"Cool Warmth"

Pastel

9 1/2" x 7"

  Painted on La Carte using Terry Ludwig pastels, mostly the cool green set

 

La Carte is a beautiful paper, one that I should use more often.  It comes in wonderful colors, so no need to underpaint.  Just respond to the color of the paper, and voila!  It has a beautiful texture and accepts many layers.  Just don't use water, the surface is almost instantly dissolved.  No sneezing with this paper!

 

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

 

"Brunch", Pastel, 7 1/2" x 10", painted on UArt 400

I haven't been painting in quite a while, which has me very frustrated.  After being nagged by a dear friend to "just paint", I did just that, I painted.

This is an egg cup that I purchased many years ago with the intention of using it in a painting.  I rather like it, the design is fun.  I started this painting out with fabric under the cup.  I wasn't happy with where it was going, so I switched the fabric.  I was still unhappy, and I was unsure why..... After staring at the painting for hours, it became obvious to me that the fabric was fighting for attention with the egg.  My eye didn't know where to go, it was confused.  I wiped out the fabric entirely, and just painted the surface with the reflection.  I was able to get the drama and lighting I was looking for, and the focal point was the egg, eggactly what I was looking for!!

Moral of the story, just because you put something in a painting, it doesn't mean it has to stay there.  Paintings talk to you (at least mine do), they tell you what they need (or in this case, don't need).  Just because I spent quite a lot of time painting that fabric didn't mean it had to stay.  To the contrary, it needed to leave.  Never be so attached to something just because you spent soooo much time painting it.  If it doesn't work, remove it.  Never leave something there at the expense of the painting.  Just my two cents.....

"Brunch", Pastel

7 1/2" x 10", Painted on UArt 400

Ludwig, Girault, Great American and Mount Vision Pastels

with a Pan Pastel underpainting

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

"Peach Fiesta", Pastel, 6" x 6", Painted on Wallis Pro

My "An Apple a Day sort of....." series has morphed into what should probably be called a "6 x 6 series of various and sundry items......" I should probably add my pears to this series as well...lol...

I've moved on to a teacup, specifically a Fiestaware teacup. I have a few of these in different colors, my mind is coming up with some interesting still life options......

This one almost killed me..... the ellipse fought me tooth and nail, but before I could actually get it right, the entire thing got smooshed, and I mean smooshed, by a canvas bag sliding on it and very neatly blending all the colors together..... it had these somewhat cool and very perfect lines going across the painting, hundreds of them..... honestly, I almost trashed the whole thing. However, that ellipse kept calling me to be fixed, which prompted me to forge on and not give up.

My first painting as a Signature Member of PSA

Painted from life, this subject never rots or dies..... sits still for as long as you want, can take the heat lamp (lol.....), never needs a break. I highly recommend it!!!

"Peach Tea Fiesta", Pastel, 6" x 6"

Painted on Wallis Pro

Paper toned with Pan Pastels

Used Unison, Mount Vision, Terry Ludwig, and Girault sticks

Carb Othello and Conte Pastel Pencil 

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

Pastel Society of America Signature Status......

I cannot contain myself........I received notification today via snail mail telling me I am now a signature member of the Pastel Society of America!!



For those that do not know, the Pastel Society of America is the Pastel Society that started it all, the one to aspire to, the one you want to be a member of. For a pastelist, it truly is the organization that holds the pastel community together. And yes, there is a pastel community, a large, international group of artists... bound together by a common love of pastels, supporting each other and sharing their love and knowledge of the medium.


I am truly so very excited, I don't even know what to say....... I keep telling myself to breathe, otherwise I'm afraid I will pass out!! This has been a goal of mine for over 15 years (I've been painting with pastels for 20 years, a very long time....), always painting and thinking to myself, not yet, I'm not ready, I've got to get better, maybe next year I'll apply..... Well, this year was the year I finally decided to apply. They take 5 paintings and consider them as part of the jurying process. What a month I've had, waiting to hear was excruciating! I've spent the last few weeks in a strange mood, not quite myself, knowing why, but not willing to explain myself to anybody other than close family and three close friends. Thank you for putting up with me and my mood swings.......you know who you are....

Thank you Pastel Society of America, and the jurors involved in this process. I will proudly display those initials on my resume, it is something I've aspired to for a very long time, and I'm now so very thrilled to be able to say I am a signature member of the Pastel Society of America.

#4 Macintosh, Pastel, 6" x 6", painted on Uart 400

An apple a day.....sort of.....

