Alone At the Biltmore, 8 inches by 10.5 inches, pastel on paper (Click to see a larger image)

I was struck by the isolated nature of this cherub who seems to be saluting the Blue Ridge Mountains from the expanse of the South Terrace at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. (He’s actually holding a bunch of grapes.)

The elevated terrace itself is four acres with nothing above it but empty sky, and although it was designed for entertainment, (accommodates 750 for dinner if you’re interested), it was the desolation  I felt there, which inspired this painting.

I guesstimate that I used about 80% pastel pencil, 15% hard pastel and 5% soft pastel. Every painting is different so I use different tools depending on the mood and subject matter.  Different techniques affect the appearance of the final piece. Smaller tools make tighter, more detailed  work, larger tools make looser, more impressionistic work… just a matter of form following function.

This painting is available and you may contact me via the contact form here on my website or by email at beth@bethlowell.com. For more information about me or my work, check out the website and other posts in this blog. 

Thanks!