Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Sentinels

Another bitterly cold day today. They say it will get better soon. Fingers crossed.

I'm supposed to be writing a final exam to give my college students tomorrow. Well, I've got all night, right? I first had to blog, because this will likely be my last blog until India. I will blog when possible from there too, so please stay tuned. We leave on Saturday for 3.5 weeks in central and south India.



I usually have absolutely no idea what images may form when I start a pastel. It's always an interesting process to start that way, to try to have no fear of the medium nor fear of wasting materials. It's challenging to try to approach it so fearlessly but I love it when it works.

I have decided to bring pastels on this trip, for the first time. I anticipate a lot of unforeseen possibly tragicomic misadventures (can you say "colored powder explosion in your suitcase"?).



Note tail and leg inside the radiator. This boy likes to stay plenty warm (and camouflaged, to boot).




More art on my website: jalapfaff.com

15 comments:

Janelle Goodwin said...

Jala, my girlfriend from grade school just opened a guest house in India. I know you probably won't be anywhere near her, but you might want to take a look. I'm so excited, because it just opened. Have a wonderful time in India, and I'm looking forward to your blog posts!

http://www.kaiyahouse.com/

Sheila Vaughan said...

Jala, not long till you get to the heat of India. I hope you have a wonderful, marvellous time. It is such a rich country I think in terms of sights, sounds, smells - just beautiful. Only went once to Coimbatore in the south on a work project but would love to revisit some day. Happy travels!

Pam Holnback said...

Have a wonderful trip. Should be so fascinating/interesting!! Look forward to blogs, paintings, etc. Did you follow jeff hayes' blog on his India trip last year? Have you seen Scott Burdicks/Susan Lyons India journal on their website?

TSL said...

Sentinels are quite interesting!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Jala, those two shapes are just rising right off the page. Is this impasto-pastel? 3 weeks in India should give you a good dose of a different reality. Enjoy!!

Jala Pfaff said...

Hi Janelle - It looks gorgeous. I'm not sure if we'll be near there, but if so, we'll go check it out...and say hi from you. Is this someone you've stayed in touch with since grade school?!

Hi Sheila - I agree, and am looking forward to it! Especially the daily color--the literal colors. I will ask my husband about that place.

Hi Pam - Thank you. I didn't know about those. I'll check 'em out.

Hi Tina - Thanks, my abstract art friend! I like them too. :)

Hi Donald - "Impasto-pastel": hee hee. I like that. Maybe "Impastel"? ...No, that sounds too much like "pastel, that imp!"...which is kind of true, so maybe.

suzanneberry said...

Stunning! This is incredible! Have a safe trip!

Dar Presto said...

Safe journey, have a great time! I hope your fur-babies don't miss you too terribly.

Janelle Goodwin said...

I just sent Debra your blog. Debra and I went to grade school together and didn't reconnect until recently. She's lived in England for many years and now has moved to India with her husband. She's quite adventurous! And a really lovely person.

Safe journey to you and your husband. Hope you take lots of photos for us to see!

Karen said...

Hey Jala, good to catch up with you here! Funny animal pics...it was funny to review them all at once just now...like a little time-lapsed story.
Wow 3.5 weeks in India!! How cool...I really look forward to reading of your adventures there...I can't imagine! Hope your pastels stay in their box on the way over. :)

SamArtDog said...

Did I tell you this reminds me of surfboards leaning against a wall? Can you tell I'm already there, dude? Show me the hot hot colors of India! No pressure. ;0]

L.Holm said...

Hi, Jala - I haven't been around much recently, but wanted to wish you and your husband and 4-legged loves happy holidays and a fantastic 2010! Safe travels. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful pastels of India (or photos of pastel-covered clothing! :-D)
Best to you,
Liz

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

Dreamy abstract. Mmmmmmm.... And LOOK at that little guy - can't get warm ENOUGH! :) Love them. You'll miss your pets but they'll forgive you!

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Love the photos of your trip!
Now that I'm reading backward, there WAS a tragicomic pastel episode :) How clairvoyant of you!
I LOVE kitty keeping warm!
Happy New Year Jala, and thanks for all your support.
Your paintings are alive and beautiful.

Jala Pfaff said...

Thank you all for your comments!