Sicamous Colours (or lack of), last painting of 2015

This is the view towards the town of Sicamous this morning. It looks like I took it in black and white but that is the view in colour. The painting below was done last fall, quite a contrast! Wishing everyone a celebratory end to 2015 and a happy and healthy start to 2016!

"Sicamous Colours"

8" x 10" en plein air, oil on board

#20117015  $75 unframed

This is an evening view towards town that I painted outside on our deck last fall. I painted this with a brush and palette knife.

"Sam" a Christmas present of a pet portrait

This pet portrait is of a Greyhound called Sam. Sam's owner did not know I was trying to get a photo of Sam to paint and surprise her for a Christmas gift. I had to enlist Anna (co-worker) to try to get a photo from Lorena without her knowing what was going on. After a couple of tries, Lorena sent a photo of Sam's face. The bottom of the mouth was missing in the photo but it was a very intriguing and challenging foreshortened view. I was happy with the result and Lorena was extremely appreciative. Love it when my art work is appreciated.



"Sam" a pet portrait
Oil on board 14" x 11 framed Christmas gift

"Simon" - a Christmas present

This is a Christmas present I painted of "Simon" for Evan. Simon was a friendly and very large dog who loved the outdoors and people. This was painted quite large to give Simon the presence he embodied.  I love painting pets as I think of the dog and owner through the whole process. Simon passed away this fall, the world feels just a little smaller without him.

Hoping everyone enjoyed a Merry Christmas and to my artist friends...may your brushes be wet throughout the New Year!

"Simon"

Oil on board 20" x 16" - a framed gift.

Road Less Travelled

"Road Less Traveled"

6" x 8"

Oil on board

#20116015

I love this little painting. I am in open studio time with Doug Swinton. He painted a quick rough demo of this one to show me how to make a road recede. I painted this after his demo and was thrilled with how it turned out. I hope to do a larger version some time.

Highway View

"Highway View"

12" x 12" Oil on board

#20119015

I love, love, love the vivid colours in this one. I haven't worked in a square format for awhile and really enjoy it. I learned a lot painting on this one.

Orchard View

"Orchard View"

11" x 14"

Oil on board 

#20115015

This was a lesson in perspective and how to work with greens. I started thinking the orchard trees would be my focal point but ended up enjoying the tall trees more.

Prairie Home

"Prairie Home"

9" x 12" Oil on board

#20120015
 I love the feeling of this painting. This was painted last fall when my world felt like it was filled with warm colours. I realize I have a few paintings to post before the end of the year. I make a book of my blog for my own record and need to get a few more posted.

Susan Dorf workshop

I enjoyed a day of learning and sharing at a workshop in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico taught by Susan Dorf. The one day workshop was called the "Artist's Journal Workshop 1". Michelle and I enjoyed the class with 9 other participants, a very full class. Susan had said that she was not going to critique anyone's work and appreciated if all artist's would refrain as well. It made for a quiet class but allowed less of the inner critic's voice. I wish this class had been offered when we first arrived so I could of started a journal of this holiday. Instead of dragging my painting materials on my next holiday I will take a sketch book, water colours and pens. I learned a lot and as always, just need to "do it".  Below are the exercises in my sketch book. Check out Susan's website and art at http://www.susandorf.com

Afternoon Walk in San Miguel

"Afternoon Walk"

9" x 12" oil on canvas paper
A framed thank you gift

This is a typical street in the historical part of San Miguel de Allende. The roads and sidewalks are very narrow. A lot of the front house walls actually open into large, beautiful courtyards and garage pads. It took me a little while to figure it out as the homes seemed to have trees coming out of the roof tops. There are also a lot of beautiful roof top patios.

I left this painting in our condo suite for Colleen (the owner) as a thank you gift. We became wonderful friends and enjoyed a wide variety of sights, entertainment, laughter and travelling together. The colours are inside and on the outside of her building. The three of us had gone for a day trip to Guanajuato where I had purchased 2 "worm wood" frames to use as gifts here in Mexico. I would of loved to bring a dozen home...just have to visit and go shopping here again!