Loren's Bouquet

Loren's Bouquet    6" x 6"    Pastel      ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75

DAY 24 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge, September 2017

This bouquet caught my eye in a most unexpected place. My husband and I took our car in for maintenance at our favorite shop, Automotive Rehab, in Garrettsville, OH. The container of wildflowers was waiting on the showroom floor to be placed in a vase for the counter.

This repurposed 1951 Chrysler body makes for a creative service counter. Owners, Jon and Loren Martin have done a fantastic job restoring an historic Chrysler dealership for their auto repair shop. Loren adds an artistic touch with having fresh flowers on that counter. 

This is my reference photo for the painting.

These are my progress photos showing the stages of development. I started with a light drawing with vine charcoa on Uart 800 sanded pastel paper.  Then I used watercolor to do a value underpainting to establish the light and dark areas. I used a hint of watercolor to mark the colors of the flowers. When there are so many different colors, it's helpful to map them out early. Then the pastel painting begins. Having the watercolor wash underpainting allows the sanded paper to still still hold several layers of pastel without flaking off. To go directly to using pastel, it is easy to get too much build up that plugs the painting surface.

I must add, that if you are in need of a quality auto repair shop, this is the one. Loren and Jon are personable owners that pay attention to detail and deliver superior service in our area.  

 

North Chagrin Reservation

North Chagrin Reservation       6" x 6"      Pastel        ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75



Day 21 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge, September 2017

This is slightly upstream from Sulphur Springs in the Cleveland Metro Park System, North Chagrin Reservation. This photo was taken in late October when many leaves were down, yet there were plenty left, to create a blaze of golden light as the sun shone through at noon. The creek bed was almost dry with only a trickle of water and covered with leaves.

 Reflections, no matter how slight, have become a reminder to me to linger for a while, and take in the beauty around me. This particular park is a comfortable, peaceful place for me.  Reflecting on this 30 day project, I didn't expect to learn so much about myself and my art.   It has been exhausting on a few days, but exhilarating on the others. This Challenge has no rules or competition, or even any monetary prizes for best of show. The Challenge is in the commitment to one's self. It's nice to know that I'm not alone, with hundreds of participating artists worldwide. I will share a bit more of this whole experience at the end of the month.

A few progress photos....

Floral Tradition

Floral Tradition      6" x 6"      Pastel       ©Sheila Ashley Liston
SOLD

DAY 20 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge, September 2017

The floral department in my grocery store welcomes me as I enter the store to do routine shopping. Although there's nothing routine about the color that beckons me to linger a while, breathing in the fragrance of fresh flowers.

While I painted today, I realized just how much colorful flowers mean to me. It goes back to seeing my grandmother cutting flowers in the garden,, and carrying them in her apron to the house where she tenderly put them in water. My mother loved flowers and did the same. You can imagine their delight, when my first job was as a floral designer in the neighborhood flower shop. My daughter, Michelle, worked as a floral designer through her college years in that same shop! 

That training and emotion has become a part of my story as an artist today.  Designing flower arrangements afforded me the opportunity to learn color, shape, and depth in a 3-D form. In painting now, I have learned to apply different techniques giving the optical illusion of depth, and yet the basic color principles are the same.  

Cloud Watching

Cloud Study II       5" x 7"     Pastel       ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75

DAY 19 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge, September 2017

Why is it that a seeming simple subject takes more study and effort that a more complex one?

For me it is the fact that there are no definite shapes as clouds are continually in motion and the light changes rapidly as the sun is setting. Other subjects have specific shapes and colors that describe the objects, therefore it's easier to draw or paint.  After studying cloud formations in real time and photographing them, I'm learning to simply record an impression of what I see. It really is just staying in the moment and being present in the experience, that allows the spiritual component to enter into the mix. 

Packing the pastels and moving outdoors, gives me the opportunity to make color notes as to the particular colors that I see that day. Who can argue with the Master's color palette? I like to call my sunset experiences, "God's Light Shows". 

Try it sometime...just sitting and watching the colors and shapes change as the sun goes down, and then stay a while longer to see what happens.  WARNING: do not drive and sky watch at the same time!!!  

