James Geddes Pastels & Watercolors Art

Do you remember learning something new as a kid and just wanting to do it all the time? And sharing the joy that this new found experience brings? Well, that's what it is like for me with pastels and watercolors right now...

In 2007 I decided I wanted to learn to watercolor paint. I knew nothing about it what so ever. Ask my first instructor, Melody, who was amazed at how unfamiliar I was with concept of paint and paper. I have sketched youth sports players with a WACOM tablet for years as well as other subjects. But that is NOT paint on the paper! My short session with her led to embarrassing disasters. But, as I used to tell my photography students, failure is a large part of the learning process. So I continue to watch DVDs, read articles and books and visit galleries - when I am not busy with my photography work.

In 2007 I purchased a beginning watercolor DVD from Julie Cohn which I would highly recommend. I had fun with Susie Short's DVD on clouds and skies, John Lovett's instructional DVD brought a knew prospective to watercolor for me. Then I found a TV program on "Create" channel featuring Sue Scheewe who instructs in watercolor. Susan is more than a great artist. Her many years of teaching all levels of aspiring painters has helped her to develop a method of instruction with interactive components that allow you to "watch", "read", "hear" and "practice". Sue's step by step instructions is where I finally "got a clue"! Her DVDs coupled with the instruction books with exercises are a perfect learning experience.

I am NOT a professional artist, I'm a professional photographer. But I love exploring art and I am not afraid of falling on my face... it took years for me to develop sketching from photographs using the WACOM tablets, I am sure this will take a lot longer...

At some point I became drawn to pastels and I have been enjoying my growing passion for them. Pastels allows some drawing as painting or as well as painting. 2009 has been all pastels so far. Some of the 2008 works toward the bottom are my beginning pastels. These are my first attempts, they are crude but I learned a lot from each attempt. I find pastels to be so vibrant in color and entirely different experience than watercolor. I truly enjoy both methods of painting and also mix the media.

I am not displaying these because they are wonderful paintings... I am sharing the journey of learning how to paint.

	COMING SOON! Another painting is currently on the easel.
Winthrop Gold - 12x18 on Wallis Pro underpainting with Richeson Pastels & turp.

	"Ice Mountain" 16x12 on UArt 600 my first snow painting

From a favorite painting that I grew up with. 18x24 Wallis Pro Board - Under Painting Richeson Hard Pastels & Mineral Spirits 7-23-09

	"Bringing Home the Crab" 16x12 Pastel on Arches with watercolor under painting 7/13 (A gift for our wonderful neighbor's son and his family) 7/15/09

"Meg and Sherry" 5x7 - Watercolor, Ink and Pastel on Arches 7/17/09 (My first and last tiny piece)

	Columbine 6x8 mixed media, Arches watercolor paper 7-12-09

Maya in Evening Light 8x10 mixed media (Pastel, Watercolor & Ink) Arches Hot Press 7/11/09

	Tulip Harvest - LaConner WA 16x12 Wallis Pro - turpentine under painting 7/09/09

"Ebey Barley" 16x12 Wallis Pro turpentine under painting 7/04/09

	"Saltbox Barn" 18x24 Wallis Pro mounted by Dakota Arts - Turpentine/Richerson Under Paint 6/21/09

"Oregon Afternoon" Pastels, 12x18 UArt mounted Board Under Painting Richeson Hard Pastel and Turpentine 6/13/09

	Pastels - "Panther Crossing" UArt sanded surface 12x16 Under painting turpentine and NuPastel 6/12/09

Pastels - "Quinalt Creek" Wallis Professional Sanded Surface 12x16 Watercolor under painting 6/12/09

	Pastels - "Yuba Reflections" Wallis 12x18 Under painting Nu Pastel & Turpentine 4/13/09

Pastels - 18x12 "Tryon Meadow" Wallis Pro paper under painting Pastel and mineral spirits 4/03/09

	Pastels - 18x12 "Cisco Fall" Wallis Pro White Pastel and Turpentine under painting 4/05/09

Pastels - 12x18 "Wooded Fall" Wallis Pro with my first attempt at mineral spirit under painting 3/22/09
Courtesy of the Owners "Private Collection"
	Pastels - 12x16 "Maya Turns 10" Mi-Teintes pastel paper 3/06/09
	SOLD
Pastels - "Flowers in the Wood" 12x16 Pastel Mi-Teintes pastel paper 1/24/09

	Pastels - 12x18 "Spirit Island Lake Maligne" Uart 400 Grade Board 3/09/09
	SOLD Courtesy of the Owners "Private Collection"
Pastels - "Finches and Flowers" 9x12 Pastel UART Premium Sanded Pastel Paper 2/22/09
Courtesy of the Owners "Private Collection"
	Pastels - "Silver Falls Crossing" 16x20 Pastels Mi-Teintes pastel paper 2/08/09
	Commissioned Courtesy of the Owners "Private Collection"
Pastels - "Logan's Cap" 9x12 Pastel ColourFix sanded paper 1/02/09
Courtesy of the Owners "Private Collection"
	Pastels - "Old Friend" 12x16 Pastel Mi-Teintes pastel paper 1/29/09

Pastels - 12x18 "Spring Melt" Wallis Pro paper
Courtesy of the Owners "Private Collection"
	Pastels - "Sunrise Silhouette" 9x12 Grade 400 Uart 3/03/09

Email: JamesGeddes@comcast.net
Studio Phone: 360-720-2250
FAX: 866-485-6351
Home: 360-720-2524
801 Shorecrest Dr.
Oak Harbor, WA 98277

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