Isabel's thank you gift

This is a painting of the building that Leslie and Carl are renting (top floor). I try to bring a frame to places we go/rent in case I have the time to paint a small picture to leave as a thank you gift.

I had made a sketch from the end of the pool in my sketch book and enjoyed it enough to do another one using real water colour paper and my water colour pencils to paint the same picture. Her building is painted the red/orange and yellow.

Isobel's family owns the building and she looks after the business and lives on the second floor. She was both gracious and generous allowing us to stay with Leslie and Carl from Dec 25 until Dec 30. She was happy with her gift and enjoyed showing it to her family members arriving for New Years.

Breakfast beach view and sketching

I sketched this view before and after breakfast from the Stephanie Villa restaurant, beach side. The beach was really filling up and the colourful umbrellas were everywhere. The surf was picking up as well so there was a real feeling of a lot of movement. We have never gone away over Christmas and this is sooooo much fun with all the busyness and people enjoying themselves in Rincon de Guayabitos, Mexico.

Leslie (Gord's sister) and Carl have rented the top
apartment in Calle Gar4denias #9 in Rincon de Guayabitos and they have very generously shared it with us from Dec 25 until Dec 30. It is a few blocks from the beach and is a wonderful reprieve from the celebratory beach busyness. I sat at the end of the pool and sketched then painted the sketch with water colour pencils, what a glorious way to spend some quiet time!

I was sitting on the beach sketching when I looked up and a young vendor was intensely watching me. Gord asked him his name and age and we learned Ricardo was 8. He was so engrossed in what I was doing that I just kept sketching. I showed him my other drawings in my book and he seemed very pleased. Next time I come I will bring pencil crayons and colouring books to share!

Sketching on a bus in Mexico

We had our family Christmas on December 23 as both of our kids and their partners were going to be able to come. Our plan was to head out to Sicamous B.C. until New Years, staying at our cabin there. With the weather cold and snowy, we started to dream of where else we could go. We have the wonderful opportunity to use our "parent benefits" with WestJet to travel inexpensively so we looked at where they flew and thought we might get to London, England. Getting there was no problem but coming home the flights were almost full. We talked to Leslie and Carl in Rincon de Guayabitos, they were happy for company and had an extra bedroom so off we went!! As our flight left at 1am, I did not feel like doing any sketching but decided to pass some time away on the bus from Puerto Vallarta to Rincon de Guayabitos. Couldn't see much forward so decided to draw what I could see (the inside of the bus). I was so excited to be in a warm climate again and on our way to visit with Leslie and Carl!

Lucy's gift

This painting was sent to England as a Christmas gift for Lucy. She was up very early one morning walking dogs and took photos of the beautiful sky and the reflection on Mara Lake. She was so excited she wanted to wake everyone to have a look. I know the colours look odd, but that is what they were.

 Lucy posted the photo on her travel blog and I painted it as a surprise. She made many friends, impressed people with her spirit and had a lot of adventures in Sicamous, B.C. She reminded us very much of our daughter.


"Lucy's Gift"
12" x 9" Oil on board framed
#20126216

                                           

Jeneba's Gift - Walking In The Rain

"Walking In The Rain"    

12" x 12" Oil on board
#20125216 - a Christmas gift

This painting is a gift for Jeneba for Christmas. Our son Curtis took a photo of Jeneba walking on a boardwalk in B.C. I loved knowing it was Jeneba but the umbrella shielded the viewer from knowing who it was unless you know her. The walking in the rain, the slipperiness and shininess of the boardwalk, her rubber boots and umbrella were all enticing as an artist.

Bonus for me, this is the first painting she said anyone has done of and for her, she loved it!

Iujuittuq

"Iujuittuq"
8" X 10" Oil on canvas board
#20124216
















The photo reference used for this painting was taken by our son Curtis when he was working in the Arctic as a pilot for Kenn Borek Air. It was summer there so the view was quite different and the frozen water had broken into small chunks of ice. I love the barrenness of this one as well as the contrast with the warm and cools.

