"Homestead Barn" 12" x 16" Original Pastel Painting by Colorado Artist Margretta Smylie Perry

 "Homestead Barn"

 12" x 16"

Original Pastel Painting 

by Colorado Artist 

Margretta Smylie Perry

$275.00 + shipping

This old Colorado barn gives a real feel for the past. My family on both sides homesteaded in Colorado, and I think this must be what their barns probably looked like. We had a big barn like this when I was a child in Montana. I remember playing in the hayloft with my older sister when all of a sudden my little legs went right through. It was a good thing I had knobby knees--that's all that kept me from falling on through. My father was below us and was terrified! I still have small white scars on either sides of my knees to remind me how they "saved my bacon"! I love the look and variety of these old barns. Hopefully, folks will continue to take care of them and save them into the future.

"Autumn Stream" Julie Kirkland



"Autumn Stream" 8 x 8 inch oil on panel

 All artists love autumn.  The colors, textures, and golden light are a feast for the eyes and senses.  I have so many fabulous fall reference photos that I'm excited to paint, and this scene is one of the handful that I've chosen to paint recently.  Initially, I painted it with a brush, as I normally do.  I ended up with an overworked, dull result that I scraped off of the canvas.  The ghost image left on the canvas confirmed that it was a good composition and that I had been on track with the right colors, I had just scrubbed the paint to death by stroking it over and over.  I've discovered that whenever I'm not using enough paint and pushing the paint around too much with my brush, using a palette knife is like hitting a reset button in my brain.  The palette knife forces me to use more paint and to lay it down in one stroke without scrubbing it into the canvas.  I'm very happy with the results of this painting!  The palette knife strokes lend a sparkling quality to the water and the fall colors are fresh and bright.

"Fall is in the Air" by Astrid Paustian

Pastel, 11" x 14", sold. Available as limited edition giclee,
matted to 16" x 20", $75.-
Fall has certainly been in the air these past 2 days, and brought some welcome moisture to Colorado. The Aspen trees are starting to turn in the High Country and we are looking forward to hikes and plein air painting in the cool, crisp air.
Pictured here are cottonwood trees. They grow in the foothills and on the plains of Colorado, and grace many rivers and canyons with their beautiful foliage.
To view more of my paintings, please visit my web site, or my painting blog.

"October Bouquet," Julie Kirkland

"October Bouquet", 6 x 8 in. oil,  $125

Fall is undeniably in the air and I'm looking forward to the autumn colors and the pleasure I get painting outdoors in the September and October.   The leaves aren't turning yet, so I'm looking through some of the magnificent photos that I took last year, and am painting some of my favorites.  Not only does it satisfy my urge to paint in an autumn pallete, it also makes the fall season seem longer!  "October Bouquet" is framed in a beautiful gold, 3' wide plein air frame.  Tax and shipping apply depending on your location.

If you have any questions, you can contact me at info@juliekirkland.com