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To live and enjoy every day to its fullest, use my gifts to help others, I travel to wherever passion finds me.

What Will She Paint?

So many friends I met here...!

Saturday, November 06, 2010

TREETRUNK MUSINGS IN PICS AND PASTEL

Sorry people, who have already commented to my next pre-fab posts - I will re-post them at a later time!

Painting does take some organization. Some days  I do better than others. Fortunately one cannot see it on the end result - my paintings!
Today I did well. I took enough pics. This close up of my paintings site (next to Sentinel Bridge at Yosemite National Park) -all the details -the bend in the path, the reflections of the leaves on the path, the background, with the blue SKY HOLES as we call them among paintersfor Midweek Blues, hosted by Rebecca   (scroll down to  end of post for all three memes this week!)
and photo of my whole painting site  where you can also see the river for Watery Wednesday, hosted by 2sweetnsaxy( below), and  the Tree reflections in the sand for Weekend Reflections, hosted by James . Thank you all three!

Click to see the rules and to take a badge for yourself.

 This is the the whole view of my painting site that day.
 In front on the right, you see my palette with brushes

But not all days, I have my ducks in a row, like this! The pic below was taken  during a hike in the Big Bear mountains. When I came home I saw that this was a perfect shot for a painting. Alas, I took only one pic. 
On my next hike there, I couldn't find it anywhere. The first time I saw this tree it was half cut off, so may be they took it out completely.  I just had started working with pastel and with a plein air painting (in any medium) I like to at least start with the outdoor scene in front of me.

Then for some years the pic got "lost" in one of my sketchbooks.  When I finally found it, it struck me again how much this  scene depicted Fall so well. I thought I'd give it a try.

The second hurdle appeared  digitizing the photo and printing it on my small printer, next to the computer...

The colors of the print were off and some parts even too dark to make out any details. 
I didn't want to give up yet, so I asked hubby to make a print on our large professional printer for large glicee prints, etc.
Wow, much better -now I could see the details of this photo!




Yet, in my first painting session I wished I was not able to see any details!!! 
Those tangled branches and twigs took much time.
Felt a little like when you learn to read,  you put your finger underneath the word, so you won't lose your place:)
Kitty Wallis paper feels like sandpaper, which means that it is able to hold many layers of pastel.










I feel like I'm getting a grip on it  -phew what a relief. It's shaping up now. Still need to do the upper and left part...
Am saving the brightest colors for last, so I have a minimum chance of smudges on the very dark and very light colors.
Some feel that the first impression of my pastel work is that one of a photo. But when you come closer that impression soon fades. My work is too blurry to fit the description of "photographic."




Tree trunk in Fall, 15 x 11 1/2, Pastel, St Germain 
on Kitty Wallis Paper
 This weathered and cut off tree trunk has been an image  that has been  in my mind for a long time. I got even fonder of this scene as the painting was progressing. So jazzed that after a few years  I reach  the finish line of displaying the tree in pastel.

Very much like with people. The longer you know them, the more the imperfections seem to fade. The folds, warts and "cut off" state all add character!

Another unfinished project done!              What unfinished projects do you have?

41 comments:

Unknown said...

It is interesting how such things stay in our minds!
Wonderfully done!

DawnTreader said...

I like it! :)
As for unfinished projects... I've lost count of them...

Beth Niquette said...

I gasped when I saw this in credible painting. I LOVE it-this just fills my eyes.

Clytie said...

Oh my word. What beauty escaped your fingertips onto that paper! I have to agree with Beth on this one ... the only word to describe this is "incredible".

p.s. my word verification is "bliss". how absolutely APPROPRIATE!

EG CameraGirl said...

You have such a great gift! Very nice!

It does feel wonderful to finish projects, doesn't it?

Kathryn Magendie said...

I am in awe of painters - - GMR paints and draws - something I can't do and wish I could...

Beautifully done - love nature-inspired work ... *smiling*

Unknown said...

Love what you did with the tree Jeannette; I'm a huge fan of trees!

Jeannette StG said...

Joey,
At least my long term memory still works...my short term memory on the other hand...:)

Monika,
Thank you, friend!
Am glad (about unfinished projects) I'm not the only one:)


Beth,
Thank you for your kind comment! With pastel my work tends to be more realistic.

