Joshua Tree NP Hike

Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 7:28 PM

Joshua Tree NP hike, originally uploaded by martasart.

On this last day of the year, the decade; I thought a nice long hike would be a great way to finish out the year. Aside from 2 surgeries this year and the minor aches and pains of growing older; it has been a good year. I find myself very blessed with family, friends and health.

So here's to a New Year, the second decade of the 21st century and to a long and happy life! May you all be blessed this coming year!



Joshua Tree NP hike

Hiking N.Etiwanda Preserve - 15

Sunday, December 27, 2009 at 5:59 PM

Yesterday instead of hitting all the 'after Christmas sales,' two of my children joined me for a short hike at the North Etiwanda Preserve in Rancho Cucumonga, Ca. It was a very easy hike thanks to the running I've been doing lately.

I was glad I took along my new moleskine as this little flower makes for a great start to a new sketchbook. I have neglected my painting and sketching since I began seriously running a couple of months ago. I really need to find room for both loves.

The Ginkgo Trees

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 11:27 AM

The Ginkgo Trees, originally uploaded by martasart.

Yesterday I treated my friends Diane and Dawn to a day at the Huntington Library and Gardens. I made reservations for High Tea to end our day. This was my Christmas gift to my good friends.
We paused during our wandering to enjoy the Zen Garden and sketch the Ginkgo trees.

Death Valley Sketches

Monday, November 16, 2009 at 8:49 AM
DeathValleyNP no.1

DeathValleyNP no.2

DeathValleyNP no.3

DeathValleyNP no.4

The latest editions to my large watercolor moleskine sketchbook that I began this summer while on a road trip through the american southwest. We left Death Valley for a fall visit because we certainly didn't want to visit when it's 125F in the shade!

Death Valley National Park

Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 3:44 PM






This past week Rudy and I took off for a few days in our little trailer "the casita", to visit Death Valley National Park. What a marvelous place we found it to be. This vast desolate wilderness is right in our own back yard! What took us so long to go there?

Visiting Death Valley must be well planned. In summer the temperature can soar to 130 degrees F or 54 C. So visiting in November was perfect with mild sunny days and cool nights. We had no electricity save for the 12 volt battery to power a light in the evening, about 30 gallons of water for washing dishes and ourselves and no cell or internet at all. At night we'd fall asleep to the sound of howling coyotes off in the desert. It was so relaxing.

During the day we made it a point to hit all the view points; stopping to take photographs or sketch. We accomplished 2 short hikes; one to Natural Bridge and the other to Mosaic Canyon where I had fun sliding down the polished slick rock. A trip to Death Valley wouldn't be complete without a visit to Scotty's Castle for a tour of the desert oasis which was a vacation home to a wealthy insurance man of the 1920's. After one of our hikes we stopped at Furnace Creek Inn for an alcoholic respite at the bar and for me to catch up on my sketchbook journaling. We also found our way on our last night there to the Furnace Creek Saloon for snacks and beer.

We so fell in love with this park as we have with so many that we were fortunate to visit this year. We are already planning for our next adventure! Just yesterday I read a news article that on Thursday (while we were hiking) two other hikers in a remote area of the park found human skeletal remains. Authorities are pretty sure they are from a German family that disappeared in the desert in 1996. It really does bring the point home on being extremely cautious while hiking in Death Valley.

Please enjoy the movie I made filled with lots of photos and my sketches of the trip!

La Dulcera en Reposo

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 4:27 PM

La Dulcera en Reposo, originally uploaded by martasart.

It's time to slow down. Since the river experience (thank you all for the nice comments) I have been going non stop. I spent a week in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my family at the Balloon Fiesta. I only enjoyed the first morning of the massive balloon ascent because by early afternoon I was stricken with a high fever and chills. Soon a week long headache and harsh abrasive cough would follow. The PA at the New Mexico urgent care said they were going to call it HINI. Once back home in California I was excited to meet up with friends who were visiting from nor cal. We spent a few days in Palm Springs with them and then they came to spend the long weekend with us.

