Portrait of Jose

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16"x12" Oil on canvas board

The white specs in this image are caused by light reflecting off the wet canvas.

I've been finishing up commissions these past few months. I have a home portrait on the easel now. It should be done this week. I've been blessed with work to do for others that want my style of painting. This I am very thankful for.

Here's wishing everyone that follows my blogspot a very Merry Christmas. I hope you will continue to watch this spot for new and exciting work that will be posted in the near future.

Dancing in the Sun

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12"x9" Oil on stretched linen

I LOVE Poppies!!! There....it's written in Stone! :) Besides having A LOT of photo references of these jeweled blooms, I also have silk flowers of them I keep in our bathroom. I'll be painting plenty more poppies, all in different sizes and poses, so I can share them with others in next seasons round of outdoor shows.

Subject matter.....well .......now I have flowers, fishing stuff, and getting ready to create paintings with a spiritual theme......including dreams; putting a face to the Elements......guess the list goes on and on.

I'm so very Greatful for the flood of creativity that is wanting to manifest. AND The most in important thing....... I'm Thankful for all my patrons , family and friends that support my creativity. God Bless and wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving!

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Finished Portrait

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16"x12" pastel on canson paper

This is the finished work that I've been showing the progression of. Scroll down to see the first 3 images of this piece....from beginning to here, the end.

I think the power behind each, the rider and horse, shines brightly. It shows their connection to eachother which makes them stand out.

Almost finished

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I'm alsmost finished with this piece. A few more details here and there and I'll be able to say

TA-DA!

Step 2 of figure commission

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I first posted this image below. Following this post will be the finished piece.

In the Beginning

Click on image to enlarge........final image will be 16"x12"

This is the beginning of a portrait commission I've been given. I wanted to share how a piece looks from beginning to end. I had originally planned to post this painting reversed so you see this piece first. Couldn't wait!The challenge with this painting is the figure and dark areas in the reference photo I was given are out of focus. Thank goodness another photo was sent along with this image. It will help with creating the final piece. Ah.....why not take on a challenge now and then. Keeps the senses sharp.

Posing

24"x18" Oil on Gallery Wrap stretched canvas

This little fella isn't very tall .....was a gift from my son and daughter-in-law. He normally sits quietly amongst the books and magazines on our bookshelves. Walking by him one day it struck me he needed a little more attention. So, now I've imortalized him in a painting. I guess my focus of late has been on the quiet suttle objects that, on the norm, don't demand a lot of attention. It's simple joy to interact with these pieces.

Please share with me what objects around your home trigger fond memories. ginlammert@yahoo.com Even better.......leave a comment here. Thanks!

Pear in Green #2

24"x18" Oil on Gallery wrap stretched canvas

Here's a different angle of the same pear I painted in #1. The colors I'm creating paintings with at the moment just keep lifting my spirits. I'm smiling all day long......no matter what! Painting in oils again has inspired me to rearrange my work area. I spent last evening moving furniture. I've created better storage now that allows for space I can set canvases to dry on and not bump them over.

Pear in Green #1

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24"x18" Oil on Gallery wrapped stretched canvas

I've switched back to painting in oils for awhile.....and I love painting fruit! Something about this shape calms me...even the colors I've used here. Ah! Now on to the next pear painting!

I've posted this work on my website as well. www.ginlammert.com under "Latest Works"

Glimpse of Des Moines River in Late Fall

12"x16" soft pastel on canson paper

It's been awhile since I've worked on landscapes this size. This past year all my landscapes have been under 8"x10". Nice change for me to experiement with my pastels. I took this picture a few weeks ago while driving east on J40 hwy. This hwy isn't far from where we live in Southern Iowa. This view is as you're going into Pittsburg Iowa and you get a glimpse of the Des Moines River. The colors were just about done for this fall when I took this shot. Made it a challenge to create in pastel the same feeling I had when driving.

Sunset

18"x12" soft pastel on canson paper

I'm still having trouble photographing my work. I have made adjustments, and applied the information given online to create better images with my digital.......I still have trouble with the blues being more vibrant then what the original is.

In this painting, there is more going on in the lower dark area then what the camera has picked up. It's ever so slight, but there are shadows among the shadows to help give a feeling of depth to the water tower.

