Comments on: Getting Back To The Easel…With Rufus https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/ Info, opinion, and training on how to pastel with artist Gail Sibley BFA, MA Fri, 31 Jan 2025 23:07:43 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Gail Sibley https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/#comment-61415 Fri, 31 Jan 2025 23:07:43 +0000 https://www.howtopastel.com/?p=32209#comment-61415 In reply to Carmel Spencer.

Thanks so much Carmel for your warm and caring thoughts. And also for your appreciation of my painting of Rufus! Thank you!!

]]> By: Gail Sibley https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/#comment-61414 Fri, 31 Jan 2025 23:06:52 +0000 https://www.howtopastel.com/?p=32209#comment-61414 In reply to Anita Plaks.

Anita, it’s really hard to paint, to get into the flow, with a pall of misery upon you. Some days, it just isn’t going to happen (I had that happen yesterday!). But going to your studio can sometimes spark a motion and a picking up of a pencil and maybe a wee sketch emerges. Every tiny step is a great one!!

]]> By: Gail Sibley https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/#comment-61413 Fri, 31 Jan 2025 23:04:49 +0000 https://www.howtopastel.com/?p=32209#comment-61413 ]]> In reply to Sarah L.

Hey Sarah, good to hear from you! Thank you for your enthusiastic cheering – it helps!! 😁

]]> By: Gail Sibley https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/#comment-61412 Fri, 31 Jan 2025 23:03:49 +0000 https://www.howtopastel.com/?p=32209#comment-61412 In reply to Nancy Tanner.

That’s so wonderful to hear Nancy! Yes, inner peace can be hard to find and sometimes I’ve found it helpful to let out the grief and anger and sadness in a flurry and chaos of marks (you can see my post about one such experience here).

Having a specific thing that needs to be worked on really helps and I know, for you, working on a painting of your friend’s cat will get you started and also away from the day to day life.

I’m sorry for your loss.

]]> By: Nancy Tanner https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/#comment-61351 Tue, 28 Jan 2025 18:19:54 +0000 https://www.howtopastel.com/?p=32209#comment-61351 Dear Gail,

I am offering my deepest sympathy and condolences on the passing of your dad. This is a very special, introspective time for you, and I wish you well.
Your post was so timely for me! I have recently experienced a loss as well, and the inner peace I need to paint has been absent. Why is it SO hard?? Your words really inspired me, and your step by step painting of Rufus was just the perfect inspiration for me. I have a friend who asked me to paint his cat (a black one… of course!). Your tips gave me a vision, and now I think I can get going on it. LOVE your painting of Rufus!

Thank you for all you do! 🙂

]]> By: Sarah L https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/#comment-61290 Sat, 25 Jan 2025 13:41:16 +0000 https://www.howtopastel.com/?p=32209#comment-61290 Always cheering you on, Sarah]]> In reply to Dawn.

Hi Gail! I’m sooo happy you’ve finally got back to painting! I’m excited to see more of what you create! 😊

Always cheering you on,
Sarah

]]> By: Anita Plaks https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/#comment-61286 Sat, 25 Jan 2025 07:45:26 +0000 https://www.howtopastel.com/?p=32209#comment-61286 Gail,
I’m so sorry to read of your loss. So glad you were able to heal a bit through painting.
I’m having a hard time getting back to it since November. I just haven’t felt motivated. I think about it every day, but have felt discouraged by not getting into some competitions. And the fires in Los Angeles have made me so sad. I have a couple of friends that lost their beautiful homes. I’m working on getting back to the easel!
Take care and I always enjoy your blogs.

Anita

]]> By: Carmel Spencer https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/#comment-61283 Sat, 25 Jan 2025 04:35:14 +0000 https://www.howtopastel.com/?p=32209#comment-61283 Hi Gail, I’ve missed your regular input into my art journey. So sorry to read of your father’s passing. May your healing be filled with many memories of him and his influence on whom you have become.
Welcome back. Rufus as you have painted him full of colour & liveliness, with a look that says he is waiting for you to converse with him. He’s certainly engaged with the person taking his photo. That engagement is well portrayed.

With appreciated thoughts for you still sharing during this sad time, Carmel

]]> By: Gail Sibley https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/#comment-61277 Sat, 25 Jan 2025 02:23:12 +0000 https://www.howtopastel.com/?p=32209#comment-61277 In reply to Dawn.

Thank you Dawn for your understanding. And yes, art is always succor and a path to healing. (I write about it here.)

]]> By: Dawn https://www.howtopastel.com/2025/01/getting-back-to-the-easelwith-rufus/#comment-61272 Sat, 25 Jan 2025 01:50:53 +0000 https://www.howtopastel.com/?p=32209#comment-61272 Gail,
My heart goes out to you. I know how painful it is to lose a parent.
I’m glad you’ve been able to return to the easel.
Take care,
Dawn

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