He gave me the history and the names this area is called. The Inuit call this area "Aujuittuq" which means "place that never thaws". The name of the area by non-Inuit is called Grise Fiord (which means "Pig Inlet" in Norwegian). It was named by an explorer because of the walruses.

"I'm Not Suppose To Tell Anyone, But..."

"Talk" about fun to do! Wild colours and wild conversations. We have all been at both ends, the speaker of secrets and the receiver of secrets we may not of wanted to hear. Now we are the unwilling keeper of the "secret". When I was painting this one, I was going to call it "Office Politics" but then thought the concept was more general than that. Did you notice the speaker has her fingers crossed?

"I'm Not Suppose To Tell Anyone, But..."

16" x 12" Acrylic on canvas with black painted sides

 #20123216

Canola Field & Canola Field 2

I used a photo reference and really enjoyed painting this one. The feeling of a large space with a big sky really held my interest.

"Canola Fields"

9" x 12" Oil on board

#20122216A

I enjoyed painting the one above so I thought I would paint it on a larger scale and on canvas this time instead of board. It had a completely different feel as you can see in my colour choices and shapes.I love the lines of the fields with the trees and buildings dividing them. The larger sky was fun to do.

"Canola Fields 2"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

#20122216B

Open Country

The expansive view of this painting from the grass in front, fields, hills, mountains to the open sky really peaked my interest. I had a hard time starting this one, just couldn't seem to settle down, like I had to much energy for such a calming scene. I finally had to cover the board with Red Iron Oxide to get rid of all the starting/drawing paint marks and start again, that seemed to help. Once I got started it started to flow.

"Open Country"

Oil on board 9" x 19 7/8" in thin silver frame

#20120216 

Paddling The Shuswap

This painting was done with the Eagle Valley Brush and Palette Club in Sicamous. Leanne Spanza taught a workshop for the group awhile back and not all could attend so Betty showed us Leanne's technique and away we went. It was certainly different for me to paint in this style but doing a water scene is always enjoyable in any style. Leanne's technique looks simple enough until you try to do it, enjoyed the learning there.

"Paddling The Shuswap"

16" x 12"

Acrylic on canvas

#20119216

Strutting

This was a very fun rooster painting to do. Apparently strutting his stuff was not very successful with the hens for this little guy, but with a little practice and time I am sure he will do fine.  Michelle Grant had some photos for sale, this reference was well worth the $2. Her photos were beautiful and varied.

"Strutting"

10" x 10" Oil on board

#20118216

Ruby Sunflowers

This painting is from a  photo taken by my friend Sue Bingham of sunflowers in her garden. I love the colouring in them as they reminded me of rubies, not the standard yellow/orange variety.

"Ruby Sunflowers"

9" x 12" Oil on board

#20115216

Country Drive

Country Drive is an oil painting that I had painted awhile ago but was not happy with it. Calgary Sketch Club had a critique night and after hearing some suggestions I took it home and applied a couple of them. It is amazing what someone else can see but you can't until it is pointed out. I am
very happy with it now!
















"Country Drive"
20" x 16" Oil on board
#20114216

Forgotten San Miguel de Allende sketches

Now back from our holidays, I was going through my sketch book and thought I would post sketches that I did on the holiday but did not put on my blog. As I make a book at the end of the year of my blog posts, I wanted to add these.

Above - Guanajuato
Flower and butterfly - drawn during flight

Above - Nov 11 - Remembrance Day

San Miguel de Allende - parting gift

Something I started years ago, was to leave a painting or card for my hosts that I painted while I was visiting or renting. I sat on the curb down and across from our rental house on San Rafael Norte and painted this water colour. The sidewalks are so narrow, I had to turn my feet sideways to make room to let the cars pass. I was certainly getting interesting looks as it seemed everyone was driving home from work! We packed a mat and metal frame from home but the glass broke in our travels, hopefully the owners can get another one cut.

