Preparing for Saratoga Rotary Show on May 6, 2012

I've been happily posting 8" x 8" or 8" x 10" studies on http://www.dailypaintworks.com/ for a few months now.  However, I'm preparing for the up-coming Saratoga Rotary Show on May 6th, so I'm focusing my painting hours in preparation for that.  My plan is to do some larger paintings from the studies I've posted that have been well received and/or purchased.  I might still try to fit in a study when I can.
c.j.myers

Late Harvest

This is the painting I worked on today and just posted on Daily Paint Works.com and my web-site. I've been painting a lot of vineyards lately, and they're so much fun.  California has a LOT of vineyard landscapes to choose from.

"Morning Mist" shown in two different frames and note on "studies".

This painting, Morning Mist, 8" x 8" pastel on archival paper, just sold on Daily Paint Works.com.   I've photographed it in two different frames, which are typical of the frames I use to deliver my paintings.  I plan on painting this one larger during a demonstration I'm scheduled to give to the Sunnyvale (California) Art Club on the 15th of this month.
The small paintings I post are studies, and the ones that work out the best, or are the best received, or sold, I plan on painting larger for other venues.
I've been accepted to join the Saratoga Rotary Show on May 6th, so I'm getting a body of work together for that venue.  I might not be posting as many 8" x 8" studies during that time......but I'll sure try.  It's quite a bit of fun!

Information about "The Beauty of Pastel" and notes on framing.

The Beauty of Pastel

(information found on-line on William Hosner site)

"Pastel is pure pigment, the same pigment used in all media. It is the most permanent of all when applied to conservation ground and properly framed. Pastel has no liquid binder that may cause the surface to darken, fade, yellow, crack, or blister with time. Pastels from the 16th century exist today, as fresh as the day they were painted. Pastel does not at all refer to pale colors, as the word is commonly used in the cosmetic and fashion terminology. The name Pastel comes from the French word "pastiche" because the pure, powdered pigment is ground into a paste with a binder and then rolled into sticks. The infinite variety of colors in the Pastel palette range from soft and subtle to hard and brilliant."

Most of my pastel paintings are done on "wallis" museum grade paper, which has a rich surface that "grabs" the pastel.  The frames I use are typically plein air frames from JFM Enterprises or kingofframe.com.  I use quality, less reflective "tru vue" glass, which has some UV protection.  Unless a light is shining right on the glass, there really is hardly any reflection at all.  I have successfully mailed many paintings framed in this manner.

Roses

Here is another painting I just put up for auction on http://www.dailypaintworks.com/.  It is a 10" x 8" pastel, painted on archival paper and it will be received in a frame, ready to hang.  For information on framing and materials, please see blog, "Red Vines in a Frame.

Sunflowers and a Stinking Rose

Several months ago, one of my artist friends came for a vist.  We did some "plein aire" painting in the delta, but one rainy day, we bought some sunflowers and set up a still life.  I'm pretty sure garlic is called "the stinking rose".  Right?

Field of Flowers in Northern California

This is an 8" x 8" pastel study that I posted on http://www.dailypaintworks.com/ auction today.  http://www.cjmyersfineart.com/.
February 13, 2012