Finishing Models Cafe Bienville

Laura and Alyssa were wonderful models and I am glad to finish these two portraits.

Finishing what I Started

My mother tells me I should always finish what I start and with many paintings, it is a good goal.  I had seven starts over the last few weeks (months) and unfinished pieces are like weights....they are psychological ballast ......I finished 2 plein air pieces today and covered over 2 more and will think about the other 3 later......I feel better!

The Quilter

Started this portrait of Dee Nickerson (Ed's wife) many weeks ago at Cafe Bienville and glad to go ahead and finish it.

Plein Air and portraits

It is HOT HOT HOT in Florida right now......we left for a few weeks in late June and early July to cool off....came home...still hot...oh well...

I tried a little Plein air using a watercolor under painting and pastels on top....

I like the effect but still not as soft as plain pastels







I did enjoy doing two new pieces at model group.....

Lauren

Wilhemina

Cafe Bienville Models

Olivia

Suzanne

We have had 2 lovely models at Cafe Bienville Figurative Artists Guild in the weeks I have been able to attend....I will always love the human face and form...such a challenge!

Small Pastels and Dunes

I took a pastel class with Melody Bogel not long after returning from my last trip to Nashville.  I was great to be inspired again to use pastels and I really don't know why I have abandoned them for the last few years.   The oils are easier for plein air but these were little  8 X 10 studio pieces and I had fun with them.

I think I could paint many beach, dune and ocean views and not grow tired of them as they are always changing and I "see" more each time I paint them.

This is an 11 X 14 oil painted Wednesday in about  2 hours and compared to earlier works I see my pastels helped me soften hard edges and pay closer attention to the unique qualities of the dune scrub brush.

Getting hot down here and I will soon be forced into the studio for another 2 months but for now I am loving the blue skies and warmth!

Happy Spring!

I have been able to attend two model groups and two plein air sessions in between our travels.

Each of these paintings need a little more work before they feel "through" and I will get to it soon but for now the sun is calling and the blue sky makes me want to ride my bike. 


It is hard to stay indoors in the spring.....hope yours is lovely!