Small Beneath The Sky

"Small Beneath The Sky"
24" x 18" on 1 1/2" thick canvas with painted sides (no framing required)
#20123218

I was inspired to try painting with a palette knife again after watching Neil work on numerous paintings. We joked that he would have to sell his paintings by weight instead of size they were so laden with thick luscious paint. You can see some of Neil's beautiful work on his Facebook site.

I loved working on this mid-sized painting with the palette knife. It was a very physical painting loaded with thick and thin paint and I love the result.

Harvest Gold

I love the fall colours and peaceful feeling in this painting. The warm sun on the hay bales casting cool shadows. It feels like the work is done and it is time for rest.

"Harvest Gold"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

#20017918

Are You Coming?

"Are You Coming?"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

#20016318

The photo reference for this painting is by Doug Swinton. He has a bin of photos in our class that we can choose to paint from or he will pull one out when we don't know what to paint. I loved the 3 cows in the front and the mountains were just behind them with a large sky. I wanted more prairie and the mountains further behind but did not know what to do with all the boring winter prairie I had painted. Doug dragged his brush to make an "S" curve through the wet paint and then put a few dark blobs for cows. It was a lesson for the class. I then got rid of the path and made the blobs look like cows. I am happy with my big prairie scene. 

Alberta Fall and Dinner Time

"Alberta Fall"
8" x 10" Oil on canvas board
#20101117A

"Dinner Time"   10" x 8" Oil on canvas board       #20101117B

I started taking a weekly group art class with Doug Swinton. We work on what we want and he walks around and helps as needed. I usually like to go in with a painting at least half done but did not have anything ready or photos of what I wanted to do. After asking what I wanted to paint, "Buildings" I said. He produced two photo references and away I went. The photos were really busy and complicated. The lesson here was to pare and chop the reference into something meaningful and interesting. His vast knowledge and very humorous way of teaching keeps everyone in the class entertained and progressing in their art journey.

Living Skies

Living Skies

12" x 12"

Oil on panel      #20013317

I love the big sky view you find on the Canadian prairies. The houses seem to snuggle comfortably into the ground making the whole view very calm and peaceful. I found I really enjoyed painting in this square format and size.

Colourful Prairie Sky

This painting was started in a workshop and finished at home. You can read about the workshop in this blog post.

"Colourful Prairie Sky"

Acrylic on canvas board

10" x 8"    #20007317

Heading West

This painting is a view of the fertile Canadian prairie with the Rocky Mountains in the background. It was painted from a photo Doug let me use in class.

 "Heading West"

 Oil on canvas board 10" x 8"

#20025217