reference photo
One day, sometime later, I was going through my photos, trying to get inspiration for what to paint next. I started cropping this photo, and came up with the 8" x 16" format. I liked the way the lantana lead the eye to the butterfly. Going through my pastel papers, I could see that the yellow/gold pastelmat would be good for the yellow/gold in the butterfly, leaving the paper to show (that's what instructors drill into your head). So, the journey began. Some of the leaves were changed, because I also wanted them leading the eye toward the butterfly. The colors of the lantana were changed for more of a contrast to the green background. There are lantanas that color.
"Worn Traveler", 8" x 16", Pastel
Framed(too much light on it)
This painting was a very good learning experience for me, and I loved doing it. I have a lot of notes attached to cork board, above where my pastels are kept. They are notes I've taken in class, from books, and dvds, on composition, design, etc.. I periodically go back over them, to see if I'm doing what they recommend.
"Worn Traveler" was entered in C.L.A.G.'s 2012 annual show, and received Third place in the Pastel/Drawing category. The biggest award I received was a lady telling me her "want to be an artist" granddaughter wanted to save her money so she could buy it.