"San Rafael Norte 6"
Water colour, ink, matted and framed
#20112216

Cycle In Style

This painting was really fun to do. Both my husband and I enjoy cycling and the outfits we see are very interesting - from spandex, work clothes to "out for the night". These lovely ladies are in the "out for the night" category and having fun. I decided to put the bike rental sign in Swedish as that is one of the places we would like to visit and cycle. This painting is quite textured but the camera flattens it out.

"Cycle In Style"

12" x 16" Acrylic on canvas

#20112216

Prairie Home 2

"Prairie Home 2"

12" x 9" Oil on board

#20110216

This painting was done from a photo taken by Doug Swinton. I loved the side way view of the house and felt the yellows and blues gave it a warm, well lived in feel.

Red Marsh

 Time to hurry and post some paintings I did before our holiday as I am hoping our son will make me another book of my year of painting from my blog postings (as a Christmas present).

"Red Marsh"

12" x 9" Oil on board

#20109216

The painting on the top is the finished painting. The photo below is the painting (almost finished) with the photo reference on my easel. I liked the feel of the photo so worked on it in a class I am taking with Doug Swinton. I found this painting very challenging, but am happy with the finished painting.

Sketching on flight #2 home - part 2

I had brought my sketch book, ink pens, water colour paint and pencils to challenge myself to try to do 30 sketches during this holiday to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I surpassed my goal and drew 44 sketches in part by joining up with the Urban Sketchers San Miguel de Allende and sketching with the group weekly. It inspired me to sketch just about every day and on some days, multiple sketches. I will finish this sketch book then move on to a couple I made in Mexico with water colour paper (thanks for showing me how and where Judy!).

This sketch was challenging in that it was done in one continuous line in ink. We were on our last flight home (Houston to Calgary) after a holiday to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I was sitting in a middle seat so my physical space was limited. I decided to draw from a photo on my phone of a market place booth. Drawing with the planes vibration was already shaky so it did not matter.

This sketch is of another cute napkin I was given. My views were very limited therefore so was my subject matter. With the lack of elbow room, I did not attempt to colour either of these in.

Sketching on flight #2 home, part 1

Houston, USA to Calgary was our second flight. I found sketching while in a middle seat difficult as I had to keep my elbows in (both people on either side had the arm rest) but I had a lot of time to kill. I sketched the contents on my tray table but wasn't able to colour it due to the lack of elbow room.

The second thing to catch my eye was the cute napkin under my cup. I pulled out one water colour pencil for this one but did not use water. United does have great napkins.

Sketching on flight #1 home

The following sketches were done on our first leg of flying home from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. We were picked up by at shuttle at 6 a.m. for the 1 1/2 hour drive to the Leon, Mexico airport. We flew from Leon to Houston, roughly a 3 hour flight. The first sketch I tried to colour in with water colour pencils but was not happy with the way in worked on the 60 lb sketch paper. I had packed my brush in my checked suitcase so tried to activate them with water on my finger or the pencils.

The second sketch was done after looking out the window and singing "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", the clouds were all different shapes. I had started it on the first leg and finished it on the second flight.

San Antonio Church and Plaza sketches

Our our last day in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, I was lucky enough to be able to join the Urban Sketchers San Miguel de Allende on their weekly outing. This time we met in the San Antonio Church and plaza. Children were also off school so the plaza was very busy and active. The children were especially interested in what we were doing and a few posed for one of the sketchers.

I decided to be brave and try some of the people. I thought these 3 men were interested and the two "bookends" were sketchers. The middle person was waiting for his child to play for awhile and then decided to leave when he felt me looking at him. Sketching "sketchers" works so much better as you know they will be fairly still for awhile.

Sketching another roof terrace view

This is another sketch done from our roof top terrace of San Miguel de Allende. There is such a fabulous view and the architecture is so varied that I could probably draw a different point of view daily. We haven't been able to spend as much time as we would like due to the unseasonably cool and windy weather this month. I wish our holiday was longer!

