La Maison du Pastel Paris

What an experience to meet
Isabelle Roché owner of La Maison
du Pastel, (founded in 1720) and to select a few
handmade pastels for my studio.


The sign on the door of the little shop open
only one day a week Thursday from 2 PM to 6 PM

Isabelle showing me pastels made with
the same skills that were inherited
from a family tradition and used
by artists Degas and Vuillard.

Outside the small shop at
20 rue Rambuteau, Paris

Click on this link for the web site

and a fascinating history.

http://www.lamaisondupastel.com/

Cumulus Crescendo

I was pleased to receive an honorable

mention award at the Webber Center

Gallery in Ocala in a juried Best of

Season Show of the Visual Artists' Society.

There are 83 works of art accepted into

this show. The gallery space is inviting as
each work of art is so beautifully lit.

Many of the pieces are for sale with a

portion of the sale price going to further

programing for the Society.

Before Tube Paint

On a recent visit to the The Clark Art Institute in
Williamstown MA, the paintbox of English artist
John Constable (1776 – 1837) was on display.

Before collapsable metal tubes artists carried their

paints in tied bladders. I had read about this but never

seen a real artist paintbox in a museum, so I was intrigued.

This hinged tin box housed eleven bladders of pigment.
With our current artist discussions of using a limited

palette I wonder what his colors were.

Today John would have had to place this paintbox in his

checked luggage as I doubt it would make it through

airline security!

May River Boats

Just a quick sketch idea for a larger painting.

Election Day Flowers

Just a touch of red (aahaam) I mean pink, white
and blue on this day when all patriotic citizens
get out and vote.

"Life Lesson...Make Lemonade"

I have always l loved the wisdom of the

phrase when "life hands you a lemon..make

lemonade".

"Got Cream?"

Burr...there was frost on the pumpkin vine this

morning! We all need a little coffee on a morning like this.

Painting indirectly versus ala prima is something I have

done for many years. Adding layers of color and glaze to an

underpainting. I enjoy painting with many different methods.

But make my coffee with cream and a package of that

yellow stuff!