CM Neidhofer Fine Art Pastel Studio

Simply Red

2012-02-08T17:54:00.002-07:00

Another WetCanvas Spotlight project. I'm pretty happy about how this turned out! Pastels on 9 x 12 Canson.

Spires

2012-01-30T14:02:00.004-07:00

Just finished this piece. An exercise in shadows for The Spotlight at WetCanvas. I see some things I could've done differently, but overall I like it. Comments and suggestions always greatly appreciated!

Pastel on 9 x 12 PastelMat

Peppers

2012-01-14T15:26:00.005-07:00

I just finished this for a Wet Canvas exercise in shadows. This was a struggle for me. I think because I had to think about what I was doing! Started out with no background. Decided it needed something, so added background color. Not sure I like it and maybe could have done it differently. Just not sure.

Above Timberline

2011-12-08T09:42:00.002-07:00

This is from a trip to Trail Ridge Road a few years ago. Pastels on 9 x 12 Pastelmat.

Untitled

2011-11-15T14:26:00.002-07:00

Did this piece for a WetCanvas Spotlight challenge. Pastels on 7 x 9 UArt 800 grit paper.

Kat

2011-11-15T14:24:00.001-07:00

This is our cat, Kat. Pastels on 9 x 12 PastelMat.

Pick a Punkin

2011-11-15T14:20:00.001-07:00

Painted this piece a long time ago, but gave it to a friend who fell in love with it. I decided I wanted it in my inventory, so gave it another go. Pastels on 9 x 12 PastelBord.

Untitled

2011-09-04T09:50:00.002-07:00

I've wanted to paint this scene for a long time. Don't think I've quite done it justice, but hope you enjoy it! 9x12 pastel on Colourfix paper.

Spring Beauty

2011-05-28T21:27:00.002-07:00

New piece of pastel art! Seems to be ages between posts on here, but life keeps getting in the way. Completed with a very limited pallete of Daler Rowney pastels on 8 x 10 PastelBord.

Silver and Berries

2010-09-10T00:13:00.002-07:00

Just finished this piece as well. I've been busy!! Soft pastels on 9 x 12 Colourifx paper. A little looser than I usually work.

Cherry Basket

2010-09-01T01:31:00.005-07:00

Here is the finished piece, Cherry Basket. Soft pastels on 9 x 12 PastelMat. It's the first time I've tried this paper and I really like it. I'll be using it along with my usual Colourfix and Pastelbord. Enjoy!

Just finished this pastel piece. I see the basket handle needs a little finishing. Took this pic at night, so will have to get a daytime pic. Pastels on 9 x 12 Pastel Mat. It's my first time working with the pastel mat and I really, really like it! Very little dust. Look for a better pic soon!

My Prince Will Come!

2010-06-30T12:05:00.002-07:00

Finally, FINALLY...a new piece of art!!! It's been a long time with lots of twists and turns in life. Did this for a WetCanvas Spotlight challenge. Colourfix paper, 9 x 12.

A New Year

2010-01-06T11:25:00.002-07:00

Well, it's a new year and I hope that I can provide more input on this blog. Life has thrown it's challenges at me in the last year and hasn't allowed for much painting time.

I was asked to submit my work to a local co-op gallery for jurying. I wasn't accepted, but had a very positive and helpful talk with the gallery owner. So it looks like I'll be doing a little more studying and planning before I commit to a painting this year. The learning never stops!

Thanks to all of you have become fans of my Facebook page. I appreciate your support!

Been battling a case of the flu this week and just starting to feel a little better today.

Anyway, I wish all of you out there a very happy, prosperous, productive and art-filled new year! Thanks for being here!

Pink Cup

2009-05-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

Soft pastel on 11 x 14 Pastelbord.

Pears

2009-02-03T15:15:00.002-07:00

Just finished this for a Pastel Strokes project at WetCanvas. I kind of like it, kind of don't. I tried to create a more painterly feel for this, which I'm not very good at yet. Anyway, you win some, you lose some!! lol

Raggedy Anns

2009-01-25T19:46:00.002-07:00

Just finished this. Took the photo at night with a flash, so it's just a little on the bright side! I'll try to get a better photo tomorrow. I see a couple of things to tweak on it yet before I sign it. I had fun painting this one!