I have a new student that started taking lessons with me this past Saturday. I used my apple series as an opportunity to both add to my series as well as demonstrate some of my techniques. I was taught by a dear friend that if you can paint an apple well, you can paint anything well. Plus, apples aren't so easy. Actually, none of this stuff is......


I used the usual suspects, Terry Ludwig, Mount Vision, Unison and Girault pastels. I toned the paper with pan pastels, not the metallics this time, just the plain old vanilla type...lol....

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

#3 Golden Delicious, Pastel, 6" x 6", painted on Wallis Pro

An apple a day......sort of.....


I used a mix of Terry Ludwig, Mount Vision, Unison and Girault pastels. I toned the paper with metallic pan pastels again, it adds a fun shimmer to the painting. Not overwhelming, which I particularly like.





© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

An apple a day..... sort of...... Golden Delicious #2, Pastel, 6"x6", Painted on Wallis Pro

Another one in my series An apple a day.....sort of.  

Golden Delicious #2, Pastel, 6" x 6"

Painted on Wallis Pro

Paper toned with Pan Pastels

I used Girault, Mount Vision, Unison, Great American, and Ludwig.

I didn't intend to get so realistic, but I got carried away with the cloth.   I  enjoy painting fabric, the folds are always a challenge.  I also used the metallic Pan Pastels for the background.

   © by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved 

How important do you think edges are?

A friend on Facebook asked a question about painting fuzzier or more photo realistic.  He thought maybe work done in that style is "more creative, and is more highly regarded".



Here's my take on it:

We all have our own style, and it comes through regardless of our efforts to change it. I'm not a big advocate of trying to change one's style, but I do believe in improvement.  Who doesn't want to improve?  Everyone has room for improvement, even the masters.  That's how they got to be masters, they're always looking to improve.  So, keeping this in mind, I suggest looking at edge work to improve your paintings.  Looking at your edge work won't compromise your style, it will enhance it. Edges are a critical component of any painting.  They are subtle, but managed correctly they are one of the most critical components of composition.  They are often forgotten, but for me they are always on my mind, they are critical to my finished work. I look at my edges probably as much, or even more than my color, and probably as much as my values.  Look at your edges, lost, found, hard, soft. Edges are created in many ways, explore your options.

I love edges, they can make or break a painting, IMHO......

"An apple a day...sort of...." "Pink Lady", Pastel, 6"x6", on Wallis Pro

I was frustrated, wanting to paint, but feeling uninspired. The humble apple always gets me (if there are no pears around...lol...). I think my frustration comes through a bit with this one, the application of pastel is thick and juicy, and that's what I do when I'm frustrated, I apply the pastel heavy.


Also, this was an experiment of sorts. A dear friend of mine gave me three metallic pan pastels (he knew I wanted to give them a try). I toned the paper with some pan pastels, using the copper and gold metallic colors along with the plain janes. After doing the background, I pretty much lost the metallic pans, so I went in again over the sticks with the pans. They are holding pretty well, I must say.

A new series, I'm calling it "An apple a day.....sort of....."
Translation: "An apple a day......sort of......because I know full well I won't be able to paint one every day....., life just gets in the way". That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!


Wallis Pro Sanded Paper toned with Pan Pastels

I used Giraults, Mount Visions, Great Americans, Schmincke and Terry Ludwig pastels. I must say that Ludwig Gray set is indispensable, especially for backgrounds in still life.

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved 

"Sundance", Pastel, 7"x11", painted on Uart400, gouache underpainting

I've been tooling around with this little painting for a while now.  The background got brushed off, as well as the stems.  Uart Paper is pretty tough, it can stand up to quite a lot of abuse. 

My goal with this one was to get a bit abstract, yet still keep it real.  I particularly like poppies, their colors are so beautiful, and the texture of the petals so delicate.  I am also fond of the way they appear to dance, hence the title "Sundance".

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved 

I am in the 42nd Annual PSA Show, Enduring Brilliance, and I won an award!

The feeling you get while wondering who won awards at the 42nd Annual PSA Show, Enduring Brilliance, that you have a painting exhibited in.......... anxious....

The feeling you get when the caller ID on your phone says "Pastel Society of America"....... utterly blown away, butterflies in your stomach......absolutely stunned...... excited.......

