Rain on the Hill, Grosse Pointe Pastel 11.5 x 14.5 February 21, 2009
This pastel represents a sight I experienced last February at sunset ... at dusk I was driving up a hill, toward the small shopping district here in town. This happens to be that time of evening when the sky can appear Van Gogh blue. The rain on the cement, the water blurring my vision through my windshield, and the colorful orange reflections on the pavement were wonderful! This pastel on paper, Rain on the Hill, resulted.
After the ball drops over water a lot of the excitement of sunset begins. The color from the sky can seem to melt and drip into the water below it, causing a deep blue sea to become pink, orange or glittery red. A mesmerizing sight. It happened while I was taking that ride on good old Clear Lake. As I sat in the back of the boat, watching the wake and the ribbons of color being stirred up by the lumbering pontoon as it slowly cut through the water I was enchanted.
This pastel, created in the studio yesterday, 09-09-09, resulted.
Pastel on Suede Paper 31x24 Matted and Framed
2009 Virginia Thibodeau Memorial Award
Dusk at the Courthouse Square, 9:32
Pastel on Strathmore series 500 charcoal paper framed 22x20 April 21, 2009
This pastel was purchased by members of the Bryan City Band and upon the retirement of it's honorable band director, John Hartman, the original pastel was given to John in thanks for his decades of service and dedication to the music community of Bryan. In addition to his retirement, Mr. Hartman celebrated his 97th birthday this summer. I am exceedingly proud that this pastel in now in the possession of such a remarkable and impressive friend.
Thank you to Mr. John Hartman for a lifetime of music and magic.
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In preparation for a one person show being hung in the History and Genealogy department of the Williams County Public Library, I spent the past week in Bryan, Ohio, adding a number of new pastels to the series HOMETOWN OHIO. The show will include more than 50 photos of the historic district of Bryan, images of the court house square and scenes from town and farmland around the Bryan area. Approximately 24 pieces of original artwork in Pastel and Oil Pastel will be the capstone of the exhibit. The pastel above and the 4 below are new works completed this week ~ April 19th to the 23rd.
Exhibit:
HOMETOWN OHIO
Williams County Public Library, Corner of Main & High Streets on the courthouse square, Bryan, Ohio. Dates to be announced.
Another Man's Treasure
Pastel on Textured mat board framed 19.5x21.5 April 22, 2009
Thanksgiving - A Light Dusting
Pastel on Strathmore Charcoal paper Framed 19.5x21.5 April 23, 2009
Cupola on Beech
Pastel on sand paper framed 16x13 April 22, 2009
Toby's Dance Hall
Pastel on sand paper framed 12x9.5 April 19, 2009
One of the historic old buildings on the north side of the square in Bryan is larger and taller than all the others. At three stories, the original structure spans about one fifth of the block. A row of tall, beautiful windows graces the third floor. My brother Toby told me that behind those windows was once a grand dance hall! I never knew that ... well before any of our baby boomer generation was born, the place stopped serving as a dance hall, but my mother remembers the stories.
I plan to research THIS one further ....
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Soul Mate
Oil Pastel on Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper Framed 25x30 April 10, 2009
Pastel 12x14 Framed 17x19 March 15, 2009
It was an honor to provide an original pastel to the committee planning the 2009 benefit event for the Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods.
The 2009 Chari-Tea Bear Tea Party will be held May 3, 2:30-4:30, Grosse Pointe Farms Pier Community Center, Moross at Lakeshore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI.
The work above is a pastel, framed 17x19, and will be auctioned at the May event to benefit the Center. Admission to the benefit is open to adults and children, and admission to the event suggests that children attending bring and donate a stuffed "comfort bear" for one of three local pediatric cancer and hospital programs.
The original pastel above is a gift to the committee for the auction. Giclee prints may ordered after the event is held. A portion of all proceeds of the giclees will be given to the Family Center.
matted 11x14 giclee $35.00
Contact ShelleySGSart@aol.com after May 3, 2009 to order the 2009 ChariTea Bear Giclee.
Or, bid on the original Framed Pastel at the upcoming event, The 2009 Chari-Tea Bear Tea Party ....
In The Words of Mary Elizabeth Arwady ~
The most interesting thing I ever did see
Was a cat I knew, named Boots McGee.
A cool little cat, with a patch on one eye.
Black and white feet, a formal bow tie.
It is a joy to be asked to try to create the first visuals for a character brought to life in poem form by another artist. Above, in the early stages, is a pastel drawing of Mary Elizabeth Arwady's character, Boots McGee.
Boots McGee is a great little cat, born with only one eye with which he joyously sees only the good in life, "no eye for the bad". His missing eye spot is dapperly covered with an eye patch, which makes him appear distinguished and somewhat jaunty. As captain of his very own boat (do you suppose its a cat-amaran?) Boots sails the fresh and salt waters of these great United States. As he travels, Boots meets other characters who, like him, experience some sort of minor malady in life which is quickly overcome, proving to young readers that personal strength is not gained by being perfect. Together Boots and his many animal friends visit wonderful places and they share warm and engaging and comical experiences in their many adventures.
Mary Elizabeth Arwady has created an endearing character in Boots McGee and has amassed an amazing batch of magical stories. It is my pleasure to work with her for a time, creating visual images for her many charming poems in the series,
THE TALES OF BOOTS MCGEE
Another Character from The Tales of Boots McGee ~ "The Missing Fudge Mystery"
By Mary Elizabeth Arwady
COCOa McCracken
In the words of Mary Elizabeth Arwady~
Cocoa McCracken, A lovely black squirrel,
A good friend of Boots, for a long time, this girl,
Sent Boots a message, "we need you, you'll see,
To help us solve a big fudge mystery!"
To Mackinac Island, he sailed due north,
Cocoa in the harbor, she paced back and forth.
She was so sweet, the most stylish of squirrels,
With flowers in her hair and classic white pearls.
