Pastel is not my best medium, but since I had the pastels out already, I thought I would give it a go. I had no photo reference for this; just 'out of my head' so to speak. I've learned that I need photo references to get good paintings. All of my best ones have some kind of photo reference even if it is just for important elements- like people. My best landscapes have photo references too. This is a wild fruit tree leaning out on a rocky ledge. I need to work on the trunk a little more. It needs to be more aged and gnarled.

I got one of the two newsletters done. Now, to get the other proofread and posted. Today I have to make and ship more prints. Seems our district's store is selling a few of the Coast Guard painting, "Night Launch". The other,"You Make Me Smile-The Coast Guard in Haiti" doesn't sell at all even though that is a better painting by far. Someone said out loud what others dare not: "Too bad the Coastie is a black guy." I think that has a lot to do with it. The Auxiliary is predominantly white. How many white folks hang pictures of black people in their homes or offices? I do, but I look at people differently. My painting, "Woman Wearing Scarf" (what a dumb title!) is in my living room.