Needless to say I am so very thrilled, and honored to accept the Pastel Society of the West Coast Award for my painting "Why?". For me this is the fourth time I've exhibited in this show, but it is the first time I've won an award. I am utterly blown away, totally excited, and absolutely honored to have my painting surrounded by such incredible pastel paintings.

Thank you to the awards juror Marjorie Shelley, the Sherman Fairfield Conservator in Charge, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Also, thank you to the Pastel Society of the West Coast for sponsoring the award, I am so very honored. And thank you to Jimmy Wright and all the members of PSA that helped to organize this amazing show.

Yup...... I'm excited!!!!

 

Here is my painting "again", I know I've posted it here, but what the heck!!!!
 

 

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

"Sunken Meadow Creek", Gouache, 5" x 7"

Another gouache, this time it's of Sunken Meadow, a local park on the north shore of  Long Island.  This creek is part of the bird sanctuary.  Such a beautiful spot, the opportunity to view nature at its finest.

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved



"Lavender by the Bay", Gouache, 5" x 7", painted in my Stillman and Birn sketchbook

I enjoy playing around with gouache.  I find the colors can be intense when you want it, yet you can easily subdue them as needed.  Much like pastel really, as they are opaque.

This is of a lavender field which is not too far from where I live.  It does take about an hour to get there, but it is so worth the drive.  The photos I get are gorgeous, and I have a hard time deciding which one to paint.

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

"Dusk", Pastel, 5 1/2" x 10", Painted on Arches hot press watercolor paper, primed with Golden fine pumice gel

I haven't been painting much lately ..... sailing every weekend has been my "escape"). Not a bad thing, but I do miss my pastels. I did this small one about two months ago (has it been *that* long???).

This really is just a sketch, done... quickly while teaching a class. I have to admit it's not my favorite surface to work on, but the more I use it the more I like it for quick sketches. I take my hot press Arches watercolor paper and cut it up into useful sizes for plein air work. I prime it with Golden fine pumice gel to get more tooth, and I usually tone it with pan pastels so I'm not working on a white surface. I have a lot of watercolor paper, and my thinking is if I get a good sketch while plein air painting, at least it's on great quality paper, and it's a good way to use it up. The way I plein air paint, it will take me a long time to use up what I've got.....lol.......

This one was done in the studio though, not plein air.

 

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

Pastel Society of America's 42nd Annual Show, Enduring Brilliance, September 2nd through 27th

I have been trying to find the right words to express both my gratitude and excitement for the news that my painting "Why?" has been accepted into the Pastel Society of America's 42nd Annual Exhibition, Enduring Brilliance. Thank you to the PSA and the jurors for this honor.  

The show is in September and is being held at the National Arts Club in NYC. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have my painting displayed in such a beautiful venue alongside so many accomplished artists' works. It is quite an honor, I am truly grateful to the PSA and the jurors for selecting my painting to be part of such a prestigious show..... truly humbled..... The National Arts Club in NYC is a beautiful, historic venue, and this show represents everything about pastels that I love, it is the medium at its very best.  I look forward to viewing the show, it's always a spectacular one.

Congratulations to all the artists that made the cut, it is such an honor to be displaying my work with you.
 
NYC here I come!!!

 

 © by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

A "Best in Show" award.....

I was pleased to accept a Best in Show award last weekend in an art show held by the Suburban Art League in Syosset, LI, NY.  What a great feeling to win an award like that, I truly appreciate it.

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

Plein air at my marina, Pastel, 6 1/2" x 10", Painted on Arches HP with Art Spectrum Colorfix primer

I painted this one plein air a couple of weeks ago. I tweaked it a bit in the studio, adjusting the value of the trees and adding color to the grasses. This is the third time painting this scene, and I am finding it to be a good exercise.  As with the pears, painting a landscape multiple times really allows you to study the scene, enabling you to capture its essence. 

I have by no means figured out this plein air stuff, but I do think I have improved a bit.  I'll keep at it.......

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved

Packham's Triump pear #14, Pastel, 6" x 6"

Back with another pear, these aren't going away any time soon... I think I will continue with them, sporadically.....  They are a great exercise, keeps me thinking.

This time I wanted to do a green pear.  Green is always a challenge, anything I do here with green can be applied to the landscape.

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved 

Quiet Reflections, Pastel.....................SOLD!

Yup!  Another one sold at the Islip Library!  Happy, Happy, Happy................

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved



Late Afternoon 2, Pastel.............SOLD!

I sold this one today from my show at the Islip Library.  I am one happy camper.....

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved