My patriotic streak continued with "Americana II", another 16" x 12" version of the still life setup for "Americana" which I recently completed.    Actually, I have a number of shows with entry deadlines....all of which I really want to successfully be juried into.....that has really put pressure on me.  Of course all of this came the same time I am teaching workshops and a number of other commitments that eat into my time!  Since "Americana" went so quickly for me, I decided to try another version in the hopes it would do the same....and it did!  I used the same reference photo for the top of the painting since the rose was long dead and in the garbage, but reset up the Coke bottle with just a simple cloth around the base.  I also changed to background to a blue as opposed to the dark green.  I am happy with the results and "American II" is on a CD on its way to Jasper, TN as an entry in the 2012 International Association of Pastel Societies show.  Fingers crossed!