For the longest time an empty wall in my home has been (patiently, lol) waiting for me to fill. I knew it would be a floral, but flowers are a subject I’m still getting comfortable painting. Finally I think there is a piece that has found its home.
My latest oil pastel, Callas Trumpeting (14×11) was painted on Mi-Teintes black pastel paper. It’s always a challenge to get lighter values to glow with black as the background (in this case, the flowers) so scrubbing the first thin layer of OPs into the paper provided enough coverage that the oil pastels worked their magic and made the petals come alive.
Hope you have a great weekend, here is Callas Trumpeting ~
A reference image taken by Viacheslav, incredible photographer with pmp was the inspiration for this piece.
Oil Pastels by Mary 
So beautiful, Mary. Those lilies really glow. 🙂
Thanks so much Sylvia for your lovely thoughts on this piece. It’s been a while since I visited this painting, your comment was a real pleasant surprise!
This is stunning! I love the lighting and colors and also love how it melts into the darkness.
Hi Mamie, thanks so much I loved reading your comments – glad you enjoyed it.
That is too lovely Mary 😉 … a perfect balance of exotic colours … unfolding on the blackest of blacks ….
Thank you so much Poppy! The black just sets the stage for the trio ~
This is just beautiful, it makes me want to pull out my oil pastels and attempt a floral portrait.
Wow Barbara such a compliment, thank you so much – I hope you go back and give the oilies a workout, bet you enjoy them! Thanks for visiting my blog and now following, I’m looking forward to seeing your blog and paintings.
Getting out of your comfort zone is the best way to grow, and this flowers are gourgsous Mary! 😀
Thanks Patricia – I’ll keep working at flowers painted in oil pastels, for me it’s a bit of a challenge because of the tiny details, but satisfying none-the-less. Several more are in the works, stay tuned!
They are trumpeting! I love the contouring at the edges, the delicate curves. Lovely Mary.
Thank you so much Elena!
Simply gorgeous!! You’ve outdone yourself again 😀 Bravo, Mary!
Hi Calee, thanks so much for your beautiful comments!!
Wow, Mary! This is exquisite!!!! I love it!
Enjoy a beautiful February! 🙂 xx
Welcome back Marina – so great to hear from you! Thank you for your lovely comment and hope that you have a beautiful and creative February!
Excellent works!!!
Nice to see you again Rexlin, thank you for your lovely comment!
Gorgeous and loving the colors 🙂
Thanks Eunice – so nice of you!
Mary, this piece is stunningly gorgeous. I love everything about it. The dark background, the full orange of the flowers and the fact that the flower on the left is open. It is perfectly balanced. Love it!
Thanks Francesca for your gracious comments and feedback!
Really nice painting. It always feel good when you fill a space on the wall.
Thanks Ben, nice to meet you!
These are stunning and love the black! A very good idea!
Thanks Linda!
Oh, how they glow 🙂
Thanks Ann!
Just gorgeous!!!
Thank you – much appreciated!
Really excellent work….
Thanks Rob!
Beautiful. Blessings, Natalie 🙂
Thank you Natalie!
You sure is one talented lady!!
Thank you M. R. for the nice compliment!
They shine, Mary. Beatiful against black!
Thank you Anne-Christine for your nice comment! The black background really worked great for these Callas.
They do glow in the dark! 🙂
Ha! Glad you enjoyed it – we’ll never have to turn on the lights (just kidding).
Beautiful Mary. Love the black background.
Thank you Don!
I was thinking this would look magnificent on my dark green dining room wall next to a James Audubon original bird print.
Ha! You’ll have to beat me to it, the blank space on my wall is colorful now – thank you Craig. So wonderful and a beautiful compliment.