The Sandia Mountains

The Sandia Mountains

I recently did this pastel of the Sandia Mountains for someone very special in my life, my daughter.  She loves the Sandia Mountains. It was a Christmas gift and now that Christmas is over I thought I'd share it with you.

I used velour paper and Rembrandt pastels.  It is 11" x 14".  I was fortunate that I had a frame and mat that would work well with it.

Here is the WIP (work in progress):

First I sketched in the entire scene then concentrated on the clouds and sky.  They were magnificent and I wanted to make sure I caught the "boiling" effect they had and all the different colors in them.

As I finished up the clouds I started on the mountains.  They had a lot of craggy edges and details to capture.

Finally, I wanted to catch the light reflected on the mountains from sun and the storm.  I think it turned out pretty well and as it turns out that special person loved it and that made it all worthwhile!!

I  hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and were able to spend time with family and friends.  I'm wishing you a very Happy New Year and praying 2021 is much better than 2020 has been for most people bringing us all joy, peace and hope.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

~ Romans 15:13 | King James Version

 

Pat-a-Cake, Pat-a-Cake

I hope you all are doing well and ready for Christmas.  

I recently finished this commission of a precious little girl for a wonderful lady.  It is her granddaughter and she plans to give it as a Christmas gift to the parents.

It was a fun piece to work on and kind of challenging at the same time with those cute little fingers involved.  I caught myself counting them constantly to make sure I got them right.

Here is the WIP (work in progress):

The next challenge was to find a frame.  I say "challenge" because my favorite frame shop went out of business and I ending up shopping both on-line and curbside.  After ordering three frames I chose this one.  I think it sets the pastel off nicely and my customer loved it as well which always makes me happy.

All framed and ready to be delivered:

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and remember the reason we celebrate the season.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ~  Luke 2:10 | King James Version

 

2020 Christmas Card

I can't believe it, but it is about time to start thinking about sending out Christmas cards!  This year's card is a really cute one even if I say so myself!

The process can be time consuming, but I start off by picking my reference photo.  This one came from Pixabay.  

Then I create my pastel using the reference photo on 11 " X 14" velour paper.  

I made a few changes but not many.  Here is the final pastel. 

Once finished with the pastel, I use my computer software and create a print in the appropriate size for the card.  For these cards, the 4" X 5" print is printed on fine art paper creating a suitable giclée print for framing - making it two gifts in one - the card and the print!  

The giclée print is then cut out and mounted with photo corners on  5 1/2" x 8 1/2" card stock.  As you can see there are a lot of steps in creating these cards and they can be time consuming but my customers love them!

Here is the finished 2020 Christmas Card. "He was born in a manger!"

                                  Front

Back

I hope you like it and if you are interested in purchasing some cards you can find them here. Oh, and if you'd like to purchase the original pastel or print you can find them here.

Luke 2
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes. and laid him in a manager.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Colors of Fall

8" X 10" Pastel on Velour

Original $125 | Print $35

It's that time of year when we are beginning to see all the beautiful fall colors everywhere.  

A friend shared one of her photos from Colorado of some Aspens changing colors. So with her permission, I decided to use it as a reference photo for my pastel.  Thank you Saundra Lane!  

This pastel, like my Spent Roses, is looser than I normally do but it was just as much fun.  It was a challenge in its own way in trying to keep it loose, catching the lights and darks, and overlapping colors.

You can purchase Colors of Fall on my website and while you are there be sure to take a look around at the rest of my art.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 | KJV

Curls & Cupcakes

 Curls & Cupcakes

8" x10" Pastel on Velour

In a Private Collection

This precious little redheaded girl is my great grand niece.  I did this pastel a couple of years ago as a Christmas present for her folks.  They loved it!

Recently I was trying to decide if I should enter an art contest and saw the Dakota Art Pastels Soft Pastel Competition advertised.  I was unsure if I should even enter much less which pastel I would use.  But, last night right before the deadline I submitted "Curls & Cupcakes" for the Summer Quarter Contest.  

