New works!

2011

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"Three Pears and
Reflections," 2011
Pastel 9" X 12"

With the weather rather cold for long painting sessions outside, I turned to a collection of colorful fruit. I really enjoyed finding the unexpected colors, especially the reflected ones. It was fun to use bright, hot colors, especially at this time of year.

I blogged about this work while it was in progress, including a photo of the setup.

"Field and Fall Woods -
Mist," 2011
Pastel 11" X 16"

I was inspired by a photo which my husband took during a work-related retreat in Woodward, PA. It was early morning, and the mist settled between the layers of the mountains beyond the trees. The fall colors are striking accents to this background.

"Four Plums," 2011
Pastel 6" X 9"

My husband surprised me by setting several plums on a piece of ebony in my studio. I liked the colors and reflections of the plums and their 'grounding' with the solid wood.

"Little Juniata River and Rothrock Trestle," 2011
Pastel 12" X 16"

I hiked with a friend and fellow artist along the river, and scrambled down the banks to a spot where we could see the solid old stone trestle of the old Pennsylvania main line (now CSX). I stood with one foot on a rock in the river, and my easel part way in the water to start this piece. I also like the feel of the current in it.

"Two Heirloom Apples"
Pastel 6" X 9"

One of these apples came from an heirloom apple tree on our farm. When I went riding with a friend a few miles away, I saw a similar tree and brought an apple home to join ours. I like the shadows and reflected colors in this piece.

"In the Woods - Light," 2011
Oil on Canvas 24" X 36"

I'm often struck by the horizontal light in the woods as it streaks across the ground. This was a place where I sat quietly for a long time, appreciating the golden light and peaceful feeling. These woods are part of our farm, which is very special to me.

"Light After Rain," 2011
Pastel 12" X 17"

I ventured out with a small watercolour set. I'm not very familiar with watercolour, yet was trying it out as a new technique challenge. I ended up really liking the atmosphere as light returned after the rain, and the watercolour sketch and memory were enough for me later to create this pastel in the studio.

"Spruce Creek - Plein Air," 2011
Pastel 9" X 10"

After clambering on steep hillsides and narrow trails with a fellow artist and flyfisherwoman, we chanced upon this view of the famous trout stream. I really liked the way the light struck the far bank and the glowing colors reflected into the water.

"Fields and Woods - Soft Morning Light," 2011
Oil on Canvas 11" X 14"

On a walk early on a summer morning in our pasture, I saw this view in the soft reddish light. I like the overall atmosphere, and a quiet harmony of shapes and colors.

"Honey Creek - Misty Morning," 2011
Pastel 14" X 11"

This is a sister painting to 'Honey Creek - Early Spring'. While the composition is mostly the same, this painting was created with a wash underpainting. I did two versions of the painting to experiment with the influence of the wash technique. I ended up liking both versions, which have somewhat different feeling.

"Uphill to the Ridge - Plein Air," 2011
Pastel 11" X 17"

I sketched this on location and still remember brisk fall air, and the enthusiasm I felt as a I painted. The more I painted, the more I saw. The shapes of the trees were influenced by the windy location.

"Coming of Spring - Golden Evening Light," 2011
Oil on Canvas 20" X 30"

This painting is of our own farm from a plein air sketch. At certain times of the year the light comes at a horizontal angle, and glows golden in the evening. It was also nice to be warm enough to paint outdoors after a long winter.

"Water Lilies - Near Shade, Far Sun," 2011
Pastel 9" X 7"

I spent several days sketching and seeking the rhythms of water lilies at a nearby spring fed pond. There are so many pleasing and interesting aspects of this site that I find it hard to zero in on parts of it, yet I'm happy with this image giving a feel of the whole.

"Water Lilies - Patterns in Shade," 2011
Pastel 9" X 10"

This painting derived from a sketch in the early morning where the pond was still in shade. I really like the deep, dark backdrop of the water setting off the light values and colors of the water lilies, and the patterning.

"Honey Creek - Early Spring," 2011
Pastel 14" X 11"

I traveled with a friend and fellow flyfisherwoman/artist to Reeds Gap State Park. I painted this clear and peaceful freestone stream in 28 degree weather! I like the feel of the current and flow toward the distance.

"Spruce Creek - Light on the Far Shore," 2011
Pastel 13" X 11"
sold

On a second expedition with my artist friend, we saw a special moment at Spruce Creek, where the light lit the trees on the far bank, and there was an unexpected, pleasing color harmony.

"Two Pears and Orange," 2011
Pastel 6" X 8"

My husband found these pears, and I was inspired by their colors- both within each pear, and in the shadows.

"View from the Ridge - Morning," 2011
Pastel 11" X 17"
sold

A local landowner gave me permission to explore his farm, and I was interested in the long distance view towards Sinking Valley. Many miles were visible, but the thing I most wanted to focus on was the 'atmospheric perspective,' the way colors become bluer and lighter with distance. I like how this captures that feel of a lot of land receding into the distance in the bright light of morning.

"View from the Ridge - Evening," 2011
Pastel 11" X 17"

This painting is a view from the same spot as 'View from the Ridge- Morning,' but with the color and value differences that come with evening light. It was a fun challenge to describe these two-times of day and different moods within the same composition - see more about this on my blog.

"Betsy's Pear," 2011
Pastel 8" X 5"
sold

A friend gave me some gourmet pears for Christmas. I like the colors and reflection on the wood surface. Even though it is a little piece, there is something very captivating to me about this painting, that somehow is much more than just a 'pear.'

