Dandelion Series - Stage 3

Dandelion Series - Stage 3

colored pencil on Ampersand pastel board

6 x 6"

Here's the third of my Dandelion series and I'm having fun with them. (You artists out there know what I'm talking about when you're having fun with a project.) Loooove this Ampersand pastel board. Great stuff. Would like to do most of my new work on it. After I get through my next few projects on my "to do" list, I'd like to experiment with the board a bit and try mixing the colored pencils with some other media: pastel, watercolor, watercolor pencils, ink. I'm just going to play and see what I can come up with. I'll let you know.

In the mean time, check out the "Color On!" blog by Cindy Haase. She has some incredible work on pastel board with underpaintings done with pastel pencils, Neocolor II and Inktense. She graciously shares her work in progress and tips on "how to".

Now here's my new toy:

What fun! Plus, I'm also becoming a little greener, leaving a smaller carbon footprint at 100 mpg! I'm using this baby to run errands around my suburban hood (and terrorizing the neighbors as well). Now, I'm just looking for a gang to join....

Dandelion Series - Stage 2

Dandelion Series: Stage 2

colored pencil on Ampersand pastel board

6 x 6"

This is the second of four in my dandelion series. And, yes, when I took this photograph, there was actually an ant on the flower.

For those of you who work with colored pencils and have never used it before, I encourage you to try the pastel board as a support. Here's some of what it offers:

1. Lots of layering.
2. Solvent use.
3. Dry brush burnishing.
4. No worrys of bending or tearing.
5. Acid-free and non-yellowing.
6. Great for mixed media techniques.
7. Framing without glass.

Here are some of my favorite artists who do wonderful work on pastel board:

Kathrine Tyrrell: http://makingamark.blogspot.com/2006/12/ampersand-pastelbord.html

Nicole Caulfield: http://www.nicolecaulfieldfineart.blogspot.com/

Ranjini: http://www.vividpencils.com/stilllife_page2.htm

Maggie Stiefvater: http://greywarenart.blogspot.com/search?q=pastel+board

"Where can I get these great Ampersand pastel boards?", you ask. Here's a link to the Ampersand web-site with the "where to buy" information: http://www.ampersandart.com/

If you do try it, I would love to hear your thoughts about it and see your work. Ooh, and if you find some new as-yet-untried technique, please share!

A Series of Weeds

Dandelion Series: Stage 1

colored pencil on Ampersand pastel board

6 x 6"

This is the first of my dandelion series. I have three more on the table. They show the life of a dandelion from infancy, youth, middle and old age.

I know, I know, they're weeds. But I don't care. Here's why I like them:

• I've always thought they were beautiful. Just simple, bright and promise summer is on the way.
• They're the first bouquet most kids give their moms. And as a mom, the most cherished bouquet you'll ever get.
• These babies are survivors, too. Who can't identify or root for the underdog? No matter how much they're dug, pulled, sprayed, or stomped, they come back.
• The metamorphosis they go through will never cease to amaze me. I still pick the fluffy ones and make wishes. (You can blame me for the sprouts in your yard.)

Those are my reasons for paying homage to them in this series. Hope you like.

On the Cover!

Short North Visitors Guide

My recent colored pencil drawing, "Short North Arches", was chosen as the cover art for the official Short North Visitors Guide. (The Short North is a beautiful urban renewal area in Columbus, Ohio, full of galleries, restaurants, pubs and some unique and one-of-a-kind shopping.)

Five years ago, I used to day dream about being an artist (in my mind and others), showing my work somewhere and most especially in the Short North. Well, those daydreams and others have come true (not without some scary, jump-into-the-void moments, though).

This guide had an initial printing of 60,000 copies which are distributed to our local Convention Center, local hotels, local shops, and the airport! Some little exposure for me, huh? What's even better, though, are the kudos I am getting from my peers and friends in the Short North. (That's the real cherry here.)

Now, gotta go and daydream some more......