High Country Marsh, Pastel

[Jo Castillo]

I haven't posted in ages here. I haven't been painting much. We have been in Angel Fire, New Mexico, for a couple of months escaping the heat of Central Texas. I was packing my art stuff including my pastels for the road home so took an hour or so off to play in the dust.


Assorted pastels on Uart sanded paper 400 grit, 9 x 12 inches

I stood in the shade of the tailgate. Such a beautiful day.....perfect for plein air. I'm smiling.

[ronart]

i like it very much . love the way you make it sing with color !

Ronnie

[Jo Castillo]

Thank you, Ronnie. I do love color and I didn't take any grays with me. Ha.

[ntl]

Looks more like Spring than Fall! Ronnie's right--the colors sing!
ntl

[macrobertson]

I like to use my tailgate when painting too... whenever I can, for convenience and shade.

nice colourful scene

Mac

[ntl]

My van has barn doors. I used to carry an appropriately sized canvas to go across the open doors and hang down a little on both sides, and several clamps to hold the canvas in place.

[Jo Castillo]

ntl, thank you. It is still pretty green here and there are lots of yellow flowers and purple asters. We have only had one 32 degree F. so far. The aspens are just barely turning yellow. I can't imagine painting on that big of a canvas! Either plein air or in studio.

Mac, thanks. I'm always for comfort and convenience. I liked looking through your website and blogs. Beautiful paintings.

[ntl]

Originally Posted by Jo Castillo

ntl, thank you. ... I can't imagine painting on that big of a canvas! Either plein air or in studio.....I'm always for comfort and convenience.

I guess I wasn't clear. I hung the long length of canvas as a "roof" over the top edges of the rear doors, and held it in place with a few clamps. I could be in shade for a while, then, and sit or stand at my easel.
I've been trying to figure a way to do an "awning" out from the sliding side door without using screws or damaging the van.

The largest canvas I've painted on in years was 16x20 inches. I do have two that are much larger, haven't quite decided what I'll put on those. Most of my plein airs are 8x10" or smaller.

[Jo Castillo]

Ha, ntl, I had visions of you painting on a huge canvas. I have read about a couple of artists that did that, but didn't "know" anyone who actually did it. I'm smiling. That is a great idea. I have a cousin that has a collection of old mobile homes and travel trailers I will ask her about that.

[ntl]

Originally Posted by Jo Castillo

Ha, ntl, I had visions of you painting on a huge canvas. I have read about a couple of artists that did that, but didn't "know" anyone who actually did it. I'm smiling.

I have visions of me standing with oilbars in hand in front of a huge canvas. I have a length of canvas but not gessoed... I'd kind of like to do that, but have NO idea what to paint, and can't see me just slapping paint around, though I do that on size small supports. To ME, that would be wasteful.

Originally Posted by Jo Castillo

That is a great idea. I have a cousin that has a collection of old mobile homes and travel trailers I will ask her about that.

Last year I bought heavy duty suction cups thinking to use them on the roof to hold PVC pipes, but couldn't figure out a way to easily and safely support the outer corners in place. Something like this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tooluxe-5...ent/132976160? I see this model has a working load of 65 pounds, so maybe they wouldn't work even in a light breeze anyway...

[Jo Castillo]

ntl, I'll keep thinking......

[Kelvin]

Beautiful! I love that part of NM. Well, all of NM, really.

[Jo Castillo]

Thanks, Kelvin. We are originally from New Mexico so it is always home to be here, no matter what part.