30 in 30: Day 13: Sterling Lagoon

"Sterling Lagoon"

Sandra LaFaut ©

6x9" pastel on Uart sanded paper

This is a reworked pastel from a plein air day this summer. 

You can read about the day and see the original here.

30 in 30, Day 8: Fleeting Brilliance

This one is titled "Fleeting Brilliance" and is 9x12" pastel on sanded paper. I thought it was finished until I looked at it on the computer. It's not for sale yet because I am going to work on it more later today. When I get the final version I'll switch out this image for the new one, keeping it in this same post to keep the days in order. 

The river is our local river, the Raisin River in Monroe County, Michigan. 

It has the distinction of being the world's crookedest river.

30 in 30, Day 2 Under the Apple Tree

Under the Apple Tree

Sandra LaFaut ©

5 1/2 x 6"

Pastel on Sanded UArt paper

For many years I have enjoyed sitting on my patio in the fall as the sun goes down and seeing the edges of the apple leaves turn to gold from the beautiful backlighting. This pastel painting is my impression of the scene.

A Day at Sterling St. Pk.

An afternoon at Sterling St. Pk. - Bob brought his bike and rode the trails while I spent an hour or so painting again (6x9 on oil paper). Again, mostly just putting paint on canvas for practice. It went ok until I was visited in the shelter by a mom and 3 kids - the kids were fine, curious but not unpleasant - the mom not so much. She just yelled at her girls nonstop. The kids mostly just tuned her out - I was wishing I had their skill!  But all in all a nice afternoon out.
I need to get out in the morning or evening for some better lighting conditions.

 And the beach - very peaceful that day.

Preparing for Plein Air

I post these as more of a Plein Air Journal entry to document my re-entry into plein air painting. This is a small oil study from the hedgerow across the street, just about a mile from that crooked river. I'm testing my supplies, easel, and set-up in anticipation of doing more work in different locations. I probably spent 45 min. to an hour on this. It's really gloppy up close but looks better from several feet back. When it dries I may scumble that back row of trees with a lighter color to push them back a bit. I'll try this scene again with less paint on the oil paper. It always pleases me and I'm so very thankful we don't have houses across the street. We get some beautiful sunrises sometimes.