Playing with Pastels

Do you remember bringing gifts for your teacher when you were little? Maybe it was an an apple or a picture that you drew. It has been nine months since my blog and I reached out to you. A lot has happened in that time that has affected us all.  So, imagine me handing you this little gem of an apple as a friendly hello and a desire to connect.  I'm getting ready to start playing with my pastels again! Hugs and smiles... Judy   www.judyalbrightart.com www.instagram.com/judyalbright/ https://www.facebook.com/judy.albright   P.S. Please send me a message if you want me to unsubscribe you from this blog.  

"Clementine Sun", pastel, 11x14" Spring is just around the corner for us. The sun, the tree buds and the warm air are in our reach! Join me in rejuvenating your art making. Time to take a class... Playing with Pastels... Beginner and Intermediate Join this class and experience a nurturing community atmosphere that will ignite artistic and personal growth whether you are a first time explorer or have had some experience. Students in this class will develop basic pastel painting techniques as we seek to discover our own style. We will explore color and composition, and refine our drawing skills. Ages: Adults & mature teens When: 5 Mondays April 22 - May 20  2:00 - 5:00 pm Fee: $180 (studio materials are available for $20 additional) Call me at 989-7644 or email judyalbright@snet.ne t to reserve a space.

Cabinet of Curiosities, pastel, 18x24" April showers make the sky so gray. We need a little color in our lives. Join me in exploring the beautiful, rich colors you will find when you paint with pastels. A new series of classes begin after Easter.     Playing with Pastels... Beginner and intermediate   Join this class and experience a nurturing community atmosphere that will ignite artistic and personal growth whether you are a first time explorer or have had some experience. Students in this class will develop basic pastel painting techniques as we seek to discover our own style. We will explore color and composition, and refine our drawing skills.   Ages: Adults & mature teens When: 5 Mondays April 22 - May 20  2:00 - 5:00 pm Fee: $180 (studio materials are available) Call me at 989-7644 or email judyalbright@snet.ne t to reserve a space.

Detail of "Cabinet of Curiosities" I have more to do! But I made a lot of progress today. This painting is not done, but I wanted you to see what happened after the under painting. What you see above is a detail of the painting so far. Original under painting I really like this surface and things are going pretty well so far. Wish me luck. Today I painted because I had scheduled the time to do it. Painting a painting requires more than skill. Regular art making routines are a must. I am offering you a chance to get into a painting practice... Open Studio Time Need some motivation to draw or paint on a regular basis? Schedule your time to create at Blue Wing Studios in the heart of Middlebury. You can set up your artist space and leave your materials (any two-dimensional material is ok). I will get us going with some inspirational art quotes or concepts. You work on the subject of your choice. Setting up still life is a possibility. Working from imag...

Under painting for "Cabinet of Curiosities" I am beginning a new painting on a beloved surface! Brand new, never before painted on Ampersand Pastel Board. This piece is 18x24" and it is my favorite! Last week I tried a home made surface that I had never used before. I used a foam roller to cover a piece of gator board with clear gesso mixed with a little pumice. Many pastel artists like it, but I had two disasters in a row. But then I realized something. My now beloved surfaces had more than two disasters on them before I got familiar with how to create successes on them. Sometimes you have to really give something quite a few tries before writing it off. Anyway, tonight I return to my comfort zone. Let's hope it goes well! Tomorrow I will play with my pastels! Judy www.judyalbrightart.com

Beginnings of a value under painting Can you guess what color this tulip might become? Right now it could be almost any color you can think of... pink, red, peach, yellow. When I lay in my values correctly it really opens up the possibilities of how you choose your colors as you paint. Here is the still life set up I have for us in the studio. I have chosen to paint just a small area of the scene. I am excited to see how the values will lead me in color directions. Stay tuned, as I continue to play with my pastels! Judy www.judyalbrightart.com

