Cheryl Dahn - Pastel Artist

Summer News

2011-07-26T05:03:00.000-07:00

The summer has been busy with shows! I am happy to say that I am now being represented by a new gallery in Kennebunk called The Hive. What a great addition to the revitalization of down town Kennebunk. These are the three pastels showing in the gallery.

Sunlight Path

2011-06-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

Pastel 18x12

Possibly the first spring painting I've completed so far this season(stopped painting when I got bronchitis and didn't get back to painting since the snow!). A path off the Bridal path that was saturated in sunlight. This is along the marsh behind my house.

Winter Scenes

2011-02-15T11:05:00.000-08:00

"Horsing Around" Pastel 12x16
Working on the winter scenes before snow melts...ha, like that wont't happen around here until April!

Winter

2011-02-02T09:50:00.000-08:00

Pastel 12x16 I have started working on my winter references finally, and I may occassionally go back to the fall photos. Thanks to a friend's photo from her morning run at Parson's Beach before all the real big storms started! I can't even think of braving this weather like some of the plein air painters; kudos to you all!

Fall Series

2011-01-18T11:36:00.000-08:00

Brilliant Afternoon Shadows 12x18 pastel
Finally I got some finishing touches and photographed this painting. It's funny, as an artist I should know color but.....It takes me forever to figure out what looks good when editing the photo.

2011-01-13T07:18:00.000-08:00

This is what I started Wednesday(I actually worked a full day) during the snow storm with everyone home and currrently trying to finish today....and walk/run the dogs at beach (got to make low tide at 11:30am!!), housework, dinner, have I missed anything?! :)

12x18 pastel on Wallis

Snug Harbor Pumpkins

2011-01-11T12:57:00.001-08:00

I decided to stick with this scene even though I didn't want to continue the second day into it. I see now that it is photographed and posted that I'll probably work a little on the perspectives of the fence....the things you don't see until you step away and see it in a different manner.

9x12 pastel

2011-01-08T09:17:00.000-08:00

Late Afternoon Mother's Beach

pastel 9x12 on Wallis

Getting a little behind because of this one, but it is now finished.

Fall Series

2010-12-30T13:09:00.000-08:00

Another farm I couldn't resist while driving by this past fall...still haven't thought of a title.

Pastel 9x12 350.00 framed

Fall Series

2010-12-29T13:30:00.000-08:00

"Through the Trees" 9x12 pastel

for sale w/gold frame: 350.00

I love all the photo references I've taken over the months so I'm going through them one after another. Still in the fall season with this one and more to come.

River Tree Arts Clothesline Show and Maine Women in the Arts Show

2010-11-27T05:30:00.001-08:00

The October and November challenges have helped me to accomplish enough work for up coming shows. Unframed, matted pieces and framed pieces for sale. Come visit the shows both running Dec. 2nd through the 5th. Pastels matted to 9x12 and 11x14.

November Challenge #5

2010-11-08T19:01:00.000-08:00

6x9 Pastel.
Pennsylvania farm house. Taken at 70mph! Trying to catch up...started and finished in 1 hr tonight! Whew...on to the next in the morning.

November Challenge #4

2010-11-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

6x9 pastel.
Scene from early fall photo reference of the Landing Boat School. Running a little behind but have great photos of some nice fall scenes from my travels.

November Challenge

2010-11-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

"Out My Window" pastel 7x9
"Breakfast View" pastel 9x12

November Marathon Challenge

2010-11-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

6x9 pastel "Parson's Marsh" Fall colors are spectacular for the November challenge. Thanks to friend Dawn Bear for the photo reference.

August Marathon

2010-08-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

Another pastel of Parson's beach looking to the right. Learning the movement of the waves and having fun. 6x9

August Marathon

2010-08-15T13:15:00.003-07:00

Series of Parson's Beach and waves...6x9

Monhegan Overlook

2010-08-07T05:42:00.000-07:00

First trip to Monhegan Island. This about sums it up! I can't wait to go back.

August fb Challenge

2010-08-04T13:38:00.000-07:00

I've decided to join the fb August paint athon with my artist friends and I have to say having a goal has made me a little quicker in starting and finishing a painting in one day.....on to the next since I'm 3 days behind!

2010-07-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

This is "Mid Tide Marsh", one of two pastel paintings in this weekend's Art Guild of the Kennebunks show at the Community House in Kennebunkport, July 23-25. Come visit Scott and I at the opening Friday night, 5-7. He has a beautiful bowl entered also in the show.

