Painting BIG

"From the Bank of the River"  Pastel 19 x 27 © Donna Gross
Available contact artist

This is the first time I painted this large of a canvas.  I dedicated an afternoon to this endeavor....created loads of dust....and burned through several sticks of pastel....
While I enjoyed using large, loose strokes... it was a bit overwhelming. I prefer working a bit smaller... 12 x 16 or smaller.
This is a painting created from a photo reference from one of our many family vacations to Yosemite.
We go to Yosemite annually

 and sometimes more than that, and usually during the winter months. 

Winter in Yosemite is a magical experience.  Snow on the ground is not always a guarantee, but when there is a blanket of the white stuff and the sun is shining .... just a stunning spectacle to behold.
This year, we decided to mix it up a little.  This year we are heading to Mt. Shasta, about 5 hours north of Santa Cruz. This gorgeous area of California boasts a landscape born of volcanic activity.  The town is small and quaint... just right for our family.  As the holidays approach, I am pleased to maintain my perspective.... enjoy the natural beauty...drink in the evenings spent with my kids home from college...Another year gone by...another year older...