Bayley

Bayley, originally uploaded by debifitz.

pastel on Ampersand pastel board
private collection
actual size 16"X20"

www.djfitzgerald.com

Now for something a little different! This was fun. But I think I spent more time working on the water than Bayley! I really had fun with all the colors in the water. I must also note that this was from the clients photo... she is a wonderful photographer. I have used her photos for a portrait I did for her sister also. You might remember the portrait I did of a little boy in the water. Years ago I did a water color for their mother of 5 labs in the water!... see a theme here with this family?! I probably should start charging extra for water!! It is a subject in itself! I have also done a lot of horses for them over the years.

This was done on Ampersand pastel board.... it was alright... the gray is definitely better than working on the while board. But I think I prefer the sennelier board. The Sennelier has a sort of "stickiness" that this one does not. And it is a little grittier also. I have definitely had to learn a few new techniques when working on these types of surfaces... I use those little pointy sponges with handles, little sponges in different shapes, fingers, and a kneadable eraser. The kneadable eraser has been the best tool! Sort of like a finger, but you can shape it to a point to get into hard areas... very useful. And it sort of presses the pastel into the board with out smearing it too much. I have also found that I have had to develop a lighter touch with these surfaces.

When I work I listen to a lot of music. I have good head phones. But I am always looking for new music so I don't get bored. And it seems that some music gets attached to the art work that I am working on at the time. So when this happens, I thought I would start mentioning it... with this piece I have gotten reacquainted with Fleetwood Mac. I have not listened to them in years. It has really been fun... especially the early work... "Silver Springs", Landslide", and "Sara". I was a big fan of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham before they joined Fleetwood Mac. They put out an album called "Buckingham Nicks" back in 1973, that was totally over looked in its time. I had a friend copy it from my vinyl album to cd. To date only a couple of tracks have been digitized. If you ever have a chance to listen to it, do! There are some great guitar pieces by Lindsey! And I don't think they have ever written better work. Some of my favorites from this album are "Crystal" (which has also been done by Christine McVie and Stevie... Stevie recorded it for the movie "Practical Magic") On this album Lindsey is singing. Also "Races are Run", and Frozen Love" This is one of those albums where I like almost every track. I find it interesting that I listen to them now with such a different appreciation of the music than I did 30 some years ago......_