Tag Archive | atmospheric impressionism

Autumn Afternoon

“Autumn Afternoon” 11″ x 14″”, Schmincke soft pastels on Ampersand Pastelbord, 2026

A walk on a crisp autumn afternoon inspired this piece. The breeze was chilly, the leaves rustled, showing off their fall colors. It was a beautiful sparkling moment.

Photographed in full sunlight. (Not recommended for long-term placement.)

This piece takes advantage of the vibrant hues of fall in my selection of Schmincke pastels. It is available for sale.

A Pond in the Slough

“A Pond in the Slough” 9.5″ x 12.5″, Sennelier soft pastels on Sennelier 170lb pastel card, 2026

Inspired by treks across various savannahs and sloughs in Oregon, and particularly a recent visit to Basket Slough, looking down from the hillside towards a number of ponds and small lakes.

This piece was done using a selection of Schmincke pastels which recently entered my rotation. I’m very pleased with them.

This piece is available for sale.

September Sunrise

“September Sunrise”, 9.5″ x 12.5″, Sennelier soft pastels on Sennelier 170lb pastel card, 2026

Inspired by a recent sunrise, seen in McMinnville, Oregon. I find sunrises give me a sense of hope. I’ve been needing them a lot more lately. This is available for sale.

This piece is my largest pastel to-date, and is also on a different surface; Sennelier pastel card. I did my very first pastel on a small sample and I was very pleased with the results. I like the coarseness of the grit on this card stock. It holds pigment well. More delightfully than the texture and tooth of the card stock, I really like how well it stays flat (unlike the Claire Fontaine Pastelmat, which reliably curls).

July

“July” soft pastel on Pastelmat, 7″ x 9.5″, 2026

Inspired by the dread and destruction of western wildfires during dry summer months. This piece is painted using Blue Earth, Sennelier, and Henr Roche pastels, on Claire Fontaine Pastelmat.

Siltez Bay Low Tide

“Siletz Bay Low Tide” soft pastel on Pastelmat, 7″ x 9.5″, 2026

I took a couple days on the coast to paint. I am fascinated by the tide coming and going from Siletz Bay. The most challenging detail is tearing myself away from the view long enough to paint at all.

This piece was done using Blue Earth and Sennelier soft pastels, on Claire Fontaine Pastelmat.

Skyline Sunset

“Skyline Sunset” soft pastel on Pastelmat, 7″ x 9.5″, 2026

This piece was inspired by a quiet moment looking over a quantity of sunset images in various urban areas that were shared with me (or taken by me) over recent years. Rather than a copy of any one of those, this piece seeks to capture a certain quality of cities and sunrises.

This piece was painted using Blue Earth, Sennelier, and Henri Roche pastels, and is available for sale.

Artificial Stars at Dawn

“Artificial Stars at Dawn” soft pastel on Pastelmat, 7″ x 9.5″, 2026

Inspired by the sight of a “Starlink train” of new satellites moving into position in the dawn sky one August morning. Seen from a favorite trailhead, as I got started down the trail.

This piece is painted on Pastelmat, using a combination of Sennelier, and Henri Roche soft pastels, and is available for sale.

Oaks in the Mist

“Oaks in the Mist” pastel on Pastelmat, 2026, 7″ x 9.5″

This piece was inspired by a misty morning hike down an oak lined trail. This piece was done using Blue Earth pastels, listening to Downliners Sekt (an old album, “Statement of Purpose”).

Summer Silhouette

“Summer Silhouette” pastel on Pastelmat, 2026, 7″ x 9.5″

Inspired by a summer morning walk along a trail at the edge of Basket Slough, a stormy sky, and dry grass and meadow flowers. This painting uses Sennelier and Blue Earth pastels.

View of the Willamette River

“View of the Willamette River” pastel on Pastelmat, 2026, 7″ x 9.5″

Inspired by a favorite trail along the Willamette River, and the springtime view at a favorite spot along the way. This piece uses a combination of Henri Roche, Blue Earth, and Sennelier soft pastels.