Ethereal, 9x6"

Ethereal, 9x 6" pastel on paper by Adriana Meiss

Very often when I need something to paint, I go through my photo reference files and if something clicks I get to work on it right away. That was the case with this one. I had a different color idea in mind when I started, but somehow along the way, the color of paper (brown Colourfix) made me choose these colors.  I like the quality of the light;  it makes me think it's going to vanish in an instant. It will be interesting to try the same scene with a different color paper, red for example, which I have...

Remembrance, 8 x 6 1/2"

Remembrance, pastel on watercolor paper by Adriana Meiss

Yesterday I felt compelled to paint this scene. It's all from memory. I had finished setting up eight of my paintings at The Oaks at Menorah Park and on the way down the driveway the pale sun caught my attention. Because I had left the camera at home, I had to do a quick mental-note-taking of the colors. Then that night, a stray cat from the neighborhood (I called him Proboscis Cat because of a patch of dark color on his face that gave him the impression of having a big nose) suffered an awful death. I didn't like him that much but for some reason his passing away saddened me so much. I cannot say that painting it had a cathartic effect on me, but at least I have something to remind me of that small creature.

Yearning for Spring, 16x12

Yearning for Spring, pastel on board by Adriana Meiss

     Living in Central New York for so many years I have learned to expect long, cold winters. But in those rare occasions when we get mild winters, my mind rapidly forgets what's normal and starts yearning for the next season. I wasn't that aware of this yearning until I found this photo while cleaning my studio. The need to paint it right away took me by surprise, and it was finished in no time. It probably needs more work but the yearning for bright greens is so strong that it has blinded me.

    The scene is from our orchard, from a time when the Nanking Cherries did  not have much competition from the nearby apple trees. 

Of Crickets and Frogs, 11x14" - Sold

Of Crickets and Frogs, 11x14" pastel on board by Adriana Meiss

      Christmas came earlier for me: I'm thrilled to have this painting accepted in the 2012 International Association of Pastel Societies Web Show. See the show here.

     On another note, I don't like to make "resolutions" for the new year. The word has such a strong meaning --think of resolutions set in stone, that I know beforehand that I will disappoint myself sooner or later for not accomplishing them. I prefer to use the word "goals" because what ever those goals are going to be, it's easier to modify them into long and short-term goals. Here are some of my new goals:

• to participate in 2 more en plein air events
• to submit entries in more pastel competitions
• to teach a pastel workshop

Best wishes to you for the new year!

Stillness Before Dusk, 20 x16 -sold

Stillness Before Dusk, 20x16" Pastel on board by Adriana Meiss

   This scene is one I have painted before (Mud Creek) and will probably paint again as it has many interesting features that can be varied to create different moods.

   I learned many things in the process. After I thought it was done, I let it sit for a while on a shelf.  Although I was happy with my original sketch, some things did not seem right.  There was too much pink  and too much open water that was competing in color with the sky.  Some elements other than just color were needed in order to guide the eye to the focal area and to offer resting spots before getting  there. Perhaps some lily pads or grasses? Back to sketching  and problem solving.  Thus, the clump of dark grasses in the foreground. Darkening the foreground water on the right also helped to create the feeling of more depth.

   Lessons learned : 1. Be receptive to listen to what the work is telling you. My sister-in-law just gave me a great idea: talk to your work as if it were a living thing. You are likely to hear what your brain is telling you. 2.  Allow yourself time to let the painting rest so you can correct any problems. The goal is to be really happy with  the results.

   I entered this painting in the Bold Brush competition for Dec. If you like it vote for it here.

Adirondack Stream, 7x5--sold

Adirondack Stream, pastel on Ampersand Pastelboard by Adriana Meiss

I survived the weekend!  On Sat. I went to bed in the early hours of the morning, framing the painting above, that I had included in promoting the festival to everyone on my mailing list.  Why was it then the last one left to be framed?  I cannot answer that myself. Too many things were going on and it's obvious that I was not thinking clearly...

That same morning, on my way to the fest I had the feeling that it was going to be one of the worst events simply because I had not heard it advertised on the radio station of the previous year--instead, another similar event was being advertised for the same day.  Well, it turned out to be one of the best! I'm happy so say that nine paintings were sold, among them one that I had shown many times before at other events, and I still had faith in finding a home for.  I saw old friends, met new people, and got the chance to talk to some about the wonderful pastel medium.

Meadowbrook Pond, 7x5

Meadowbrook Pond, pastel on board by Adriana Meiss

Anyone visiting my studio and seeing the work in progress that's sitting on my shelves would notice right away that I'm a season behind. Maybe it's just that painting winter scenes makes me cold... well, there will be time for that.

This little pastel is one of the many that will be for sale at the Plowshares Craftsfair & Peace Festival this weekend. This will be my 4th year there.  If you are in the Syracuse, NY area, take the time to visit, shop and have fun.