"Waiting For Lunch"

"Waiting For Lunch"

Oil on board 12" x 16"

$225 unframed

I watched this bird (Heron?) patiently waiting for fish in Melaque Mexico. I had painted the background blue but the bird just got lost in it. I am much happier with the purplish/blue background. The water also had crocodiles so the bird stayed high on a cut off tree. I started off watching a crocodile, realizing he was watching the bird who was watching for fish (and probably the croc).

"Sparkling Hills"

I painted this on site at the Sparkling Hills Spa near Vernon B.C. this past summer. It was so peaceful and warm. I found a shady spot and painted to my heart's content. This is the second of 2 painted that day. The other painting can be seen if you click here.

"Sparkling Hills"

9" x 12"

Oil on board, plein air 

$150 unframed

"Another Spectacular Day"

"Another Spectacular Day"

Oil on board 8" x 10"

This painting is of a view towards Oyama, B.C. The shapes of the clouds and reflective colours were amazing but a little dull in real life so I added my own touches. I really enjoyed both the view and the experience of painting this one. Painting the Kelowna/Sicamous areas is near and dear to my heart.

Merry Christmas!

"Christmas Cactus"

Oil on board 12" x 12"

This is a painting of  the first bloom on my Christmas Cactus. I took a photo of it so I would have a reference. I painted the picture and put it on my drying rack with the photo beside it (see below). I wasn't sure if I was happy with it or not. The sun was shining and it made a shadow on my painting that looked like the plant was sitting on a table.I had originally painted the whole background the light orange/yellow colour you see. I took a piece of chalk and marked on the painting the shadow Mother Nature was giving me and made note of the colour and painted exactly that. Now I am happy with not only the painting but the whole process.

"Reed Dance"

"Reed Dance"

Oil on board 9" x 12" SOLD

I have been going through my photos to put a book together of my blog. My son has made me 3 as Christmas presents, but wasn't able to this year. I can truly appreciate how much time it took him now.

I had no idea of how many paintings I had not posted and Reed Dance was one. This painting was filled with a lot of texture as well as colour. I painted it on site in Lloyd Park just outside of Calgary, you can tell how much fun I was having.

"Early Winter's Light"

"Early Winter's Light"

Oil on board 9" x 12"

This is my take on the time between fall and winter. This view is one of my favorites...looking at the town of Sicamous B.C. from our deck view by Mara Lake. The lighting and colours are so different from the bright summer and cool winter. I find it very peaceful as a view, time of year and painting.

"Waiting For PlayTime 2"

"Waiting For Playtime 2"

Oil on gallery wrap canvas (1 3/4" painted sides - frame not required)

40" x 30"
$1200
click on either painting for a larger view

This is one of my favourite paintings! I currently have it up in my dining room and enjoy it every time I go by. Summer and water are two of my favorite things and this painting captures them both, as well as the sense of warmth and play. This is one of the largest paintings I have done and am so happy with it.

Below is the first painting in acrylic from a reference photo showing more of the large dock system and the very small boat. I was really happy with it and found the wood panel I painted on showed the wood grooves which added to my interest. I liked it so much I wanted to paint it larger and in oil. My art friends (Debbie and Linda) suggested I make the small boat larger and leave out more of the large dock (they are sooooo art smart). I am enjoying the acrylic one in my art studio, reminders of summer with the long snowy winter looming ahead.

"Waiting For Playtime"

Acrylic on wood panel 15" x 16.5"

$250 framed in a brown frame painted to match the dock

Painting a live model

20 minute warm up

Oil on board 12" x 12"

The painting above was done with a live model in my weekly class with Ingrid Christensen We were given 20 minutes to do a quick "warm up" painting of a live model before she put her dress on. We had our easels in a circle around her so each artist had a different view. I was quite relieved that mine was of her back while she straddled the stool. I found the view of only one arm and both hands distracting mentally but painted what I saw rather than what my brain wanted me to do (fill in the other arm!). I was happy with this result. We worked on our painting from the model in the same position as last week (see previous post). 