Clytie,
thank you! Yeah, sometimes those word moderations can be serendipitous!

EGWow,
Thank you! Even though one's daily life may not be effected by it - finished projects do give that satisfaction!

Kathryn,
Isn't it great...this way we are all in need of each other:)

This way I can have nature around me in the city!

Jane,
Thank you, Jane, so am I (a fan of trees)!

Leovi said...

Magnificent, you can write a book of poems about this painting.

springman said...

Beautiful to behold!

S said...

Wow Jeannette, this is really a stunning piece of pastel work! I hate working with pastels, but it seems as if one can produce such beautiful pieces with that medium.

Let's not talk about unfinished projects here; there are just too many ^^

Sreddy

Anonymous said...

Magnificent, it`s beautiful to behold! you just touch the paint brushes with your magic hands and it becomes a beautiful painting:)
/Maria

chasity said...

gorgeous...
i love old twisty branches.
and bittersweet vine~

what a wonderful combination.

Clytie said...

I just had to come back and revisit your beautiful tree trunk after seeing it featured on Beth's "FAT Tuesday Artists Spotlight". It is all and more than I remember!!!

Beth Niquette said...

Hi there! I have featured your blog and incredible artwork today on FAT (Featured Artist) Tuesday Artist Spotlight.

The link is http://www.bethlniquetteart.blogspot.com

Have a perfectly lovely day!

Jim said...

Hey Jeannette ~~ Once agan I am in envy of your talants. These painting are beautifully done in homage to the beauty of our God's earth.

I have NO talant. I cannot sing, draw or paint, I am not good in sports and I cannot write well. I do get away with blogging and rubbing elbows with the writers and poets. And ENVY THEM for their talants. But I like it, I even write corny poems (I am on a sabatical right now).

Projects? I have an antique car (1950 Ford) that is not running and have a lovely office/studio that has gotten junked up. I longer can work on cars so will have to pay for that but the office drags along.

Thanks for asking. Happy MidWeek Blues,
..
If I painted I would try the picture I took for my this Sunday post.
..

Gemma Wiseman said...

Lovely setting for your painting! Magical! And your art is wonderful - creative and unique!

Suburban Girl said...

My life is a series of unfinished projects, there is always something new popping up to take the place of something finished. I love your work here. Love the trunk and red pops of the leaves.

Jeannette StG said...

Leovi,
Hmmm, you gave me an idea! A great idea! do you write poems?

Sreddy,
your new profile pic is very nice!
Thank you -yes, pastel is messy and dirty work:)
You think as a students you have too many unfinished projects, wait till you get out of school, get a job, get married, etc....but, you do get used to it:):)

MTO Photo,
Had to smile at your comment -the reality is -like with photography (LOL) -it's hard work most of the time!

Chasity,
Thank you for visiting my blog! You are putting it so poetically...how about, you and Leovi do the poems for me, and I paint the cover?

Clytie,
Oh wow, you have such a talent to make people feel good! You know, I've been thinking about doing a meme myself -would "trees" be a subject, or is that too narrow?

Beth,
I went to your blog before I replied to the comments, it was such a good idea of featuring other people's work (because it's a step further than posting art on one's own blog) THANK YOU!

Jim,
So you DO have a talent - I think it's one when you can make something new out of something old! In my previous neighborhood there were a few guys who were always working on their car -I passed them on my(then) daily walk and admire the car they were working on.
As for your studio, I wouldn't mind taking that over from you - I need one! I can always dream, right?

Greyscale,
Thank you so much! Painting has always been fun for me,but most people who don't paint have no idea how much work it entails:)

Rebecca,
Thank you! I hope I'm understanding what you are trying to say -it's because there's always something unexpected that pops up, I like to finish my projects now, otherwise the pile gets so high!

2sweetnsaxy said...

That is so cool! I've always wanted to paint but have never even tried to pick up a brush. I guess I use my camera to paint what I see. :-)

Cildemer said...

