Rio Grande Gorge

2014 has been a rainy year in the High Desert of New Mexico. The landscape added green to its palette of colors. 

"Rio Grande Gorge"

9"x 12", Oil on Canvas Board

Website: sekulastudio.com

"After Fechin"

It is wise advice to copy paintings of old masters in order to learn. Nicolai Fechin was/is an artist after my own heart. He died five months before I was born. How I would loved to have met him, but all that is left for me is to study what he left behind for us all.  

This is a study of Fechin's "Tonita". He seems to have used this darling little girl quite often in his paintings. Her name was Manuelita. 

"After Fechin"

10"x 8", Oil on Canvas Panel

Website: sekulastudio.com

Indian Dancer

After the PowWow, we visited with many of the Native Americans whose photos we had taken. Learning about the dances and what they represent is very important to me. I want to honor them by letting them know they are much more than subject matter for my paintings. This particular dancer is of the Mandan tribe, which reside in North Dakota. 

"Indian Dancer"

8" x 6", Oil on Board

Website: sekulastudio.com

New Mexico #2

You guessed it! I'm still thinking of a name. I previously did this one in oils and titled it "Chamisa and Sage" and that is what still comes to me when I see this one. I'll have to think on it a bit. 

New Mexico #2

8"x 6", Pastel on Gator Board

SOLD

Website: sekulastudio.com

New Mexico #1

 For now, this one is named New Mexico #1, as it is my first pastel of New Mexico. I will change the name when a good one occurs to me. 

New Mexico #1

8"x 6", Pastel on Gator Board

SOLD

Website: sekulastudio.com

Andrea

Granddaugter, Andrea, also framed before a photo was taken. I'll get a system down before too much longer! This one was a combination of both hard and soft pastels. 

"Andrea"

7"x 5", Pastel on Gator Board

Website: sekulastudio.com

Abigail

My youngest granddaughter, Abigail. I forgot to take a photo before framing, so the image appears more muted. This one was done with soft pastels.

"Abigail"

"7"x 5", Pastel on Gator Board

Website: sekulastudio.com

Burro

This is another pastel I did in Rita Kirkman's workshop, again from one of her photos. 

"Burro" 

8"x 6", Pastel on Gator Board

Website: sekulastudio.com

"Life is Our Personal Work of Art" by Sandra Henderson

We often go through life never knowing who we may have inspired along the way. All we can hope is that we leave something uplifting and encouraging. If we are lucky, every once in a while someone will take time out to say that you have made a difference in their lives. Today was that day for me.

Sandra Henderson and I met last month while taking a writing class with Cynthia Morris of Original Impulse. In this class we were given daily prompts and were to write  for  at least 15 minutes without stopping. (There is MUCH more to Cynthia's class than just this so,  please click on the above links for more information. I highly recommend them for anyone who is interested in writing.)  It was in this 15 minutes of writing where I posted a quote that resonated with Sandra.

She emailed that she was very touched and asked if she could use it in a future blog post. Well, those of you who know me know that I am a quote-a-holic and freely share them with the world. She said she would let me know when the post came together. Well, it arrived in my email box this morning and truly made my day!

Sandra's  post in entitled Life is Our Personal Work of Art. Please click on the title to be taken to her beautiful and uplifting blog, and do check her archives for many inspirational posts.

Thank you, Sandra, for this honor. You have made more than just my day! Blessings to you!

Did You Call Me?

I have been wanting to learn more about pastels for many years. I had amassed boxes of quality pastels, papers and even had some primed gator board just waiting for the right moment.  I am happy to say that the stars finally aligned with the right instructor and courage enough to just do it!.

The Highland Art Guild in Marble Falls, Texas scheduled a workshop with pastelist, Rita Kirkman.  I have long been a great admirer of Rita's work and was so happy to be able to attend. Rita is a wonderful teacher and is very generous with her knowledge. She is also great fun after workshop hours, where good food and great art conversations ended our very productive days!

The painting below was done in Rita's workshop from one of her photos. The surface was gator board primed with Colourfix Primer by Art Spectrum. Yep, the same gator board mentioned earlier, and done with mostly Nupastels. I really like the look of the Nupastels on this particular surface. 

"Did You Call Me?"

8" x 6", Pastel on Gator Board

Website: sekulastudio.com