Cool Retreat

2008-12-22T22:27:00.002-07:00

I'm calling this one finished. There are things I like about it, especially the rocks and water. I lost control of those vines though and I'm not quite sure what else to do with them, so I'm done playing with it. Lessons learned for the next piece!

Cool Retreat WIP

2008-12-19T16:56:00.003-07:00

A new work in progress. I'm not very good with water yet and have spent way too much time on the rocks so far, but I'm still trying! Reference from the Oklahoma Botanical Gardens from a vacation a couple of years ago.

Soft pastels on a sample of UArt paper. Have never used UArt before, but seems to be okay for me at this point.

Central City Bed Race Day Series #1

2008-12-02T20:27:00.004-07:00

Here is the finished piece. It's a small one and I decided not to do anything special with the background. I may go back and do this in a larger format though. I think sometimes less is more, so I'm leaving what's going on up to the viewer. I was attracted to the hat in the first place and I like the little bit of glow on her right shoulder from the light.

I've been wanting to do a series for some time of this annual event in Central City, CO. Bed race day is in honor of Madame Lou Bunch, the last legal madame in the state of Colorado. She is remembered for her selfless committment to the gold miners when they were hit with the plague. Madame Lou closed her "houses" and she and all of her "girls" took in the sick miners and nursed them back to health. Some of the "houses" still exist on Pine St. This is a work in progress. I thought it might be interesting to watch this one develop. I'm still not sure how I'm going to approach the background.

Untitled

2008-11-24T14:41:00.005-07:00

Just a quickie today. Saw this little guy in the bird sanctuary at Busch Gardens in Florida when we went on vacation. Had a hard time getting feathers to look like feathers. Actually, they don't look like feathers at all!!! lol Anyone out there with any suggestions for the feathers, please don't hesitate to leave a message! Thanks for looking. Need suggestions for a title, also!

Another Tea Time

2008-09-30T12:46:00.002-07:00

Should have just title this one "Stinker!" lol No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get the left side of that back cup right. And I see the saucer is a little wonky too. Ah well...first piece I've completed in while after moving and trying to get settled in our new place. Guess I got a little frustrated with this one. I'm on day three of a four day weekend. I'm off to look for something else to paint!!

Karl and Stephanie

2008-07-15T15:56:00.002-07:00

This is probably the only portrait I've ever done that is actually getting to see the light of day! My son, Karl, and Stephanie got married at the end of May and I was hoping I could come up with something good enough to send to them as a gift. I don't think this one is going to make it, but it was a great learning experience. I may try again later after I've let this one sit for a while. Soft pastels on 9 x 12 Pastelbord.

Flatiron Footpath

2008-07-07T06:30:00.003-07:00

Okay, here's the finished piece. At least I'm calling it finished. I wanted to tweak the red rocks a little. Color is a little off from the first pic. That darned photographer....lol. Enjoy!

Flatiron Footpath

2008-07-06T20:51:00.006-07:00

Hello. It's been a while again. Life and work just keep getting in the way of what I WANT to do!! Here's my latest. Mostly Terry Ludwig pastels on 8 x 10 Pastelbord. Hope you enjoy! Hmm...I do see a couple of things I'd like to tweak a little. Huh...haven't signed it yet either!! I'll post a final tomorrow...after I've had some sleep maybe??!! LOL

Parrot Heads

2008-05-22T22:12:00.002-07:00

Another WetCanvas monthly project. The background got to be just a little too tedious for me, so I kind of blew it with this one. But I like the parrots! Let me know what you think. Assorted pastels, mostly Ludwigs', on 9 x 12 Colourfix paper.

Nectarines

2008-04-02T17:37:00.003-07:00

Just finished this piece as a monthly project at WetCanvas! I think this is the most dramatic looking piece I've ever created! Very happy with how this turned out. Assorted soft pastels on 8 x 10 Pastelbord.

