A change of plans…

Because I live in Calgary, I spend a lot of time in the mountains. My husband and I spend time hiking, scrambling and climbing.  This means in the summer season we go out as much as humanly possible to soak in as much of the short summer season that we get. Some of our objectives are really only in shape for two months (and then you need that weather window..).  As a consequence, I spend a lot less time in the studio.  That’s okay, I love a summer break to recharge the batteries.

A winter scene - my first shot at pastel painting.

However, last week I fell off (from a low height) a bouldering wall in Canmore and sprained my ankle horribly.  It was very dramatic for an un-epic event.  I’ve never suffered an acute injury quite like this before and I can confirm that I’m sad.  It’s like I have a man cold.  A 4-6 week long man cold.   

This has played into my mantra that one should always have an active pursuit and a sedentary pursuit -  back up plans for every situation. So, back to the studio I go!  I’ve been curious for the last few months about soft pastels.  Why?  I’ve never touched them before.  I remember my dad talking smack about them, probably because they’re incredibly messy. But when you look at some of the work that can be done with them, the soft edges, the floating effect of the colour, I had to give it a try. I bought two boxes of Richeson’s from one of our local stores (hello sale!).

I’m nonplussed about (my own) pencil-related drawings; I’m not the drawing type. Perhaps going this route would inspire me to experiment more with sketching shape and form without committing to that stupid thin line.  I consider drawing like rehab exercises, necessary but often ignored. Having these fat, hand rolled pastels takes care of most of those problems which is terrific. I also adore that I can happily finish a sketch in a shorter period of time. I need some “quick hits” in my life.

Dried Roses - This is on Art Spectrum paper, gold!

I’m still learning how to use them, and how to layer them.  I’ve already figured out what paper I hate, and the kind of tooth that makes me feel like gold.  I discovered that some (a lot?) of the success of using any specific medium is partly tactile.  Is it weird I never considered that?  I love the feeling of putting the pastel on the paper, it’s the same magic feeling I get from painting with specific watercolour brushes – they feel like butter.

So the only problem I have going forward is buying more colours.  There are too many colours and so little time…and cash.

Castilleja - this is on the paper I don’t like.

I’ll keep plugging away as always, and I look forward to my fall scrambling season, if everything goes according to my healing will power.

I hope you are enjoying your summer!