This past Sunday while the husbands played golf, my dear friend Tricia and I played in the the studio. I helped her get a sketchbook together and gave her some watercolors and a palette to use on her trip. I painted this pastel; continuing with the Guatemala Series that I've been working on. This piece is 9 x 12 inches and done on Wallis paper. I like the sanded surface and how it holds the pastel.

And now this brings me to today. Rudy took off for a couple of days to a golf tournament, my guest left yesterday to continue their road trip and I have spent the day lounging in pajamas all day. My only chore for today was to check out my SLR camera. I had it in a drybag but was still worried it had been damaged on my river fiasco. It seems to have survived and is working just fine. Yeah!

Next adventure planned are 4 days in Death Valley next month. I'm hoping to try my hand at pastel landscape painting while there. Of course hoping for some hiking and biking too!

I almost died last Saturday on the Colorado River

Monday, September 28, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Black Canyon Colorado River

After a wonderful 5 days at the beach I came home to quickly pack for a canoe/camping trip down the Colorado River's Black Canyon; starting at Hoover Dam and ending about 14 miles down river. As you can read on the sketch journal entry the water was calm and clear.

After a leisurely lunch and a short hike up a side canyon through natural hot springs we got back in our canoes to head for camp. The water level had risen quickly and people who were familiar with the area said it was quite unusual for them to release water from the dam on a Saturday when people were canoeing/kayaking on the river. With a bit of concern we headed down river to meet up with the rest of our group.

Rudy couldn't go on this trip so I partnered up with a sweet young man, "Junior" what at 14 years old was delightful and didn't mind being paired up with the old lady in the group. He didn't have any paddling experience and it was my first time in a canoe but I've had lots of hours in a kayak and have had water safety classes.

As we neared the beach camp we saw lots of people on the beach waiting for us. 3 of our group canoes (mine included) were headed toward shore. But there was an obstacle; the usually serene water was now a swiftly moving river with small rapids. Under most circumstances doable in a kayak but quite difficult in a canoe.

The first canoe to tip held our friends who quickly went under. Junior gave me a look I'll never forget and I told him, "we can't help them, paddle as hard as you can over the rapids!" But it was a lot to ask of him and while I was hoping to "bounce" over the rapids we rapidly took on water. Junior jumped off and swam for a rock, I slid out but the canoe got away from me. I (with my horrible eye sight) could see the blur of people on shore and I yelled, "SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!" I later learned that people just burst into tear because there was no saving me. I realized it also. I saw Junior reach the rock and a thought, as quick as a camera shutter, I thanked God this boy would survive.

I panicked for a few seconds after that when I realized I was going to die by drowning. So I just became calm and figured this is not how I had planned it. A drybag floated by and I reached for it. I had earlier undone my life vest because it was 'hot'. Now that vest was askew and barely keeping me afloat.

Time somehow stood still and the next thing I knew a face pops out of the water and a man about 28 years old yells, "TAKE MY HAND!" As hard as I tried to reach for it we weren't close enough for contact. I think he must have had rubber arms because the next thing I know he had clutched my hand. He somehow managed to grab ahold of the tow rope of the canoe and used his strength to bring it towards us. We were still going down river quick quickly.

I remembered my water safety skills and heaved myself across on top the submerged canoe and it immediately became balanced and stable. The man was tiring but by now two Australian men had gabbed a boat and were paddling close. They threw him a rope and he secured us while they landed on some rocks along the shore and pulled us in.

As we were being pulled in he kept asking if I was okay. I was now going into shock and trembling. I said I was fine but I think he knew differently. Then I asked his name and he said, "Tony."
"I think you are my guardian angel Tony."
"ah, okay" was his response.
Again he asked if I was still okay to which I said, "yes, but when we are on shore I am going to kiss you and then start crying,"
He smiled.

I was carried off the boat and plopped on a rock and quickly wrapped my arms around him and kissed him and started to cry. I then heard the Australian guys yell to a man on a rock, "they are safe, we've got both of them!" That message was relayed back to the people on shore who were praying and crying.

Our friends whom we'd seen capsize had managed to get out from under the canoe and were rescued by other boaters who brought them to where I was. The third canoe didn't tip but they had gone beyond the beach camp trying to reach me. They were hanging onto the rock face but still in their canoe. They were rescued an hour later by a power raft and some people on Sea-doos. Junior was told to stay put and some guys took a boat out to the rock and rescued him. A fourth boat I learned with 2 of our friends when over near shore and the black lab swam to shore and the ladies along with their canoe were brought on shore.

The couple who were near me and had also been rescued were doing well but being nurses they realized they needed to get me back to camp. They guided me over rocks to reach camp a half hour later. We were all greeted with people crying and hugging us.

Soon I was being assessed and brought dry clothes and a blanket. The shaking was getting better but I was still crying. My friend Karen with whom I went to Guatemala with waited for all my new friends to get in their hugs and then she came and hugged me hard and cried along with me.

Soon everyone was safe, the rangers had been notified that we were out of the water but the helicopter came by to check anyway. My belongings had been retrieved but when the canoes with them were being towed back to shore, they got caught up in the current and were lost again as were all my belongings. I had lost everything but I didn't care because my family wouldn't have to grieve another loss so soon.

Tony's fiancee came to me in tears and hugged me. She said he was her angel too. She later told me they almost didn't come on the trip because now you have to show ID to get on the river and they had left it behind in Las Vegas. They were from Seattle and didn't think they'd need it to party on the river. But the ranger begrudgingly let them join their friends that day. I know that God wanted him there that day for me.

About an hour later people had been bringing me things to use for the night, an extra air mattress, a head light, a blanket and invited to join them for dinner; when we heard cheering on the beach. Everyone ran but Karen said, "don't you go running" and she took off. I walked to see a beautiful power boat towing our 3 lost canoes and all my gear!

My electronics had been in dry bags and appear to be dry. My bedding and clothes also in dry bags were dry. My ipod might be lost due to damage, I lost all my water and food supply and one water shoe. But my watercolor palette and sketchbook, although soaked, survived without smearing the sketches! I don't think I can bring myself to use it again even though it's brand new and it's warped and stained pages will always be a reminder of how I was saved from something so harrowing that it will take time to digest it all.

Yesterday we headed out early while waters were smooth and calm. I tried to keep it together but I was so scarred, I began to cry. Junior and I paddled a bit but I tried quickly and the fear just held me. Karen and "JJ" came by and tied our boat to theirs and we took our time to get to the dock. I arrived with a bit of head exhaustion and was quickly taken care of by the neonatologist on the trip.

We all met up at Southpoint Hotel and Casino just outside of Vegas for a buffet dinner. We were all now eating and laughing, enjoying each other's company. None of us will ever forget how terrifying this experience was; wether you were the one who needed rescuing, the one who watched helplessly while your friends were in peril or the one who risked your life to help another.

My hero is Tony, the Australian guys from San Francisco, my friends from ALSAD, and the boaters who came to help on the river. We gave God thanks that evening for holding us through a trying ordeal. That night I went snuggled down in my tent and had a good bawl. I know it will take some time but I want to get back in the water soon, because despite the scare I had, I love the outdoors and all it's beauty.

I am thankful that although I first panicked, I quickly remained calm which helped save both Tony and I. And although I've always had respect for the water I was foolish not to secure a proper fitting life vest and use it properly. On yesterday's trek down the river, in 103 degree weather, we were all cinched up snug in our life vests.

So, I think God wants me around for a bit longer.

ps: Rudy says he's going on all future trips with me :)





unfinished river sketch

Annie

Friday, September 11, 2009 at 5:37 PM

Annie, originally uploaded by martasart.