"Winter Boots", 12x12", pastel Winter days can be so gray. We need a little color in our lives. Join me in exploring the beautiful, rich colors you will find when you paint with pastels. A new series of classes begin next week. If you are not familiar with my work, visit my website www.judyalbrightart.com   Call 989-7644 or email me at judyalbright@snet.net to register. Playing with Pastels… Beginner and intermediate Join this class and experience a nurturing community atmosphere that will ignite artistic and personal growth whether you are a first time explorer or have had some experience. Students in this class will develop basic pastel painting techniques as we seek to discover our own style. We will explore color and composition, and refine our drawing skills. Ages: Adults & mature teens When: 5 Mondays February 11 – March 11 2:00 - 5:00 pm Fee: $180 (studio materials are available) All classes are held in my M...

"Bottle Family" pastel, 5x7" I am taking a holiday break from teaching painting classes, but I can't wait to start again. My last class of beginners did some amazing work. Including learning to paint glass objects like the painting above! My next painting class begins on January 7th so there is time for you to awaken your creative spirit and join me. There is room for a few more! See below... and let me know you want to register! Gift Certificates are also available!  Playing with Pastels… Beginner and intermediate Join this class and experience a nurturing community atmosphere that will ignite artistic and personal growth whether you are a first time explorer or have had some experience. Students in this class will develop basic pastel painting techniques as we seek to discover our own style. We will explore color and composition, and refine our drawing skills. Ages: Adults & mature teens When: 5 Monda...

"Triple Dare", pastel 5x7" This painting, along with four others, is currently showing at the Jackson Gallery at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury, VT through the month of December. On this cold Thanksgiving Day, a few hot peppers might be welcome! Give yourself the gift of creative expression! I dare you! Take my next series of classes here in my studio in Middlebury, or give a gift to someone you love. Gift Certificates available. Pastel Painting… Beginner and intermediate "All the Tea in China" - Vermont Pastel Society Juried Show - 2nd Place In this class, participants will experience a nurturing community atmosphere that will ignite artistic and personal growth whether you are a first time explorer or have had some experience. Students in this class will develop basic pastel painting techniques as we seek to discover our own style. We will explore color and composition, while refining our drawing skills. ...

"The Shadows Begin", pastel, 6x6" Driving home the other day I asked my husband to stop by this old barn so I could take a photograph. I love the way the shadows change in late summer. Peaceful and cool. The sun trying to hang on to the life of summer! My class begins on Monday and it was time to get back to the easel again. Pastel Painting… Beginner and intermediate Students will experience a nurturing community atmosphere in this class that will ignite artistic and personal growth whether you are a first time explorer or have had some experience. Students in this class will develop basic pastel painting techniques as we seek to discover our own style. We will explore color and composition, while refining our drawing skills. Ages: Adults & mature teens When: 5 Mondays September 17 - October 15 2:00 - 5:00 pm Fee: $180 If you don't have materials and would like to use studio materials, the cost is $200.

"Whispering Hope", pastel 6x6" Soft as the voice of an angel Breathing a lesson unheard Hope with a gentle persuasion Whispers a comforting word. Wait, 'till the darkness is over Wait, 'till the tempest is done Hope, for the sunshine tomorrow After the darkness is gone. Songwriters: Jimmy Carroll / A Hawthorne I have always felt inspired when I see this little stand of trees. This morning the sun highlighted their hopefulness. So good to be painting again. Judy

"Working My Way Back to You", pastel 6x6" I have painted this spot many times and it never fails to  bring me pleasure. Shadows and atmospheric perspective have fun with color value, temperature and tint. Good to get to the easel today after a busy day in the office! Make room for your art making this fall... Pastel Painting… beginner and intermediate In this class, participants will experience a nurturing community atmosphere that will ignite artistic and personal growth whether you are a first time explorer or have had some experience. Students in this class will develop basic pastel painting techniques as we seek to discover our own style. We will explore color and composition, while refining our drawing skills. Ages: Adults & mature teens When: 5 Mondays September 17 - October 15 2:00 - 5:00 pm Fee: $180 If you don't have materials and would like to use studio materials, the cost is $200.

