"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.