Day After Christmas - 2013

Pastel, 12 x 9

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Well, the day after Christmas we headed down to the beach for some sunset inspirations.  On the horizon was this lone sail boat.  I couldn't help but wonder their perspective... unaware of all of us on the shore I'm sure, as they enjoyed one last glimpse of the sun for the day.  Unknowingly, they shared a bit of their tranquility with us giving us this soothing image of them slowly sailing on the horizon.

Late Afternoon Stroll

Pastel on ColourFix, 12 x 9

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Merry Christmas from the Somma Home!

Pastel, 9 x 12

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

View From My Brother's House...

Pastel, 9 x 5

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Well, I'm staying at my brother's house a few days while some work is going on at our house and I awoke to this view this morning. My brother's lived here for about 20 yrs and a funny thing happened while we were enjoying our coffee this morning.  A soft breeze blew just right to separate those 2 palms in the foreground and much to his surprise he realized there were 2 trees there all along.  He's looked out at this view for years and they were aligned so perfectly he always thought there was just one.  Thought it fun to capture the memory for us.  And yes, Catalina Island looked that close to us today.

On the way to Julian - Fall 2013

Pastel on ColourFix, 9 x 7 - SOLD

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Inspired by a day trip Bob and I took out to Julian for my birthday in September 2013.  It was a gorgeous day for a drive and I remember feeling like we had the road to ourselves as we just took our time getting there.  Thankfully Bob is all about the journey and not so focused on the destination.  We always find little treasures in our travels that way and have an appreciation for the unexpected.  I just took a quick photo from the car window as we were driving along and that image was just a spring board for this painting to evolve.  This is my memory of that day...  I hope you can feel the warmth of the sun and find rest in the shade of the tree.

Surreal Sunrise

Pastel, 12 x 9

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.   All rights reserved.

It was a surreal sunrise this morning.  I had a lot of fun with color intensity and mark making
 to capture the feel of the moment.
There was a vibration of color going on where the clouds met the sky.

Fall Sunset 2

Pastel, 12 x 9

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Fall Sunset

Pastel 9 x 6

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Quick Beach Study

Pastel 8 x 6

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Just had to get some pastel on paper today with minimal time.  Just a quick beach study of the San Clemente Pier in the distance.

Pear Study...

Study, Pastel 5 x 7

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma. All right reserved.

My friend Marge sent me a sheet of Multimedia board to try out and because I only had one sheet, it stayed taped and blank on my easel for a few days.  I couldn't decide what to try and didn't want to waste the one sheet I had.  Seems silly I know.  Then I just grabbed my NuPastels and started scratching out this pear having fun with color and texture.  I know it's a bit of a mess but I sure had fun.   That Multimedia board is fantastic... super light yet sturdy.  I am definitely getting more so I won't fear exploring more with it.

A Julian Apple Orchard Afternoon...

Pastel 12 x 9

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

My sweet husband's birthday gift to me... an adventure in Julian, taking a drive through the apple orchards.  Of course ending the trip with some apple crisp a la mode.  Feeling the love.

Touched By His Spendor...

Pastel on UArt, 14 x 10

I can't come close to replicating God's artistry, but I am compelled to respond by creating artwork as a form of worship and adoration to Who He is and for all that He blesses me with each and every day.  The sunset the other night seemed to give a glimpse of His splendor... just to remind us of His love and to set within us the anticipation for when we see Him face to face.

Early morning view...

Pastel,  12 x 9

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I often awake before the sunrise and slip quietly into our backyard that rests on a canyon.  I call our view "my evolving painting", for each day offers new light, color shifts, changing shadows - sometimes moody fog.  With the change of seasons and interesting visits from wildlife,  I never tire of this view.  So this is from this mornings inspiration...

"Hello" from the sea. (original, revised post on 3/4/14)

Pastel, 16 x 10

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.  All Rights Reserved.

Delicate curves and textures interest me.
I've admired this shell in our home for years and decided it would be today's muse.
I ignored colors I was looking at, but used colors that felt like summer,
 as if finding this at low tide late in the afternoon.

This painting was revised and posted on 3/5/2014.

Tree by the stream...

Pastel, 9 x 12

© Copyright 2013 Paula Somma.   All rights reserved.

  "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
it's leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."

⁸ 

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Hibiscus - Red

Pastel, 9 x 12 on ColourFix

© 2013 Paula Somma.  All Rights Reserved.

I've been recovering from achilles tendon surgery the past 6 weeks. And though I'm very limited in what I can do, once I figured a way to get at my easel, this recovery time seems to be going much quicker for me, and far more enjoyable.  I'm so thankful for what I "can" do, and that's been my focus.  My friend Gaylyn sent me some beautiful photos she took of hibiscus flowers to paint while recovering. What fun to pull out all my warm and cool reds that are usually used for small accents and lavish them on.

Beach Trail View

Pastel, 12 x 9.5

© 2013 Paula Somma. All rights reserved.

One of my favorite views along the beach trail Bob and I walk.  Coming around a bend on our way back, you get a glimpse of Dana Point harbor in the distance.  Another beautiful day to capture.

Happy Independence Day!

Pastel, 12 x 7
© 2013 Paula Somma. All rights reserved.

I'm so grateful for the freedom we have in this country,

and so thankful to all who have served, and are serving, to protect it.

Canola Fields

Pastel, 12 x 9
© 2013 Paula Somma. All rights reserved.

I belong to a fabulous group of artists on FaceBook, Paint The Barn In Winter.  Founded by Casey Klahn, this group selects a common photo reference each month to paint from in any style or medium you choose.  It's a wonderful experience to not only participate in, but what I'm learning and enjoying just by viewing other interpretations and responses to the same image is invaluable.  I'll be posting a few of the earlier "challenges" as well.  This one was actually from a video Casey took of the Canola Fields.  I took a still shot from the video shown below.   Painted on Art Spectrum ColourFix (Umber).

San Clemente Sunset

Pastel, 12 x 9

© 2013 Paula Somma. All rights reserved.

My husband, Bob, and I love to walk the beach here in San Clemente.  Early on in our marriage, Bob realized that when I have a camera in hand, I often get swept up in composition and miss the joy of being in the moment.  So he is the one often taking the photos on our adventures in life so I can take it all in.  Not just visually, but the feel of the place, the subtle sounds and smells.  Thankfully he's got a great eye and the combination of his photos with my memory of the moment make for strong references to paint from.  This was an amazing sunset that evening a few months ago.  Now I have a tangible memory of it to share.

Painted on ArtSpectrum ColourFix (Storm Blue) with no underpainting.

Summer Succulent

Pastel, 5x7

© 2013 Paula Somma. All rights reserved.

While visiting my friend Shawna, I noticed this beautiful little succulent on her kitchen table.  I was immediately drawn to its intricate patterns, interplay of shapes, reflected light and color.  I snapped a quick reference with my cell phone camera and painted this later on that night.  That heart shape in the center was a happy accident and unintentional.  I was focused on the positive shapes of the petals and didn't notice that they created a heart until I took this photo of the final.  This is on UArt 400 Sanded surface with a complimentary pastel underpainting.