Bailing Season

Bailing Season      6" x 8"      Pastel     ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $125


DAY 18 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge, September 2017

Ohio's farmlands are especially appealing to my eye this time of year. The tops of the round bales of hay seem to catch the sunlight late in the day leaving long shadows across the landscape. The fall colors contrasted against the blue skies with just a hint of pink at the horizon makes a beautiful combination of colors. The sunlight at the "golden hour" casts its own glow creating a beautiful warm palette that begs to be painted. This time of day is fleeting as it occurs about 1 hour before sunset when the sun is low in the sky. 

       

Roaring Silence

Roaring Silence     6" x 6"    Pastel     ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75

DAY 17 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge, September 2017

Bright colors in the sky caught my attention when I experienced hot air balloons lifting off for the first time. That festival continues today in Ravenna, Ohio in mid September.  I quickly became an enthusiast, visiting balloon festivals in other states. I have painted hot air balloons many times and some as commissions.  Two of my paintings have a home in unusual places, simply because of the uplifting nature of the subject. One hangs in a psychologist's office in a federal prison, and the other in a medical examiners' office in a medical school. 

         

Marginal Way

Marginal Way   6" x  8.5"   Pastel    ©Sheila Ashley Liston

Available $95

Day 5 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days September 2017, Marginal Way, Ogunquit, Maine

Our first experience in Maine was to Ogunquit in a pouring rainstorm. Not wanting to miss anything, we purchased ponchos and headed out to a trail along the ocean called Marginal Way. What a way to see Maine for the first time. The ocean was slapping against the rocks with high winds in a sideways pouring rain. We loved every minute of that storm!

This trail is now an asphalt walkway perched on the high rocks along the coast.  Marginal Way has many stunning views. On that evening in October, that bare tree spoke of the winter that would be on its way soon.  

Tiny Dancer

Emma Grace Before The Recital    6" x 6"     Pastel     ©Sheila Ashley Liston   NFS

A grandaughter makes a perfect model for Day 3 of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge!

Well now, painting doesn't get more fun than this! Our grandaughter, Emma, was getting ready for her dance recital in June. Our daughter, Michelle, photographed her as she was fastening her shoes. By now, you have by now figured out the next step...Grandma couldn't resist painting this! 

Weeds or Wildflowers?

 August's Color Palette   5" x  7"   Pastel   ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75

To some, they are weeds...to others, a closer examination reveals stunningly beautiful wildflowers!    

Sometimes we need not travel far to find a wealth of color, worthy of painting.  Located between a dental office and a bank in my town (Aurora, Ohio), is an undeveloped field of riveting yellow goldenrod contrasted against purple ironweed, with a touch of Queen Anne's lace. The setting sun, along with the distant blue treeline becomes a soothing backdrop to set the stage for a splash of color.

 Frequently, this is my classroom where I learn from God's very own color palette. I love staying here to study the sky and make color notes of how to paint the evening atmosphere. Then it's back to the studio for better light and a mosquito-free environment! 

Misty Memories

Misty Memories    4" x 7"   Pastel    ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75



    

Day 7 of my personal challenge of painting 7 paintings in 7 days. These were my "warm-up" exercises before starting 30 in 30, beginning September 1, along with 1500+  artists. Like any challenge, this demands planning ahead for an interesting growth and learning experience.

On the last day of my challenge, I decided to paint simply an impression of the ocean, wherever the painting decided to lead me. It does remind me of our first trip to Maine years ago, as we walked along Marginal Way in Ogunquit. The weather report promised rain all day, so we purchased ponchos and headed out into the storm. It was a totally exhilarating experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat! With the wind and surf leaving us breathless, our umbrella's only option was to morph into a useful walking stick. The only regret was that I couldn't take art supplies into that environment!

I decided to try a different surface to paint on this time. It is a mixture of pumice and gesso on 300# watercolor paper. I did enjoy experimenting with a new method for me, as it added a significant amount of texture. I began with a watercolor sketch first, and then added layers of pastel. I guess you could say memories of that adventurous day and a new adventurous painting surface brought about this painting. I'll definitely try this surface again in a larger format.

Deer Isle

Deer Isle        8.5" x  11.5 "       Pastel          ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $165

Day 5 of my self-challenge of 7 paintings in 7 days.

