April 1 saw the beginning of an early spring here in the Flathead and I also started a 10-day Painting Challenge hosted by the Pastel Society of the West Coast. This challenge consisted of a symbol or squiggle being provided each day that was to inspire us in our daily painting. It also included a concept to keep in mind while painting. Or, the other option was to disregard the symbols and concepts and paint whatever you liked. The parameters were not the focus of the challenge, getting the artists to paint daily and perhaps to try some new techniques or subject matter that hadn't been explored before.

Day 1: From Kelly Ann Hine, PSWC facilitator of the 10-Day Challenge: 

"And just like that it’s DAY 1 of WHAT SPRINGS TO MIND: 10-DAY CHALLENGE!!! Below is your first visual prompt. Try and create something using this prompt that inspires you. What is the very first thing that comes to your mind when you see this prompt? Ask yourself how does it make you feel or what does it remind you of. Let your imagination play and create what ever comes to your mind using this prompt.

Here is an example; maybe this prompt evokes a memory of sitting on the beach watching the sunset go down over the horizon. OR, maybe you see a beautiful dragonfly or butterfly fluttering in your garden or sitting on a flower pot. There is no right or wrong with this challenge. The whole idea is to play, have fun, and use your imagination to create something from the emotion or response you felt seeing the prompt and what inspires you to feel happy! "

Here is my Day 1 response to the prompt. I first saw a horizon with a sun and it's reflection in the water. But as I was scrolling through my photos, I found this one of the moon and it's reflection which inspired me. 10" x 8", pastel on Multimedia Pastel Board

Day 2: This prompt brought up memories of going to Joshua Tree National Monument as a child with my parents and siblings. Mom would make lunch, Dad would nap, and the four of us kids would climb like wildcats all over the boulders that are a big part of this landscape. The scene is made up from memory. 6" x 8", pastel on Multimedia Pastel Board

Day 3: I would never consider myself an abstract painter. Frankly, it scares me. The prompt for today didn't inspire a creative image but I do identify strongly with color. I have as many facets as a prism and color speaks directly to my soul. The yellow and orange are my inner passion and inspiration, the green and aqua represent my love of the outdoors, the darker blues and purples are the colors of mindfulness and spirituality, which I try to encompass every day. I also had fun with using a bight pink underpainting which sparkles where it shows through the layers of pastel. 6" x 6", pastel on Multimedia Pastel Board

Day 4: The shape brought nothing to mind at first. I flipped the shape and placed it to the bottom right of the original shape to make a sort of circle with protrusions. I scrolled through the photos on my phone and saw this image which was reminiscent of the shape. I love how the light sparkles on these dried flowers. 9" x 6", pastel on Multimedia Pastel Board

Day 5: We live in a thriving cherry growing area so when I saw this prompt, I thought of cherries! Today I took my time and did a finished painting of a trio of cherries. This one will go into a local gallery for the upcoming tourist season. 8" x 6", pastel on LuxArchival paper

Day 6: Today's prompt brought to mind the calla lily—an appropriate flower for the Easter season. I've had this striking photo of a calla lily that a close friend took and every few years I find it and paint it again. I just love the light and interesting shape. 6" x 8", pastel on Multimedia Pastel Board

Day 7: This painting may not resemble today's prompt, but I saw these trees as the circles. If I want to throw in an achievement, this barn is one of the best I've painted. I find barns are unexpectedly difficult to paint and I'm not sure why. I got the perspective right and the barns feels like it's part of the landscape so that's a win in my book! 9" x 12", pastel on UArt 320

Day 8: When I saw the prompt for today, I could only think of grasses. I looked through my photos and found this image of autumn's dried grasses. As for a treasure, I always feel grateful and fortunate to enjoy this beautiful landscape in northwest Montana, which is known as the "Treasure State."  12" x 9", pastel on UArt 320

Day 9: Curves and points are what I saw with the prompt today. Interestingly, we've already had this prompt on Day 2 of this challenge. That's okay because today I found a photo that said, "curves and points." This was a fun, meditative session of painting details and juxtaposing pink against green. 6" x 8", pastel on UArt 400

Day 10: The last day of the challenge. How could I not think of mountains when I saw today's prompt?! I live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and I'm surrounded by zigzag horizons. Hiking in the mountains is the ultimate feeling of freedom. As the venerable John Muir said, "The mountains are calling and I must go." 8" x 10", pastel on UArt 400