Disaster

Posts will resume soon, I hope. I've been in learning mode, painting in oils with a very limited pallete of 3 primaries plus white, to an expanded pallete of 18 colors with resulting absolute and complete confusion and chaos. Hang with me folks. And, oh....don't ever, not nevuh, try this at home. I ended the above painting trip with a bloody, awful mess: on me, my car, my panel, my dog, my paint box, you name it: mess. Darn near threw the whole, stinkin' set up out the window, never to paint again, so frustrating was this little adventure! ( The smile's just hiding the tears of a clown, looking back)

Like a Snow -Covered Road

....checking upload ability........

Tracy is out of town taking an oil painting workshop for next several days

Greetings! There will be no new posts for a short time as I am away honing new skills in an outdoor oil painting workshop!

Lear of the Bear Live: Colorful Colorado Landscape paintings by artist Tracy Haines, painter in oil and pastel

One of my favorite painting spots is Lair of the Bear. I have painted and photographed many, many times over the past several years, in every season.

11 x 14 Oil

$ 125, unframed

Painting in a Painting:Colorful Colordo landscapes by artist Tracy Haines

Another view from near the cabin. I painted this smaller 11 x 14 oil from a part of a larger painting ; an area I particularly liked. I hadn't tried this before, but in so doing, realized that oftentimes there are a myriad of paintings within a painting!




Oil 11x14
$200, framed

The Dance: Colorful Colorado landscape paintings by artist Tracy Haines

I liked the way these trees seemed to be dancing. The view is right out the side window of the cabin. I like to sit with my coffee early in the morning, hoping to see the bear that's been spotted by neighbors in this area.

Oil, 16x20

$200, unframed

Somewhere Off Kuester:Colorful Colorado landscape paintings by artist Tracy Haines

This 12 x 16 pastel painting was done from a 5 x 7 study I did (and posted) earlier on Canson paper. I found this spot while enjoying a nice ride on my trusty old motorcycle off Kuester Rd, reached after meandering a long while on the gorgeous Deer Creek Canyon Rd. I have painted along Kuester many a time; it's a lovely area that gives the feel of being far removed from civilization, when in fact, you're only a few miles from the city.


12 x 16 Pastel Painting
$200, framed

Girls and Ice Cream: Colorful Colorado Landscape paintings in oil and pastel by artist Tracy Haines

Just having some fun here with a quick study in an abstract style of Jordyn and Daisy eating ice cream.

6x6 Oil

$55 unframed

Cold Near Como: Colorful Colorado landscape paintings in oil and pastel by artist/painter Tracy Haines

The cabin, our refuge, our sweet retreat, is lovely in any season. The snow should clear soon; after all it is May ( of course, it IS Colorado........) and then we will be able to take out the motorcycles.

Pastel Painting 9 x 12

$250, framed

Study of Platte: Colorful Colorado landscape paintings in oil and pastel by artist Tracy Haines

This is one of several studies I painted of the Platte River off Santa Fe near Evans. My intention is to paint a larger work from the most successful of the studies. This time, I'm using 140 lb H2O color paper which has been sanded to make the paper toothier to accept more layers of pastel.

9x12 Pastel

$40, unframed

Leaves Bough: Colorful Colorado landscape paintings by artist Tracy Haines, painter in oils and pastel

Driving home from Aspen along Independence Pass, I pulled off the road to explore this pretty off shoot. I drove as far in as I could with my jeep then hiked for awhile. i thought this portion of the trail was particularly nice!

Pastel Painting, 11x14

SOLD

African Daisy: Colorful Colorado landscape paintings in oil and pastel by artist Tracy Haines

Love these African Daisies. May is always crazy around here. Kids are winding up school, I'm getting ready for the Summer Art Market, framing,painting, spring cleaning and gardening, etc. etc... I was forced to drop a lot of my involvement with music this year; there is simply too little time for everything.

Miniature pastel

$25

Dahlia: Colorful Colorado landscape paintings in oil and pastel by painter / artist Tracy Haines

I might not have room in the garden for this beauty this year, but at least I can paint it!

Miniature pastel

$ 25

Colorful Colorado Landscape Paintings in oil and pastel by artist Dr. Tracy Haines

Abstract impression of flowers from recent trip to Botanic Gardens in Denver. Wonderful way to ring in spring!

Miniature painting in pastel

$ 25

Spring Color: Colorful Colorado landscape paintings by oil and pastel artist Tracy Haines

Spring color from recent trip to Gardens.

Miniature Pastel

$25

Fish: Colorful Colorado landscape paintings in oil and pastel

A few friends and I rang in spring with a trip to the Botanic Gardens downtown. Nice day.

