Happy Fall

8 x 8 inches pastel on paper
"There is no blue without yellow and without orange." - Vincent Van Gogh
This little orange acorn squash just screamed "Happy Fall". I love the stem and hand carried it from the market to make sure it remained intact. I think the checker thought I was a little crazy! Orange and this blue are made for each other, the colors of fall with crisp blue skies and the ripening of fruit and changing of leaves. Change is in the air.

Lemons and Limes

pastel on toned archival paper. The framed image is 24x36
This was created as a commission. . I'm really excited how it turned out and how great it looks in the clients house!

Lemon in Blue

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. "
-Vincent Van Gogh
Just a color play to make me feel cooler. Dallas is hot this summer - really hot, not the normal Dallas August hot - abnormally hot. Painting lemons and limes makes it seem a little cooler. I'm working on a larger image with lemons and limes but I love this color combination and the simplicity of one lemon.
5 x 5 pastel on paper

Sea Turtle Obsession

"If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water...Its substance reaches everywhere, it touches the past and prepares the future; it moves under the poles and wanders thinly in the heights of the air."

-Loren Eiseley

This is an excerpt from a journal I keep where I explore ideas, thoughts and feelings. I have been obsessed with sea turtles, the ocean and environment lately. I am venturing from my pastels looking for something between my usual pastels and my scientific illustrations. This page was created with a variety of techniques and watercolor. I may explore this further for a painting. It helps to explore other media and techniques to "escape the box".

Down the Road

6x6 inch pastel on paper
This is up the hill and around the bend just a short distance from town and the ferry. I love this little street with all of the Victorian era homes that have withstood the test of time. I am envious of the little gardens of sea roses and various other beautiful plants that absolutely will not grow in Texas. This is such a happy and proud street, a place where strong and courageous people have lived for centuries raising their families and spending time with their friends. Many of the people of Vinalhaven now support themselves as lobster fishermen and women. They brave the sea day in and day out even when the weather is not as beautiful as this summer Vinalhaven day.

Scattered

10 x 10 pastel on paper
I preferred this "aerial view" of the fruit to fill the space. I plan to use this as a starting point for a larger image. This is definitely a cool and refreshing image in preparation for the hot summer ahead. Limeade anyone?

Wind and Waves

24 x 36 inches pastel on Wallis paper
This was inspired by a day at the beach in Galveston. I guess all of the colors are in my head. The light bouncing off of the ocean, fish jumping through the waves and the cool breeze deceptively cooling the skin. What a great day! I always feel invigorated after time on the beach, listening to the waves rejuvenating my soul.

Cottage by the Sea

5x5 pastel on paper
This is a sketch of a little "house" in Vinalhaven, Maine. I love these little buildings with a view to the sea. Imagine the stories this cottage could tell. Life is harsh here but so incredibly beautiful. The cottage has earned it's place here.

I've got ...personality

It isn't eggplant season yet but I thought I would get started practicing. I can't wait for eggplants to be in the local farmers market. I think this little guy has some personality! The photo is a little overexposed so the green is somewhat washed out. This is pastel on paper about 6 x 8 inches. Eggplant parmesan anyone?

In the Distance

pastel on paper 5 x 5 
This is from somewhere around Abiqui, New Mexico - Georgia Okeefe territory. I love it out there. The colors are so subtle yet amazing. This day, I could see forever.

Orange Blaze

Feeling minimal...
pastel on paper 5 x 5

A Clear Day

5x5 pastel on paper
Inspiration from a beautiful day at White Rock Lake this winter. These bright green cattails stood out against the golds and browns on a crisp clear Dallas winter day. It's time to head back to White Rock for spring inspiration. There is always something new to discover, a new perspective.

Catching up

My current images may not be posted on the days they were created. I am adding images from the past year that I previously had on my website.

Five for a Dollar

pastel on paper aprox 5 x 5 unframed
I found these limes at the market, five for a dollar, and couldn't resist. They seemed so cool and refreshing on a hot summer day.

Persimmons

5 x5 pastel
This is and excerpt from my neighbor's persimmon tree that I walk past each day. These remind me of visiting my grandparents' house in East Texas as a child. My mother always wanted mistletoe to decorate for Christmas so we would drive the country roads in search of mistletoe. The persimmons always stood out in the bare trees as natures apology for a bleak winters day.