"Here in the Shadows", pastel on pastello paper, 7.5" x 11" © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

Here in the Shadows, Pastel

Here in the Shadows original pastel is available framed. Prints are made in archival inks on Epson Velvet Art Paper, Cold Press Digital Giclee Paper or Artist Canvas.



ABOUT THE ARTWORK

"Here in the Shadows", pastel on pastello paper, 7.5" x 11" © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

“Here in the Shadows”, pastel on pastello paper, 7.5″ x 11″ © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

 

June is sunny, July is usually a little too sunny—and hot. But a shady corner next to an open window is a respite from midsummer heat, and sable house panthers tend to melt into the shadows. Seeing my daily photographs you can probably tell I love this mirror and using the reflections in it. In this sketch I had the chance to paint the reflection, so much fun to render mostly with the pastel remaining on my fingers after sketching the Bean.

Here’s what I had to say from 2013:

A very good place to be on a hot day. Jelly Bean is in the shadows behind the curtain, dozing on top of the wardrobe by the open window. He was really the only part I was interested in, his deep blackness with the few intense highlights defining a few features. It’s how I see him when he sleeps there. Pastel carries this off so well, even the texture of the paper.

And then there’s that red velvet highlight across his mid-section. Sometimes I’m less specific in my sketches and I don’t always remember which black cat was the model, but in this case only Mimi has red velvet highlights like this—that’s where Bean got them. But she is much smaller and while she sits there to look out the window all the time, she rarely stretches out for a nap. That’s a Bean thing, and he was at it a little earlier today.

In 2014 when I posted this image again, I said this:

Over the year I’ve grown to like this simple pastel more and more. The simple shapes in the shadowed warm amber tones of a hot summer afternoon with the blinds pulled halfway, the way the natural texture of the paper became the pattern of the lace curtain, Jelly Bean’s fur, dense black in the shadows but with its natural red velvet cake tones in the mid-range, the highlight on his face and whiskers, and the reflection in the mirror, softened, blurred, natural. It’s one of those I look at later and think, “I don’t remember doing that, as I walked right past my logical mind choosing colors and planning how I’d put the pastel on the paper to my intuitive mind that just went ahead and did what it pleased.

All that comes with practice, and again it’s one of the reasons I am glad for my daily sketches, even if I don’t do them each day; right now I’m working on other art that you’ll see at some point.

 

SHIPPING AND CHARGES

Shipping within the US is included in the cost of each print.

Prints up to 16″ x 20″ are shipped flat in a rigid envelope. Larger prints are shipped rolled in a mailing tube unless otherwise requested; flat shipping is an extra cost because it’s oversized.

GICLEE PRINTS

The giclees are printed on acid-free hot press art paper for a smooth matte finish using archival inks. Giclee is the highest quality print available because the technique uses a dozen or more ink ports to capture all the nuances of the original painting, including details of the texture, far more sensitive than any other printing medium. Sometimes my giclees look so much like my originals that even I have a difficult time telling them apart when they are in frames.

I don’t keep giclee prints in stock for most of my works. Usually I have giclees printed as they are ordered unless I have an exhibit where I’ll be selling a particular print so there is a wait of up to two weeks before receipt of your print to allow for time to print and ship.

I offer giclees of this painting in two different sizes: the full size of 31″ x 23″, a half-size of 16″ x 12.5″. The giclees have 2″ of white around the outside edges. All are countersigned by me.

DIGITAL PRINTS

Digital prints are made on acid-free matte-finish natural white 100# cover using archival digital inks. While digital prints are not the quality of a giclee in capturing every nuance and detail of color, texture and shading, I am still very pleased with the outcome and usually only I as the artist, could tell where detail and color were not as sharp as the original. Digital prints are only available up to 11″ x 17″ and some of the prints are cropped to fit standard mat and frame sizes.

Digital prints have at least 1/2″ around the edges depending on the size of the print. All are countersigned by me.

CANVAS PRINTS

Because the standard size canvas prints are not proportional to the original painting, canvas prints of this painting will have a portion cropped off.

I usually have at least one of the smaller sizes of canvases on hand, but order larger ones as they are ordered because I have limited storage space. Smaller canvases are a 3/4″ in depth, Canvases 12 x 16 and larger are 1-1/2″ in depth. I set them up so the image runs from edge to edge, then the sides are black or white or sometimes I slip in a color that coordinates with the painting. This canvas mirrors the edges of the image around the sides.

FRAMED PRINTS

I do all my own framing and can custom frame a print for you. Please ask.

GREETING CARDS

  • Cards are blank inside but can be customized with your message for an extra charge.
  • Feline Fine Art Cards assort with all other 5″ x 7″ greeting cards (except custom printed cards) for a quantity discount.
  • Individual cards are shipped by first class mail.
  • Sets of six and twelve are packed in a clear-top stationery box. Price includes shipping via Priority Mail.