Winners will be announced October 1, 2020.  Who knows what will happen but I wouldn't know if I didn't enter. So it is out there.  I'll keep you posted on the results.

In the meantime, if you decide you'd like me to do a portrait for you let me know.  You can email me at karen@karenhargettfineart.com.  Be sure to check out my website too at Karen Hargett Fine Art.

But Jesus said, Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.  ~  Matthew 19:14| King James Version

Spent Roses

Spent Roses   

8" X 10" Pastel on Velour

$100 for Original; $35 for Giclee Print

I took the photo reference for this pastel years ago in my backyard and finally decided it was time to do it.  The roses had already bloomed and were beautiful but at this point they were "spent."  They hadn't really lost their beauty in my eyes - just in a different stage of beauty.  

It has been a while since I've done anything but animal and people portraits but I found it was a nice change of pace.  Also, the pastel is a little "looser" than normal for me but I like the way that it turned out.  

I may have to try this again soon!  What do you think? 

You may purchase this or any other original pastel or print on my website at karenhargettfineart.com or  Feel free to email me for other inquiries as well.

Matthew 11:28 ~ King James Version

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Sarge - A Companion to "Mom's Horse"

Earlier in the year I did a commission of  "Mom's Horse."  You can read the post, see the WIPs and finished pastel if you scroll down a few posts to January 14th. 

Shortly after the delivery of the commission I was contact by the horse's owner.  She was very pleased with how the pastel turned out and asked me to do another pastel of her other horse, Sarge.  Needless to say I was extremely happy to do so, however, somehow somewhere along the line I didn't get it posted to my blog.  For that I apologize. 

Sarge is a beautiful horse and was a lot of fun to work on.  Have I told you lately that I love horses?

Here is the reference photo, WIPs and final pastel.

 

 "Sarge"

8" x 10" Pastel on Velour

Latest Pastel Commission - Sam

I had the privilege of doing this pastel of my client's grandson, Sam. 

He is just precious.  You've got to love those cheeks!

I have to admit I was a little concerned about finding a frame, especially during this pandemic, but I found a great frame on line at Hobby Lobby.  They got it to me in a very timely manner and the packaging was excellent - no damage at all to the frame.  It is a high quality frame and I love the color!  I think it really sets the pastel off great - don't you?

The pastel is 8" x 10" on velour paper.  Here are a few of the WIPs (work in progress) of this pastel:

Please contact me at karen@karenhargettfineart.com if you'd like a pastel done of one of your family members.  I'd love to do one for you! 

Stay safe and well!

New Pastel Commission - Missy Bella

I had a couple of new pastel commissions recently and this is one of them.  It is of Missy Bella - a very beautiful Australian Shepherd.  She is much loved and is a sweet companion.

This pastel is 11" x 14" and was done on velour paper.  Here are pictures of my work in progress (WIPs).   

. . .and here it is framed . . .

. . . and hung.

I'm very pleased with the way it turned out and so was my client!  

Hope you enjoy looking at them and if you ever want a pastel done of your pet please be sure to contact me at karen@karenhargettfineart.com

First Pastel & Commission of 2020

I hope all of you are having a great beginning to this new year and new decade.  It's hard to believe it is 2020!

I was very happy to start the new year with a new pastel commission.  My client had wanted a pastel done of his mom's horse and gave me a couple of photos to work from.  He didn't want anything too large so I cropped the original photo so that most of the picture would be of the horse and not the barn.

I wished I had taken more pictures of the WIP (work in progress) but once I got started I didn't stop to take many photos at all.  I will try next time to take the time and photograph the WIPs. They can be  interesting to look at when the pastel is completed.

As always, somewhere in the middle, it gets really ugly when working on it and can be rather intimidating even after all these years of doing pastels.  I'm always happy and relieved to work through the ugly parts and get to a pastel that I'm happy with.

I can say I'm happy with the results and most importantly so is my client.

Here is the reference photo, a couple of WIPs, and the final pastel.

Mom's Horse

8" x 10" Pastel on Velour