Love your painting! I'd like to have such a nice gift!
Thanks for sharing. And yes, I have one unfinished project;o) A jumper I knitted some 15 years ago and I run out of wool and the shop where I had bought the wool didn't sell it any more!!!
but I know I'll finish it some day;o)


***
Have a nice day****

ps: Thank you for visiting and for the nice words. In fact, I didn't change my layout, you visited my second photo blog;o))

Yoshi said...

Wow, your painting is awesome.
And thanks for commenting on my blog. My answer to your question is "JAPAN'. Nikko is world heritage site.

Midwest to Midlands said...

Beautiful and good for you for finishing a project.I am procrastinating finishing a project right now!:)

Unknown said...

you are a good painter!

NORA KASTEN said...

Jeannette,
You've created a gem! It's lovely and I also like your words about people underneath it.

Your comment on my blog recently was the only one that helped. You seemed to know and understand why . . . . Nora

The Muse said...

i am transfixed..
captured and entangled in the swirl of branches!

bravo!

where shall this piece go?

(many greetings from a muse who has returned home) :)

Jeannette StG said...

2sweetnsaxy,
Sorry, I'm behind with replies!
More photographers have told me that very same thing:) I consider photography just as much an art!

Cildemer,
Thank you Friend! After your comment, I looked at all the blog pages you have -how do you find the time for all of them?? Have a great weekend!

Y.Ikeda,
Thanks so much for answering my question -always more new things to learn! Anyways, your blog is very intriguing and I like to visit there:)

Jane Midwest,
Yes, I know what you mean:) We have so many good ideas, but most of us are too busy to persevere to the end of a project if there are some hurdles to overcome!

Dave,
Thank you! it's nice not everyone has the same talent;)

Nora,
Thank you! If I meet people who need support, I like to give it, because so many have helped me too:) enjoy your painting weekend!

Muse,
Thank you!
I love the brief moments of contact with you, because you have such a big heart!
No wonder you have so many fans at FB:) (I'm baffled how people can keep up with so many!)
Hope the Muse thoroughly enjoys the time home!

'Tsuki said...

Very creative reflection, bravo !

Ebie said...

Hi Ms J, these are very beautiful paintings you have done. I love the combination of colors.

My unfinished projects are my heart granny squares that I started about 4 years ago, and still working on the squares, now that blogging has interrupted my "art" life.

Jeannette StG said...

Tsuki,
Thanks, Friend!

Ebie,
Please, call me Jeannette -all other denotations make me feel OLD, lol!

Your granny-squares -ever thought on doing them when looking TV?

The Muse said...

LOL...I cannot keep up !
I feel as if we are all playing pin the tail on the donkey...

or tag !
(wink)
(hugs)

Jose's World said...

Quite transformation from the original photo...imagine, U could do it all in Photoshop. But then, no palette to carry, no colors, no messy paint in the fingers.

You are very talented; I also look at the previous postings and they are very varied,

Unknown said...

Wow, good job. Love the piece.

Jeannette StG said...

Muse,
If YOU can't keep up, it must be too hectic (you must have bionic fingers)
hope to meet you sometime, Muse:)

Joe's World,
Thank you for all the compliments! If I would cut out the painting, it would take all the fun out of it:)

Evelyn,
Thank you - glad you like it!

Cezar and Léia said...

Fantastic artwork,congratulations! :)
You have a blessed talent!
And have a nice Sunday
hugs
Léia

Charlene N. K. said...

What a talent you have! Your painting is indeed great! I also love to paint but I don't have much time for it just now. Maybe someday. I wish I could paint as skillfully as you do.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Jeannette, I am so glad to see this progression to your amazing art! You have found a lovely expression of an old tree and have shown us that beauty can be found everywhere. I am looking forward to more.

Randi said...

Your art is wonderful! I love the way you painted the old tree.

Jeannette StG said...

Leia,
Thank you friend! Sorry I'm getting back so late to your comment!

Charlene,
It took me 20 years to get back to painting -I regret that...but it's better than "never"!

Genie,
It also goes to show one that old is not always ugly, or throw-away material;)

Randi,
Now I'm thinking of it, I paint more old things than new ones:)

knittingdragonflies said...

You have such a talent with your painting!
Beautiful!
Vicki

Jeannette StG said...

Vicki,
Thank you! When you keep at it like you do, it won't be long till you get to the same level (really!):)