Pastry Wheels & Pitcher

These old pastry wheels have cut a lot of ravioli. Neither one really works any more, but they serve very nicely as models! I tried using them once, with the romantic notion that cutting my homemade ravioli with my grandmother's tools would transform them into "Nana's Ravioli". (Well, they do look like little magic wands!) They basically fell apart in my hand, as if to say,"We are done! Get your own pastry cutters!"

6"x6", Colored Pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

Vinca

Here is one of my favorite miniature pitchers... again. (It's the same one that Joseph is holding onto a few posts back.) The tiny vinca blossoms and vines were a good fit for this two inch tall container. These beautiful little flowers are blooming like blue stars in my front dooryard.

The snow is finally gone!

5"x7", colored pencil on Pastelbord

Two Teas

I happened to set these two teapots next to each other in my kitchen one day, and immediately saw a still-life in the making. The shape of the quirky old flowery one was such a contrast to the modern silhouette, yet they shared that apple green color. It made me think of an old lady in her vintage dressing gown having a visit with her great-granddaughter.

What I regret now is starting this on paper, rather than ordering, and waiting for, an appropriately sized piece of pastelbord. I've heard the expression, "Your patience will be rewarded". I'd like to add to that, "... and your impatience will be punished"! This has taken me way longer than it should have, and it has some problems. The pastelbord allows me to layer lights over darks, and I guess I've become accustomed to that luxury. Here, I was stuck with some early color and value choices because the paper just doesn't have the tooth to grab the pencil once there's a layer in place.

Well, for what it's worth, here is "Two Teas". And now I will return to my pastelbord!

9"x12", colored pencil on Canson Mi-Teintes pastel paper

Forsythia

A couple of weeks ago I cut some forsythia branches and put them in water because I was desperate for spring. I knew that eventually, something would sprout from those bare twigs. It was a joy to see the bright yellow blossoms, especially since there is still quite a bit of snow out there!

I will sharpen this up a little, but I like it at this stage too... soft and sketchy.

6"x6", colored pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord