Featured book of paintings

I am pleased to say that my book of pastel paintings, "Light and Shadow" is being featured on Shutterfly's gallery page. Please take a look!

New Exhibit

Please stop by Sunflowers, in Jaffrey, NH to see my work which will be on display June 21st-July 26th.  It is a beautiful restaurant, with great food and entertainment!

Anatomy of a painting

Developing a pastel painting involves several stages, some of which are beautiful in themselves, others make me wonder if I should continue, because something just isn't working. But the "teacher voice" in me tells me that I am not done, to take a break, look at it with fresh eyes, and continue with renewed confidence.

 Creating the initial sketch with vine charcoal on gater board, 

painting with toned gesso mixed with pumice

 Choosing what to leave out of the composition, 

and working on the background with hard pastels.

 Continuing to work on the foreground with hard pastels, 

working from dark to light values.

 The finished painting using soft pastel to bring out 

the glow of "Morning Light"

 The fun of watching something 3-dimensional pop out on the 2-D surface,

as values are added to show form. I love the challenge!

The finished product. You can see more in this series in an earlier post.

The sweet scent of fleeting beauty.

My gardens have been bursting with every color of peony, and I have filled my rooms with their lovely fragrance. I wish they would last longer, but their petals and pollen are beginning to decorate the surfaces, leaving a few blossoms to gracefully open with time. Their beauty may be fleeting, but the anticipation of next Spring's display will be worth the wait.

Been gone too long, with many new posts below!

My little studio - small, but lucky to have it.

You can see more in this YouTube video: Gill Truslow FFAST 

which gives you a glimpse of my work, prior to the Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour 

coming Columbus Day Weekend, October 8 and 9, 2011
You can also see more of my work on my website.

Back in the studio!

Gardens - at home, New Mexico & Virginia

 "Old Blue"

 "Come Sit With Me"

"Cello Garden"

Gardens - home, New Mexico & Virginia

In the mood for Still Life and warm colors

 "Morning Light" - Sold

 "Summer"

 "Opening"- Sold

"Winter's Sweetness"

"Cabin Fever"

Drawn to Water

 "Moments of Grace"

 "Paddler's Reward"

 "The Evening Show" - Sold

 "Warm and Cool"

"Dappled Light"

My Buddy

 "Wild Thing"donated to Art For Animals fundraiser

"Window Seat"

In the Woods

 "Monadnock Gateway"- Sold

 "Spoonwood Falls"

"There Are Secrets in the Woods" (commission)

Love of Clouds

 "Cumulo-luminous"- Sold

"Spacious Skies"

Pepper Play Series

These peppers were so beautiful I just had to paint them,

and had fun in the process!

 "Me and My Shadow"- Sold

 "Can I Play"

"Pepper Party"

More Studio Time

I've been squeezing time in the studio between work in the gardening and preparing for a new class at Franklin Pierce University, but times up. Paintings are off being framed for my next show at Art in the Park, Labor Day weekend. Getting everything I need together for it has been a challenge, but I have a tent and panels, so I'm ready to go!

I also will be part of a Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour, Columbus Day Weekend. For information, check out our web site: www.fallfoliageartstudiotour.com




"Evening Light" - Sold

Adobe, heat, hollyhocks & sunshine

I've recently returned from New Mexico, spending a weekend in Santa Fe for the International Folk art festival, which was fabulous,and the remainder in Taos. Every day was hot, but dry, with intense blue sky and desert/mountain landscapes. I went out early to paint, spent the afternoons exploring, and more painting in the evening. Plein air painting is such a challenge for me, particulary in a workshop, but I always come away with new insights about my own process, as well as techniques.

Traveling by air with plein air equipment was the first challenge. I carried my Anderson easel, the medium size Dakota box of pastels, panels, camera, etc. in a large backpack for carry-on, which worked ok, but was pretty heavy. The hip belt saved me. Next time I will use a rolling bag!

I have worked with a variety of sanded surfaces in my studio - Colourfix, LaCarte, Kitty wallis, Pastelboard and panels that I prepare myself using gesso, liquid acrylic, and pumice powder on gator board. Kitty Wallis holds the pastel really well so that many layers of color may be used. I really like using the gatorboard panels for the same reason, but also because they don't require additional backing when framed.

The most important insight for me was that the paintings I do in my studio, such as this one, after a plein air experience( classes especially), are the best because my choices are clearer, more intuitive, better composed and of subjects that move me because of certain colors, textures and light. I love the curves and surface variations of adobe, and the Southwest in general.

"Canyon Adobe" - Sold

Happily Busy

"Onset Morning"
If you are in the Keene area Friday evening, May 8th, please come to my opening at The Works Cafe, 120 Main St., from 6-8 PM. The exhibit contains 22 paintings ranging in size from 5" x 7" to 18" x 24", most of which are landscapes of places I love in NH, VT, MA, RI, NM and Canada.
If you can't make it Friday, the show will be up through June 14th.
Hope to see you there!

Playing with color

I've been busy creating a website and trying to catch up on painting for a show coming up at the Works Cafe in Keene in May, and have also been experimenting with pushing color. I love the color and shadows of this little building.

Experimenting

Well, I'm really frustrated now. I edited the image in photoshop so that the color looks true to the painting, but it does not translate onto this screen or my iBook using Preview. I guess I need to keep experimenting.

Longing for Spring

Spring is calling, drawing me into my studio to paint more water. This one has taken me a while, but I couldn't wait to get started on it. Now that I see it next to what I am typing, the colors seem off, which is very frustrating. The grasses should be very warm in color, but look gray.
Vacation is only a week away, with the list of painting ideas growing like the crocuses waiting to poke their heads through the melting snow. Hopefully my paintings won't have to wait as long.

"Summer's Flowing Into Fall" - Sold