9 x 11 inches, pastel on pastel card.

This is my favorite little girl, my grand-niece Annie

WIP: Hijita de la Frutera

Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 2:05 PM

WIP: Hijita de la Frutera, originally uploaded by martasart.

Working on pastel card from photo, computer screen and conte sketch. Reflected on the computer screen is the backyard swimming pool. With the temperature at 104f I am tempted to take a break and go for a swim!

Hijita de la Frutera study sketch

Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 3:07 PM

This little girl was playing shy. Her mother, the fruit vendor, had given her approval for me to snap a few photographs.
This will be the next in my series of Guatemalan paintings. Because of the angle of her face I wanted to sketch her out with conte on bristol board first.

La Niña del Lago Atitlán

Friday, August 21, 2009 at 7:48 PM

La Niña del Lago Atitlán, originally uploaded by martasart.

Pastel on pastel card, approx. 9 x 11 inches

This little girl and her older sister were very gracious to let me take their photo, if I bought a trinket from them. It was worth it I think.

I do like this but I might have gone a bit heavy with the pastel application. My goal here was not to let the yellow scarf bounce off her face to much and make her sallow. She was quiet and sweet unlike her sister the business manager!

Santa Marta

Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 3:59 PM

Santa Marta, originally uploaded by martasart.

pastel on Canson Mi Tienes
approx 17x23 inches

Final rendering of painting begun months ago. Going under glass today :)

El Bebé no.2

Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 8:30 PM

El Bebé no.2, originally uploaded by martasart.

I"m thought I'd have another go at this. This is much smaller, aprox 9x10 inches, done on pastel card. I do like this surface much better. I might have to buy a large sheet! I do like this one better than the first but I'm still not satisfied with it. I think I need to move on for now.

El Bebé de Guatemala

Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 4:56 PM

El Bebé de Guatemala, originally uploaded by martasart.

I'm not as happy with this piece. I'm really searching for a support that will work for how I want to paint. This is on streatched wc paper with pastel ground toned with cad red. appr. size 15 x 17. Back to the drawing board!

La Abuela de Guatemala

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 7:25 PM

La Abuela de Guatemala, originally uploaded by martasart.

This pastel painting was done on 300lb arches watercolor paper prepared with Golden acrylic pastel ground and toned with burnt sienna. A much rougher surface than the suede mat board. I really like the rough texture here. This piece is quite small (5 x 7 inches) as I was just 'experimenting' today. I have a large support already prepared for the next pastel painting.

Costurera de Guatemala

Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 7:04 PM

Costurera de Guatemala, originally uploaded by martasart.

I attended Alicia Sotherland's pastel portrait workshop today in San Clemente, Ca.
I had a lot of fun and was grateful my friend Dianne attended also, for she drove and hauled supplies for me.
We worked with nu-pastels on suede matboard. Interesting. No preliminary sketch but began by putting in the background with a dark and finding our shapes. Alicia was a great teacher and I found myself really picking up some good tips. Alicia is a hands on teacher so she had a bit of a "hand" in this piece. This was from a photo from my trip to Guatemala in 2008

Garden Tomatoes

Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 3:12 PM

Garden Tomatoes, originally uploaded by martasart.

Aidan and Adam helped me by picking some ripe tomatoes from the garden this morning. I grabbed my moleskine wc sketchbook and my new Daniel Smith Watercolor Sticks samples I ordered and gave them a try. I think I'm going to love them!!

Summer 2009 Road Trip Sketches

Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Zion NP
click on photo for link to Flickr Album


Summer 2009

A two week road trip that took us to some beautiful places in the desert southwest. Our travels took us from Riverside, California through Las Vegas, NV, three national parks in Utah and two national monument. Then to Colorado stopping at 4 corners and then Mesa Verde NP. Into New Mexico spending time near Taos, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque. Heading home we went to the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon National Parks before reaching home by the 4th of July. All sketches were done on site. Only a few were done using photo reference and I will note that on those sketches.

