"Next Level Pastels" Minnesota 2012. Chapter I.

 Just like I mentioned before, his month was filled with impotent events, 

but this  trip was something I was especially looking forward to..

I had wonderful opportunity to join Richard McKinley

and his mentored group of advanced students in "Next Level Pastels"

Plein Air workshop in Minnesota.

It would be very hard to pick up more impressive location. Majestic lake Superior,

rushing rivers, beautiful rock formations and waterfalls - we were surrounded by all those wanders.

Not to mention the forest... what reminding me forest of my native country -

white birch, aspens, lot of light.

With all this in mind it was very hard to choose what to paint.

 I decided not to attempt come home with some finished paintings,

but rather dedicate my time to in-deep sketching process and learning techniques.

In this post I would like to share some of my works on different rock formations.

None of those is really finished, but all those studies
had to offer something interesting and I truly enjoyed working on it.

All works are 8 x 10" and smaller, Wallis paper, mixed pastels.

**************************

...To be continued...

www.TatianaMyersFineArt.com

http://TatianaMyersFineArt.blogspot.com

TanyaOfOz@aol.com

Pastels in Minnesota A La Plein Air.

 Last week we had  wonderful time in Minnesota painting out with Richard McKinley mentoring his "next level" Plein Air pastel group.

 I do not have much time (normally) to paint Plein Air, therefore it was a very special treat - to get out to some place so beautiful, stay along with nature, paint and get some great advice from person so knowledgeable and talented as Richard.

 I did a lot of quick sketches and even managed to finish one or two more complex paintings. Plus as always took enormous amount of picture for future references. 

 So far I was painting, Jim had great time stacking some rocks here and there.

It was totally wonderful week and I'm already starting looking forward to repeat it sometime.

But now have to get ready some show entries and whatever else I need to get ready for our upcoming trip to Carmel California next month. I only hope for the good weather.

www.TatianaMyersFineArt.com

"Mr and Mrs Smith" wedding Cake.

 Last week instead of painting I was sculpturing ... and baking!

Our little girl was getting married and we were on quest to surprise everybody with

one-of-a-kind wedding cake. Incredibly delicious and well... unique!.. 

It was fun to make and everybody loved it.

Whole preparation process took about a week.

www.TatianaMyersFineArt.com

Out of comfort zone.

"Down to the river" 

14 x 11" work in progress.

Pastelmat.

Just need to do something more challenging... and different.

Because I didn't work with portraits forever, this is what I would like to do this time... for change.

Not sure if this is going to be the final version, or just study for another work, we will see, how bad it will be progressing. I'm alright with it for now, but being a portrait I need all the help I can get with this one. 

So far I'm done with drawing in general, enlargement and background under-painting... just to set a mood. Under-painting is watemedia this time, I will be finishing it in pastel... let see what happen.
The same evening - finished study.

www.TatianaMyersFineArt.com

"Illuminated". Oil Pastel Lilies. Finished.

"Illuminated"

14 x 11", Oil Pastel on board.

Finished and framed. Ready for 2012/2013 show season.

www.TatianaMyersFineArt.com

Progress on those lilies.... Oil Pastel, WIP.

Today I rearranged few things in this painting (some of foliage)

and I think I like it better now.

Look like I pulled it all together to my total like and now just need

 to take some more time and finalize everything. 

I even tried it with new frame I had in mind or this painting.

I custom ordered this one two years ago for my other floral work

 and it turned into a brilliant communication failure between painting and frame...

And so much for talking... Just need to go and finish it.

www.TatianaMyersFineArt.com

Something about those lilies...

 I wanted to do a painting of white lilies for a while... but always something was getting on my way -not the right lilies, not sure how I want to paint them, not sure, not sure...

Finally this spring Irina discovered in our garden this beauty in full its glory.

I went out with camera and soon  I had my reference and my inspiration.

It is going to be one more floral Oil pastel on Pastelbord, mean wile I just finished under-painting

in Gouache and watercolor. I'm happy with what I see here and ready to start rendering in Oil Pastels.

"Looking at You." Floral Pastel painting.

"Looking at You"
8 x 10"
Pastel on La Carte.


My latest floral painting. This time - in pastel. I tried something new here (again!)
and mounted piece of La Carte to Italian-made panel for oil painting. 
those panels have great absorption and glue quickly
without creating any problems with my paper.
I'm planning to frame this one just like I do with my other works on board - 
without mats. Overall it was very successful experience.
Next time I will try to mount bigger piece. 


www.TatianaMyersFineArt.com

Oil Pastel Society signature status.

This happened to be an extremely busy summer for me...
Our little girl is getting married, our horses are getting new barn,
lot of work in the garden and with my show dogs and I have few great art
events to attend what require extensive traveling...
With all this in mind I still have to make myself some quality painting time...
What I do... but those are mostly nights.
Few new painting are on a way, but mean while my "older paintings"
(what are mostly just 2-3 years "old" or even lesser) still do the job...
Yesterday I received a wonderful news from Oil Pastel Society.

"Congratulations! The judges have found your work to be exceptional and have awarded you signature status in the Oil Pastel Society."

I'm finding it very significant, because just about 3 years ago I found myself completely in love with Oil Pastels, finished my first floral painting and entered it into my very first juried show. It was beginning of exiting journey in the World of Big Art and it all started from Oil Pastels what I conceder my
"lucky medium" and one of my personal favorites...

Thank You to the Jury for this big Honor!..
Tatiana Myers, OPS.

www.TatianaMyersFineArt.com

7th Annual Juried Exhibition of IGOR.

I'm happy to make another announcement.
Yesterday afternoon I received e-mail from International Guild Of Realism (IGOR)
stating that my painting "Orchids in Ruby Glass" was selected
by two separate juries and will be included in 7th Annual Juried Exhibition of Guild
at Jones & Terwilliger Galleries in Carmel, California.
from September 7th to September 30th, 2012
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 15th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm

IGOR is planning on having many events during the opening show-weekend
including seminars with several noted guest speakers
and art gallery tour in downtown Carmel.
Amazing show, great artists from all around the World!..
So much looking forward to see it all in person.

www.TatianaMyersFineArt.com
http://TatianaMyesrFineArt.blogspot.com