAW has to pay him one marble and he takes another shot. The shooter may not strike the same opponents TAW twice in succession. The game continues until the ring is cleared.

Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic

4 x 10"
pastel on archival sanded paper

I want to give credit to Nicole Caulfield for

taking this photo and allowing members of

wet canvas to use it.
I loved working on this composition.The reflections on the colander and the bright red of the tomatoes are my favorite.

Great ingredients for spaghetti sauce. In fact, here is my recipe.

This painting is for sale, but my recipe is free. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pounds Italian sausage links, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 6 to 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• 3 cans (24 ounces total) tomato sauce
• 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried leaf basil, crumbled
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried leaf oregano, crumbled
• 1/4 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 cup water
• grated parmesan cheese

In a Dutch oven or large kettle, brown sausage slices. Drain off grease and add olive oil to pan. Add onion, green bell pepper and mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are tender. Add remaining ingredients, except Parmesan cheese.
Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 2 to 3 hours.
Add more water and reduce heat if sauce becomes too thick.
Serve with hot cooked spaghetti and pass the Parmesan cheese.
Makes enough spaghetti sauce for 6 servings.

Tulips

5x7"
pastel on handmade sanded paper

I didn't have any of the manufactured
sand paper, so I made some myself. Today's
painting was painted on it. I like the store bought
stuff better because it is more uniform in texture.
This paper had a lot of grooves and bumps
making it difficult to get the clean edges
that I like. But, there is a place for this
type of ground too, depending on the subject.

Grapes and Pears

8x10"
pastel on archival sanded paper

This was painted from a photo, however

the set up had one direct light and a foil

reflector to give the golden color in the background.

There is a glow to the pears and the grapes. And if

you will notice, reflective light in several areas.

Succulent

5x6"
pastel on archival sand paper

Today's subject was not about color, but about light.

My goal for today's daily painting, was to

capture the contrast of the light and dark.

When any subject is in strong sunlight, the color

washes out, but the light remains.

Hibiscus

6x6"
pastel on archival sanded paper

When you look at a flower, as a whole, it is beautiful.

But have you ever stopped and just looked inside.

It's a whole nutha world in there!

Today's focus is on the beauty that is in within.

Dig deep. Look, and really see.

Purple Crocus

5x7"
pastel on archival sanded paper

Crocus are thefirst flowers that come up around my house.

A welcomed sight, after a cold, uncolorful winter.

For today's painting, I wanted to make the blooms really pop

with color, so I used a dark background to help with that. Notice

that it's not black either. Just an intensely dark purple.

Cherries

6x6"
pastel on archival sanded paper

Today's painting was about capturing

the shadows. Have you ever noticed that

any cast shadow will have a hard edge?

See the shadow cast down from the bowl.

Have you ever noticed that any form shadow

will have a soft edge? Look at the shadow

that forms the bowl.

Next time you're out, study some shadows.

Ok, enough of the art lesson, check out my recipe

for cherry pie.

INGREDIENTS
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

(I use the Crisco shortening recipe)
4 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
4 cups pitted cherries
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).

Place bottom crust in piepan.

Cover the top crust and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl combine tapioca, salt,

sugar, cherries and extracts.

Let stand 15 minutes.

Pour fruit mixture onto the bottom crust and dot with butter.

Cover with top crust, flute edges and cut vents in top.

Place pie on a foil lined cookie sheet --- in case of drips!
Bake for 50 minutes, until golden brown.

Cardinals

8x10"
Colored pencil on paper

Gold Pears

5x7"
pastel on archival sanded paper

Strawberry

5x5"
pastel on archival sanded paper

Fruiting Cactus

5x8"
pastel on archival sanded paper
I always thought that cacti were
found west of here, but low and behold
Arkansas has cacti in Devil's Den State Park.

Lemon on Gray

5x5"
pastel on arhival sanded paper
This was painted from life right before
I made my lemon mousse for tonight's dessert.
It's so good! Here is the recipe.

Lemon Mousse
serves 4

4 egg yolks
2 grated lemons, zest
1/2 cup lemon juice, strained
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 envelope gelatin
4 tablespoons white rum
2 cups heavy whipping cream
whipped cream

Combine egg yolks, grated zest, juice, and sugar in a mixing bowl.
Place over gently simmering water, and whisk until thickened.
Remove from heat.
Beat with whip on medium speed until cold and thick.
Combine gelatin and rum in a small heatproof bowl and allow to soak 5 minutes.
Place bowl over a pan of simmering water until melted.
Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Whip cream on medium speed until it just holds its shape.
Whisk the gelatin into the yolk mixture.
Fold in the whipped cream.
Pour the mousse into a bowl or individual glasses.
Garnish with whipped cream and berries.

Filberts

5x5"
pastel on archival sanded paper
Another painting that I wanted
to achieve more texture . I really
like the way this turned out. The
softness of the background and the
wood table helps the hardness of
the nuts stand out.

Pink Ladies

6x6"
pastel on archival sanded paper
Today's painting goal was to not overwork,
overdo or overstate. Paint quickly yet achieve a likeness.
I had fun with this and am pleased with the outcome.

This was the 3rd place winner of the miniature category
at the Ozark Pastel Society -Passion for Pastels
Competition 2008.

The following recipe is a great snack.
Apple Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

Ingredients for Cinnamon Chips

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 8-inch flour tortillas

Ingredients for Harvest Apple Salsa

• 2 medium tart apples, chopped
• 1 medium pear chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped red seedless grapes
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 teaspoons grated orange rind

Directions for cinnamon chips

Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl
(I put this mixture in a spice bottle with holes so I could just sprinkle it on).
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Brush tortillas with water.
Sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over both sides of tortillas.
Cut each tortilla into 8 wedges; arrange on baking sheet.
Bake 5- 7 minutes or until golden brown/crisp.
Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Directions for the Harvest Apple Salsa

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Add walnuts just before serving as it will turn the mixture brown.
Chill overnight to create more juice.

Ceramic and Cilantro

6x6"
pastel on archival sanded paper
In my previous post I mentioned
how fruit was a great model. Well,
herbs are a little bit finicky when
painted from life. They tend to wilt.