Bronze Sky Four

8x10 watercolor with pastel on paper. I have been doing so may works lately with lots of line, that I thought I would post a piece with a more subtle technique. It is important for me to vary my styles and techniques. This style is actually difficult to do; because, it is so easy to overwork these. If you add too much pastel, it can get "muddied", and you lose the color and the distinct impressions you are trying to achieve. I don't blend pastel very often, because I want this sketchy, modern look. It's a matter of preference. Tell me what you think.

Indigo Futura Four

17x23 mixed media on paper. I love indigo blue with bronze and copper! Hope you do, too!

Futura City Three

10x14 mixed media on paper. This one and the one I posted a couple days ago, are what I call my "space abstracts". I really let my imagination go with these. Tell me what you see in these.

Futura City Two by Carol Engles

8x10 water media with charcoal. I have "this thing" for charcoal lately. You may wonder why someone who enjoys using lots of color would be infatuated with charcoal! Well, I think it is because I love the line! I can't help myself. I also wanted to do work with more of an edge to it and charcoal is perfect for that. It is interesting to me that one of the world's oldest art mediums is great for a modern look. Let me know what you think.

Mojave Vista One

5x7 watercolor with pastel and charcoal on paper. I enjoy doing these abstract landscapes. They are restful for me. They flow and I just try to stay out of the way and keep them immediate and loose. My geometric abstracts are more difficult and time consuming probably because they are puzzle like. When I have a lack of energy, these abstract landscapes refresh me. Does that make sense?

Valyn Enjoying Flyball

This is another commissioned 8x10 mixed media of Valyn, an Australian Cattle Dog, enjoying her favorite sport of flyball. I tried to capture her determination and intensity. I wanted to show Valyn at top speed with her legs tucked under her. I am mainly an abstract artist, so doing more realistic pieces is a challenge to me because I don't do them that often. I love dogs though, so it was a pleasure to do this.

Black and Red Two by Carol Engles

17x23 acrylic with water media on paper. This is edgier than what I usually do. Sometimes abstract can be fun and lively or more serious and thought provoking. Tell me what you feel with this piece.

Desert View One

10x14 watercolor with pastel and charcoal on paper. This is done in a sketchy style. Pastels don't have to be smudged and blended. I used charcoal first and then wetted it slightly and added some watercolor and watercolor crayon. Then I added pastel and finished with more charcoal. This is a technique and style that suits me, because I like to work fast and I like work with lots of texture and line. I am already planning more of these abstract landscapes.

Dressage Horse One

8x10 mixed media on paper. I have a new goal: create equine abstracts depicting horses in sport. This is my 3rd piece. It is a dressage horse and rider performing the passage movement. I am a horse person who enjoys riding my Peruvian horses mainly on the trail and gaiting around the arena. And I enjoy all the equine sports. I respect the hard work and dedication it takes to compete. I wanted to capture the elegance of horse and rider. Hope you like it!

Gold Futura Two by Carol Engles

10x14 watercolor with charcoal on paper. I have a lot of fun doing these "space" abstracts. They may lead me to something else as well - we will see. I start with the charcoal and then add the watercolor and then more charcoal. Tell me what you think!

Valyn

This is an 8x10 mixed media commissioned portrait that I just finished today of "Valyn" who is an Australian Cattle Dog who loves the sport of flyball. She is looking out the car window, ready for a new adventure. I mainly do abstract art, so it is a challenge to do dogs and try to capture their personalities. I hope I caught hers!

Futura City One by Carol Engles

11x17 watercolor with charcoal on paper. another of my "Space Abstracts". I really have fun doing these. As I have said before, abstracts can be fun and serious at the same time.