Autumn Path

2010-03-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am working on paintings from recent photo references. This is a scene from a favorite place of mine; it may look familiar since it is a different view of another painting which is currently my website home page. My next painting in progress is of a scene from Sunday River where my husband and I went Cross country skiing.

Winter Shadows

2010-03-11T06:56:00.000-08:00

The winter scene is almost completed in this photo. It has been tweaked a few times after to get some details I wanted in the snow. Not sure if the bright warm under painting did anything for me. As you might see from the original post I have changed the title; it makes more sense to me. I'm thinking of donating this piece to the West Kennebunk Animal Shelter for thier art auction at Chase Hill on May 23rd, 2010, so be sure to check it out and support your local animal welfare society.

Winter Sunshine

2010-02-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

Here is the beginning of the winter scene with sunlight streaming down through the trees in my back yard. Very vibrant under painting wouldn't you say?

Autumn Marsh

2010-02-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

Well, forgot to post the last pastel painting. It is another view of the bridal path marsh that caught my eye during a walk with the dogs early fall. It has morning light and it happened to be low tide at the time which lent to a different color palette. I am now working on a winter scene and trying a very vibrant under wash I've seen other artists use during workshops I've participated in recently. It's sunlight shining through my back yard creating some neat shadows of the trees falling on the snow. You wonder why I used a warm color under a winter scene with blues, violets... I'd like to find out the answer myself also. My boys have given me some funny comments when they first viewed the color choice....."I'm blinded", "I think Matthew is getting a sunburn!". My words....."wicked cool", "look at the contrast when putting another color on it!!"..... I'll post it to show the start of it so you see what I mean.

Marsh Scene

2010-01-31T11:54:00.000-08:00

This is a new marsh scene from a photo I took while walking the dogs along the bridal path. It was a beautiful fall day. First day so far, Iwas able to get a good start on it. I seem to go a bit quicker if I start from the top and work down the page. Not the best technique but it helps me to be more organized and also helps with dust particles dropping on anything I would have already drawn. Hope to get some more done today, Sunday, and finish tomorrw. I hope to paint at least 3 other scenes from this same day.

"Hay Rolls" Completed

2010-01-27T14:06:00.000-08:00

The "Hay Rolls" is completed now after only working on it a little at a time. I didn't get to it the next day like I posted the first time. It can be hard to stay at it when there are many distractions. But, I think I'm happy with it. I especially like how I could use colors that I wouldn't have chosen for the green of trees or the tans of the hay color, yet they all came together for a pleasing look. On to the next....

"Hay Rolls" in progress

2010-01-19T17:11:00.000-08:00

Hi friends, this is the latest painting I started today. Can anyone recognize this image seen all around Maine?! I like to call them what they are (hence the name). I've layed in some darks, some lights, and just plain ole color! It is so fun, but I usually get this far, like what I see, and then stop. Need to stop making excuses and keep going first thing tomorrow.

New Painting Underway

2010-01-07T17:24:00.000-08:00

Hello all, I have started a new painting and I am stepping out of my box and trying to use colors I normally wouldn't dare to try. So far I am liking what I'm doing and think this is a new beginning to many fun paintings.

2010-01-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. I recently updated my website and now have an on-line store which includes 2010 wall calendars that includes thirteen of my favorite landscapes. Here's a sample on the left. You may use this link to order if you wish.

www.cheryldahn.com/store.htm

The next painting I'll be starting is a summer scene of a field of flowers leading up to a home in the background. It was a beautiful scene that my family and I passed on our way up to climb the mountain in Camden (Mt. Battie). Look for it here soon (I hope) since my New Year's resolution is to set a goal of paintings per week.

2009-11-22T16:47:00.001-08:00

So it has been quite some time since I made my last post...but I have exciting news! I was chosen as first place winner in the Pastel Painters of Maine show currently running at River Tree Arts in Kennebunk Maine. "Bridal Path Marsh" is a painting of the path behind our house that I run almost every day with our dogs. The scenery is beautiful and I have done many paintings at different points along the way. I hope you like it too.

2009-05-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

So...has anyone tried to get a painting done with a new 6 month old puppy? I can honestly say I have been working on the current painting for about 4 months (see previous post). I'll just be putting on a few finishing touches and it is time to move on. Now that the snow is gone the puppy can go outside and I can work! But really...how can you work with this cute face looking at you?

Almost Done !

2009-04-26T18:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone...Welcome to my new blog! I hope you visit often to see what I am working on. This is a scene from a visit my husband and I took to the Camden ME. area. I'll be sure to post the finished product soon. My next painting will be a sailboat scene from Camden harbor. It looks like I have a theme going here!