Foxglove, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper – not available – not happy with this so I ripped it up, but will try again in the future.

Fern Song, 12 x 12 inches acrylics on canvas

Honorable Mention, In Full Bloom online exhibition February 7 –  March 7, 2020, J. Mane Gallery

Pacific NW Sunset, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

I’ve never really been successful with soft pastels. They are ultra-fussy, ultra-messy, particularly once you start adding dark colors, which leaves you feeling ultra-discouraged at the end of the day.

I’m up for the challenge though, with the additional provocation to use black, which I never use, preferring usually to use purple or blue or other color combos instead. Using black is an offense that will be fun to defy, at least that’s the intention. Black will help the other colors sing with contrast, assuming I’m able to prevent too much accidental blending. Workable fixative is very helpful.

The 18 x 24 inch pad of 140 lb cold pressed no-name watercolor paper that I ordered online does not have the tooth or qualities I like as a painting surface, but is working nicely for soft pastels. There are 6 more pages left in the pad for this pastel series.

Alberta Bound, 18H x 24W inches dry/soft pastels on 140 lb cold pressed.

Summer Garden Abstract, 14H x 20W inches watercolors on 140 cold pressed. Resist medium was used to create abstract, flowering negative spaces.

Forest Abstract: Winter Spirit, 12H x 14W inches limited palette watercolors on 140 lb cold pressed.

Lake Louise, 16 x 20 inches acrylics on canvas

Use tomato cages to create festive trees. Turn upside down – 2 together make a stronger structure. Wrap with lights.

Blue Lupine, 24H x 36W inches acrylics on canvas, frame unnecessary.