Tree Climber

I decided to do the DPW Challenge from the week before, too. This one was the "Touchy Feely Challenge", suggesting that our subject be full of interesting textures. I remembered this photo reference I took last winter. While walking around in Clackamette Park a squirrel darted past me and scurried up a tree trunk. I said, "Hey, little one, don't be in such a hurry! Can I take your picture?", and what do you know? He stopped and "posed" for me! There's lots of texture here with the rough tree bark, the furry squirrel, crunchy dead leaves on the ground, and a bit of parking lot pavement in the distance.

 

 

Tree Climber, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Tarantula Tree

This is my entry for the Daily Paintworks "Spooky Tree Challenge". While hiking at Silver Creek Falls last week we came upon this scraggly, dead tree, just dripping with green mosses next to the trail. I thought it looked like an overgrown freaky tarantula in the forest! When I read that the challenge was to paint an old, twisty, spooky tree, I knew this was the one to try!

 

Tarantula Tree, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Memories of Korea

Last fall when we visited South Korea, the cosmos flower was blooming everywhere. I loved seeing the cheerful flowers waving in the breeze from ditches along the roadway. Today's reference photo was from the Paint My Photo website again. I did my own pastel interpretation, of course.

 

Memories of Korea, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Jefferson's Glory

This tree in my hometown just makes me stop in my tracks and admire in awe. How big it is! How colorful it is! The home beneath it is wonderful, too. Just waiting to be a painting. :)

 

 

Jefferson's Glory, 5 x 7 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Distant Autumn

Today's image is from a photo shared on the Paint My Photo website. It features a foreground of young evergreens overlooking the distant hills of colorful deciduous trees.

 

 

Distant Autumn, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis

It's Water Under the Bridge

 

Had a "play date" with other artists this week, and our host for the day shared several photos he had taken in the past. The photo reference for today's painting was taken in Nauvoo, Illinois. It depicts an old stone bridge with water running underneath, and a tiny waterfall on the other end. I really enjoyed translating the scene into my bold pastel art.

 

It's Water Under the Bridge, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Campfire

Don't you just love a campfire? The reference photo for today's painting has been kicking around in my files for a while now and today it got to shine forth from my easel. Enjoy the warmth!

Campfire, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Pillow Pugs 2

Once again with these pugs! They belong to my daughter, so any time I feel the need to paint something "cute", I have her lovely photographs to work from!

 

 

Pillow Pugs 2, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Fine Art Note Cards!

 

I now have in stock a limited number of note cards made from digital images of my art work. The collage below is a sample of 16 out of 33 different paintings that are represented in my Etsy Shop. Now is the time (right before the holiday rush!) to think about a set of cards for people on your gift list. Or getting them for yourself to send for all-occasion notes, or to keep as a small sample of Dorothy Jenson Art. :) Don't wait too long to order or your favorites might be snapped up by others!

 

Click here to visit my Etsy Shop!

Autumn Sunrises

I'm two days behind on posting! Morning scenes have been attracting me lately, and here are two more. The first one represents a scene from a day last week when I was standing on an overpass admiring the colors in the sky as the sun was coming up. The car lights and autumn colors added to the interest, so here is my interpretation.

 

Morning Commute, 8 x 10 paste and ink on Wallis sanded paper

This image was inspired by a photo from the Paint my Photo website. Love that glow in the tree branches!

Turn Towards the Light, 6 x 8 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Here Comes the Sun

Better get your sunglasses out to look at this one! The whole time I was working on this painting the old Beatles song rang through my head. So really, what else could I title it?

 

"Here Comes the Sun", 8 x 10 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Pillow Pugs

These two have so many options for their frequent naps, but they are often found snuggled together on the very same sofa pillow!

Pillow Pugs, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on PastelMat paper

Inner Gold

My backyard maples are still in shadow when the sunlight hits some of the trees a little farther back in the meadow. As Autumn progresses the leaves shine with a golden glow!

Inner Gold, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

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The Shortcut

I could go the longer way around, or I could step up over this little hill and get there quicker. I almost always take the shortcut. This well-used path is just up the street from me!

The Shortcut, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper
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One Fine Day

I'm still playing happily with lots of color and ink lines. As my daughter put it, the art is very much "in your face!" But it makes me smile, so I will continue as long as it does. :)

 

Just a little about the process for those who are curious. I use a source photograph, usually one I have taken myself, but sometimes, like this one, it's from the "Paint my Photo" website. Photographers upload their photos for the sole purpose of allowing visual artists to create something new from their images.

After studying the photo, I use an india ink felt pen and draw the very basic shapes directly onto my sanded paper. Then I start adding color, trying to be careful not to obliterate the original lines. After the color is applied, I bring out the pen again and touch up any areas that might have gotten smudged too much. It isn't about perfection, but I want at least a hint of the lines left showing for the contrast.

 

 

One Fine Day, 6 x 6 pastel on Wallis sanded paper with india ink

Moment of Glory

I love the bright autumn colors of this one! My reference photo was from the "paint my photo" website, but I have greatly simplified the original image to fit my own vision.

 

Moment of Glory, 8 x 10 pastel on Wallis sanded paper with ink lines

Pumpkin Time!

With the harvest season upon us, I knew I had to do some pumpkins! I love how the orange contrasts so beautifully with blues and purples in this painting.

 

Pumpkin Time, 6 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Pastels and Ink

 

I love the colors of autumn so much that it's saturating my paintings! I'm exploring bright colors with india ink this week. Fun!

 

 

Primary Colors of Autumn, 5 x 7 pastel and ink on Wallis

 

 

Morning Gold, 9 x 6 pastel and ink on Wallis sanded paper

Into the Woods

A Splash of Autumn color today...

 

Into the Woods, 6 x 6 pastel on Wallis sanded paper

Sunset Bay

At the coast last week we camped at Sunset Bay, so naturally, we made it a point to walk over to the beach every evening to see the sun go down. It was worth it, and I think the place is well-named. :)

 

Sunset Bay, 5 x 7 pastel on mat board prepared with gesso (gives it a "rough" texture)

Sand vs. Forest

Who will win in this contest? Will the Forest reclaim it's space, or will the sand move in and take over? This is a view from Honeyman State Park on the Oregon coast.

Sand vs. Forest, 5 x 7 pastel on Wallis sanded paper

Clouds over the Dune

Honeyman State Park is situated right next to the sand dunes! One morning, between rain showers, Ken and I walked out into the dunes for a look around. Here is one of our viewpoints!

 

 

Clouds over the Dune, 5 x 7 pastel on Wallis sanded paper