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During our plein air retreat I did six paintings in three full days, two of flowers, two of rocks, and two of water.
Surrounded by beauty at the Maine Botanical Gardens, I sat down next to the pond in the Rhododendron garden, and chose this little slice of it to paint. I was attracted to the bright algae on the water and how it contrasted with the perky pink and red flowers. In the first photo below, you can see a photo of my gorgeous painting spot. This painting is titled Japanese Primrose at the Pond’s Edge; it is 12″x 18″ and done in pastel. I also include below sone close up details of this piece.
Purchase the original painting here.
Obtain prints and merchandise of this image here.
Layers of Flowers in the Maine Botanical Gardens is 9″x12″ and done in pastel. I loved the strata of each set of flowers behind the others.
Purchase the original painting here.
Obtain prints and merchandise of this image here.
For the painting From the Clark Island Causeway (also 9″x12″ and done in pastel) there was some excitement, when the wind picked up my newly finished work and blew it face down into the wet mud. In the picture below, you can see me climbing down the rocks to collect it. It got wet, but dried off and was fixable. I found the sharp rocks of the causeway fascinating as they contrasted with the natural shapes in the distance.
Purchase the original painting here.
Obtain prints and merchandise of this image here.
Rocks at Birch Point is 9″x12″ and done is pastel. The ribbon of fissures in the rock there was the focus of my attention in this painting, as well as the value pattern.
Purchase the original painting here.
Obtain prints and merchandise of this image here.
Serene Sunset on North Pond is 9″x12″ and also done in pastel. This moment was so etherial and calm, and painting it allowed me to savor that wonderful feeling.
Purchase the original painting here.
Obtain prints and merchandise with this image on it here.
At the golden hour on North Pond, the tree reflections made these wonderful shapes, and were fascinating to watch as they undulated and danced. You can see photos of this phenomena in this post from the other day. I captured this essence in my painting Evening Tree Reflections on North Pond, with is12″x12″ and also done in pastel.
Purchase the original painting here.
Obtain prints and merchandise of this image here.
Which painting do you like best?
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This is where I was sitting by the pond to paint the Japanese Primrose painting shown next below. (The primroses are below/behind that rhododendron in this photo).
Japanese Primrose at the Edge of the Pond (pastel) by Polly Castor
detail of Japanese Primrose painting
detail of Japanese Primrose painting
Layers of Flowers at the Maine Botanical Gardens (pastel) by Polly Castor
My Clark Island Causeway painting blew face down in the mud just after I finished it. Here I am climbing down to retrieve it, and while it got wet, it dried out and survived unscathed.
From the Clark Island Causeway (pastel) by Polly Castor
Rocks at Birch Point (pastel) by Polly Castor
Serene Sunset on North Pond (pastel) by Polly Castor
Evening Tree Reflections in North Pond (pastel) by Polly Castor
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2 Comments
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Love your retreat paintings!
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