Fishing Buds :)

Today I went for a simple scene.  :) I found this photo and thought it was just darling, all the way up to the boy's tag sticking out. :) 

Some of the process. :)

No little boy is complete without a camo shirt ;)

And of course a "bud" ;)

All Done!

 I've also recently posted my art on Etsy. 

Here is the link for it! 

 Unfortunately as of right now my Etsy store is not called "Joyous Touch Art Studio", but rather just by my loggin name: 1gusnot2 

(People use to call me GusGus as a kid… ;)

I'm hoping to change it to my Art Studio name soon, but until then this how you find me :)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/1gusnot2?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Grazing the hollyhocks :)

A Cow in the Hollyhocks… 'nough said. :) 

Some of the process.

Getting my fingers in it is my favorite part. :D

She looks like a Loretta to me :) 

Something about a dog in a pick-up..

A Dog in a pick-up…these are a few of my favorite things. :) theres something about, down to earth, country, hard working, painted sky, simple pleasures kind of life that I love. :) and of course color ;) This picture makes me think of summer (for which I can't wait!)  I was ordering most of my flower seeds for my garden today, which filled me with the feeling of summer. :) I think I have a little while to wait though ;).  until then, pictures of summery things will be my companion. 

I only took one picture of the process…. got too involved and forgot…

I think I'll name her Tilly :)

Fall in Winter :)

Sometimes when you sketch out a painting you just have to go wherever it takes you.  This took me to Fall. :) I like to go on Pinterest and make a board of all the things I like, structures, animals, landscapes, clouds and of course old ford pick-ups… :)  Then I like to pick one and create a picture around it. 

I know some of these pictures aren't very good… :/ bad lighting in my room today...

Part of the fun of creating is learning to incorporate mistakes.. :) sometimes you can, and only you will know they're there, but sometimes you can't and you have to start over. And then there are those jubilant times when a mistake takes you to a better place then what you were originally thinking. This wasn't so jubilant, but I made it work ;) 

originally when I did the pick-up I didn't think to put a person in it… so it looked like a blue Mater just driving himself along… sometimes pastel is erasable ;) 

 And we're done! :)

The Colors of Winter

It's no secret in our house that I'm not a huge fan of winter, from the freezing temperatures to the mushy muck that comes when the snow starts to melt, I'm definitely more of a Spring gal. :)  That being said…I can't deny the beauty of a fresh snow fall.  The way the sun hits the white and turns life into a crystal world.  One morning this week I woke up on such a day.  The sun was just rising, with a magnificent orange that could scarcely be looked at.  I found myself staring at the colors of that morning, the oranges and blues that perfectly depicted a winter day.  God's paintings are indeed the best. :)

I couldn't wait to try to get the picture forming in my mind out. :)

Here are a few pictures from that process.
I pretty much make a mess anytime I'm painting (Pasteling??) ;)

I quickly realized that a snowman was needed. :) and of course a child building said snowman…

 The Lantern seemed like it just needed to be there. :)

I think there might be another winter scene in me….I have ideas forming, but not sure what I think of them yet…you'll have to check back and see.. ;)

Getting Started.. :)

Hi there!  I've decided to start a blog as a way to share my art. :)  I've worked in many different mediums, but  have happily landed in pastels.  :) I love getting "right into the art" by using my hands and fingers to act as my blending instruments.  I've always liked working with my hands, (gardening is a BIG hobby. ;) it gives me a feeling of being a part of what I'm doing.  

Here are a few of my pieces,

 

These are soft Pastels on acid free board.  

They are now at Junction Gallery in the Metro Center, Peoria, IL

Stop by and see them!