Road Trip

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 8:44 PM
squirrel, ink wash and neocolor

I"m setting out on another travel adventure.  This time the passport stays home while we road trip it through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona before heading back to So. Calif.  My art bag is filled with supplies, the camping gear checked and packed, duffle bags filled with clothes for climates from freezing to 110 f.  and our mountain bikes have a fresh burst of air in the tires.  Oh, what an adventure awaits us!  

Please  join me as I post photos and sketches to Twitter,  Facebook and Mobile Me.  Just look to the right of this screen and click on the links to the photos in the Twitter updates.  Feel free to steal any images that strike your fancy!

See you in 3 weeks!!!

Sea Shell

Friday, June 12, 2009 at 6:15 PM

Sea Shell, originally uploaded by martasart.

Just a quick watercolor sketch of my constant model: a sea shell. I think I'm going to take the schminke watercolor box with me on the road trip because I have more colors in it than the W&N travel one.

Squash Blossom

Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 1:27 PM

squash blossom, originally uploaded by martasart.

Not only are we going to reap the benefits of all the tasty vegetables growing in our garden, but I am going to have fun sketching them before eating them!

So Paint Already

Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 3:03 PM

It feels so good to be done with the art semester.  I won't be getting a very good grade because I failed to complete several assignments due to my eye surgery.  But I'm not in school for the grades anymore so this does not bother me at all.  I did ace the final exam and that will help to keep me with a passing grade.

Now on to summer plans.  In a few weeks my husband and I will be taking a road trip.  No real plan in mind, just head out to the open highway and drive till we get someplace interesting.  I'm already excited thinking of what art/sketch supplies to bring along on this adventure.  

In preparation I primed a piece of 300 lb. wc paper with pastel ground and toned with french ultramarine acrylic.  I am hoping to take along with the watercolors, my pastels.  While sitting here waiting for the paper to dry I did a very quick and sloppy sketch of my art paraphernalia strewn about.  I haven't sketched in what seems months.  I've missed that.  

Upon my return from this trip I will be getting ready for a hospital stay once again.  This time it's for major surgery.  I have been bleeding frequently for months.  What they found is that my uterus is the size of a 4 month pregnancy and I have sextuplets in there (6 benign fibroid tumors).  So it all has to come out now.  Recovery will be 6-8 weeks.  Not looking forward to that.  I had 4 c-sections and remember how awful it was.  Now I'm much older so don't think it will be any better.  But now maybe when this is all done I can get back to my previous activity level before all the bleeding problems began.  July 20th is the day of the operation.

Right now just enjoying no school, the garden and wondering if to pick up a brush, pencil or pastel stick to begin this journey.

Not that I'm bragging.......

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 6:38 PM
But my friend Dianne (Desiree) came over this afternoon to visit over glasses of Sangria and to tell me all about her recent trip to Europe.  I've missed her the past few weeks and am so happy to have her back!  She came bearing gifts:  Macaroons from Paris as I requested (they were yummy!) and a surprise from Italy,  the new 8 1/2 x 12 inch watercolor moleskine!  I haven't seen this in the US yet!  Oh I'm just so excited about the possibilities!  I feel like I"m the first kid on the block to own one!!!!!  Thank you dear friend!!!

Rose

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 4:37 PM

Rose, originally uploaded by martasart.

22x22 inches watercolor and pastel on Killimanjaro 300lb cp paper from Cheap Joe's.

Another art class assignment done!

Santa Marta

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Santa Marta

"Ante tu altar me postro, gloriosa Santa Marta, para bendecir a Dios que se dignoó atesorar en tu alma gracías especíales."  Before your altar I kneel, glorious Saint Marta, to bless God who choose to bestow on your soul special graces.

This is the final project for the drawing class.  I missed a lot of class time and don't think I'll have time to finish all of it, but I did want to present a final project as it's worth two grades.  Again with the self portrait.  This semester I chose to do a self portrait with objects.  Those of you who know me well will 'get' all the objects I've included.  

