Path To Patelely Bridge II: The Bridge

 Path To Pateley Bridge, II
11 x 9", pen and ink

There is a beautiful, meandering river called the River Nidd, that eventually winds its way beside the path to Pateley Bridge. Being January, the trees beside it are without leaves but have moss growing up  their trunks. The water is calm and acts like a mirror, reflecting the trees and blue sky. The scene is soothing and peaceful.

The bridge in this sketch crosses over the river leading to an estate which looks more like a small castle. Since I have always been fascinated by bridges and anything that resembles a castle, I will draw the estate next.

Path To Pateley Bridge

  "Path To Pateley Bridge"
11 x 9", pen and ink

This blog post feels like it has been a long time in coming. For months I have known that I would be traveling to England to stay for several weeks. Having never been before I was so excited as I planned my trip. I had many questions but one thing I knew for sure, it would be completely different in many ways from my home state of Colorado.

I am staying in a little village in North Yorkshire called Glasshouses and from this village is a path (just over a mile long) that leads to a slightly larger village called Pateley Bridge where there are restaurants, a tearoom, art galleries, antique shops, a butcher, a bakery, a tempting candy shop and even a cobbler's shop. There is so much charm here I can hardly take it all in.

I haven't had too much time to explore yet, but I have taken time to walk on this beautiful path and
since I am more familiar with it than anything else right now, I decided to sketch it first.
Even though it is January, it feels like early spring. The grass is deep green, bright green moss covers the low stone walls that border each side of the path and then there is ivy growing everywhere along the way, even on the tall trees.

Reworking A Painting: Portrait Of A Little Girl

Here is another example of how a portrait looks after I go back and rework it. I ended up going over almost everything: her skin, features, hair and added wood grain to the buffet and texture to the rug. I enlarged her left foot and added light to the rocking chair. Her dress has more contrast with the lighter values added.

Before

After
Elena
16x20, Oil on canvas

Reworking and Completing A Portrait: Elena I

Going back to a painting after it has "rested" a while can be a great opportunity to see it with fresh eyes and make the needed adjustments that I just couldn't see before. Here is the "before" and "after" of Elena Running.

Before

After

Elena Running 
16x20", oil on canvas

I pushed the background back further by softening the edges and adding a glaze. Then I lightened the values of Elena's hair, dress and eyes. I also added more color to her skin tones.

Performance Painting

 Angels In Worship
Painted at a Tweefontein Church Service, South Africa
March, 2011

Happy New Year! I thought today would be a good day to look back on 2011 and share some of the other paintings I have done this year that were created outside of my studio, on stage and at a variety of locations. While I love working with oils, I am equally passionate about acrylics on stage. Each painting experience was inspired and intentional -  making all of them unique and rewarding in their own way. I was fortunate enough to be invited to paint eight different times this year - each time in front of an audience - in worship
What a privilege it has been to work with incredibly gifted musicians and vocalists;  accomplished artists that are not afraid to say yes to the call.

The Cross
Painted as part of an Easter series.
Woodmen Valley Chapel
April, 2011

Significance
Painted as part of an Easter series.
Woodmen Valley Chapel
April, 2011

Hope
Painted at a conference for military wives.
Glen Eyrie Castle
April, 2011

Amazing Grace
72x72", Acrylic on canvas
Painted during the Chuck Limbrick Concert
Woodmen Valley Chapel
November 4, 2011

Madonna and The Christ Child
30x40", Acrylic on canvas
Painted during the Shannon Wexelberg concert
December 15, 2011
Woodmen Valley Chapel

Awakening the Artist Within
30x40", Acrylic on canvas
Painted at Solid Rock Church
December 18, 2011

Growth Charts: Hand Painted Christmas Gifts

Inspiration for this project first came from my daughter, Emily, who months ago asked if I could make a growth chart for her little girl; something that could be easily moved when necessary. This request triggered  memories of a growth chart we had for our children years ago that was not so movable. It was the white painted wood door jam of a 1950's kitchen in our home in Durango, Colorado. This growth chart was not restricted to family members. Anyone and everyone who wanted to be measured would stand up to that doorway and stretch as tall as they could; I would take my ruler and pencil to mark their place on that wall with their name and the date they were measured. It was so much fun for everyone to compare who was taller than who and track the progression of our children and their friends as they grew. Our tallest entry came from a good friend and co-worker of my husband's. His name was Jack and he measured in at 6 feet, 9 3/4 inches. Jack was a tall man. The kids squealed in delight when they saw his mark.

I never realized how special that growth chart would be until the day the movers came and everything we owned was loaded up into a large moving truck. The only personal item remaining in that empty house was the immovable growth chart, a small memorial to the many years of growing and changing that took place in our little house. I cried.

And now I fast forward to today and the creation of growth charts for my granddaughters that will never have to be left behind. I painted them on a pre-treated canvas fabric with acrylic paint.( My kind next door neighbor, Susan, hemmed in the edges for me.) They turned out to be quite the Christmas project. Each one took longer than I had planned but in the end, they were wrapped and ready under the Christmas trees waiting for their unveiling.

Santa Claus Nativity Paintings: Completed



Wise Men Still Seek Him I
11 x 14", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson (c) 2011

Wise Men Still Seek Him, II
11 x 14", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson (c) 2011

Wise Men Still Seek Him, II
11 x 14", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson (c) 2011

Wise Men Still Seek Him I, II, and III
11x14", Oil on canvas
The Series Completed
Rita Salazar Dickerson (c) 2011 

Creating a series of three Santa Claus paintings, a project that started in September and ended in December, has been interesting, challenging and extremely enjoyable. Each painting was designed specifically for the client with their special interests in mind. 

In Santa #1, it was the figurine  at the window with Santa kneeling in prayer in front of the nativity.

In Santa #2, with Santa still kneeling, I added three Nutcrackers on the radio, a Hess fire truck on the floor by Santa's bag, and the famous leg lamp from the movie, A Christmas Story, at the window. 

In Santa #3, the window was replaced by a fireplace with personalized stockings hanging above the hearth, Gund teddy bears on the mantel, and multiple clocks added on the walls. Instead of a nativity, a vintage Lionel train and a large baby Jesus replaced it beneath the tree. 

Adding these personal touches to each painting and varying some of the colors kept things interesting and original. 

Each time a painting leaves my studio(especially the ones that are given as gifts), I try to imagine where it will go and how it is received. I look forward to hearing the stories on these three.