Sources of Inspiration

"Light Blue Pitcher" 5" x 10" Pastel

The inspiration for this piece came from a British murder-mystery show I discovered on my Netflix account.  It is called Rosemary & Thyme and features professional gardeners who are also amateur detectives.  If you find inspiration in flowers, the show is a treasure trove!

I saw some very unusual flowers in a vase in the background of a greenhouse scene, and that became a springboard for this artwork.  It differs from that scene a great deal, but I find most satisfaction in a piece when I let it show me where it needs to go instead of adhering rigidly to references.

Nifty Doodle, Crappy Paper

Little doodle in pastel on printer paper

I was using soft pastel on the reverse side of printer paper to make a transfer for adding text to a Mother's Day gift.  I started "seeing things" in the mass of blue, so I started playing with it...came up with a nifty little doodle, but it's just on plain, ol' printer paper.  Not designed to last...but maybe I can make a print of it at least.

When it Pays to be a Pack-Rat

"Three Orange Flowers" 3.75" x 5.75" Pastel

So even though I fight my pack-rat urges in most respects (or I'd have one of those tragic hoarder-house situations), I MUST keep my drop-out pieces from cutting mats. This little painting is the reason why; you never know when you're going to need a bit of matboard ready for when you want to play with the pastels.

Matted to fit a standard 8" x 10" frame, and available for purchase at my Etsy shop.  Don't wanna mess with frame shopping?  No worries!  I can frame this for you as well...find out more:

Windows

"Windows" Pastel 5" x 7"

Small abstract in pastel; the shapes could be buildings, but they also remind me of stained glass windows.

Available for purchase from my Etsy shop, this piece is matted and ready to pop into a standard 8" x 10" frame.  I like to make things easy for you!

 

One of The Three

"One of The Three" Pastel 12" x 6"

Original abstract pastel...though I suppose it could count as a still life...

Available at my Etsy shop.  This piece is matted and ready to pop into a standard 16" x 12" frame.

Layers of Pink and Olive

"Layers of Pink and Olive" Pastel 8" x 4"

Small abstract in pastel, playing with color.  This piece is inspired by the landscape, and could perhaps reference a sunrise or sunset...

Soft pastel on primed foamcore, matted to fit a standard 14" x 11" frame.  The original artwork can be yours for as little as $14: click here to bid on the Daily Paintworks auction.

Layers of Pink, Blue, Olive

"Layers of Pink, Blue, Olive" Pastel 7" x 5"

This is a hand crafted, original work of art inspired by the landscape. Layers of blue, olive, and pale pink dance across the textured surface.

The 7" x 5" artwork is matted and ready to pop into a standard 10 inch by 8 inch frame.  You may have it for your very own by bidding in the auction: Daily Paintworks.

Layers of Pink and Rust

"Layers of Pink and Rust" Pastel 6" x 6"

A simple little abstract piece with a very limited palette, although it didn't start that way.  There are many, many layers of pastel underneath, from false starts that just didn't go anywhere that was satisfying.  Sometimes the challenge in creating a piece is sorting out the jumble of thoughts and ideas...

The original artwork is available for purchase at my Etsy shop, matted and ready to pop into a standard 11" x 14" frame.

If I Had a Ladder

"If I Had a Ladder" Pastel 9" x 12"
 

As the ladder-like forms asserted themselves, the Peter, Paul, and Mary song "If I Had a Hammer" popped into my head, with the slight variation.  When working abstractly, such is the way of assigning titles, I've found.

Soft pastel on sanded paper, mounted to fiberboard panel.

This piece is available for purchase via Saatchi Art, either the original or prints.  The original is matted to fit a standard 12" x 16" frame.

Still Life with Bottle and Pink Flowers

"Still Life with Bottle and Pink Flowers" Pastel 11" x 14"

Contemporary still life, soft pastel on a primed foamcore panel.

The original artwork is available for purchase via Saatchi Art.  It is matted to fit a standard 16" x 20" frame.  Or you may choose a high-quality giclee print instead, giving you additional size options.

With the pink and blue color scheme, I could see this piece decorating a nursery, especially if the gender is a surprise...either way, you've got it covered!

Abstract in Peach, Orange, Blue

"Abstract in Peach, Orange, Blue" Pastel 12" x 9"

Abstract pastel on Uart paper mounted to hardboard panel.  I enjoyed the play of scratchy, hatchy lines with the large blocks of color...I turned this one around and around several times to decide which way was up.  Such is the way of things with abstract pieces...

You may purchase this artwork at my Etsy shop, matted to fit a standard 16" x 12" frame.

Pink Flowers

"Pink Flowers" Pastel 4" x 8"

Small contemporary floral in pastel.

This piece is matted to fit a standard 11" x 14" frame.  Purchase it from my Etsy shop in time for holiday gift-giving!

Still Life with Lime

"Still Life With Lime" Pastel 6" x 6"

Small contemporary still life in pastel on wood panel.  I understand there's a lime shortage, so perhaps this is the likeliest way to get your hands on one...

Available for purchase via Daily Paintworks auction: click to bid.  Bidding starts at just $12, what a deal!  This piece is matted to fit a standard 11" x 14" frame; just pop it in and hang it up.

Abstract in Peach, Purple, Rust

"Abstract in Peach, Purple, Rust" Pastel 4" x 6"

This piece is framed and ready to display on your wall or tabletop!  It may be purchased via Daily Paintworks auction.

Layers of Brown and Turquoise

"Layers of Brown and Turquoise" Pastel 6" x 6"

A small abstract in pastel on wood panel.  The brand name of the panel is Ampersand Aquabord; it's made for watercolor, but the texture is also wonderful for working in pastel.

I'm not really sure if this piece is an abstracted landscape or not...I'm leaning more toward a simple celebration of texture and subtle interplay of color.

Available for purchase via Daily Paintworks auction, it is already matted to fit a standard 11" x 14" frame.  Easy-peasy!

Daisies

"Daisies" Pastel 4" x 8"

A small, contemporary floral in pastel on primed foam core.  This piece was drawn from life, if you can believe that!  Yes, clearly I had my way with it...

The original is available for purchase via Daily Paintworks auction.  It is conveniently matted to 11" x 14", so all you need to do is pop it into a standard frame and it's ready to display!

Tulips and Tumbler

"Tulips and Tumbler" Pastel 4" x 6"

Small, contemporary still life in pastel, featuring a vase of flowers next to a tumbler.  The glassware, not the gynmast...

I've framed this piece in a find from the thrift store, and it is now up for auction at Daily Paintworks.

Little Pink House

"Little Pink House" Pastel 5" x 3"

This little abstract piece began as a sort of monoprint.  I was working on another piece and got a little overzealous on the fixative, so I figured I'd soak up some of it with a primed bit of foam core...the resulting stain inspired this piece.

The original art may be purchased at my Etsy shop, all matted and ready to frame!

Askew

"Askew" Pastel 5" x 5"

A small, original abstract work in pastel...all about geometry, though a bit askew...

The original artwork is available via auction at Daily Paintworks, matted and ready for a standard 8" x 10" frame.

Smokestacks

"Smokestacks" Pastel 8" x 4"

Small abstract urban landscape in pastel.  Working with a very limited, neutral palette...the suggestion of smoke or maybe fog inspired the title.

The original artwork is available via auction at Daily Paintworks, matted to fit a standard 14" x 11" frame.  Just pop it in a frame and hang; easy-peasy!