Back in the Studio!

Study for "Scooty and Storm II", 6 x 6 pastel on sanded paper

At last!  I am finally back in the studio.  I feel like I have to relearn how to use my pastels and oils again!  I am still working on this figurative series of domestic themed paintings.  I was looking at paintings with similar themes done by some of my favorite historical artists as inspiration for this series.  Below are a couple examples of the artists I have been studying:

The top painting is by Eduard Vuillard and the bottom is by Milton Avery.  I admire both these painters very much.  I love the design and composition of Vuillard's work.  He uses patterns and interesting shapes to create very dramatic compositions.   His mother was a seamstress and he was obviously inspired by  the daily scenes of women working with all those textiles and patterns.  While I will probably never be as abstract as Milton Avery, I have always loved his use of color and shape.   I find his color palette particularly attractive.