Blue Skies Ahead!

Blue Sky / 7x17 /pastel

Yay! It stopped raining! Last evening there was the most beautiful sunset available from my front porch--much like the one in this painting.

Glass of Beer and a sale

"Glass of Beer" / 12x9 / pastel

I like to paint. Finish one painting, start another one. Keep repeating until there are so many paintings I have to sort through them and have a sale!

"Ball Jars" / SOLD

"Cows in the Shade" / 4x6 / pastel & sumi ink

"Light Through the Tree" / 8x6 / pastel & sumi ink

"After the Storm" / 4.5 x 6 / pastel

"Lavender Shadows" / pastel

City of Roses

"Old City of Roses Motel Sign on Interstate Ave." pastel 8.25x11.25

Portland is known as The City of Roses and every year there's a Rose Festival. In honor of this year's event, here are a few paintings of scenes within short walking distance from my home in North Portland's historic Kenton neighborhood. The day I decided to paint the roses in my neighborhood it was overcast and looked like rain so I zipped around in my car, parked on side streets and dashed here and there taking photos. Back at home, I made some prints from my computer and voila! here are the results. Featured are two versions of "The Old City of Roses Motel Sign" at the intersection of Interstate Ave. and Fenwick St. I had fun figuring out how to paint a chain link fence! I know which one I like prefer and why; what about you? The third painting is of the tiny Kenton Neighborhood Rose Garden on Interstate Ave. and McClellan St. Have to admit, I jazzed it up a bit with more blooming roses than it actually had. Dang, I wish the weather would improve so I can get outside to paint! Souls heartier than I have been going to Sauvie Island and I can't wait to join them. When the sun comes back out! Yes, I am a fair weather painter. Important reminder: I'm having a "Drawing for a Painting" this month! You have to be signed up as a follower of this blog to have your name entered!

"Old City of Roses Motel Sign on Interstate and McClellan" pastel

"Kenton Rose Garden on Interstate and McClellan" pastel

"Roses in a Blue Vase" and Drawing for a Painting!

"Roses in a Blue Vase", pastel, 11.5x8

photo reference for my painting

This blog has two main purposes: (1) keep me accountable for being productive; and (2) sell my art. To sell my art I have to get people to look at it. Some will look and say "Meh." Others will look and say, "Hmm, interesting but I don't see anything I like." And some will look and say, "I love it and want to enjoy it in my home!" The common denominator is looking. So, in an effort to get more people to look, I want to increase subscriptions to this blog AND increase my number of "Followers." I'm no blog expert by any means, but apparently these are separate things. If someone signs up to receive an email notice when I post to my blog that's great but I don't know who those people are. (There has to be some way of knowing and if you know how, please tell me.)  On the other hand, if someone signs up to "follow" my blog I can see their icon and name (unless they sign up to follow privately in which case, once again, I wouldn't know who they are.) So.... to increase my list of followers I'm having another "Drawing for a Painting." On June 30 I'll put the names of my followers into a hat (or other container) and my grandson will pull one out. That lucky person will get a $70 credit toward purchasing my art. Since some of my smaller works sell for $35 to $50, the winner will end up with at least one painting. And here's an additional bonus: For every new follower you send me, I'll your name in the hat an additional time. (Please be fair and only send people who actually like art and will look at my blog!) Just be sure to let me know who you sent so I can give you credit. Note: I really like followers who are fellow artists who can help mentor me in my practice.

Brenda Boylan and Pastel Punch artists Debbie, Sue, Diane, me, Marilyn and Nancy

My goals for the month of June: (1) produce 15 new paintings; (2) find three exhibits to participate in this summer and produce the art required; (3) go outside and paint "en plein air" at least four times; and (4) create four new blog posts.

"Roses in a Blue Vase" was produced at Brenda Boylan's Pastel Punch workshop last month. It was a really good experience and I met some very nice artists.