Miniature pastel

$ 25

The Walk Home : Colorful Colorado Landscape paintings in oil and pastel by painter T                 

This pastel was painted from the 5 x 7 study I did a few days ago. Some pieces that work in small size don't read as well when enlarged. I wasn't sure which way this painting would go at a larger size but ended up liking it a lot.

9x12 Pastel Painting

$250, framed

The Mountain:Colorful Colorado landscape paintings by fine art painter Tracy Haines

I love the color changes on mountain tops as the sun rises and sets. This was a study in thick oil application.

6x8 oil

$45

Stroll Along Platte: Colorful landscape paintings by Colorado artist Tracy Haines in oil and pastel

Simple shapes and complementary color scheme was the theme for todays painting. I love this painting in a small, 5x7 format but am not sure how it would read as a larger painting. I may try it out.

Pastel 5 x 7

$85, framed

Plein Air Monday: Colorful Colorado landscape paintings in oil and pastel by fine art painter Tracy Haines

I took advantage of the first nice, non-windy day in a while and went plein aire painting. Had to hike quite a bit to find this quiet little spot. I am gearing up for a much anticipated workshop with Dan Young! Need to get my plein air chops in gear. And my gear in gear. Plein air artists will know exactly what I mean!

8 x 10 oil

$55, unframed

Wild West II : Colorful Colorado landscape Paintings by Tracy Haines in Oil and Pastel

This 18 x24 oil took most of the day today; there were many distractions. Sometimes I wish I had a dedicated studio space outside the home.

At least I have a dedicated room to call " studio!"

18 x 24 Oil

$ 400, unframed

Music: Colorful Colorado Landscape paintings in oil and pastel by painter Tracy Haines

Rythm, harmony,movement, and syncopation inhabit the wilderness , draw us in, keep us coming back for more.... the beckoning cadence of nature!

Oil Painting

Sold

Peace and Easy: Colorful Colorado Landscape Paintings in Oil and Pastel by Tracy Haines

Crispness underfoot as boots crush fallen leaf, wafting scent of cedar bark from nearby campfire, wind whistling through color-laden loose and leighing leaves, peace and easy is this call. Such is the fall, such is the fall.

4 x 4 oil

$45

When sky meets Ground:Colorful Coloradolandscape paintings in oil and Pastel Tracy Haines

When skies meet ground through trunks of trees, the colors meld ,puts heart at ease.

Ugh. Oh well.....thought I'd try my hand at a bit of poetry. Poetry?

Mini 4 x 4 oil on canvas

$45

Slippy Trek: Colorful Colorado Landscape Paintings in oil and pastel

Hiking by myself up at Lair of the Bear in the dead of winter. Saw no one that day. This little uphill snap of the path was tricky and I fell a few times.


Mini Oil 4 x 4
$45

Cool Eve Along the Platte Colorful landscape paintings oil and pastel colorado landscapes

This time I painted a pastel from an earlier oil painting; usually it's the other way around. I like the peaceful quiet feeling this scene evokes.

11 x 14 Pastel Painting

$ 300, framed

Sant Fe Lovely

This 5 x 7 oil was based on a previous pastel study. I've gotten quite a bit of mileage out of the stop along the Platte that very cold day back in February after the long weekend workshop. It turned out to be well worth the time, effort and exposure!

Oil Painting, 5 x 7

$65, framed

This is an oil painting based on an earlier pastel study I did. It's been a while since I've picked up my oils. It seems easier to me to spend several painting sessions working with one medium, then switching versus alternating daily.

6 x 12 Oil on canvas

$65, unframed

CO Sky

This quiet, peaceful sight is a common occurence most evenings up at the cabin. I've had friends tell me they thought I exagerated the colors of the sky in Colorado in my paintings until they come out and see for themselves that it really often is this colorful.

Pastel 9 x 12

$ 250, framed

Pleasant Cool of Autumn

This is another enlargement of a previous study. As I painted this I recalled vividly the co mingling of senses that made this hike so pleasant. The cool crisp air and distant smell of burning wood and leaves from someones campsite. The glorious color and sound of rustling leaves....

Pastel painting, 18 x 24

$600, framed

This 18 x 24 pastel painting was done using the original photograph and two studies done earlier in both pastel and oil. This is very useful in several ways. First, one gets to know the subject inside and out, and has a chance to work out potential problems with composition, color and other elements before committing much time and material to the larger work. Also, those who want to buy an original piece of art but prefer to spend less money, can do so with the smaller studies, which still stand alone as works of art despite being labeled, "studies".