This piece was started at the John Preston Pastel Workshop I attended Sat., Oct. 24th, 2009. I had gotten away from using Canson paper for my pastel work. This reintroduced me to an old friend and something I really didn't do before......the use of the side of my hand to blend with. Yes, something I don't think I would do when using sanded pastel paper.

Last Peppers from the Garden

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9"x12" soft pastel on sanded paper

These were some of the last peppers from our garden. Last month flew and this one (October) seems to be going by just as fast. With harvest, preparing garden for next year, painting, shows and commissions.......life is in high gear at the moment. No complaints here! With all that needs to be done before cold weather sets in here in Iowa, I'm almost feeling like I need a clone. This fall reinforces the fact I need to be very organized to accomplish everything I set out to do. I can hear my friends and family saying "Good luck with that!"

Fishin Stuff

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9"x12" soft pastel on sanded paper

My husband and Grandson, Nevan, was the inspiration behind this piece. We took Nevan fishing for his first time (he's 4 yrs. old) last week. He was excited about all the "awesome" things in Grandpa's tackle box. So, I set a few items out to create this work. He has several more loors to choose from to create even more paintings. Hmmmmmm I'm going to get busy.

This painting is now on display and for sale at the Keokuk Art Center, Keokuk, IA. It's part of a solo show of my pastels that is on exhibit during the month of October. Artist reception will be Oct. 23rd from 5 to 7pm. For purchase info contact artworks@mchsi.com please write "Lammert art purchase" in subject line.

Fall Harvest

5"x7" soft pastel - click on image to enlarge

Bentonsport, Iowa just got in baskets of gourds, summer squash, and pumkins. All are displayed on the rustic porches of the business district. All I had to do for this painting was to set up my easel and paint. I was able to get in 3 small pastels the day I visited the area. If interested in this piece, contact me via email ginlammert@yahoo.com

Single Pear #1

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6"x4" soft pastel on sennelier paper

Just created 3 small single pear paintings. This was a good exercise for me to do after the energy put into the pastel portrait I posted the other day. I'll have these pieces with me and for sale at the upcoming event "Walk on Main Street" Art Show, this Saturday, Sept. 5th in downtown Ottumwa, IA. If wanting more information about this work, send me an email: ginlammert@yahoo.com

Custom Portrait Art

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17"x13" Soft Pastel on 100% Rag paper

Just finished this commission for a neighbor of ours. I thought I'd show the photo I was working from along with the pastel work. I've posted the artwork on my website on the "Recent Works" page under the Artwork link on the home page. http://www.ginlammert.com/ I love doing portraiture work and the challenge of not only capturing a likeness, but the essence of the individual as well.

High Tea at the Skeanblock

20"x24" Oil on Gallery stretched Canvas

This is another in the series I'm doing of people and their passions. I'm sure these individuals have plenty more they're passionate about. Where I found them here was enjoying the

fun of dressing up in Victorian period clothing and recreating something that might have been a common activity in Albia Iowa during the 1800's.

Mobililty

I want to share with you what my set up is like when I work outside. It's compact and easy to transport my soft pastels with. The box sits on a camera tripod and I have an umbrella that allows for my work, pastels, and myself to stay in the shade.
This spot was ideal in that all I had to do was turn slightly, adjust the umbrella, and before me was another spectacular scene to paint.

There is a beautiful patio area that was just built on the backside of the hunting lodge at Blandfield Plantation. This area made setting up to paint easy.

Looking over the Blandfield Marsh

9"x12" Soft Pastel on sanded paper

This is the first of three paintings I was able to complete during my stay at the Blandfield Plantation in Virginia. Scroll down to see the others.

I've just finished putting together the wedding album and getting ready to mail it off to the lucky couple that exchanged vows at the plantation. I was asked to be the official photographer, thus the reason for the trip there in the first place. Being able to do these paintings was a plus! I wish I could've stayed a little longer and had more paper with me to create a few more while on location. I took plenty of pictures and hopefully can convey the same peacefullness in them as if I was painting "plein air" like these three displayed here.

