Step 6

Then I added the medium tones and a little bit of pure white, and pure, unblended pastel.

This was done from a photo a friend gave me. Although if I were to do it again I would probably make the main flower slightly bigger or bring it down slightly further.

Step 6

Going back to darks/brights.

Step 4

Starting to take shape.

step 3

Not a good step... should have skipped that underpainting - trying to preserve some of the sketch was useless. It's like that middle stage, where you want to give up - like an adolescent... it started off nice, but now it just has to grow up to be beautiful again. : )

I gave it a try, but not so crazy about it... I don't really know what the point is. So, I added soft pastels, my favorite, and I think the original underpainting was kind of a waste.

pink pastel flowers

I tried something new. I've heard that using hard pastels as an underpainting is something some artists do. I gave it a try.

Sunset in Oceanside, CA

So, this is an 11" x 14" pastel I did with my unison pastels on 140# Richeson cold press watercolor paper - the last night I was in Oceanside visiting my cousin. That's him leaning against a rock - he called my cell while I was on another part of the beach to tell me I had to come over and see the sunset. I will mail it to him next week along with the pastel of Leo. It's a nice memory.

Good Day to be a Sox fan!!!

MARK BUEHRLE PERFECT GAME!!! There have been only 17 perfect games in professional baseball history and only one by the White Sox in 1922.

Today Mark Buehrle did it... and I was fortunate enough to remember to watch the game this afternoon. I LOVE IT!!!

Here it is, Kathy!

Per Kathy L.'s request in the last blog entry - she wanted more photos of Evie, my daughter Liz's greyhound.

Here is Evie with her new sister, Teresa! Can you see the love? They are both such sweet dogs. If anyone wants to know about how to adopt a greyhound, just let me know.

I think Leo is really finished now

I gave it a couple of days and decided the greens surrounding "Leo" were just too green and took away from him. I added some blues and purple, not too much, though. I'm happier with it now. I will look for a frame and send it off to San Diego!

I heard that Snoopy and the Red Baron song on my way home from ECC today... and I just love that song!!!

Also, if you live in Northern Illinois, I feel I should mention that The Colonial restaurant is having 50 cent cones for the whole month of July... I just found out today when I saw a giant ice cream cone on a pick up truck with a sign... the girls in my art class and I went there straight after class. I cannot say enough good things about the chocolate peanut butter... I HIGHLY recommend you go straight there right now!

Sox game Sunday

In contrast to the fashion show - I went to a Sox game yesterday! But really, don't you think the mascot "Southpaw" looks pretty cute in his uniform?

We (Amanda, me and Liz), felt like we had a brush with a real celebrity!!!

The Sox lost..... actually got killed, BUT so did Minnesota and Detroit so no need to worry. And it was the most gorgeous day to sit and eat two veggie dogs in the sun. We had great seats!

Midwest Fiber and Folk show

I had so much fun being one of the judges for the Garment Competition/Fashion Show at the Midwest Fiber and Folk show this weekend. The colorful shall worn as a skirt is called "Cornfields of DeKalb County" (first place) designed by Peggy Rauhut. I thought the creativity is outstanding!

The taupe colored shawl is called "Celtic Inspired Shawl" designed and handknit by Christie Jensen.

Leo completed

Here's Leo! But maybe I'll take another look at it later to see if I need to make any changes.

LEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was in San Diego a couple of weeks ago to visit my cousin, Ronnie. I fell IN LOVE with his cat, Leo. He's only about a year old and gigantic. And you can pick him up and carry him around and he's so laid back... someone in my class today suggested it's because he's a California Cat, very easy going. Anyway, so my cousin doesn't know this yet, but I'm working on this pastel of Leo to give to him.

It's not finished - The criss-cross lines by his face are long blades of grass that he was laying in. I'm going out of my comfort zone and used water with the Unison pastels... also, I'm thinking of leaving the edges rough and fade them out instead of making the whole painting the same. I'll post a photo in a day or so to show the finished painting.

Animal Portrait Class this weekend... Fun!

I guess I lied when I said I'd write about my art and life daily.... small exageration... but here I am and trying to do better... to write more often!

I taught at the Art Expo in Lisle, IL this weekend - the people taking the classes were awesome. Thanks to all of you. I learn so much and have so much fun while doing it. The pet portrait class is always a favorite because the people in it love animals. This really is a good way to live!