Pelicans and Rock Harbor

"Pelicans", 2007
pastel on Strathmore paper, 12" x 19"

This painting was done from a photo that was not mine, but the pelicans were so animated and almost cartoon-like that I wanted to paint them. It was fun to do.

"Rock Harbor Sunset", 2007
pastel on Wallis paper, 12" x 17"

I often take reference photographs as a means to capture a moment. Light changes quickly, birds and insects fly away, and children move. The color of the sky on this evening on the shore continued to intensify after the sun went down.
This was my first pastel on Kitty Wallis paper, and it was challenging. The sanded surface holds a lot of pigment.