The Prayer

"The Prayer", pastel on prepared surface, 29 x 44 cm.

Fall Foliage

Fall Foliage
Pastel on prepared surface, 44 x 29 cm

Flea Market Bottles

Pastel on prepared paper, 44 x 50 cm

Moon Ravens

Freezing Moon Raven
Pastel on prepared surface, 28 x 35 cm

Blossoming Moon Raven
Pastel on prepared surface, 28 x 35 cm

Mystic Pair

Pastel on art board, 28 x 35 cm

Northern Lights Spirit Bear II

Pastel on art board, 45 x 60 cm

Spirit Horse

Pastel on prepared surface, 45 x 60 cm

Pinwheels

Pastel on prepared surface, 45 x 60 cm

More experiments with abstraction - Spirit Bear series

Spirit Bear I

Pastel on prepared surface, 28 x 35 cm

Spirit Bear II

Pastel on prepared surface, 28 x 35 cm

Northern Lights Spirit Bear

Pastel on prepared surface, 28 x 35 cm

Private collection.

Spirit Bear III

Pastel on prepared surface, 28 x 35 cm

As the Ravens Series in the previous post, the paper received a watercolor underpainting, then the drawing was made on top, then a layer of acrylic ground for pastels applied and finally the pastel was applied to create the painting. The texture created by the acrylic ground can be seen in all the paintings created this way. This adds interest and variety to the work, and it is a lot of fun!

More experiments with abstraction - Ravens series

Harvest Moon Raven

Pastel on prepared surface, 28 x 35 cm

Private collection

Reflection

Pastel on prepared surface, 15 x 25 cm

Happy Crow

Pastel on prepared surface, 15 x 25 cm

Red Raven; Yellow Raven

Pastel on prepared surface, 15 x 25 cm each

Crazy Crow

Pastel on prepared surface, 28 x 35 cm

Mystery and Magik

Pastel on prepared surface, 19 x 25 cm

Blue Moon Raven

Pastel on prepared surface, 28 x 35 cm

Mystical Raven

Pastel on prepared surface, 28 x 35 cm

This series has been done following the teachings of Debora L. Stewart on abstracted realism and her way of handling the surface pastel is applied to. Starting with a sturdy paper, a watercolor underpainting is created. When it dries out the drawing is made, a coating of acrylic ground for pastels applied on top, and finally the actual pastel work. It is more involved, but an interesting texture results from all this and more colors and undertones can be realized, A lot of fun and surprises!

Experiments in abstraction 2

I believe this is called "Abstracted Realism" - also great fun. Following the instructions in Debora Stewart video I created my own pastel surface.
Pastel on prepared paper - 20 x 30 cm.

Experiments in abstraction 1

After purchasing 3 videos by Debora Stewart on abstraction I did these color studies. Great fun!
Pastel on sanded paper 20 x 20 cm

Andalucia

A corner in an Andalucia's town.
Pastel painting on Pastelmat, 24 x 30 cm.

Dos Amigos

Another Panama painting - the plaza in front of the Catedral Mayor.
Pastel painting on Pastelmat, 24 x 30 cm.

Snack time

I prepared a snack for us and I liked the colors so much I decided to paint it before we ate it...
Pastel painting on Pastelmat, 18 x 24 cm.

"Las Bovedas"

Another vacation painting, this time is Panama City's Las Bovedas.
This trip to Panama has really inspired me - I should go away on vacation more often...

Pastel painting on PastelMat, 24 x 30 cm.

Open Invitation

"Open Invitation", another painting from my recent Panama vacation. 
Soft pastel on Pastelmat, 24 x 30 cm

Fall fields 2

I got a new set of pastels called Earth Tones and decided to try them out on this painting.
Pastel painting on Sennelier sanded paper, 24 x 30 cm

Shadow Play

Another painting from my Panama vacation - Isla Iguana.
Pastel painting on Pastelmat, 24 x 30 cm.

Isla Iguana I

Another Panama painting, this time Isla Iguana off the coast of Pedasi, on the Pacific side. A coral island with white beaches, birds, hermit crabs and, of course, iguanas. Lovely!
Pastel painting on PastelMat, 24 x 30 cm.

The lookout

During my latest vacation in Panama, I visited the coffee plantation called Finca Lerida, set in the mountains close to the town of Boquete. It has beautiful gardens and a secluded place to take it all in.
Pastel painting on PastelMat 24 x 30 cm

Hawaiian Sunset

This is a commissioned painting - I hope to visit Hawaii some day...
Pastel painting on Pastelmat 18 x 24 cm. Private collection

Calypso 2

Another Caribbean painting- Isla Carenero, Bocas del Toro (Panama)

Pastel painting on Pastelmat 24 x 30 cm

Calypso I

Back from vacation in Panama, I finished a painting that I started there, on a rainy day in Isla Carenero (Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean side). It rained for 3 of the 4 days that we spent there, which was unexpected at that time of the year.

Painted on Pastelmat. 18 X 24 cm.