Basket of Linens

It all started with a lovely detail from Zubaran's Praying Virgin. I loved how this simple set of objects  held their own in the corner of a wonderful painting, and the economy of Zubaran's rendering. 

Hard to find such nice baskets! I found one in a yard sale and removed the handle. Then I rummaged in my collection of old linens, and tried, unsuccessfully, to pose the folds with toothpicks. In the end, I arranged the folds without trying to get so close to my inspiration. You may recall this drawing.

I took the opportunity to play with the image as an etching. This 3 x 4 plate is waiting for me to print a little edition of baskets.

All this preparation was leading up to the painting. Here, finally, is the result.

Basket of Linens
Oil on linen panel

12 x 16

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Still having fun with pastels

I got going with pastels last summer, and since then I have acquired some nice materials. I am indebted to my fellow Alaskan artist and friend Kaye N Goodrich, who kindly gave me an introduction to pastel technique. 

I have oil paintings in progress, but this makes a nice change, especially during weeks when time is limited. The preparation time for working with pastels is shorter than for oils. (But the clean-up takes just as long!)

The piece below was inspired by an oil done in a drenching rain at Broad Pass. A virtue of oil paint is that it works fine even when everything is wet. I, on the other hand, got very soggy. Water's Return, 22 x 30, pastel on gessoed watercolor paper.

The second piece comes from colored pencil and oil sketches I made on trips through Broad Pass. The colors there are always vivid.  Late Summer Hills,  12 x 15.5, pastel on watercolor paper.

The next item is based on watercolor and ink sketches I made in southern France in 2011. The terrain was hills, olive trees, paths, and vineyards. I loved it and I look forward to working more of my sketches into finished pieces. Windy Path, pastel on watercolor paper, 12 x 15.25.

I am showing you Bed of Nasturtiums, pastel on paper, 11 x 15, for the second time, because I was not happy when I looked back at the photograph I used the first time. This is an improved photo. Though the difference might not be obvious, I feel better about it! 

I mentioned I was working in a few new media. This post is all about pastels, and I hope soon to post about my new printmaking projects. I will blog about new oil paintings soon as well. Thanks for your interest!

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Two small, whimsical paintings

These two small paintings were auditions of a sort. I wanted to see how I liked the objects as models.  I think you may see them again. I already have ideas for my Neanderthal friend in a more elegant setting. In the meantime, here are two very affordable original oil paintings.

 Blue Egg Cup, oil on linen panel, 6 x 6
SOLD

Old Boyfriend, oil on gessoed panel, 8 x 8

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com