 What I used to paint from, is the reference photo below, from our vacation trip last fall. In Maine, it seems that frequently there's another lovely roadside view, just waiting to be painted, everywhere we traveled. This was on Route 15A through Deer Isle, as we drove back from our stay at Stonington. I wanted to jump out of the car with pastels and easel in hand, however this was on private property. I had to be satisfied with a "drive by" photo from my cell phone.

I enjoyed painting this scene and I plan to do another larger painting in the near future with a similar view of rocks and water.

Geneva Marsh

Geneva Marsh    5¾ x  8½     Pastel    ©Sheila Ashley Liston

Available  $95

Day 4 of my self-challenge of 7 paintings in 7 days.

Marsh areas in the Geneva State Park are interesting to me. This one in particular has enough open water area that reflected the sky and the surrounding fall colors. This park is on the shore of  Lake Erie and has a lovely Lodge where we stayed. 

This painting is on UArt 800 sanded paper. This is the beginning that I was able to accomplish in Geneva. Then  I finished the painting in the studio.

    

Portland Head Lighthouse

Portland Head Lighthouse   6 x 6    Pastel     ©Sheila Ashley Liston
SOLD


Portland Head Lighthouse....a favorite!

This is Day 3 of a self-challenge of painting 7 paintings in 7 days. There's more to follow.

My husband and I have visited this lighthouse before our trip last fall. It will always be on the itinerary for any future trips to Maine. I could spend hours there. Last fall these prolific wildflowers begged to be painted . I have painted this lighthouse focusing on the rocky cliff and the ocean waves. This time, I wanted to include those flowers. 

Late purple asters

This is the more common view that you may have seen before. I took over 50 photos that day and some will become paintings in the future. The first year that we were there, the Tall Ships were sailing by. What a sight!. 

Fishing Camp in Maine

Maine Fishing Camp   4 x 6   Pastel   ©Sheila Ashley Liston
SOLD

View from a roadside in Maine one October morning.....

We found this roadside treasure on the way back from Stonington, Maine. This was a perfect fall day for travel, although I admit that I was reluctant to leave the town of Stonington. Stonington is a picturesque old seaport on Penobscot Bay located on the southern part of Deer Isle. From the deck of our hotel, we enjoyed watching the lobster fishermen unloading their early morning catches. 

We stayed here at the Inn on the Harbor. Here we found a pleasant surprise that the owners, Dana and Jay, were from our home state of Ohio. 

  

Fields of Lavender   5 x 5   Pastel   ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $60 framed 

Gotta love lavender!

This painting was done from a visit to an Ohio lavender farm called Luvin Lavender in Madison, Ohio near Lake Erie. What a delight to see a lavender field with masses of glorious color! How awesome to know the owners originally planted these to attract enough bees to pollinate other crops on their property. Is has since grown to be a place of beauty in their community. They hold a Luvin Lavender and Art In The Garden Festival every year in July.  Its well worth a trip there to learn more.  You can find more information on their website:   www. luvinlavender.com or their Facebook page: Luvin Lavender Farms LLC.

"Fields of Lavender" is painted in pastel on suede board. Its a lovely surface to accept the pigment from soft pastels. This painting is framed in a gold frame with an attractive leaf design. Museum glass with UV protective covers and protects this painting for your enjoyment.

First Impressions

First Impressions  8.5 x 6.5 Pastel  ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $95

Ahh...first impressions! These cosmos were lining the walkway to the entrance of the Pemaquid Art Gallery at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park in Bristol, Maine. This colorful display welcomed us as we entered the gallery of some outstanding art. What a treat!

I could have stayed there the whole day, soaking in the beauty of the lighthouse and ocean, and the gallery as well. The weather was a perfect fall day in October last year. The only thing better than all this, was that I had an appointment to reconnect with my treasured friend. What a blessing it was, to see my friend, Pat Parker, again after so many years!  

We started right in where we left off back then, as though it was yesterday! It's so much fun to paint the memory of that day, reliving every moment. These times are more important that the end result of an actual painting being produced.

Here's some progress shots from the beginning. I've come to believe that paintings have to become a bit ugly and unruly at first.