Playing with Pastels

  Had the loveliest trip to Charleston South Carolina. First time I had been back to South Carolina in 41 years…went through Army Basic Combat Training at Ft. Jackson, then left to go to AIT at Ft. Lee, Virginia, and I just never got back to SC until now. Forgot how much I loved that state and the people and the food. Anyway, painting based on photos I took. 8x12 on UArt 400 paper. 

 Today I did a paint-along with a YouTube video by the great artist Marla Baggetta. My painting doesn’t look nearly as good as hers, of course. I am still trying to learn how to paint with oil paints and man do I ever suck right now. But it’s okay. I had fun, and maybe learned a bit. Any day I spend playing with art supplies is a good day for me. 7x5 inches.  I will probably add another layer after this dries and make some corrections so it sucks slightly less. Played around and did this small 6x4 oil on paper, too.  https://youtu.be/ZVMJOaGvZGg

 Today I was feeling so blue. Angry about how I have been mistreated, hating myself and the world. But I made some art anyway, and here it is. thank you so much for the lovely comments, I do not seem to have the ability to reply. Sorry. Need to figure this out.

 

 Doesn’t matter really if I never get any good at it, I am doing it for myself. I don’t care if I sell them, don’t care if I ever get recognition for my work, just want to keep playing with these beautiful sticks of color because it is so much fun. Started playing with pastels a decade ago after becoming disabled with Multiple Sclerosis and Transverse Myelitis. It lifted my spirits and got me up out of bed.  I hope my blog might encourage others to try their hand at soft pastel art. Especially other people like me who struggle with the blues and need some joy in their life.