A Good Practice

 "Reclining"  A figure study   18x24  charcoal  © Donna Gross

Today I spent the afternoon in the studio with one of my favorite masters of figure drawing , Susie Wilson.
Susie Wilson Art @pommegraphisfineart
I have studied with Susie for a couple years now.  It is always a treat to sit with her in her classroom for a 3 hour session drawing from a live model.  Susie has been instrumental in teaching me how to "see" ....that is to draw what you actually see with your eyes and not draw what your brain knows ....it's about seeing shapes and then relating them to render the image in front of you!  I can think of no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!  Look for this image later on as I add color and expression and movement painting it in pastel!

California on Fire

"Inferno"   Pastel  5x7  © Donna Gross
Available contact artist

Greetings friends...

I am back from my travels to the Big Sky Country of Montana.  Flying home over the north bay area of California in the early evening hours, I could see my state on fire.  

I have a sister in the evacuated area now and I am sitting pins and needles.  The forces of nature are showing their colors....today's painting had a limited palette....mostly the hues of fire and smoke.

The Earth is in turmoil.  So many natural events have occurred in a short period of time....earthquakes in Mexico, hurricanes in the southeast and Puerto Rico and the Caribbean...and the fires of the northwest of the US...and now here in my near backyard.  These events remind me of my small place in the world and my personal responsibility to keep my footprint as small as possible.

To all those affected by the Somoma/Napa fires and other disasters , my thoughts are with you ..

Be safe.

Travel Memories

"Zion National Monument"    Pastel    9x12   © Donna Gross
Available donnatheresafineart.com

Well, another trip is wrapping up.  Tomorrow I head for home with wonderful memories of my time spent here in Big Sky Country with longtime friends.  I had some time to sketch with ink in my sketchbook and also complete a few pastel studies with my pastel pencils.  I am eager to review my photos and start a new pastel painting rich with memories , reference photos, and studies.

Today's painting was a piece I completed in the studio using a reference studio.  I visited Zion about 11 years ago.... the memories are still fresh in my mind and as vivid as the colors I used in this piece. Hope you enjoy !

On a Dock with Curious Ducks!

"Moored in the Morning Light"   Pastel   5x7   © Donna Gross

Good morning from Whitefish, Montana!  There is quite the art community in this little resort hamlet of population 7000. Last night was "First Thursday Art Walk" here .....what timing for me!  I was treated to viewing several gallery open houses where some artists were present.   Of course I introduced myself and picked their brains on techniques , approaches, inspiration, etc.  Up here in Northwest Montana, western art is what sells. Landscapes of the surrounding area which features the magnificent Glacier National Park .  Many pieces depicted animals of this area...grizzled bears,

wolves, elk, bighorn sheep... Also a great many canvases depicted Native American life before colonization. 

One gallery I visited called Sunni World Art Gallery suntiworldartgallery.com displayed the owner's sculptures which were amazing.  Hyper-realistic and life size, the head busts almost began to move as I stared in amazement at the artistry and technical accomplishment.

As an emerging fine artist, I am grabbing every opportunity to view art...whether in my home town or 

during my travels....I also find lovely places to paint!

My view

My morning companions!!

Aspens in Autumn

"Aspens in Autumn"   Pastel   5x7  © Donna Gross


There is nothing quite like the beauty and shimmer of aspens in the fall light....The sun is lower in the sky now  and the light makes everything more chromatic...almost like looking through a Polaroid lense...
Awakening to the sound of the train conductor announcing our arrival into Whitefish, Montana, I found myself scurrying to gather my belongings and myself within a ten minute time frame!  Not the way I usually wake up!  I think I had my pajama top still on under my goose jacket!
After gathering my bearings and finding the necessary cup of coffee, I secured a shuttle to my lodging for the night. Later this morning I embarked on foot to see what this charming ski resort town just west of Glacier National Park had to offer.   I headed out to Whitefish Lake with my pastels in tow.  I found a picnic table!! The aspens surrounding the table ,which had a view of the expansive lake, were inviting me .....
Today I found the pencils I have been using on this trip an excellent tool for rendering a bit of pointillism work for the leaves.....my palette is limited but my memory of this beautiful setting is not! Enjoy this study of fall foliage...
Happy Autumn 🍂 

On the Road with Pastel Pencils

"Shadow Play"   5x7  Pastel  © Donna Gross


I am still traveling and finding time to draw with pastel pencils.....Am I painting or drawing?   When I have pencils in my hands, it feels more akin to drawing like with colored pencils.  When I have those luscious sticks of pastel chalk , I am painting.  To me these pencil works are studies for more in depth work later on.....I am able to capture the values, choose the colors, and provide composition and perspective for a more in depth and perhaps a bigger work of art.  I am working with Faber- Castell pencils which I enjoy for quick studies. Keeping them sharp and in good working order is a bit more tricky.  I find that sharpening them can result in broken off tips and I feel I need to take special care when using the sharpener.
Tonight I am sleeping on a train in a sleeper car. What a way to go! All Aboard!

Klamath River Basin

"Cat Tails in the Wind"     Pastel   5x7 © Donna Gross

Greetings friends....
I have been traveling the past 4 days!  I decided to take a train adventure!  What fun to sleep in a roommette while being rocked to sleep. Eating in the dining car is another experience as you are seated with fellow travelers and therefore find yourself in a social situation with strangers!  I love to travel...it really puts my small life into perspective.  Seeing just how small I am in this great wide world is humbling.....
The piece I sketched today was done with Faber-Castell pastel pencils on Mi Tientes touch sanded paper.  I battled the wind and found myself chasing after some of my supplies....so ai worked very quickly. Working quickly with minimal marks produced a pleasing piece for me!