Ingrid had done a quick portrait at the beginning of the class, then the model went back to last weeks pose. Once I had finished the full pose, I still had time left so with the front side view I thought I would quickly tackle her portrait, pushing the colours and painting quickly. It is not a flattering portrait but I am happy with how far I got with the time that I had. It is at least recognizable as a female person :)

"20 Minute Warm Up" with a live model

Ingrid Christensen did a demo in the beginning of our weekly class and them we all did a 20 minute warm up exercise with a live model. Mine above is an 8" x 10" oil on board. I loved the idea of the time limit as I could not get caught up in the details. I also loved my vantage point (no real facial features) as we had our easels all around her in a circle so everyone had a different view.

We then worked on a longer pose for the rest of the class and the next class as well until we were done, considered it finished or tired of it. I found it very difficult with all the facial features bogging me down and not turning out the way I wanted. As I do NOT consider myself a figure painter, I am happy with the result in this 16" x 12" painting.

Bungalows Emmanuel, Melaque Mexico

My brother Ken and his wife Marg stay at the Bungalows Emmanuel every time they go to Melaque, Mexico. Emma and Manuel treat them like family. My husband and I were hoping to stay here as well to experience their hospitality but there weren't any suitable rooms available.I had brought a frame down to paint their place and leave as a gift so I continued with my intention. They have a little store on the right on the main floor. Emma was surprised and delighted with their gift. Ken and Marg will be going down shortly so hopefully they will see it.

"Bungalows Emmanuel"

Water colour, matted and framed

A Gift

Rest of Melaque Mexico sketchbooks photos

This is the wonderful homemade sketch book I received from Debbie. I kept it unused as it was to pretty and precious. It was time to enjoy the beautiful 5" x 5 1/2" blank pages of water colour paper on Gord and my Melaque, Mexico holiday...1 page for each day. This is the rest of the sketch paintings in water colour. I have enough unpainted pages left for another holiday!

More water colour sketches around Melaque, Mexico

 

These sketches were done in the gift of a 5" x 5 1/2" handmade sketch book from my friend Deb. This wild door made me think of the Tree of Life. I loved the ornate metal and the wild wall colours. Don't you just want to go in and explore more?

As it was not prime season yet, the umbrella vendors had spare ones set up without the chairs and I loved their dancing reflections.

Water colour sketches around Melaque, Mexico

 This summer Deb had made me a small travel water colour sketch book (5" x 5 1/2"). I had been taking it with me through out the summer, but thought it was to beautiful to use. I finally started on the first page and really enjoyed painting in it on this trip. I tried to paint a page a day but will use photos to finish the last couple. There is still enough pages for 1 more trip (thanks again Deb).

The first sunset was spectacular and the colours were vivid...perfect for my tastes! It was interesting painting in such a moist climate.

This beach was tucked away, we pretty much had it to ourselves. The water felt calm and serene.

FCA Rex Beanland Workshop - Urban Scenes in Watercolour

Tami and I are the coordinators of the Calgary FCA workshops. We just had a wonderful weekend with Rex Beanland teaching urban scenes in watercolour. If you click on Rex's name, you can see his write up on the workshop. The participants were a vibrant group and full of laughter and fun with a variety of skill levels.

This was our first exercise, learning to work with the wet medium with a range from tons of water to very little. Did you guess which one was mine?

Below is our second learning painting, with actual urban building shapes working with light washes and very dark pigments. 

Perfect paintings for Halloween!

This is the last and is currently unfinished painting of a view of downtown Calgary.

"Mad About Art" Federation of Canadian Artists, Calgary Chapter Show and Sale

If you are in the Calgary area, this is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon, enjoying a feast for your eyes. There will be over 150 juried pieces of art for sale. If you bring cash or food donation for the Food Bank, you can enter your name to win an original painting by renowned Canadian artist Rick Berg. Two of my paintings were juried into the show and "Robin's Pair" was awarded "Honorable Mention"!

"Robin's Pair"

Oil on board 12" x 12" framed $250

Awarded Show "Honorable Mention"

"Sparkling Hill's View" Plein Air

Oil on board 9" x 12" framed $200

I am one of two workshop coordinators and we have a workshop this Saturday and Sunday so I will not be in attendance. There will be many artists in attendance throughout the day if you have any questions or comments you would like to share. Enjoy!!

"Fall Reflections" Plein Air Painting

Yesterday Debbie and I headed back to a spot in a private yard near the Leighton Centre. We left a note on their door and ducked under the barbed wire to find our peaceful spot. It was serene and quiet, a wonderful way to spend some time with a friend!

