Detail- "Magnolia" by Brenda Pinnick 6/22/08 pastel on board
I just love sitting on my front porch, just as the sun is lowering into the sky ahead of me. And if it's a Sunday evening, all the better. The dishes are done, the gang is fed, laundry folded and it's just so relaxing. I've decided that I'm going to take over the "dining room", which is a misnomer because we have never used it for such. It's too small and boxy to work for dining unless it's dining for two, which at our house, usually happens on t.v. trays in the living room, watching reruns of "Everybody loves Raymond". Geeesh, we're so predictable.
Anyway, the little boxy room at the front of the house will now be my painting studio, seperate and distinct from the office/papercrafting/whatever room downstairs in the basement. I've found that if/when I try to make art/paintings downstairs, I get caught up in all the other stuff that "needs" doing; project samples, email responses, etc. and then before I know it, I've spent way too much time tending to stuff that prevents me from making art. And, after spending too much time in the basement, I begin to feel isolated and very claustrophobic.
Here's a little painting I did last evening while sitting out on the porch. All the magnolia trees are blooming now and I just felt the urge to pay a little homage to the Southern flower. I didn't use a reference, just drew from memory for the purposes of creative expression, not factual accuracy. I just love pastels, they are so immediate. Here, I've used a pastel board made by Ampersand. It's actually a wet/dry board allowing you to paint first and then top it with pastel. 
This is absolutely gorgeous Brenda, I love it
Love Babs x
Posted by: Babs Wallis (Crumbleycat) | June 25, 2008 at 07:06 PM
That is a very dramatic beautiful pastel painting.
Amazing you did that from memory!
Posted by: sue Z | June 24, 2008 at 08:03 AM
I just love your pastel magnolia! the contrast in colors where you added the purple is stunning!
my mom gave me some pastels and I haven't seriously done much with them. I use a lot of paint and color pencil....someday I hope to license, too.
Posted by: denise clason | June 23, 2008 at 07:09 PM
It always surprises me how often when I read a post on a blog of a fellow artist how in sync our thoughts/feelings/moods are at times. Last Friday an artist friend called with a quick computer question and asked what I was doing. I answered, "Sitting on my back porch sketching. I needed a change of scenery ~ seems like when I work in the studio I end up doing everything but what I am supposed to be doing." So I can completely identify! The magnolia pastel is gorgeous and so spontaneous looking!
Posted by: BJ Lantz | June 23, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Beauiful job with the magnolia - one of my favorite flowers. Sounded like you had a pleasant evening to relax after your houseguest.
Posted by: Phyllis Dobbs | June 23, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Joyce, I'm pretty sure we were seperated at birth!
thanks for your nice comment!
Posted by: Brenda Pinnick | June 23, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Brenda,
This is so BEAUTIFUL!! We are color-kindred souls, you and I !! I just love pastel... the whole immediacy and spontaneity of the medium. Grab a color and go with it... instant blending of rich, luscious colors... indeed you have done a beautiful job paying homage to the southern magnolia.
BTW... re-runs of Raymond on TV trays... another thing we have in common! LOL!
Posted by: Joyce Shelton | June 23, 2008 at 10:23 AM
and it is a beautiful painting....Brenda:)TFS!!!
Hmmm sounds lovely "Sitting" out on the porch in the Evening....mmmmm....
Have a lovely Week:)
Posted by: terriebailey | June 23, 2008 at 09:18 AM