It's in pastel on canson mi tienes, 17.5 x 23.5 inches.  Now, I'm going to spend the next hour cutting a mat for it!

a mARTa update

Friday, May 15, 2009 at 10:32 AM
On Monday May 10th I had an appointment at the Jules Stein Eye Institute of UCLA for a consult on controlling my persistent battle with congenital glaucoma.  I was there from 10am to 6pm for this first visit.  When all was done the specialist said, "We will be doing emergency surgery on Wednesday."  So on Tuesday I spent the day getting all the pre-op exams and tests done.  Along with all this I had a previously scheduled appointment with a gynecologist because of the persistent uterine bleeding I've been experiencing for a few months now, despite the use of hormones.  Well, that didn't go so well as she decided to do a biopsy then and there and send me next week for a trans pelvic ultrasound.  Back up, one step at a time, just breath.


On Wednesday I had my eye surgery and despite the anesthesiologist not being able to get me completely sedated, I was calm enough to stay awake through the surgery.  When I was done I was in pain and tiered.  Rudy checked us into the UCLA guest house where I spent the night. Yesterday morning the doctor checked me again and said I had done really well with the surgery.  The implant was doing its job and my pressure was way down.  Very good news!  


Yesterday evening was the opening reception for the student honors show at the college where I take my art classes.  One of my paintings, La Cinta Roja no. 2 was chosen for the show so I really wanted to go.  With Rudy on my arm, a pair of dark glasses and a codeine tablet on board; I went to the show.  I didn't stay long, but long enough to see my picture on the wall and chat with some friends.


Today I thought I might go to art class but I'm still sore and the light outside a bit too bright just yet.  So, for now, no new art work to show.  I wanted to share all this with you because I realize not all of you follow me on Facebook or  Twitter  (find me as marta gonzales or martasart).  Maybe you were wondering where I'd gone to?  

Beer Drinkers, master study after E. Manet

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 2:26 PM

All done!

mARTa with diamond earring

Friday, May 1, 2009 at 6:15 PM

mARTa with diamond earring, originally uploaded by martasart.

Today we were to do something experimental in figure painting class. I chose to do a self portrait using cray-pas oil pastels on Walis paper. I used the cray-pas to sketch out the portrait and used turpentine for blending and toning. I also used a little oil paint in areas like the shirt and the eyes. I loved the Walis paper. the oil pastel/paint lifted easily when dabbed with turpentine and lifted with a rag. I don't know how good the cray-pas oil pastels are, as far as artist quality, but this was lots of fun to do!

Dylan at 3 months, pastel

Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 1:16 PM

Dylan at 3 months, pastel, originally uploaded by martasart.

5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches, pastel on pastel card.

While he was sleeping the other day I quickly sketches him in pastel pencil and blocked in the values. I took some photos for reference and continued building up the layers referring to the photo. It's a bit muddy as I had a hard time with the colors. He has really wild hair and I exaggerated that with movement and color!

I also got to practice cutting a double mat. I need to be a bit more careful but it turned out pretty good. I just need to get a frame for this.



ps: Dottie is doing better too!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 8:43 PM
WIP master study Two Women Drinking Beer by ManetThe heat takes a lot out of me.  Surprising that aside from wiping me out yesterday, I slept like a log to wake at 7 this morning.  With the sun already hot and bright I set out for a long walk.  When I got back I put on a pot of coffee and went out to peek at the garden.  I know, a watched pot won't boil, but I was pleasantly surprised to find some radishes sprouting after just a few days of planting the seeds!  Then I tended to our Dottie who is quite ill right now with something called "old dog vestibular syndrome".   My heart is heavy hoping she gets better soon.  

Then I had some breakfast, cleaned up the kitchen and not even 10 AM yet I did some light housework before beginning my next master study.  I should have stretched the watercolor paper first so it did buckle some when I put on the pastel ground and acrylic medium.  