Blandfield Plantation Marsh

12"x9" soft pastel on sanded paper

This is the 2nd of the three paintings I was able to produce on location at the Blandfield plantation in Virginia. I had set up my easel in one spot, did the first painting (which I haven't downloaded yet) and turned and saw this view. It was sooooooooooo cool to be able to just turn slightly and "TaDa" there's another scene shouting at me saying ....."paint me! paint me!

Duck blind at Blandfield Marsh

4"x 6" soft pastel on 100% rag paper

Just got back from a trip to the East coast. Was asked to photograph a wedding at the Blandfield Plantation in Virginia. Needless to say, I fell in love with the place. I was lucky enough to be able to get some plein air painting in during my visit and this piece was the last of 3 pastels I completed there. If you want to check out the plantation, go to www.blandfieldplantation.com

In Contemplation

24"x18" Oil on canvas board
This guy was part of a Civil War enactment held in Ottumwa, IA and I couldn't resist taking a photo of him while he was standing still. This painting will be part of a one-person show I'm doing this fall titled "Passions". It will be a series of paintings and drawings of individuals doing what they are most passionate about.

Southern Iowa Landscape

4"x6" Soft Pastel on 100% rag paper

Busy with Juried Outdoor Shows. I haven't had the opportunity to download pics.

I'll have more landscapes coming. The sizes I've been focused on are small - 4"x6", 5"x7"8"x10". I like to keep most of my work the same as standard picture sizes. There's a few Oils on the easels too. I'll share them soon. If you have any questions about this piece, please email me at ginlammert@yahoo.com or just leave a comment here. Thanks!

Shades of Pink

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9' x 12" soft pastel on la carte paper

I never tire of looking at flowers. I love the explosion of them now in late spring. I love watching the hummingbirds fly from one bloom to another. This still life is of a centerpiece on my sister-in-laws dining room table. Contact me if you're interested in its purchase. ginlammert@yahoo.com

Gift for Claudia

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size: 4"x6" soft pastel on 100% rag paper

These chairs are in my brother and sister-in-law's back yard. I was drawn to the contrast in the greens of the ground to those in the leaves of the plants. I like the placement of the plants on the rusty chairs. I gave this painting to Claudia (my sister-in-law) for being such a great hostess while my husband and I were visiting them last week.

At Rest

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9"x 12" soft pastel on la carte paper

These shoes belonged to my "adopted daughter" , one of my daughter's best friends. She loves dancing and majored in dance in college. She wore out these toe shoes during school and I convinced her to let me have them. They trigger fond memories of my own short dance career. ( First grade thru 8th grade) My folks enrolled me in dance classes when I was at a formative age and I can't thank them enough for the support and exposure to all forms of dance.

Sandi's Front Yard

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5"x7" soft pastel on homemade support

I'm still experimenting with the sanded boards I made a couple of weeks ago. I like the texture and it forces me to remain "Impressionistic" with the application of color. I want to have the brush strokes of the support showing thru. I also want to suggest what I see around me instead of details. There are so many values and different colors in nature, it would take a great deal of time to try and capture a fraction of them.

Sandi is a dear friend of mine that lives in Ottumwa, IA. She has flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs covering every square inch of her yard. Her statement - she doesn't like to mow. Her plants have gradually spilled over into the yards of her next door neighbors and you can see her influence when driving down the block she lives on. I live several miles away and I have to admit, it's the same in my yard as well. She has sent many a plant start home with me and the ground where we live has become a living canvas.

Thank you Sandi!

Visual Arts Day Demo

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9"x12" soft pastel on le carte paper

I started this landscape as an example of how to work from a photograph during the Visual Arts Day Workshop for high school juniors and seniors April 17th. This was held at our area community college. Because the sessions were short, I wasn't able to complete this piece in front of the students. I finished it this morning in my studio.

Same subject in Oil

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9"x12" Oil on Board

I started this before the pastel I posted yesterday. Having fun seeing what different support surfaces are like. I'm still not doing a very good job at photographing my oil paintings. Get reflection from the shiniest areas of wet paint. I prefer to paint alla prima when using oils.

Painting on Sanded board

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8"x10"- Soft Pastel on homemade sanded board

This surface was a challenge to paint on in that when I applied my grit mixture to my foamcore board, I left brush strokes to create a variety in the texture. I like the affect and I was able to paint in layers without having to spray fixative on each one before continuing. I only sprayed the final painting to keep the pastel dust from smugging.

