Early Harvest, 16x12

"Early Harvest" 16x12" Pastel on sanded paper. ©Brenda Boylan

Here's a plein air piece I created back in early August on Sauvie Island. I had it sitting in the studio for a few weeks now and finally resolved the piece. While painting this, I was stretching my creative juices and 'going graphic' with the field. It had large swipes of red and purple rows, dragged down to the bottom of the panel, and it was COOL. After I returned from my day and took a look at it in the evening, it was like a hangover...or more like the 'morning after' feeling and asking myself "what the heck was I painting?" Maybe I'm getting bored with realism? I really love color and especially the quality of mark making that pastel offers when a broad stroke is swiped across sanded paper. Should there be a day of color play? I'm thinkin' so.

In a couple of weeks I will be teaching my Pastel Punch! workshop and I am really looking forward to it. I have much to share and I'm hoping that I don't overload the group with too much information, so I prepared an outline/syllabus to keep the me on track. But to be honest, I will probably learn more from them than they will from me. Oh, the beauty of teaching. Can't wait!

Also, a little bit of horn tooting here....I received notice a few days back that two pieces accepted in the Visual Arts Showcase, ones I've posted before: "Cafe' Seating" and "Bolts of Lavender". The show will be held for two weeks at the Beaverton City Library, so if you are in the area, come on by on the opening Gala. Info to the right in Upcoming Events----->