September Field Two, abstract landscape by Carol Engles

10 x 14 oil pastel on paper. Oil pastel is so different than soft pastels. It is hard to layer, but it does have rich qualities and is fun because it is so crayon-like.

Temecula Valley Ranch Land, abstract landscape by Carol Engles

17 x 23 watercolor, pastel and charcoal on paper. This is my "sketchy" style landscape. I have done many of these and because of the style, I do them very quickly. I don't like to work too long on any of my paintings.

Young Stallion at a Gallop, abstract equine art by Carol Engles

10 x 14 watercolor and pastel on paper. This is another piece inspired by our stallion, Valeroso. Hope you like it!

Southwest Cityscape One, abstract landscape by Carol Engles

5 x 7 mixed media on paper. Another piece that I have chosen as a candidate for a larger painting. I thought
the colors were fun in this.

January Field One, abstract landscape by Carol Engles

5 x 7 mixed media on paper. This is a previous painting that I am considering for a larger painting.   Many of my paintings are done with bright, vibrant colors. But, I also enjoy working with neutral colors and then adding accents of brighter colors to create interest and surprise. I like the pink, lavender, chartreuse and aqua in this piece. HERE'S YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Tell me if you think this painting is a good candidate for a larger painting.

Portland Winterscape Two, abstract pastel painting by Carol Engles

8 x 11 pastel and watercolor on paper. The second of my "Portland" winterscapes. It's actually been snowing in Portland this week. Though Portland does get snow,  most of it falls in the Cascades and the eastern parts of the state. I want these paintings to show that the rainy, cloudy winter days aren't all that grey.  In my mind, light blue, lavender and greens are part of the Portland winterscape.

Q and A with Carol: "Do you ever do realistic horses?"

No. But I do realistic dogs occasionally. I decided a couple years ago, that I would draw or paint horses in what I call a semi-abstract style and I would depict them moving - galloping, cantering, trotting, jumping etc. I think the movement and energy of horses is perfect for this style. I enjoy the freedom to suggest flowing manes and tails, exaggerated legs and hooves, muscles and necks. However, I always try to keep the eyes more realistic. I want the eyes to always be the center of interest and if they are too abstract, they can be a distraction.

Arabian Filly at a Trot, charcoal equine drawing by Carol Engles

16 x 20 charcoal drawing on paper. In this drawing I tried to capture the elegance of an Arabian filly. I drew her with her hind leg lifted highly at her hock, her tail carried up and her back flat. And, of course, her face dished,  typical of an Arabian, one of my favorite breeds. Even though I do these drawings in an abstract style, I like to keep the basic traits of the different breeds in my artwork. So, I guess you could say that they aren't totally abstract.

Sante Fe Cityscape Three, pastel painting by Carol Engles

8 x 10 pastel and watercolor on paper. This painting is really bright. So if you don't like bright orangish red, this painting is not for you! I cooled it down a bit with the aqua and the grey. Contrast of color and shapes/lines is something I pay a lot of attention to because it creates interest in a painting. To me if I paint an abstract piece with a green pasture and a blue sky, that approach is too realistic and defeats the purpose of the abstract process.

Maiden Winner, abstract equine pastel painting by Carol Engles

10 x 14 watercolor and pastel on paper. I tried to give this painting a lot of color and movement. Hope you like it!

Sedona Cityscape One, abstract cityscape by Carol Engles

8 x 11 watercolor, pastel and charcoal. This piece is bright and has some dark,  rich areas as well. I have been to Arizona, but not to Sedona.  I finished this piece and I needed a name and thought Sedona and the red rocks that are so distinctive to the area would be a good fit. I also thought the lines and squiggles suggest a Southwest feel. I don't always start with a place or city in mind, I just think about the colors I want to use and then it all follows from there.

California Ranch Land One, abstract landscape by Carol Engles

8 x 10 watercolor, pastel and charcoal on paper. Yes! There still is ranch land in Southern California. The Temecula Valley has rolling hills with vineyards and ranch land, some with old barbed wire fencing from the past. In fact, Vail Ranch in the southern Temecula Valley was a final destination for cattle drives from Arizona.