Blog

Over the past several weeks, I have been busy photographing, and writing about my work in order to place a large collection online.

This was to have been a solo exhibition at a space up in Sedona, but like so many things, is just not to be for now.

Along with the images, I have been writing the back stories of the inspiration and creation of each work.

Here is a preview of two pieces that I think go very well together.  

"Indigo Canyon", and "Half Moon Path"

Both are pastel paintings; and are of a locale very near one another.

I have been telling stories about the places, the inspiration, and sometimes the techniques used for each one.

I have already written the blurbs for each on my web site; they can be found in artworks, and the "High Desert Dreams" collection. 

Because I will be doing a lot of writing to present the work with the stories, this is my last blog post for a while on Sunday.

I will be posting groups of paintings on Facebook every Sunday and Wednesday, starting on April 1st.

And then, when all 74 ( yes , really!) I will either resume the blog...or I just may be doing some video posts. 

On instagram, I will post a piece every day along with the stories.

That is a lot of writing!

I do hope that you will join me in my project.

And, please do follow me on Facebook, and Instagram on social media.

If you are not, please enjoy viewing the collection, and reading the stories ...click on art works, and then the " High Desert Dreams ' collection.

It will all be in place, and  debut on April 1st.

Hope to see you then,

Christine 

If you have been following these posts, you know that I have been working towards a solo exhibition in Sedona this spring.

Like so many events these days, I have decided to cancel the physical show, which will take place at a later date.

Instead, I will place the entire collection online.

I will launch the show on my web site on April 1st...and post a few at a time on Facebook, as well as post daily on Instagram. 

If you are on my mail list, I'll be giving some more details in my upcoming newsletter.

So, this past week, I have been busy photographing every piece, as well as taking the time to number and title them for my  art inventory.

" Through the Mesquite", pastel plein air, 9x12

Many are plein air pieces like this one.

Some are demos that I did for one of my workshops...

" "Grassy Canyon Path", pastel 12x16 

I really like this subject, and have painted it a few times, in different media and sizes. 

One must also be creative with the titles ...

"Spring Conversation", plein air pastel, 11x14.

When I looked at the piece, I noted how the two central trees seemed to be engaged , in the way that they were leaning towards one another.

If you look, there are pairs of aspens throughout this piece.

Had the show not been cancelled, I do not know that  I would be taking so much time in documenting the work. It is just another part of the "office work" involved in art making.

As I mentioned, many shows have been put on hold, all over the world. I was to be involved in an exhibition in France, which is cancelled.

disappointing, yes, but so many are in the same boat.

Closer to home, my local pastel group., The Arizona Pastel Artist's Association has placed the spring show on line.

Here is the painting that I had submitted...

"Canyon Sun Dew", pastel, 12x24.

This entire show may be viewed at https://apaa.wildapricot.org/

This was always a good show, and I have seen this year's online myself. Such excellent work from all across the country !

So, there are some disappointments, but isn't it wonderful that we can now take the time to enjoy beautiful, uplifting art right in our homes?

I do hope you'll enjoy many of the online shows that are out there. You'll be glad you did!

It is sad that a great master of color passed away at the age of 94.
He was one of the world's great landscape painters, and known for his use of brilliant, saturated color.

“ A Yellow Meadow by the River” , 50x60

I was very fortunate in that I took a workshop with him, when he was still teaching. He was generous , charming, and did cut right to the chase when going around to students. Students worked in pastel and oil....and he worked in pastel. 
One important lesson that I learned was the impact of greyed color , allowing the bright colors to sing. After all, how does one know where to look if all the colors in a piece are shouting? 

“”Pine Woods in Marlboro , VT . “ 

I often share some of the wisdom in my own workshops .I think that  the most important lesson was “ You've got to have the DESIRE “
which I clearly recall in his German accent. If I don't have the desire to paint something, and I'm just doing it anyway, that will surely 

come across to the viewer. 
I stayed longer in CT, so that I could attend the opening reception for his exhibition at the Lyman Allyn art museum, in New London. 

This was the invitation for the event . I will never forget his dashing presence in a linen suit, turquoise shirt, and bright violet tie. 

After the workshop, as I often do, I went out and painted pieces with what I had learned. 
I did a whole series of pastels , abstracting the landscape, and allowing color to carry the structure. 

Southern Red Field” , pastel on handmade paper. 

When going through some of my materials for this post, I also came across an invitation for Walker- Kornbluth Gallery, in Fairlawn NJ for one of his shows. 
Little did I know that down the road I would be represented by the same space ! 

I probably didn't fully realize the impact of this master on my painting at the time...but we often learn lessons in retrospect. 
I do know that I was in the right space, at the right time. 
I also know that the world is a better place for his having spent a lifetime of working and sharing his joyful, color filled pure landscapes that are just  a sheer delight. Pure visual poetry. 
Thank you, Wolf. 

This week one of my big tasks was to select images for some postcards that I'm sending , and passing out.

Quite often, I need to virtually choose paintings to send out to various places. 

I enter many shows where the selection process is by digital images. For those, I need to make sure that the work is fairly recent, and that it really shows my level of abilities in the best light.

This one " Winter Wash Glow" was for the American Impressionist show small works showcase. It did get in! 

Other times, I am applying to teach somewhere, or for a regional show. In that case, I'll choose pieces that reflect the area somewhat, so it will be a little different.

This week, I wanted images that would go together, yet still reflect the unexpected diversity that Arizona has to offer.

It is just one of the great things about living here. 

Actually, when we paint the landscape, we always want to celebrate the beauty, no matter where we are. There are always wonderful surprises just around the corner. It is what keeps me going, especially how the light falls on my chosen subject.

That really gets me inspired! 

I chose a card that would allow a few images, so here are the ones selected.

"Aspen Dance", from our Flagstaff forests...

"Jerome Brambles and Tulips" , from a quirky little town that is cool enough for real gardens ( I"m jealous)

"Vermillion Shadows" , for after all, what is a show in Sedona without our red rocks?

These are chosen to be inviting to the viewer.

I also had to come up with copy, and of course the vitals such as time, and place...etc. 

these tasks always take a bit longer than I expect, but they are necessary.

I did find some good painting time, as well...so it is keeping on with the work.

After all, I do want some brand new surprises for this show!

"High Desert Dreams " will be at the Sedona Arts Center special exhibition gallery, April 29 to May 12.