Keel-billed Toucans, seen at the Dallas World Aquarium, when they used to fly around freely there, in front of the waterfall. 29H x 20W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas. This is an older piece not listed back then because I was never happy with it. Using crackle medium to help create a bit of texture, it has been touched up, rejuvenated, and is now for sale.

 
Bell Rock AZ, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 140 lb cold pressed and Kaniksu National Forest, Idaho – 18H x 24W inches watercolors showing at J. Mane Gallery Landscapes 2020 online exhibition, April 24 – May 24

Winter Forest: Dogwood, 14H x 20W inches watercolors on cold pressed premium and Multnomah Falls, 31 x 25 inches (framed size) watercolors accepted into the New Horizons Landscape Exhibition, 3 Square Art Gallery June 12 – July 10, 2020. Opening date dependent on “Safer At Home” order for Larimer County, CO.

Above: Monte “maskot” face mask for our social responsibility while out and about during COVID19.
The Monte Files were listed on my very first website (2003) with the invitation for you, whoever and wherever you are, despite your age or artistic capabilities, to send in your version of Monte or a character inspired by him, and add it to the collection. The invitation still stands.
Your character can be created using any sort of media. Copy any version of Monte in the Monte Files and re-invent him, trace him or print out pages from the Monte Coloring Book at the bottom of the Monte Files page and color or paint it, write a joke or add hand gestures (as in Monte Cycles 2006). There are no rules except have fun with it; Monte’s up for anything!

The pattern I used is here. I found that the suggested interface makes the mask too thick and not porous enough for breathing, so I made some without and they are much more comfortable. It depends on the kind of fabric you’re using, but the mask still holds its’ shape with double-folded fabric.

Dutch Creek Hoodoos, BC Canada – 18H x 24W inches graphite, soft pastel and markers on 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper

Renewal: Mt. St. Helens, WA with Indian Paintbrush wildflowers. 18H x 24W inches soft pastel on 140 lb cold pressed.

Left image shows work as it began. Painter’s tape is used on every work on paper to keep edges clean and allow room for mat and framing. Workable fixative sprayed at various phases really brings out colors, deters unwanted blur of colors while working, plus renews the surface to fix up or brighten areas that have become dark or slippery from too much buildup.

 

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.