my life source and sustainer is Jesus Christ

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

cherry blossoms



         A couple years ago I went with my daughter on a nice day to see the cherry blossoms.  We wanted to avoid the crowds at the tidal basin so we went to the National Arboretum.  The trees were in a section labeled "experimental".  We pretty much had the place to ourselves and enjoyed a lovely sketching picnic under the flowers.  In DC a sunny, warm day in late March is rare treat, sliced in between a procession of windy, rainy days and chilly, overcast days.   And under the ethereal pink haze of cherry blossoms it was transcendent.  



Here is the pastel

    

the painting, just finished yesterday

In my new studio I have a wall painted with blackboard paint that I can make full scale sketches- very fun!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

on the river


Just finished this little oil painting based on my pastel sketch of the Zaan River.  It's interested how each medium has it's own feeling that emerges as you work.  The oil has a softer, gentler feeling than the pastel but pastels have such intense color and wonderful texture.  I love both mediums!
"on the river" just started

"on the river" in process