I am a slacker. Apparently. It has been two weeks since my last post. (Why does that sound as if I am in the confession box?)

As long as I am confessing, I will add my name to the list of artists who feel like they have hit a brick wall.  Slight relief to know at least, that I am not alone.

Is there something in the air?

Does pollen make you procrastinate?

I have worked on this pear for several days. Not sure why pastels are drawing me in now. But I do know it has a lot to do with Karen Margulis and her amazing work. She is a daily painter and she is so generous in sharing her insights on her blog. She also has Fabulous lessons for sale in her Etsy shop.

A couple of years ago, I took several free online classes with Johannes Vloothuis. He worked in several mediums, one of them pan pastels. It was love at first sight for me! I never had any interest in pastels before. Much as I did not appreciate Impressionism when I studied art history, I could not find beauty in pastel paintings. They just never captured my eye.

But again, I have done a 180. I think it is due to the fact that so often details are kept to a minimum. I find pastel very, soothing, Pastel landscapes, draw me in, and give me… a peaceful moment. I have yet to try pan pastels (expensive!!) but I my lust for them is like that of a youngin’ counting the days until Christmas, in July.

I just have to give a huge “Thank You!” to all the artists who share their knowledge so freely. What a blessing!

Here is my humble pear study. I’d love to hear what you think.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

A beginning. Pear. 5 x 5 pastel, © Sheila Delgado 2014

A middle. Pear. 5 x 5 pastel, © Sheila Delgado 2014

An end? Pear. 5 x 5 pastel, © Sheila Delgado 2014