I can’t believe the summer has come, and is almost gone already! Time does go by so quickly. While it was passing I tried to hold on to some of those summer moments, painting my way through them. Here is some of what transpired.
Rita
The Pond at Yaddo, 8×10 oil pastel
Queen Anne’s Lace, 810 oil pastel
Through the Plains, 8×10 oil pastel
Cascading Falls, 8×10 oil pastel
I am not sure where the time goes, but it certainly has flown by! Here are a few of my latest pieces, six in all. Hope you enjoy them.
~Rita
Adirondack View, 8×10 oil pastel
Rolling Thunder, 8×10 oil pastel
Winter Stream, 8×10 oil pastel
January Snowfall, 8×10 oil pastel
Louden Road Pond, 8×10 oil pastel
Winter Field, 8×10 oil pastel
Winter Sun, 8×10 oil pastel
Yes, I know it is June, and I am not sure what is going on in your home, but this time of year typically starts the thermostat wars in my house. I am always way too hot, and my husband is always cold. The thermostat is constantly in flux, with each of us pretending to get up to do something and quickly bumping up or down the dial as nonchalantly as possible. I have a feeling this happens in more homes than I can imagine. In any case, although it is June, and my mind should be on the beautiful summer season, when I sat down to paint the other day, this is where my palette took me. And if you lived in my house, it would be no surprise why. ~Rita
I am pleased to announce that my pastel painting “Times Square Glow” was selected for the International Association of Pastel Society’s annual show. The prestigious IAPS exhibit is currently on view at The Salmagundi Club in New York City and is open to the public until Sunday, June 18th. The Salmagundi Club is located at 47 Fifth Avenue which is 12th street and 5th. Stop by if you are in the NYC area! -Eden
Lavender Fields….. I don’t think there are any in this part of New York, but I wish there were, as I find that they are truly breathtaking. The inspiration for this painting came from a photograph by photographer/ blogger Kim at bigwhitehouseonthehill.wordpress.com. Thanks Kim, for letting me use your beautiful photo! ~Rita
Lavender Fields, 8×10 oil pastel
I have always been attracted to water. All forms of water: from nature’s ponds, oceans rivers and streams to rain on the sidewalk, and ice cubes in a glass. My latest two paintings are both of water in two very different forms. The first is of the ocean’s powerful waves. And the second is rainwater, shortly after a downpour on town roads, reflecting the colors of the city . Whether it is water in its most natural form, or the interplay of water manmade color and light, I believe water is truly one of those gifts that is a feast for the eyes and nourishes the soul. ~Rita
Crashing Waves, 11×14 oil pastel
Early Evening Rain, 8×10 oil pastel
It was one of those days today. I ran through my day doing a little of this and a little of that. All those things you really don’t want to do but has to be done…. worked on my taxes, stayed on hold with my insurance company forever, stayed in a line too long at the post office, went to the bank, got soaked in an unexpected downpour, etc., Now at midnight I am very tired, and thinking that I wanted to post the painting I finished yesterday. I find myself wondering about what I want to say about this particular painting. And as I was wondering, I passed by my studio, the painting still on the easel, and immediately knew what I wanted to say. Whether it is a landscape, a still life, or a dancer, these images I see and try to create in art bring me to a quiet reprieve from life. Watching these dancers, in their world of color and movement, concentrating on their practice quiets me. A quiet reprieve from the frenetic life we all experience at times. For tonight, it was just what I needed. ~Rita
Ballet Practice, 8×10 oil pastel
I have always been in intrigued by people who dedicate their life to one true passion. Those who for are willing to give up all else in their lives to do that one true thing. I am fortunate to live in an area that hosts the New York City Ballet for several weeks in the summer each year, and these young women who dance for us season after season are some of my favorite examples of this. I often think about their dedication… hours and hours of work day after day, week after week,…. being so singularly focused to perform these amazing productions. I often wonder about their lives…. who these ballerinas are behind the scenes, apart from what we see, and for these reasons, they are one of my favorite subjects to paint. ~Rita
Graceful Repose, oil pastel, 11×14
Happy New Year! I hope the holidays were wonderful for all of you. Now back to work! To celebrate the beginning of the new year, I am posting a new painting of an old subject matter. The market women of the Caribbean is one of my favorite painting motifs. I did a series of pastel paintings based on my many sailing trips to St. Martin, St. Kitts and Nevis several years ago. I find these strong colorful women fascinating. This is the first time I have painted one of my market women in oil. I really enjoyed it so will probably continue on with this motif for a while. The painting below is oil on linen and is 18 x 24. I hope 2016 is a productive and prosperous year for everyone! -Eden
New York North Fine Art 