Last night I started another series of pastel painting sessions at the Wallkill River School. I think I might use this for Christmas cards this year. I was lusting after that bittersweet. It's been a busy week but I hope to mess around with some surface design stuff on cloth tomorrow. Although the pull to do some more 'advanced finger painting' (as Shawn calls it) is strong.

Virtues of Pastels & Dyeing

I am still exploring pastels. I did this last night during my Thursday evening class given by Shawn Dell Joyce . There's a lot wrong with it but also some right with it and, since I'm just a beginner doing baby steps, I'm pleased with the results. To me, pastels are as exciting and intimate (afterall one gets as upfront, personal and messy with pastels as with textile paints) as working with dyes and paints on cloth.

This is not done yet but so far I am happy with the sweetness that is happening. Lots of layers, lots of pastel dust flying around the kitchen this afternoon.

Are you reading this?

I went to post this today and - lo & behold! - Blogger has locked my blog because I might be a spammer. Apparently a human will review my blog and allow it to publish if deemed to be legit. Well I'd like to tell them that no, I'm not a spammer....more like a spammee. Lately my blog has been infiltrated with comments from lottery games, someone getting on an airplane that I should contact immediately (what the heck is that all about?) and other various disreputables. So...bottom line is....I don't know if anyone will ever see this latest pastel or if I will be forever barred from blogkingdom.

By the way, this weekend I'm going to put the pastels aside and work with cloth. The desire to dye and paint fabric has me in its grip.

McCormick Deering

This is a pastel of an antique tractor that is on our property. I love this tractor with its rusted body, broken wheels and imposing stature. I keep begging my husband to move it by the pond so it can take its rightful place as a sculptural piece of Americana. Steve remembers many late June days using this tractor to help hay the fields. These are fond memories for him. He says there's nothing in today's world to compare with the smell of a freshly mowed field, birds twittering in the outlying trees and the evening sun shining down on it all.

Sunday Morning Tryst

Yes, there is a developing love affair happening in the Aumick household. Pastels are incredible. My inability to do folds (!!!!) aside, I feel a degree of satisfaction with my cobalt bottle images. I know there's a lot wrong with this painting but who cares? The fact is I am inspired!

Try it you might like it!

My first ever (unfinished) work with pastels. I didn't know you layer pastels on top of one another so the underneath layers peek through and that you can rub them and get wonderful pastel dust all over your work space and clothes! I didn't know I could work with them much the same way I do with paint on fabric - building colors until there is an intensity that draws you to keep looking and looking. I didn't know I would enjoy them as much as I do. I am fortunate enough to have Shawn Dell Joyce as an instructor for a beginning pastel course. She is an amazingly accomplished artist and artistic business woman. Her hands series is incredible. http://www.shawndelljoyce.com/wst_page5.php
I want to stay home today and try to capture that gorgeous purple blue of cobalt bottles with pastels. Thank you, Shawn.