Work In Progress: "Mottled"

Here is a glimpse of the still life I've been working on for the past few weeks. I chose to place a speckled squash in a mottled bowl, by some freckled jars and a dappled glass pitcher... hence the title! I knew it would be a challenge with all of those assorted spots, and the addition of a traditional twining floral print fabric underneath it all ensured that I would be working on this for quite some time. While I was setting it up, by a partially curtained window, a narrow strip of sunlight hit the golden squash, creating that fantastic reflection inside the bowl. With a little nudging, I got the light to shoot through the green glass as well.

Back to work. I will be posting the finished piece soon.

((detail) 16"x20", colored pencil on pastelbord)

A Brother & Sister in Pencil, and a Group Show Report

Here is a recently done pair of commissioned portraits in graphite pencil. I really like how they have a similar feeling of confidence, with a straightforward gaze and the poses slightly leaning toward us. Such beautiful young faces!

I must take a few moments to report on the group show of last November. In a nutshell, it was wonderful! We had plenty of traffic, tons of interest, gorgeous weather, lots of fun, and we all made some sales. We hung the show ourselves (with the help of some fabulous friends), served up an abundance of refreshments at the artists' reception, and definitely got to know each other better!

The artists; Dirk Leach, Nina Fuller, Jane Ryan, and myself, with some of Jane's paintings behind us.

Work in progress: "Waiting"

This will be a last minute addition to the portrait section of my work in next week's group show. I'm still working on it, and I'm sure the matting and framing process will bring it right down to the wire!

Today, I will be picking up my giclee prints. I chose "Water Plus Sunshine", "Pizzelle On a Pedestal", "Lilac and Primaries", and "Brussels Sprouts and Delft" for the prints. Also on my list today is proofing images for note cards that will be printed this week. "Espresso and Lace" and "Winterberries" are among the chosen pieces for the cards.

(12"x12", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

Winter Is Coming

When I see these winterberries on their leafless branches by the side of the road, I know that winter is just around the corner. They inspired me to put together this still life with a holiday feel, along with some trimmings from a fir tree, a gracefully shaped old pitcher, and a bright red tablecloth. The backlit white curtains add a snowy touch.

I've chosen to have some note cards printed of this piece, and a few others, to add to the offerings at the upcoming show. There will also be giclee prints of "Water Plus Sunshine", "Pizzelle On A Pedestal", "Lilac and Primaries", and "Brussels Sprouts and Delft". I'm looking forward to a very busy and exciting weekend of the 20th through the 22nd!

(12"x16", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

Zinnia, Parsley and Pattypan

How's that for a combination? I love the shape of these little pattypan squash, and their subtle, creamy green color. After trying many different still life set ups, it was clear that a pink palette was perfect for showing them off. So, pink linen, an old Staffordshire plate, and a mix of zinnias provide the complimentary color, while a bunch of parsley and a yellow pitcher lend support to the squash's green-ness.

(12"x12", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

Brussels Sprouts & Delft..progress

Once again, this piece was set aside, but I finally have it very close to finished. The basket-like reed mats under the sprouts and pitcher have been more defined and warmed up in hue, and the long afternoon shadows accentuated. Finally, I think a few touches of a zingy, springy green on those Brussels sprouts will just about do it!

(6"x14", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

Upcoming Group Show

I am looking forward to my first local group show, coming up in November. The combination of large acrylic landscapes by Jane Ryan, fine art photography by Nina Fuller, "fine rustic" furniture by Dirk Leach, and my own colored pencil still lifes and portraits should really fill our space with energy, life and color. The space is a charming one... "The Old White Church", situated on the banks of the Saco River, repurposed as a venue for musical performances and an art gallery. It is right next door to (and actually a part of) the Saco River Grange Hall which is a wonderful little theater and concert hall.

The show and sale will be November 20th through the 22nd. Here is a map of the location. You are hereby invited!

Fall Fun

Here is a little sampling of matted prints that I am offering for sale at the Fall Fair in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 26th. My mother, a brother, a sister, and I will have a family table there that will feature a fun mix of items including handmade vintage style aprons, hand crafted birdhouses, whoopie pies, autumn themed tiaras for girls, and my art prints.

The prints were chosen from a collection of over a hundred art cards (ACEOs) that I created. The originals all sold through ebay. I have reproduced them in their actual size of two and a half by three and a half inches, and matted them in eight by ten mats. These are not limited edition prints, but they are each unique, as I added touches of color to each one with colored pencil. This "suns and moons" series was a lot of fun to dream up, as was the nostalgic, illustrative style that I employed.

I'm looking forward to an enjoyable day with family, friends, food, and music!

Another Cute Pair

It seems that portrait commissions come two-by-two for me, and I like it like that! (My last five commissions have been for two or more portraits.) Drawing a pair of siblings, as these pretty girls are, always makes me more aware of the subtle little differences and similarities in features and expressions. There is also a benefit to looking at them side by side for a few days at the finishing stage, adding a touch here and there until they are equally good. (That being said, I have no such control over scans and photographs of my pencil drawings. Why are grays so difficult?)

These two girls were a joy to meet, and to draw! The portraits are packed up and ready for their trip to California, so, off to the post office I go!

Brussels Sprouts and Delft

This work-in-progress has been in-progress for quite a while, interrupted by several pencil portrait commissions and life in general. The clean white narcissus, classic blue Delft-ware, and crisp Brussels sprouts looked quite lovely in the setting sun of early June. Even at this rough stage, I think the freshness I'm seeking is starting to come through.

