Holly McWilliams Workshop

What a fun, energetic and wonderful learning experience it was on the weekend with the FCA Calgary workshop with Holly McWilliams. We all drew then painted the same figure photo reference, learning how to make the body warm and cool (hence the two sides painted differently). It was really fun to work with purples, yellows, reds and blues for the figure.

On Saturday we watched Holly demo and fill our brains with so much interesting information, then we went on to paint on our own. On Sunday we worked on our figure again, then moved on to a photo of our choosing (that is why some of the figure paintings were
 not finished). Holly taught both oil and acrylic at the same time which was wonderful to hear and understand.

 

"Figure in Warm and Cool"

20" x 10" oil on board

 It was a very fun workshop with a wonderful group of artists led by the much loved Holly.

A sad "See you later" to the Pettitt Superman

"In Memory of our Superman - Clay Pettitt"

8" x 10" Acrylic on board

I painted this in an effort to release some of the sadness and shock of my cousin Clay's passing. He died suddenly of a brain aneurism leaving shock, anger, heart brokenness and disbelief. He was the Pettitt family's Superman.

The back of the board was painted bright yellow, a reference to the ray of sunshine he was in so many lives. I printed comments that friends and family had said about Clay on Facebook around song words that meant so much to his wife. Clay loved with all his heart and knew he was loved back!

Sponge Toffee Meets Terracotta Warriors

 

"Sponge Toffee Meets Terracotta Warriors"

Oil on canvas 16" x 20"

 

I received 3 photographs via email from my friend Joan. She had recently been to Bryce Canyon and aptly had already named her photo. Joan is always very generous and allows me to paint whatever she sends me from her world travels. With a title like this one and the wild colours, it was just what I needed to get into painting again! Thanks Joan, keep 'em coming! The bit of shine is from the still wet painting.