 The light was changing so quickly, so I added colour that I saw glimmers of. Thanks for taking the photos Debbie! Note the painting outfit: gardening gloves, rubber boots, an apron and paint on my face and clothes, without the paint brush in hand, most people would stay clear!

A little more of my view and set up while the painting was progressing.

"Fall Reflections" Plein Air

12" x 12" Oil on Board $200 unframed

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've traveled from B.C. to Calgary today so thought I would post a painting that I did during a plein air class at Carburn Park in Calgary last May. The top photo is what I was looking at. My finished painting is underneath. It is really hard to narrow your focus down when there is so much to see and it is all similar in colour so I concentrated on the shapes I saw. You can see a fellow artist busy with a different view.

"Carburn Park Reflections" 

Oil 10" x 8"

$100 framed as shown

"A Peaceful Stroll"

"A Peaceful Stroll"

Oil on board 7" x 5"

$50 unframed

I do not usually paint this small, but loved the fresh feeling and vibrant colours. The reference photo was taken after a painting outing and the stroll was so beautiful and peaceful, a great way to finish an afternoon in Lloyd's Park.

Plein Air Event & Wet Paint Auction Alberta Culture Days

"Autumn at Leighton Centre"

Plein Air (Outdoor on location) Oil on board

9" x 12"

This was painted on a very grey and rainy day at the Leighton Centre during their Plein Air Event and Wet Paint Auction during Alberta Culture Days. I love, love, love this painting! It was rainy then cold most of the day but Debbie and I painted until we couldn't feel our fingers and wet toes anymore.

The challenge was to (speed) paint for 2 hours then pop the paintings into a frame and a live auction would follow. There were about 30 artists but everyone (artists and buyers) were to wet and cold to stay so I am happy to report that I get to enjoy this painting!! This is a first time annual event and Debbie and I agreed that next year is a must.

"Study with Green" and "Study with Orange``

An afternoon last spring was spent with mixing Sap Green into every colour put on this painting. The idea was to make the painting uniform using quite a few colours. Rick Berg brought in one of his paintings and we followed his direction to paint our own version.

"Study with Sap Green"

12" x 12" Oil on canvas

The painting below was another interesting afternoon with artist Rick Berg. He brought in a painting that we looked at and then painted our own version. The interesting part of this study was that every colour used also had a touch of orange in it. This helped to keep the painting uniform with all the colours. I also found it a challenge to paint something back lit.

"Study with Orange"
12" x 12" oil on board

"Golfer's View"

A couple of weeks ago, I spent a wonderful morning at Hyde Mountain Golf Course painting the beautiful view of Mara Lake. My spot was in the corner of the parking lot using the shade of a truck. The owner came and went and then I had to quit as it was to hot in the sun. The sky and water colours were continually changing. The board had to sit on my palette as it was to big. I have never tried such a large painting plein air (20" x 27"). I will post a photo of the final painting later.

Friday at the Sicamous Red Barn

I happily joined the artists from the Brush and Palette Club in Sicamous for their weekly art time. The challenge was to draw a person's face from a magazine UPSIDE DOWN. We were shown the example in "Drawing From the Right Side Of The Brain" art book and then tried it out.

It may seem funny that as an artist, I don't like to draw, I like to paint! This was a wonderful exercise for me as just looking at the lines and shapes of the face upside down seemed to shut my critical brain down and it was just an enjoyable experience. I was really happy and surprised at the result when I finished and turned the picture and my drawing right side up, it was a lot better than I could of done right side up! I did not get the second one finished but the result was still recognizable.

Plein Air Painting Challenge, painting #3

As my time was running out and the noon deadline to have all paintings handed in, I used the paints on my palette and quickly laid down the shapes I saw in a completely different direction. This one had a small lake, tree groves and farmer's crops in view. This painting was really fun and with time running out there was no getting into any details. It was fresh and the sun reflected on the top left corner so the colour is off in the photo.

I was only allowed to put one painting in the judging so I put in the second one. I did not win the challenge but enjoyed the wonderful views, friends, being with like minded people, a delicious lunch and a fabulous day! I will certainly go again next year!! A big thank you to Reflections West Art and the Leighton Art Centre for all their hard work!

"Plein Air Painting Challenge, painting #3"

Oil on canvas board 12" x 9"