(6"x14", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

Primarily Tactile

With a few more tweaks, this will be finished. Besides those primary-leaning colors, which always grab me, I was drawn to the different textures here. The bricks and their old crumbly mortar, the glazed pottery, the tender and flexible lilac blossoms and leaves, and the smooth but sturdy cloth with its creased fold; to me, they beg to be touched.

(12"x16", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

Back To Work

It has been a while, but I'm back at the drawing board, and enjoying working on this new piece. The almost-primary palette of this still-life is making me happy! And then there's the scent of the lilacs... heavenly. I love May.

(12"x16", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

Two Pencils; One Subject

This graphite drawing, of the same adorable little boy portrayed in the (now finished) colored pencil piece, shows how I use these media very differently. The colored pencil on roughly textured Pastelbord owes much of its strength to the multi-layered areas of color, while any actual drawing of line is kept to a minimum. With the graphite pencil, I like to emphasize the contours with a definite linear presence, which creates a kind of framework for the rest of the drawing.

These commissioned portraits were a joy to do!

(12"x18", graphite pencil on bristol)

Little Portrait in Progress

I am loving all of the color in this little portrait. (Happily, my client agreed to allow me to share it here!) There is something about the cool hues of the subject's skin tones and sweater being in front of the warmer colors of the chair slats and wall behind that just make this piece sing (to me, anyway)! And then there are his vibrant eyes, lips, and... oh, that hair!

(There is a graphite pencil portrait of this boy in the works also. I'll post it soon.)

(6"x7.5", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

...almost there...

This is still not quite finished, and the photo isn't the best, but I felt the need to post something before I head out for a little leave of absence. The dark areas under the table need more work, and there are more darks to add to the lace details. Once this is done, I have some commissions to get going on, two of which are portraits. I'm definitely ready for a portrait!

Pizzelle On A Pedestal... more progress

Yes, I'm still working on this one. The two stacked pizzelle are taking shape, as is the creased and rumpled linen. I really like the varied textures of the still life elements here; the delicate crispness of the cookies, the glazed weight of the pottery, and the soft linen, which has been reminding me of snowdrifts. The lace trim hanging in the air will add a nice dimensional touch while emphasizing some depth under the table.

(detail) 16"x20", colored pencil on Pastelbord

More Pizzelle... In Progress

Here on my drawing table sits a work in progress, and the progress is... slow. Between holidays and a new three-day-a-week job, my attention to this piece has been snatched in odd little pieces of time. It's starting to come together, though.

This is my third still life that features pizzelle, a favorite Italian treat of mine. I have used an antique linen with a lace trim that relates to the waffle cookie's pretty design, and two of my favorite vintage blue pitchers to compliment their golden hues. Perched like this on a quirky old pedestal table, I thought they looked rather splendid!

16"x20", colored pencil on Pastelbord

Button-Spotted Goose Egg

No, this is not an egg from which will hatch a Button-Spotted Gosling.

What it is, is a goose egg, several years old, completely dried inside. I have drawn buttons all over it with my colored pencils, in a pattern that is reminiscent of a real spotted egg of some kind. I must admit that my child-like imagination kicked in while I was working on this, and now there's a little story in my head that includes a mysterious hatchling with button-eyes!

3.5" x 2.5" x 2.5", colored pencil and acrylic medium on goose egg

Lusterware & Oak Leaves

Here is a little still life I'm working on. This is the first time I've used Lusterware pottery in any artwork, but it won't be the last. The lighting on this set-up didn't highlight its iridescence very much, but even at this level, it's fun and challenging to capture.

I've always found this "duck" creamer to be a goofy looking item. Somehow, though, he seems to belong right here at the forefront of this piece, pulling together all of the colors behind him. I guess I'll never think of him as completely goofy again! (Maybe just a little bit goofy.)

6"x13", colored pencil on Pastelbord

"Water Plus Sunshine" Makes A Splash

What a wonderful weekend!

My husband and I drove down to Newport for the gallery opening on Saturday. The ride itself was beautiful, the entire route lined by the nicest display of autumn oak foliage I have ever seen. I'm not kidding! It was really striking... gold, bronze, ochre, rust, mahogany, burgundy... all with that polished leather sheen that oak leaves have. Fantastic!

Then, at the gallery, I discover that my still life entry, "Water Plus Sunshine", has won the Juror's Choice Award! Here's what she had to say:

Juror's Comments:

Juror's Choice:
"Water Plus Sunshine"
Elizabeth Patterson

Red and green; two colors I would never attempt to use together, they are complimentary colors that do not always seem compatible. Think about how hard it is to find nice Christmas paper that uses red and green! This drawing balances these two colors and their many nuances beautifully. I think the composition is very strong and I particularly like the unusual perspective. Once again, I am struck by how the use of colored pencil is different between the still life objects and the table top. The presentation is simple, clean and strong.

I am so appreciative of receiving this recognition, and reading in Ms. Touhey's comments that some of the things I was excited to share through this piece actually came across. I can't help but wonder sometimes if what I'm seeing and feeling in the process of drawing or painting is just "me", or if others will get it too. That's the real prize!

The gallery was pretty packed, and it was great to spend some time with the other artists of the group. I'm enjoying getting to know them and marveling at all of their different styles and techniques!