"Here Comes the Sun", pastel 12x16" Standing in the brilliant sun trying to paint this glowing barn was very memorable. I had a terrible time choosing colors, but I loved the way the barn seemed to glow. I was almost blinded by the light and couldn't quite get is right. The painting sat in the drawer I call "You've got one more chance!" Today I took the painting out of its exile to give it another chance and get myself warmed up to painting after a two month lapse. It was fun to try to capture the memory of an iridescent spring afternoon. I got my hands dirty and played with my pastels! Judy ps My Pastel Painting class starts on September 17! Come and play!!!

"So You'd Better Get Ready" It's been quite a while since I used the creative side of my brain to paint! You might know that I started a wonderful new job in July. My job is challenging both sides of my brain, but it feels like I've been away from the easel for too long. Beginning to teach again will be good for me and for you , too, if you can join me! I'm just offering one class this time around, and it begins on September 17th in my studio. Call me or email me to register! 802-989-7644 Judy MONDAYS Pastel Painting… beginner and intermediate In this class, participants will experience a nurturing community atmosphere that will ignite artistic and personal growth whether you are a first time explorer or have had some experience. Students in this class will develop basic pastel painting techniques while discovering their own style. We will explore color and composition, while refining our drawing skills...

   Last Saturday I did a painting demonstration at the Brandon Artists Guild in Brandon, Vermont in conjunction with our show " Art from Farm to Table ". There were about 20 attendees and lots of good questions! Here are some of the progress photos as I played with my pastels... Initial sketch in charcoal...     I then created a value under painting in charcoal... I begin to add color... I took a vote as to whether or not I should dull down the background and I began to do that.  And this is where I stopped the demonstration... I worked on the painting for a few days and I think I am finished! Thank you to all who came and the staff at the Brandon Artists Guild! Spring Tonic , pastel, 12x16"

"Headin' to the Jordan Shore" pastel, 6x6" My journey into the words of the song "Put on Your Travelin' Shoes" are nearing the end. I have felt inspired and sometimes frustrated as I created these paintings. Frustration comes with the territory, but inspiration is a joy when it touches your heart and soul. There are two more paintings to be created in this series, but the message of the the four paintings that I have shared with you is pretty simple. "Put on Your Travelin' Shoes" "Goin on a Journey" "So You'd Better Get Ready" The message is hope . There is something ahead of us that is greater and more wonderful than we can imagine. Judy www.judyalbrightart.com

"So You Better Get Ready", pastel, 5x7" When you are painting from a memory it can be hard to get the colors and values right. My memory of a wet and muddy dirt road near my old home finally gelled for me just before my class today. What a blessing! This is the same road from the last two paintings in this series, "Put on Your Walking Shoes". I can't get the song out of my head! Who knows where inspiration will come from? We just have to be ready to say "yes" to it! Get those pastels out and PLAY! Judy www.judyalbrightart.com

"Goin' on a Journey" pastel, 5x7" I am enjoying this series of imaginary landscapes. A song we sung in choir recently, "Put on Your Travelin' Shoes" inspired the titles. Judy www.judyalbrightart.com

"Put on Your Travelin' Shoes" pastel, 6x6" I am trying to learn to do better landscapes and painting a "sky hole" was the challenge of the day. I started with this ground  of a soft umber and sketched in the big shapes. I blocked in the basic hues and values using Nupastel. Painting in the sky holes makes it come alive. I used Richeson pastels mostly. I wanted to try my new set created by  Desmond O'Hagen. Had to get a few colors from my big set, but I think I might be on the right track. Hope you are playing with your pastels! Judy www.judyalbrightart.com

"The Comfort of an Old Friend" pastel, 5x7" I love this old teacup. I love the vintage napkin, too. I could have used a paper one, but it felt special to use this one. "Treat yourself," I said. Enjoyed talking to a new friend at church tonight. Another treat! Life's simple pleasures can be so comforting. Counting my blessings today... Judy