Category Archives: pastel

February 2018 #30PaintingsIn30Days Review

I jumped into this painting challenge when it was halfway through, and even at the best of times a new painting every other day is about as much as I can do. I had planned on participating but found out about the cat show February 10-11 and decided to sign up as a vendor. I […]

Tired of Winter, Join This Gull

Observant Gull uncropped version © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

What can you say about gulls that is unique, since this is pretty much what they do all day? I’ve done a few other gull paintings and intend to do a few more, but unless I start numbering them I have to find something about this gull, “[Adjective] Gull”, that will make this painting different […]

#30paintingsin30days, Day 24: Dusk After the Storm

Dusk After the Storm, 9 x 12, pastel © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

A storm overtook us as we paddled canoes and kayaks down Chartiers Creek one July evening. We took out and watched it from among trees on the bank as the world turned black then fogged with rain, lightning struck just over the hills around us and the creek ran faster and faster and rose foot […]

#30paintingsin30days, Day 23: Chocolate Bath

Chocolate Bath, 6.5 x 6.5, © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

It’s a little painting of a little black cat. I love to paint Mimi, I think because she is so self-aware and nearly all her poses are graceful and inspiring. Possibly it’s just because I love her so much. Black cats have many colors in their fur. The warm sun shows off Mimi’s mahogany highlights […]

#30paintingsin30days, Day 22: Facades, North Side Pittsburgh

Facades, North Side Pittsburgh, 10.5 x 15, pastel © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

This row of ancient buildings has been looking over the city of Pittsburgh for well over 100 years, and each owner through time has had their way with each facade. On a bright sunny summer day they stood unapologetic for crumbling insul-brick siding, replacement windows that didn’t fit the original opening, and grass growing where […]

#30paintingsin30days, Day 21: Summer Sunset, Robinson Run

Summer Sunset, Robinson Run, 12 x 18, pastel © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

I love tackling the complications of woodland and water. So much detail and color, yet I want to simplify, share what I feel instead of everything I see. This photo was from an August visit to the Panhandle Trail when I decided to cool off before I went home in the evening with a little […]

#30paintingsin30days, Day 18: Evening Wildflowers

Evening Wildflowers, pastel, 10 x 14 © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

On a sweltering, sticky August evening I discovered an incredibly beautiful patch of native wildflowers intentionally seeded at Scott Conservancy Kane Woods. I forgot about sweaty hands and the pulse of the sun directly in my face because it was also touching each and every flower on that hillside, filling leaves and petals with brilliance. […]

Featured Gallery: Winter White, My 2004 Solo Exhibit

small studies illuminated by the stark light of winter a series of small sketches inspired by winter in pastel, watercolor, pencil and pen and ink from the trails to the backyard completed en plein air and indoors by Bernadette E. Kazmarski February 12 to March 10, 2004 Opening Reception February 12, 6 to 9 pm […]

Apples and Oranges in Pairs for a Discount

"Reflecting on Each Other" and "Fruit" paired up.

Small paintings are nice when paired or in groupings, especially little still lifes and florals. I painted these two little pastels years apart but decided I could pair them especially with a similar frame. I have fun adding finishes to salvage frames. For years “Fruit” had been framed in the frame above, but with its […]

Watching Birds in Snow

These birds were actually pecking around in the snow under a bird feeder, but their random order and little shadows were intriguing. This was done en plein air—but not outside so I wouldn’t cause the birds to fly off. In winter I have feeders visible from just about every window. Watching the birds gather, mill […]