I am very happy and honored to announce that this painting has been selected to appear in the 2009 Calendar from ArtWanted.com. Check out the information below!

2009 Calendar: Review Submissions

Congratulations! Your artwork was accepted into one or more 2009 ArtWanted.com Calendars.
Below you can review your submission(s).

If you have not pre-ordered your calendar(s) yet, you can place an order here.

Calendar Submissions:

Traditional Artwork

Date: 1/12/09

Calendar Contact Information:

Artist Name:

Christine Tykoski

Website URL:

www.ArtWanted.com/christyart

White Water Lily

2008-03-18T11:15:00.005-07:00

Hello there. I have been away from the computer and my art for some time, but I am back and happy to be painting and posting again! This was started several months ago. It's finally finished and I'm feeling inspired again to move on to something new. This was done on 9 x 12 Colourfix paper with assorted soft pastels. Hope you enjoy!

Soleil

2007-06-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

Here's the lastest, fresh off the easel! This is "Soleil," another WetCanvas! monthly project. I'm very happy with how this turned out. Soft pastels on 9 x 12 dark blue Colourfix paper. On to another piece I have in progress. It's a dark and stormy day here in Colorado...a great day to get some painting time in. Hope you enjoy seeing my work.

Kiwis

2007-05-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

Another new piece finished for a monthly project at Wetcanvas.com. The kiwis aren't quite as red looking in real life. Soft pastels on 9 x 12 terra cotta Colourfix paper. WetCanvas is such an inspiration to me...gets me painting even when I don't feel like it!!

Tiger

2007-04-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

This was done for a monthly project at WetCanvas.com. Soft pastels on 9 x 12 dark blue colourfix paper. A very quick piece for me, for a change and looser than I usually work. Hope you enjoy it!

Tea Time

2007-02-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a while since I've added anything here. Life has been nuts with my regular work hours and trying to find some time to paint. I did this piece for a group project at WetCanvas.com. It was fun to do and I like the composition. Hope you enjoy it as well!

Christine

Lily Pond

2006-11-02T13:52:00.000-07:00

Here's the completed Lily Pond painting. It's 9 x 12 on green Colourfix pastel paper. Hope you've enjoyed watching the progress of this painting. Now....what to paint next!!

Lily Pond WIP

2006-10-31T17:17:00.000-07:00

Here's the newest installment of the Lily Pond Demo. I think it's really starting to come together. I have to finish the bottom corner yet and add some highlights and shadows. Hopefully, will finish this week yet.

Lily Pond3 WIP

2006-10-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

Here's an update on the lily pond painting. I've added some reflections at the lower left and started defining the flower a little more.

Lily Pond WIP

2006-10-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

Here's the second installment on the lily pond painting. It's still in it's "ugly" stage, but coming along I think.

Pastel Demo

2006-10-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

I'm ready to start my next pastel piece. I'm going to attempt to put it up on this blog as a demo. I can't guarantee step by step, because sometimes I just get lost in the painting and before I know it, I've gone way past the "step" stage!! But I'll try to post it as a work in progress at the very least. Look for the initial layout soon!

Okay, here's the first installment. I've made my sketch and started to fill in the darks and some of the lights. I'm trying to let my strokes blend the pastels, rather than use a finger or blending tool. Next, I'll continue filling in the mid tones on the lily pads and the lily. Finished for tonight, hopefully more progress tomorrow.

Colorado Autumn

2006-09-30T18:16:00.000-07:00

Another new piece for me. Trees seem to alude me yet, but I keep working on them! This is 8 x 10, also on Pastelbord.

Kat Cat

2006-09-27T22:14:00.000-07:00

This is my newest work. It's been a busy summer with not much time for painting. Hopefully with the cooler weather coming in, I'll be able to present more art here. "Kat" is an 8 x 10 pastel on gray Pastelbord.

2006-06-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

This is the first in a series of butterfly pieces I'm working on. Look for a new addition to the series soon!!

2006-06-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

Rocky Road
This is the first soft pastel piece I ever created.