18 x 24 Pastel Painting

$800, nicely framed

I was out exploring uncharted territory on my motorcycle when I was stopped in my tracks upon viewing this lovely scene. I liked the layering of colors from the sky to the gorgeous blue mountains with specks of glittering green autumn leaves overlaying the blue, then an undulating pattern of bright yellow and orange from the thicker aspen leaves below. This horizontal pattern of color is nicely balanced by the trunks of the aspens.

Who does not love Colorado?!!!!

Pastel, 9 x 12

SOLD

This was painted at Bear Creek Park. The water was so calm it reflected the sky like a mirror.



16 x 20 oil
$200, unframed

Metalic Vase with Tulips

The immediacy of pastels can't be beat. Nothing comes between the concept of the artist and its quick realization on the surface. This allows a spontaneity you just don't get with any other medium.

Outside of my Christian faith and having children, I don't think there's anything in life I've found as fulfilling as painting!

Miniature pastel (2 1/2 x 3 in)

$25

Blue Vase Pastel

Miniature Pastel Painting

$ 25, framed

Three More Apples

Since picking up pastels again I have been unable to put them back down. I love them! They're vibrant, accessible ,creamy- just delightful in every way.

I would like to get back to my oils though.......

mini pastel

$ 25, framed

Sound of Color

This is the first abstract painting I've ever done.

Mini pastel

$ 25 framed

Floral on Red

This little one really pops with the background. It reads well set off in a gold frame.

Pastel miniature

$ 25

A Pair of Pears

More fruit. Flower miniatures are very popular at the Summer Art Market. It will be interesting to see how my fruit minis do. If nothing, I had fun painting them!

Pastel miniature

$ 25

I am still without my old dinosaur computer- which crashed and died ( fried, actually-the "motherboard"). Some of my recent paintings still cannot be accessed and uploaded onto this blog. Hopefully, by weeks end I'll be back in the saddle. This mini turned out to be one of my recent favorites.

Mini pastel

$ 25, framed

I'm doing quite a few miniature paintings in preparation for the Summer Art Market coming up soon in June. I love this show. It's a time to meet clients and get direct feedback about my work, frames, etc. It's a great time to catch up with artist friends as well.

Miniature pastel painting

$ 25 , framed

Another miniature. This too was created on black Canson. The bright colors really pop against black and the greys are nice as well. It's a completely different look than with white paper or a washed- in background. It's a change, and I'm having fun with it.

2 1/2 x 3 1/2 pastel

$ 25, framed

Rose, abstracted

This is a miniature abstract pastel done on black Canson mi Tientes paper. Canson has very little tooth so it is difficult to build the painting in my usual fashion with layer upon layer of color.

2 1/2 x 3 1/2 pastel

$25, framed

The computer I use to upload paintings has crashed. As soon as it is up and running, postings will resume. The computer I am using now will not upload my camera for some reason. Sorry for delay!

Yellow on Green on Pink

Having some fun switching things up a bit, stepping out of my comfort zone, taking on new subject matter. An artist must fight the temptation to stick with the tried and true in order to stay interested and continue growing. At least that's my opinion!

Miniature pastel painting

$ 25, framed

mini floral

I love the look of red flowers over a warm olivey-green background.

Miniature pastel painting

$25 , framed

Tulips

The nice thing about miniature paintings is a chance to play with color and other elements without risking too much in terms of time and materials. It's also good to be able to offer art patrons affordable yet original art.

Pastel, 2 1/2 x 3 inches

$ 25, framed

Three Happy Apples

This was great fun for me since I don't often do still life paintings. As with flowers, fruits enable full out , no holds barred color.

I tremble in fear at the thought of attempting this in oil.

Perhaps I will be fearless tomorrow....

pastel, 5 x 7

$75 framed

Floral in Pastel

The joy of doing florals in pastel is in going full out with pure color. Few natural things in the world allow the uninhibited use of intense, unmuted color!

Pastel, 4 x 6 on black Canson mi Tientes paper

$55, framed

Shine

The juxtaposition of warm and cool in this painting is pleasing to my senses.

4 x 6 pastel

$55 framed

Rythym and Cadence of Wet Bend, Oil Version

This scene was done first in pastel, and posted back last week or so. I'm enjoying the process of painting in oil after the style of my pastels. Great tool in learning to mix color accurately!

5 x 7 o/c on black and red gessoed board

$65, framed

Bougainvillea

How gorgeous the Bougainvillea seen everywhere in San Fransisco and Carmel. I wish it was as ubiquitous in Colorado!!! This was seen off Lombard Blvd, the crooked street , in San Fran.

5 x 5 O/C

$45, unframed