Painting in process, the gorge

about 3 ft x 4ft pastel and oil paint on marble dust board
I have been working on this painting for a long time now. I didn't get the color right in the jpegs, but the detail (above) is really beginning to work. This weekend at open studio someone said it was very Hudson River School-like. (cool)
On another note...... when I was returning from the doctor this afternoon the air was warm and the earth was cold. The result was an awesome foggy atmosphere. I had limited time so I drove the Rock Creek and ran out into the park with my camera. Silly me was wearing my "pointies'' (boots with pointed toes and high heels, pointies is my niece Agne's word). By the time I got out of the park and it was dark. My pointies were a mud mess...... but I had the best photos! I have been waiting for that light to begin a commisioned large painting. More about that process later, now to the studio with me!

September 15, 2008 Waiting for the Light

11.5x8 pastel and watercolor on mounted wallis
This particular section of the Potomac intrigues me. Because the walls of rock are so tall, they block out the early morning rays and create rich shadow and a beautiful hole of light. I love the challenge of that particular light combined with the depth and breathe of the landscape....especially when painting magnitude on a small surface.

April 24, 2008 Muddy River

8x10 pastel and watercolor on wallis board
The river is very full of water and glorious red mud. The contrast of the mud to the baby greens is compelling.
Today I met a someone on the canal who was full of questions of how an artist makes decisions and why. While I can only speak for myself..... it's true I don't set out to duplicate nature, nor do I think I can make it "better." I simply try to make a painting that makes a feeling, a kind of peace in this crazy world. How about you other artists out there?