Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Here’s to another year of making Art, bring it on in 2022

 

 
 In August I took an epic pack trip to Thousand Island Lake with Faith Rumm and 7 other women artists. We spent 5 days and nights at the base of Banner Peak in the high Sierra mountains. The wild fires this year were ongoing, so we had some smoky conditions.  I enjoyed doing several plein air pastels limiting myself to 63 pastels/colors. 

Wildfire Smoke and Banner Peak

Thousand Island Lake, watercolor 


Banner Peak, 12,942 ft 

HAWAII  

I also spent a week on the Big Island in Hawaii, and was able to do a few small watercolor sketches. This coral tree was growing beautifully right across the street from our rental. The beach never disappoints and we were near a turtle sanctuary. These are postcard sized images. 

     

Honu, Hawaiian green turtles,  were basking in the surf and on the shore.
  

The natural beauty of the area where we live continues to inspire me, and I did several plein air pastels this year. This means they were completed outdoors not the studio, like the impressionists ;-) 

This is the Owens River Gorge, a favorite spot for rock climbing and expert fly fishermen. 

Another fishing spot, on the Middle Owens River in the fall. 


Twin Lakes Bridge, Mammoth Lakes plein air pastel on an outing with my painting group
      
 Lower Rock Creek 

Winter  Sage brush 

The winter landscape with the muted colors and texture was a fun subject to explore. I hiked over 500 miles on trails near my home last year. I enjoyed exploring nature I encountered: the animals, plants and rock formations. I made some nature journal sketches in my journal to identify and remember the encounters. 

Sky Rock 

One of the hiking highlights was discovering ancient Paiute petroglyphs in the Tablelands above Bishop. It was thrilling to discover and find them in their secret and remote locations. This one is called Sky Rock, and may depict solar lunar and or other constellations. 

Life is good!

Happy & Healthy 2022 

Thursday, February 25, 2021

New year 2021, with new work to share

 The pandemic has a provided more time in the studio, but less plein air opportunities. I joined an online group guided by Debora Stewart, exploring pastels and abstracts. My goal was loose up and get some tips on the use of pastels. Done :-) 

I hope you enjoy seeing what I’ve been doing during the pandemic. All work is available for sale. Please contact me via email: 

debbcampbell@gmail.com 

Frankly the COVID restrictions were more bearable than the late summer wildfires and smoke from the Creek Fire near us. Fingers crossed that this doesn’t happen again this summer/fall.

PLEIN AIR PASTEL means the work was done on site, outdoors rather than in the studio. 

Phos Chek ( flame retardent ) 

12x12 unframed 

This pastel reflects the impact of 9 weeks of the terrible air quality, seeing smoke from a fire close by in Rock Creek. 


Cottonwoods at the Bass Pond, Nebraska 

9x12 unframed 

Plein air pastel 


  
Dismal River, Mulen Nebraska 
9 x12 unframed 
Plein air pastel 


Rock Creek Reflections 
10x14 unframed 
Pastel 


Yosemite Granite
10x14 unframed
Pastel 



Fall Aspens, Hilton Creek 
12x12 unframed 
Pastel 


Aspen and willow in Winter, Hilton Creek 
10x14 unframed 
Pastel 


Birchim Canyon, New Years 2021
10x14 unframed 
Pastel 


Thirteen Moons, petroglyphs Tablelands 
10x14 unframed 
Pastel 


Winter Reflections, Owens River 
9x12 unframed 
Plein air pastel 


Winter reflections II, Owens River Bishop 
9x12 unframed 
Plein air pastel 


Zibreski Point, Death Valley 
9x12 unframed 
Plein air pastel 

I hiked weekly with a friend and did small nature journal entries, recording new places, animals, birds etc. These are in bound journal, small format, or postcard size 4x6 . It was a good way to see more carefully and remember these adventures.


 We saw 2 large rattle snakes!







 


Friday, July 10, 2020

New paintings and techniques, in ‘uncertain times’ 2020


All work is available for purchase, contact me for sizes and prices.
Life is good!
Debb
debbcampbell@gmail.com 

Looking West from the Owens River 
Watercolor SOLD


Pinon Pinecones 
Watercolor 



Winter on the Owens River 
Watercolor
  • Jen’s Orchids 
    watercolor, SOLD 
  •  
 
Welcome to the World Andrew
Watercolor 
NOT FOR SALE 

Iceland poppy
Watercolor NFS


White hollyhock 
watercolor 


Giant allium and Yarrow
Pastel 



Iceland poppies 
Pastel 


Lilacs 
Watercolor & pastel 
SOLD 

 Bearded Iris 
Watercolor 

 




Making art in “uncertain times-COVID pandemic”


I’m finally updating my blog! Its much more fun to create new things and explore new methods, but here are new images from winter 2019 and spring 2020.
We are well and safe in our remote mountain home. I’m spending more time in the studio and trying pastels, abstracts and continuing to paint in watercolor. New paintings will appear in the next post.


Handprinted Cards 
Due to Covid and local retail store closures, I have not been able to sell my handprinted cards. My goal this summer was to get the in the National Park gift stores in my area. A new goal was needed: I have decided to post them here and offer them to you directly.
Suitable for framing, wink wink
Contact me to order.
Please email me to order and arrange for payment and shipping
I can accept personal checks and Venmo
debbcampbell@gmail.com

Each card is handprinted $6/ each with envelope, tax and shipping included

 Juniper Tree in Rock Creek 
Mt Whitney, Lone Pine CA 


Devils Postpile, National Monument 

Western Yellowtail Swallowtail

Raven Messenger
Winter Aspen
Aspen Love 

Bristolcone Pine  The worlds oldest trees
Minettes, California 





Bee Happy 

Moonlight Tro
Engine #9