Punderson Lake

Punderson Lake     5" x 6"    Pastel       ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75

 DAY 29 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge, September 2017 

We spent this early evening at Punderson State Park in Newbury, Ohio at the marina. It was pleasant, as the weather is cooler and the marina was closed. That made it a perfect place to sit outside and start this painting. We had a blue heron, named Gilbert, who insisted that we knew that we were the guest at his residence! How did we know his name? A gentleman, called Skipper, came by from the campground, walking his dog named Gilligan. 

 

The sky was cloudy at that time and and we were not sure that we could get interesting light. Around 5:30 pm, the sun did break through the clouds for long enough for Bill to photograph the scene, while I quickly set up. I did get a chance to get a quick underpainting done in watercolor, with some color notes. Later it did become chilly enough, that we decided to head home. I then finished this in the studio.

Punderson State Park is a place that we took our children often, as they were growing up.  We've camped there and stayed in the Lodge. Good memories!

 

Backyard Buddy

Backyard Buddy   5" x 6"    Pastel    ©Sheila Ashley Liston
SOLD

Day 7 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days, Sept 2017 Challenge with our frequent backyard visitor.

We've had a family of three bunnies living in our backyard this summer. They seem to love the food that we provide for the birds and in exchange we are entertained by their presence.

 I've learned one important fact in painting bunnies.....you have to work fast!

Here are some progress shots from beginning to the finished painting shown above. 

Adirondack Experience

Adirondack Museum View      5" x 6"     Pastel      ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75

Day 4 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge, September 2017

A September view from the observation deck at the Adirondack Experience Museum...

The former Adirondack Museum is now called Adirondack Experience and appropriately so. The natural beauty is a breathtaking experience as the museum sits on Blue Mountain Lake in Blue Mountain, New York . The grounds, buildings, and historic displays are worth a visit with something to enjoy for all ages, as well an many events during the year.  There's a lifetime of painting subjects there.

I especially enjoyed the view above Blue Mountain Lake from the observation deck with lovely, well cared for plantings of a variety of flowers. I love painting places like this as it helps to embed the experience in my mind. Also, I get a chance to relive our time spent there with long time friends and new friends from our last visit. 

I began with a simple thin wash of black, mapping out where my darks and lights were located.

I then laid in some beginning color to establish a tone for the whole painting. Once I began with the foliage and flowers I became so focused that I forgot to take another progress shot.