Pastel, Plein Air Sketches, Etc.

The posts are long in my head and I try to shorten them when I haven't posted for a few days.  Too much going on to condense to one blog post, but you know me.  Get you a cup of coffee and get comfortable.

I sketched a bit for Scavenger Hunt 466  http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1412675

I sketched at the dentists in the regular sketchbook with a Micron 03 and finished here at the house with a Pilot ball point pen just to fill the space.

Number 1, something by the front door - at the dentists looking in to the little entry.
Number 2, potted plant - pretty sure it is fake and Number 3, textured - the pot to hold the plant.  It is pretty big, about 3 feet tall all together on a table.

Number 4, man made - a couple of the chairs for waiting, they do have comfy couches for waiting, too.
Number 5, spoon - wooden spoon here at the rent house

My birthday was Monday so we celebrated one more time.  The more we celebrate the older I get, right?

We went out to the City of Rocks again.  It was such a beautiful day.  Gene got in 19 miles on his trike and a short nap.  I did some painting and sketching.

We then came back into town and went to dinner at Jalisco's.  It is the New Mexican restaurant that has been here the longest or is the most well known.  The reviews are mixed and you can see why.  The ambiance is pretty nice.  Decorated with some antiques and Mexican paintings, pottery, etc.  The chile is very average.  You cannot get Christmas, which is half red and half green, on your enchilada.  You can order one and get a side dish of the other.  First NM restaurant that we found this to be true.  It is crowded on weekends but is the only downtown restaurant for New Mexican food.  I think it is strange that here in Silver City where you are so close to the famous Hatch chile farms and Deming chile farms that the food is more like Mexico or very much designed for tourists.

We are going to see Roger this week and will have some "real chile".

I parked in the shade and set up my easel.  A pretty big rock right there.

This was my view.  Of course the clouds were constantly changing, but so beautiful.

I did a watercolor under painting on the white Pastelmat, 7 x 9.5 inches

 

The finished painting. 

I did a little watercolor sketch off the other direction while Gene took his nap.  This is in the sketchbook, not on watercolor paper so I couldn't get it too wet.

This is the City of Rocks as you drive in.  Just such a strange natural place.

These are some more of the rocks right where I was painting.  There is something different to see behind every rock and in every direction.  I had a squirrel visitor again, but he left when I went for the camera.  He had been there for at least five minutes.  There were a few people around, but none came hiking by my picnic table.

I changed the pastel teapots that I posted last time.  The pot shaped like a bell pepper looked too much like a bell pepper from where I had it situated.  I changed it so you can see the spout and handle.  Less confusing.  The color is more true in this photo as well, I took it in direct sunlight.  Makes a difference!

Gene added a bright green vest to his flag poles.   I like the idea!  We can see him now as he rides along the highway!

Regular followers will know that Gene always buys me a stuffed animal for holidays and special occasions.  He didn't get one here in Silver City so I found these visitors at my place at the table on my birthday.  So cute and different.  They are back in their regular places now.