Finished Painting "Prairie Skies"

PRAIRIE SKIES 9x12 Pastel Painting

Setup of Pan Pastels and
Colourfix Paper before the reception. 

Producing art is like a good mystery... always full of surprises without a sure path to the ending? Seems to me each painting is a new adventure! Such is the case with the process of this painting, "Prairie Skies".  It began this past March during the reception for my duo show, "Pure Pigment" with Vanda Edington. A different twist to this painting, was during the reception I gave everyone an opportunity to paint with my collection of Pan Pastels on one community sheet of sanded Art Spectrum Colourfix paper. (If you're not familiar with Pan Pastels, they are pastels that come in a little round container and you smooth them over the paper with a "sponge brush".)   Unfortunately, I wasn't thinking about using the painting for a blog post so I didn't take a photos to record what it looked like at the end of the reception or how the painting progressed once I was back in my studio.  At that point it was more a puzzle to be figured out, but all the while I kept thinking about how the painting began and where I wanted it to go. The sanded paper and the Pan Pastels are both forgiving, allowing lots of changes, if they need to be made.  Some of the original colors and strokes made at the reception are still in my painting. Others have been eliminated by using a kneaded rubber eraser or have been covered with sheer layers of new color.  Most all of my early stages on this painting were done with Pan Pastels, saving the last bursts of color for Terry Ludwig sticks.  The thing I will always remember about this painting is the fun day of visiting with old and new friends at the reception! If you were there I hope you had a great time also!  Have any of you bought and used Pan Pastels?

When is a painting finished?

Merrily Down the Stream 

Little Bear Creek (Original 2010) 

When is a painting really finished?  It's rare that I look at a painting and not see "just one more thing" that needs a few more touches.  More times than not, I have paintings sitting around my studio that are annoying, like a puzzle that the pieces won't fit... In my mind I know they will... I can "almost" see it.  I know it is close by but it is just beyond the horizon.... 

The original version of "Little Bear Creek" is one of those paintings? When I began working my goal was to go in the direction of pointillism but keeping the painting  looser.  Different elements never felt right, so a few days ago, I decided "Just quit thinking about it and do something" The starkness of the stream leading into the painting and the distant tree near the center were major issues. My final version is much more restful to my mind with the scattered pink wild flowers along the little creek bed. What an ahhh moment to get rid of that central tree!  Makes me wonder WHY did I ever put it there in in the first place???  I guess it is all part of the process.... finding a point to be at rest with your painting, while expressing the place you know to be just beyond the horizon....  Is this an issue you struggle with in your paintings?  What is your solution?

Juried into the 2012 Cheyenne Depot Museum Railway Art Show and Sale

A few months ago I created the Cheyenne Artists Guild Blog. (Now for a quick shameless plug...If you haven't checked it out please do so, then sign up for emails or to Follow.) Being the CAG Blog editor has had the unforeseen effect of my personal blog being pretty silent for the last couple of months.  No really, I didn't see this coming so please bear with me.  I'm trying hard to learn to multitask like never before!  


Today, I have set aside... as the day to catch up on my blog and let you know one of the things, I have been working on.  Back in March, I got word that my two pastel paintings "The Whistle Blows" and "Saratoga Run" were both accepted into the 2012 Cheyenne Depot Museum Railway Show opening May 18th! YAY!!! It's always a thrilling experience to get acceptance notices!  When you look at my two paintings you may be puzzled because they are done in two very different styles.  Because of this, I thought you might be interested in my personal explanation for each painting.  These explanations were required with the application we turned in with our entries for the show.  I'm finding there is so much more to art than focusing on creating paintings!  But then, I think the time we now live in and our society challenges us to learn to express ourselves in new ways.  As well, we artists must embrace changes with new forms and ways of communication.  What do you think, do we step into the future or should we continue to rely on ways of the past?

"The Whistle Blows"

In my painting "The Whistle Blows", I want to convey a more modern look at the significance of trains and their components. A constant throughout locomotive history has been the familiar whistle of trains.  Even today in our technological society the whistle still warns of the approach and roars her continued presents as a contributing force in an ever changing and competitive world. My interpretation of the train whistle uses bold colors and expressive strokes to convey through art the energy and life that trains bring to communities all across our country.

"Saratoga Run"

The inspiration for "Saratoga Run" began with a visit on a snowy day to see Engine 1242, "Ol Sadie" in Lions Park in Cheyenne, WY. As I studied the train I began thinking about what it might have been like during the time this work horse of the American west was in service.  My painting shows my interpretation of a snowy morning as "Ol Sadie" chugs along her route from Walcott threw Saratoga then on to Encampment. Making the journey she pushes her way through the snow with smoke billowing from the stack and snow blowing to the sides of the engine as she cuts her way through the Wyoming landscape.

Grant Farms Revisited

I just finished this pastel painting, I started last summer... of the business, Grant Family Farms in Cheyenne. The great spring weather we have been having in Cheyenne is making me think of planting flowers in my back yard and working in my garden. But it's too early to plant here... so I finished (or for the most part finished) my garden painting of Grant Farms! It has taken me months to once again get emotionally involved with this painting.  I don't know why I have a hard time finishing a painting once that time of year is over? Seems to me,  I tend to paint in anticipation for the season or an appreciation of the season that I am experiencing?  Do any of you ever postpone a piece of work for months, even though you have a photograph... just waiting for those colors of that day to once again become vivid in your minds eye? 

Grant Family Farm is such a wonderful inspiration for art.  I'm giving you their link, but it is so much better to go and experience it in person!   http://www.grantfarms.com/index.cfm 

Red Pepper Tuesday goes to Art for the Cure

"Red Pepper Tuesday" Pastel Painting by Gail Watford

"Red Pepper Tuesday", my donation to 2012 Wyoming Art for the Cure, was painted last year during Mardi Gras.  Though I have never been to New Orleans during that time of year, I do remember quite a few trips my husband and I have taken to New Orleans in the spring. We have had many wonderful days sampling awesome Cajun food, riding the trolley and enjoying superb French Creole architecture!  The Fauvism movement in art was a strong influence in my use of color for this painting... reminding me of the atmosphere of the restaurants we visited. Maybe my painting will remind someone at the Art for the Cure auction of good times, food and fun... like it does me!  But most of all I want my contribution to help the cause of prevention of breast cancer and to honor those that have fought this disease. If you would like to take part in this event Friday, April 12th, check out the website at http://www.komenwyoming.org/get-involved/art-for-the-cure/. Tickets are $40... if you aren't able to attend, keep watch on the Wyoming Art for the Cure website. I have been told that people will be able to bid at this auction from home on their computer!