Field of Dreams 2

click on image to enlarge
9"x12"
Oil on stretched canvas
Contact me if interested in purchasing. email: ginlammert@yahoo.com

The first painting of this image was done as a 5"x7" soft pastel on paper. I had created it with my left hand during my recovery after surgery on my dominate right hand. It was fun seeing what I could do with my opposite hand since I had never tried that before.

I can't say enough about how nice it is and how happy I am to be able to use my right hand again. I believe you can see the pastel version of this image in the archives link here.

In the Pink

Size: 20"x 10" Oil
I tend to create floral paintings starting now in April. Anxious for planting new things and watching established plants bloom. It's so nice to be back into painting. Haven't been able to do much of this for 2 years. My dominate hand is as good as it's going to get after surgery last August. I've given up doing pencil commissions. They're just too hard to do. My handwriting has changed in that I write smaller and try not to write a great deal.
I think I'd have a very difficult time if I couldn't hold a brush. Even this activity has to be measured. I have to take more breaks then I would've in the past. The upside of this is it forces me to sit back and "study" the direction a work is going. I'm more aware of the colors I use and how they play laying next to each other. What fun it is to create!!!!!!!!!!!

Bloomfield Public Library

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24"x36" Oil

Having trouble getting the reflection out of the wet oil when taking this shot so it's a little out of focus. Donating the work to the public library. Hopefully having prints made so they can use them as a fundraiser. It's been a while since I've worked on a painting with a building being the dominate subject. The challenge here is trying keep a straight line. Even with support, I struggle. So yes, I go for the "painterly" approach.

Would love to hear your comments. Either leave one here or you can email me at ginlammert@yahoo.com

Lighting the Way

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24"x18" Oil

This painting is donated to the Public Library in Bloomfield, IA. Limited Edition Giclee prints will soon be available for sale with all proceeds going to the library.

This is the first of two paintings being done for our local library. The other is much larger, showing the entire building structure. I will post it as soon as it is complete along with information on print image size, number, and how to purchase .

Breakfast with Friends

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8"x10" Pastel on la carte paper

AVAILABLE

A good friend of mine had these items on her dining room table when I stopped for a visit. She said the frog statue was a gift from a close friend of hers. So, I sat her cup and saucer closer to it to form this still life. We always have interesting conversations with a cup of tea and sometimes a cinnamon roll thrown in the mix. Thank you Sandi!

If interested in this piece, send me an email ginlammert@yahoo.com

Beef Jerky with Hot Chocolate

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8"x11"

soft pastel on la carte paper

AVAILABLE

I'm having fun discovering the different colors in the reflections off the cups I've been painting. This is just another set up of what I have around the house. My husband likes beef jerky and I like hot chocolate. What a combination.

I welcome your comments and would like to know what kind of subject matter you find interesting.

Red, White, & Blue

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9"x12" Soft Pastel on La Carte Paper

Available

To purchase, contact artist ginlammert@yahoo.com

Latest in the works I'm doing in "Collections". I like the play of colors in the reflections on these cups and their shadows.

Stacked

Click on image to enlarge

12"x9"

Available

Contact artist for more information ginlammert@yahoo.com

I have a small collection of cups inherited from my Grandmother. Always a challenge to capture the different colors reflected on fine china.

Waiting for Hot Water

Click on image to enlarge

12"x9"

Soft Pastel on La Carte Paper

Available

To purchase: Go to http://www.ginlammert.com/ , click "recent works" page, then click image for paypal.

I've fallin in love with la Carte paper for working with my pastels.

I'm used to spraying my work as I add layers of pastel. I was able to bypass this step and only spray it when completely finished. I only do this to keep pastel dust from falling on matboard in frame while being moved around.

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The Hunter

Click image to enlarge

14"x11" soft pastel on 100% rag paper

Status: available

To Purchase: go to http://www.ginlammert.com/ then click ARTWORK link , then Recent works.

I started this pastel as a demonstration during the workshop held January 10th, 2009 at the Keokuk Art Center, Keokuk, IA. I used this image to show how I work from photo reference material.