Meandering

This is a typical view of hiking near the Canadian Rocky Mountains with the river valleys. We have wonderful hiking within 1 - 2 hour drive from Calgary.

I go on an annual hiking trip with a group of ladies and take all kinds of photos to inspire me later. The ladies generously share their photos as well so it is great to see different
perspectives and what interests them in a landscape scene.







"Meandering"
16" x 20" Oil on canvas
#20011319  For Sale

Awaiting Delivery

These hay bales were very interesting to paint. Trying to make the round shapes actually look like a bale. I am always surprised when I start on a blank white canvas that a recognizable subject comes alive in a painting I love the contrast of the warm and cool colours with the flecks of red flowers peeking through.

"Awaiting Delivery"

Oil on canvas  9" x 12"

#20020219

Frozen

My husband and I went on our annual cross country ski trip with 7 of our friends. As we were skiing, we kept getting glimpses of the frozen water falls up on the mountains. Unless the sun was shining on them, they were really hard to spot. We skied part way to Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park and were really enjoying all the beautiful winter sights. We stopped at the top of the switch backs   (see photo below). Going up was work but going down was fun and fast. I painted this abstract from the memory of all the beautiful  ice colours and rocks peeking out.

"Frozen"
Acrylic abstract on water colour paper
16" x 12"     #20011219

"Another Golden Day"

This painting is based on a photo reference I took while biking along the Cambie-Solsqua Road in Sicamous, B.C. It is a beautiful and peaceful ride with a large variety of views (including trains, farms, old barns, Eagle River and hillside views). This is one of my favourite bicycle rides.

"Another Golden Day"
Oil on canvas,  16" x 20"
#20007219

Just a reminder there are only 8 days left in my painting sale (over on Feb 14) on my website. See January 30 blog post.

Rest Stop View

"Rest Stop View"
8" x 10" Oil on canvas board
#20003219

This painting is based on a photo I took at a road side pull over. I had to climb over the rock fence and down a bit to get this view. The town of Banff would be out of the picture plane on the left. I love the colours and sunny feel with the Rocky Mountains overseeing the warm view. Another painting celebrating our varied Canadian landscapes.

My art sale is only until Feb 14 so email me if you see something on my website you are interested in. https://www.karenoliversfineart.com/ 

The Spirit Of Nature Reflecting

"The Spirit Of Nature Reflecting"

12" x 12" Oil on Gessobord

#20030119

I haven't painted on Gessobord for a long time and forgot how smooth and slippery it was. I really enjoyed painting this one with the early morning colours as the mist was lifting. The photo reference was along the Eagle River in Sicamous, B.C.

Heart Filled Journey

Heart Filled Journey
Oil on canvas with thick 1 1/2" painted sides (no framing needed)
24" x 30"       #20012119


The painting reference is from one of the many hikes I do with my ladies hiking group annual get away. Our time together is always filled with laughter, a lot of talking and sharing, good food, wine and beautiful vistas.

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.

To The Vista

"To The Vista"

Oil on board, framed  19" x 22"

#20102018

I painted this from a reference photo from one of our ladies hiking group's outings. We go on an annual hiking 3 day weekend in September and have a blast. Due to our difference in ages and abilities there are various routes each day to choose from. At the end of the day we share stories and photos as well as good food, loud laughter and wine. It is one of the "must do's" in my year.

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

Spring Creek Falls

"Spring Creek Falls"

11" x 14"  Oil, framed

#20012918

This oil painting is for sale in Gallery One Fifty in Sicamous, B.C. until it's seasonal closing on September 15. I painted this based on a photo of Sicamous Creek that I had taken last summer. I was inspired to paint a water scene after taking an acrylic workshop with Graham Flatt. I enjoyed transferring what I had learnt using oil instead of acrylic and am happy with the result.

Ready For The Shedding

"Ready For The Shedding"

12" x 12"  Oil on canvas with 1 1/2" painted sides

#20027618

I really liked these bulrushes and the fluffy seeds looked like they were barely hanging on. Bulrushes are hardy and seem to grow in the most unlikely places. My photo reference was taken last fall as I walked along the road near our place in Sicamous, B.C.

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. 

Salmon Arm Wetlands

This setting is a beautiful and peaceful gem in Salmon Arm, B.C. Canada. It has a boardwalk following along the marsh that is used by walkers. I have painted this scene numerous times as it brings back the sounds of the birds, musty smell of the ground and general peaceful feeling.

I took this painting to get a critique from Doug because even though the cross water shape was in the photo reference I took, I did not like how you eye couldn't be drawn into the painting. The finished painting is below. I am so much happier with it.

Salmon Arm Wetlands

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

#20010218

Early Morning Mara View

"Early Morning Mara View"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

#20002218

This is a view I never get tired of! Quite often in the early morning there is a bank of low clouds that forms just behind Sicamous. As I look over Mara Lake towards Revelstoke area I always run in to grab my camera and finally painted the scene. I was tempted to paint the dragon boat paddling across the water as this is when we are  usually out.

Canada Paradise

"Canadian Paradise"

Oil on board  21.5" x 21.5" with 2" painted sides

#20012118

The photo reference for this large painting is from an annual hike that I do with a group of ladies. We go in the fall and the colours can be quite spectacular. The hikes fuel and drain my body and the company fills my heart.

Duck's View

"Duck's View"

16" x 20" Oil on 3/4" canvas with painted sides

#20114217

I love the look of bullrushes; how solid, fluffy and soft they look. I made the mistake of bringing some into my house once and I had the seeds (fluff) everywhere. They are definitely something to enjoy outdoors in their natural environment.

Alberta View

"Alberta View"
16" x 20" Oil
on 3/4" canvas with painted sides
#20119117

This is a very familiar view if you travel around Alberta. The big open land with the beautiful Rocky Mountains within view. There is just something about the majestic Rockies that makes my eyes sing at the first mountain glimpse when travelling. The big open sky is a given. 

Roadside Attraction A & B

As I was driving back to Calgary from Sicamous, I finally stopped at a view point I admire every time I drive that way. The parking lot is just off the highway and is usually quite full and chaotic so I don't stop.

I painted Roadside Attraction below but felt like I was struggling with the values. I am happy with the final result but took a break and started all over again only this time with a palette knife, chunky and not detailed (left). What the camera doesn't pick up is how textural it is. They both have a different feel and look.


"Roadside Attraction 2"
16" x 20" Oil on canvas
#20114117B

"Roadside Attraction"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

#20114117A