Hello everyone!  Today is......drum roll please.......DAY 1!  Last night while lying in bed I was reading a wonderful, amazing box on how to become a better artist (I will post the name tomorrow as I am currently too lazy to walk up the 13 steps to get it).  The author suggested that those procrastinating wanna be artists out there get cracking and paint every day.  Well it all sounds well and good and that IS what I want to do but I have so many but's.......you know that thing called work, children, housekeeping (just a little), errand running and I don't know, everything else that makes up a crazy life.  Those things kinda get in the way of me playing with pastels.  I imagine it gets in your way of playing with whatever medium you adore.
I had the great privilege of being taught by Takeyce Walter from NY (she is an amazing artist- look her up!) and she recommended writing a blog if nothing more than to watch my own progress over time.  I thought it was a great idea and promptly let the idea slide away, UNTIL last night when I was reminded to give it a whirl.
I figure it is like having a personal trainer.  I am a physical therapist (not currently treating patients but working in the business side) and I know a lot about how to exercise, as I should.  I once hired a personal trainer for one reason: ACCOUNTABILITY!  You know what, I was in the best shape at that time because I paid to show up and if I blew her off, I would feel badly and like a lazy butt.  I paid to have her tell me to not give up.
So I suppose there are artists for hire who could do the same, but I so think blogging will force me to do my best to paint every day.  I don't like to give up, so once I start, I better stick to it! 
So, this is already getting too long and I will chat more tomorrow.  All you need to know about me is that I have no formal art background and I decided last August that I wanted to be an artist, particularly a pastel artist. 
This blog is me embarking on that journey.  Actually I embarked months ago but did not paint often enough, so I am barely out of port.
Today's painting is a 6x6 on Colourifx paper, not sure what grade with a mish mash of pastel brands.
Oh and I hate it and can do better but it would not be fair to cheat and not post day 1.  I posted the photo and my attempt at the pastel.  The photo made the greens to dark.  In real life they were quite a bit lighter.  I am learning quickly that photos lie.