Ginnala Maples #9

                                              Oil  on Gallery wrapped canvas, 20" x 20"
I have been feeling a little color deprived after the long, cold winter. Who am I kidding, I just love color. What better thing to do than play with vibrant hues and texture? I painted this in preparation for Boulder Arts Week, March  28- April 6, 2014. To view more of my artwork, please visit my web site at www.astridpaustian.com.

Autumn Tree Study

                                            Tree Study in watercolor, at the top, 11" x 15";
                                                 and today's study in oil, 20" x 20".
Some subjects are definitely worth revisiting, such as this beautiful tree off Niwot Road in Boulder.
I came across an image of the watercolor study that I did years ago.
I still love this old cottonwood, and the watercolor version of it.
It will be fun to turn it into a full size oil painting on a gallery wrapped canvas. For added interest, I may try to extend the tree's shadow into the foreground.
For more of my paintings and silk scarves, please visit my web site here

New Silk Paintings by Astrid Paustian

Details of some of my new silk paintings and scarves. On view at my studio and  on Friday, September 7th, 6-9 PM, during NoBo Art Walk, at Carol Silks Studio, 4593 N. Broadway, Suite 101B, across the street from Amante's in North Boulder.
I will be offering silk painting instructions for beginning silk painters. Paint your own small silk painting or scarf for $25. For more information about NoBo Art Walk and participating artists, please go to www.firstfridayboulder.comwww.
To go to my web site, please click here.

"Wild Rose" by Astrid Paustian

                                               Oil on Gessobord, 5" x 7", $125.-

Small flower and bird studies are a wonderful way for me to relax and meditate. I usually work from my own photographs. This one was taken during the early summer in out beautiful Xeric garden. The roses bloomed in gorgeous shades of yellow, orange and red, and they are relatively drought tolerant. This dry summer everything has been needing a little extra water, of course.
To view more of my paintings, please click here to visit my web site.

"White Orchids on Blue" by Astrid Paustian

Oil on Gessobord, 12" x 12", $375.-
One more Orchid painting before turning my attention to other subjects.
Tomorrow I will begin work on a commissioned painting of a large Hibiscus flower.
What fun to paint tropical flowers in the middle of winter. It warms my heart!
To view more of my paintings, click here for my web site.

"Red Onion" by Astrid Paustian

Oil on Gessobord, 8" x 8", $ 150.-
Brushing up on some painting skills. I am taking still life painting classes with Colorado painter Jake Gaedtke since December, and it is a lot of fun. Jake is a gifted artist and teacher, who generously shares his knowledge and experience with his students. Painting from life is an invaluable learning experience. It is honest, direct, and requires close observation. I hope the experience gained painting these little objects will reflect in my larger works.
To view more of my paintings, please visit my web site or my painting blog.

"Winter Willows" by Astrid Paustian

Pastel, 11" x 15", sold. Available as limited edition print, $75.-
One of my favorite winter paintings, done from a photo taken near Granby, Colorado.
I love this area of Colorado and the beautiful red Willow bushes along the creeks in the winter.
It was a lot of fun to paint the contrast between the red Willow bushes, the blue of the thawing creek and the many nuances of white in the snow. The pastel strokes were layered over a bright orange background, which still shows through the shrubs.
To view more of my paintings, please visit my web site.