"Morning Shadow from Woods to Field," 2010
Pastel 9" X 7 "
sold

I often drive a tractor past this spot, hauling horse manure to spread on our pastures. Going at this slower, contemplative pace, I was more aware of the beautiful colors and how the shadow united the field and woods.

To see how this work developed, see my 'Art in the Making' blog entry about it.

"After the Thaw," 2010
Oil 18 " X 24"

I often notice this field near our house, and as soon as it got warm enough to paint outdoors without freezing, I set up my backpacker french easel on location, and did an oil sketch that later developed into this painting.

"Winter Field and WIld Cherry," 2010
Pastel 11" X 12"
sold

I roamed on a neighbor's farm this mid-winter day, and appreciated the red hints in the twigs of the cherry trees in the hedgerow. All the more evident, surrounded by the neutral colors of winter.

"Drifted Stream in Va lley," 2010 Oil 18" X 24"
sold

I longed to work on location, but being mid-winter, the snow packed to my knees. The only way I figured how to get around was by cross country skis. I stuck a small sketch book and pencil in my coat pocket, and with gloves still on since it was so cold, I managed to sketch in the basic composition of this painting. After returning to the studio, I created a small oil sketch to remember the colors, which later led to this larger canvas.

"Apple Trees Midday," 2010
Pastel 11" X 16"

I really like orchards. They seem peaceful, everything is growing, and the rows of trees make interesting compositional rhythms. On the day I was in this orchard, there was something about the clustering of these trees that caught my eye.

"Summer Morning, Soft Light," 2010 Pastel 11" X 16"

I began this painting on an early summer morning on our farm. I liked the soft, pink morning light, and the suggestion of back-lighting through the trees.

"Autumn Evening, Round Bales Uphill," 2010
Oil 13" X 23"
sold

I began this painting six years ago, based upon a pastel painting. It has been quite a challenge to sort out the composition over time, but it was worth it. I like the solid feel of the bales, and the light striking in places.

To see how this work developed, see my 'Art in the Making' blog entry about it.

"Hickory Grove - Morning Light," 2010
Oil 24" X 20"
sold

This is a shaded farm lane area on our property that I really like. In summer, the morning sun comes strongly horizontal, making a nice contrast of light and shade.

"Fields Across the Stream," 2010 Oil 12" X 16"

I did a pencil sketch on location, since the day was too cold to paint. Back in the studio, I remembered the rich, late winter neutral colors. I like how they harmonize in this piece.

"Windy Day, Fall Fields," 2010
Pastel 11" X 8"
sold

I like the bold colors and strokes in this work. It does seem to have the feel of the March day I sketched there.

"Trees in May - Leafing Out," 2010 Pastel 11" X 17"

This began as a plein air painting, but back in the studio, I just wasn't satisfied with the composition. So I brushed off the pastel and let it become a different painting- putting the shapes where they "felt" right. I wanted to suggest the light, airy feel of the leaves as they begin to unfurl.

"Round Bales - Cluster of Four," 2010
Pastel 10 " X 15 "

Big hay bales in the fields tend to cluster in interesting ways- I was drawn to the hefty masses of the bales and the negative spaces between them. This painting went through a lot of versions before being finalized.

To see how this work developed, see my 'Art in the Making' blog entry about it.

"Valley in Bright Light," 2010
Pastel 11" X 15"

This painting developed from a plein air sketch at a near by farm. I liked the bright, late morning light, and the shape of the fields as they stretch toward the valley.

To see how this work developed, see my 'Art in the Making' blog entry about it.

"Farm Fields at Start of Spring," 2010
Pastel 11" X 15"

I liked the hint of spring colors intermixing with the fields that had just come through winter. The air was chilly, but the sun was warm as I sketched on location. This scene is near my home, where I frequently ride horses.

"Woods Path," 2010
Pastel 23" X 27"
sold

This is a place I ride my horse a lot. I enjoy the dappled light coming down, and the wide beckoning path.

"Summer Morning, Soft Light," 2010 Pastel 11" X 17"

Most mornings I go on a short walk around our farm with our dog. This scene is from the top part of our farm, looking down over our land. I feel a strong bond with this place, and all the more so in soft morning light.

"Park at the River- Lewisburg," 2010 Pastel 11" X 16 "

This pastel was created on location in Lewisburg, in the riverside park across from the Packwood Museum, as part of a painting demonstration. I liked the arching trees, framing the couple enjoying the spot on the bench. A light rain began just as I was finishing, and a few rain drops are still lightly visible in the piece, adding to its character.

"Down Hill to the Woods," 2010
Pastel 11" X 16 "

I found this spot on a farm near Warriors Mark, after hiking up and over a steep hillside. I liked the "swoop" looking down to the woods, and the lighting and shadow that accentuated it. I'm pleased that this pastel has this sense of looking downhill.

"Light Through the Woods," 2010 Pastel 15" X 11"

This painting developed from a plein air sketch. The light came at a very slanty angle that morning, lighting up the hillside under the tree canopies, which really pulled my eye into the forest.

"Woods Mystery," 2010
Oil 18" X 24"

This oil began as an evoked image, where I simply laid line and shapes on the canvas, and eventually forms emerged.

"Field and Farther Trees ," 2010
Oil 11" X 14"

This is a place just down the road from my home. I really enjoy watching the colors change with the seasons on the unfarmed fields, and the shapes and positions of the trees at the top, which frame it.