Centre Square (Jardin) sketch

I was sitting behind this young woman deciding what to sketch. Her braided hair caught my eye and the rest was built after that. The upper part of the Parroquia was out of my view sitting under the "marshmallow" shaped trees of the Jardin (main center). I was happy she sat long enough to get her likeness. I am getting braver using an ink pen (thanks Rylla and Brian) instead of pencil.

Sketching - Back yard thoughts

This urban sketch included thoughts of my time here in San Miguel de Allende, particularly with the view from the ground floor patio of the house we are renting. We have thoroughly enjoyed fresh limes from the tree in the backyard, thankfully the umbrella stops them from landing on us. The amount of stairs inside this house and to get to the roof top terrace. The vast amount of potted plants surrounding the patio and terrace are lovely.

Water colour and ink in my regular 80lb sketch book.

Roof top patio view of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

We finally had a nice day so I went up to the roof top patio and sketched the view behind us of the buildings. There is such a variety of shapes and building materials that made it really interesting. I am getting bolder using a black ink pen without any pencil.

The second sketch was done of the view to the front of the house of San Miguel de Allende while Brian read the book he wrote "How Hammershod Got His Name" aloud to us. I found it alot easier to sketch this urban scene while Brian read and kept that side of my brain occupied. Brian and Rylla left San Miguel de Allende and are now home in Portland Oregon. I enjoyed every chapter of his book and was happy we were able to finish it before they left. I do hope he looks into publishing it!

Outing with San Miguel de Allende Urban Sketchers

I was lucky enough to join this group for another afternoon of urban sketchiing. We met at Calle San Grabriel #1, Calonia El Obraje Azotea for lunch on the second floor and then sketching. I went up to the roof top patio and didn't leave to go down for lunch. I enjoyed a cold beer and the view. I sketched in ink (no pencil) and then used my water colour pencils on regular 80 lb sketch book paper. The colours did not blend and the paper wrinkled but I was happy with the end result and a wonderful afternoon!!

This is the second sketch I did through a corner opening of the azotea. I did not have time to paint this but did have time to have another cold cervesa!

Sketching while being read aloud to

The first sketch is of our rented outdoor ground level patio. It is a view of the wall with the wide variety of planted pots and vines, While Brian was reading aloud "How Hammershod Got His Name" I sketched and Rylla coloured in her bird colouring book. It is amazing how well you can pay attention when your hands are busy.

The next morning Gord and I went to pickleball. In between games I sketched some of the moving players. It was interested as they were continuously moving. I don't think any of them would recognize themselves.

Sketching in San Miguel de Allende

I was on my way to meet Colleen for our afternoon of pottery when I spotted the beautiful grounds of St. Pauls Anglican Church. I was early so enjoyed sitting in the church yard and sketching the church walkway and entrance. This sketch was done in pencil.

This sketch was done in Cafe Rama while Gord had a late lunch of Tortilla soup and I enjoyed a Victoria cervesa while sketching. We walked back home and then Gord headed off to his Spanish lesson. This sketch was done in ink in a regular 60 lb sketching pad.

Holiday sketches

I did not realize that I had not posted this one, it went into the "Draft", so I am going a little back in time with this one.

We are now in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and enjoying all the art and culture as well as a very physical walking holiday. Our friends from Portland Oregon (Rylla and Brian) have joined us. Brian has written and wonderful book called "How Hammershod Got His Name" and is orally reading 3 chapters a day (more if we can convince him to). I am really enjoying this story that he wrote for his nephews and nieces. It reminds me of reading the Harry Potter series to my kids.

While Brian is reading, I have been sketching in my book of what is in front of me (no thinking required while I am listening). The very bottom sketch was done of the glass coffee table in front of me while Brian read aloud. The top two sketches were done on site (1. Guanajuato and 2. my suitcase while we waiting to board the bus from Guanajuato to San Miguel de Allende).

Patio views of San Miguel de Allende

These two sketches were done on different days from our rooftop patio in our rental home. It is a new patio that the owners have just had built and it has a wonderful views of the city. The top sketch is water colour and ink on sketch book paper and the bottom is in ink.