Spent a little time nursing Dottie and having lunch while we watched a program we had recorded the other night.  By then the day was as hot as yesterday but we were comfortable in the AC.  When the show was over we put on swimsuits and went out back to relax by the pool.  When I felt too warm I'd go in for a quick dip up to my knees.  The water still too cold for swimming!

Early evening found me working on this Manet pastel of Two Women Drinking Beer.  When I needed a break I went to the kitchen and made us 2 pizzas and a salad for dinner then back to work on the pastel a bit more.  

It was a good day, productive.  The only mar on it is old miss Dottie who  looks so sad and is just not feeling well.  The vet has her on medication but told us if she doesn't get better in about 5 days we might have to talk about putting her down.  She adopted us about 13/14 years ago and she already was about 3 years old.  We love her so much it's hard to even think she might not be around much longer.
Miss Dottie
Dottie 2 years ago.

I want more spring!

Monday, April 20, 2009 at 4:04 PM

I want more spring!, originally uploaded by martasart.

Sent from me and my cool iPhone

embarazada

Friday, April 10, 2009 at 7:18 PM

embarazada, originally uploaded by martasart.

Pregnant model. Twin girls due in Sept. 2009
11x14 inches, oil on canvas.

This was the all day pose for today's figure painting class. As usual, the day runs out and none of us finish our painting. The model was sweet and said she really liked this painting I did of her.

Camelia y Plancha

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 7:16 PM

Camelia y Plancha, originally uploaded by martasart.

Pastel on masonite hardboard primed with gesso and pastel ground medium, 9x12 inches.
I'm awful at doing flowers, as can be attested to here. I didn't like working on the hardboard with the pastel ground. It was rougher than I expected. I might try again with subject matter that would be more amiable to a 'rough' depiction....like the old iron!

Ménage a trois, no. 1,

at 2:58 PM

Pastel on pastel card, approx. 4 1/2 x 6 inches.  

I am participating in an art exchange with some online artist friends. This is my first contribution and it went to Sherry at  Late B(l)oomer in exchange for her beautiful rooster on yupo paper!

madame Gautreau after Sargent

Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 4:38 PM

madame Gautreau after Sargent, originally uploaded by martasart.

Spent the day doing homework. This is a master study of Sargent's Madame Gautreau in watercolor. Mine is 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches.

Perspective, wip

Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 3:21 PM

Perspective, wip, originally uploaded by martasart.

drawing class assignment. This is 3 point perspective. I imagined a futuristic  city.

Martin

Friday, April 3, 2009 at 7:17 PM

Martin, originally uploaded by martasart.

18x24 inches, oil on masonite board.
Not a good photo as I only had my iphone with me in class today.  And yes, this is from life.

La Cinta Roja, no. 2

Monday, March 30, 2009 at 5:31 PM

La Cinta Roja, no. 2, originally uploaded by martasart.

16.5 x 22 inches, Pastel on charcoal paper

girl in turquoise

Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 6:03 PM

girl in turquoise, originally uploaded by martasart.

9x12 inch oil on hardboard prepared with pastel ground and toned with acrylic.

figure study

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 4:05 PM

figure study, originally uploaded by martasart.

24x18 inches, oil on masonite panel

Very busy with mid term papers and assignments.

Roar

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 7:11 PM

Roar, originally uploaded by martasart.

Nice how he posed for me huh? Actually, I took the reference photo by holding the camera lens up to the eyepiece of one of those 'drop a quarter in telescope' at the Wild Animal Park. He was fun to do and now he belongs to my little grand-nephew Aidan.

In the Studio

Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 9:33 PM

In the Studio, originally uploaded by martasart.

approx. 6.5 x 8 inches, pastel on canson mi tienes

A study of the ball on top my neck

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:41 AM

LA 2nd&Grand

Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 1:49 PM

LA 2nd&Grand, originally uploaded by martasart.

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