Tulips for Helaine, Pastel, 9" x 12", painted on Wallis sanded paper

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved.

Tulips for Helaine is something I did for a dear friend.  She wanted me to paint a floral for her, and she loves tulips.  It just so happens that tulips are my favorite flower to paint, so I was one happy camper. I painted this back in 2006.

Three Lilies, Pastel, 19" x 25", painted on Canson paper

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved.

This is one of the largest pastels I've done.  I painted this on a full sheet of Canson, and it was done about 17 years ago.  Another very old painting.  What I liked about this were the cast shadows on the petals.  I don't work this large anymore.  Working this size is fun though, so I'm sure I'll paint something this large again, I'll just have to come up with a good subject!

Bayberry Watering Can, Pastel, 14 1/2" x 18 1/2", painted on Canson paper

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved.

I've always loved this can.  During Christmas I decorate it with a red plaid bow, and it becomes so festive.  I think it's a combination of the shape and color that I love.  I bought it years ago, and I remember that I painted it right away.  This pastel is another oldie, probably painted about 18 years ago.  I was trying to go for the "suspended, yet grounded" look. 

Some thoughts as I post these older works.....

As I sit here and post these older works, I am finding that this really shows the inevitable evolution one goes through when on a journey like this.  As the years have gone by I've learned and continue to learn so much about this beautiful, yet sometimes mysterious medium.  Pastels have so many different means of application.  One can use sanded paper, textured conventional pastel paper, watercolor paper, you can apply a gritty primer to any type of archival paper that accepts water, the list goes on and on.  The ability to experiment is endless, and always exciting.  As a result, styles change, as does the approach.  My style has changed enormously due to my experimenting, and you will see this when I start posting my newer works.  I find it to be a good thing, I believe change shows growth. 

I'm still not quite finished posting these older works, I just thought I would share what I was observing as I go through this process.  Even my photo-taking skills have improved (thank goodness!).

Tulips for Mrs. D., Pastel, 21" x 13", painted on Canson paper

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved.

Mrs. D. was a Pre-K teacher of my daughter's.  She went to a school that relied heavily on donations, and they had a fundraiser every year.  That year Mrs. D. put in her order.  She wanted a painting of tulips, "longish in size", with a light wood frame.  Too funny, so I decided to paint her request and put it in a Chinese auction.  She put so many tickets into the basket she actually won the painting!  She was excited, as was I.  I'm not sure how much she actually paid for all those tickets, but the school got the money, she got the painting she wanted, and everybody was happy!  I painted this in 2000.

Karen's Poppies, Pastel, 12" x 24", painted on Canson paper

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved.

This was another commission I painted for a client's wedding anniversary.  He wanted to give his wife a painting, and somehow I had to incorporate the cool green you see in the leaves.  He didn't care what flower, or what color the flower was, he just cared that I used that cool green in the painting somehow.  This is what I came up with, and I believe he was pleased with the result.  This was painted about 16 years ago, my how time flies!

Helen's Flowers, Pastel, 14 1/2" x 18 1/2", painted on Canson paper

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved.

I really enjoyed painting these bricks.  I've always wanted to paint bricks again but I just haven't gotten around to it - it's been over 15 years, so I guess I've been busy!  All my still life is done from life, and the bricks had such great texture and color.  I've got to add bricks back on my list of "must do again".  This painting has been sold for a very long time.  I've always liked it, and was happy it went to a really lovely woman.