Ski Memories - a gift for a friend

This is a painting on a canvas my friend gave me after she attended a "paint along". She was not happy with the painting she did and had it unhappily in her office. I painted over it with a scene reminiscent of Rocky Mountain views seen on cross country ski trips when she was a Beaver/Cub/Scout leader. If the light lands on the painting a certain way, you can see some of the acrylic textural paint underneath, a reminder of our shared artistic endeavors. Happy Belated Birthday Karen H.!

"Ski Memories"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

#20001317

FCA Calgary En Plein Air Workshop June 2016

This is my painting that I was working on in an en plein aire workshop (outdoors, on location) during the Calgary Federation of Canadian Artist en plein air June workshop. As we stood on the edge of a path along the river in Canmore Alberta, Terry Miura painted a demo explaining his shapes, colour choices and colour mixing, it was like watching magic happen. It was an overcast day with bit of sun coming through. We were all busy with our own paintings while Terry walked to each participant answering questions and making suggestions.

The day finished abruptly with a huge gust of wind that knocked my palette over and sent my painting tumbling away...no doubt it is a plein air painting with the extra dust, rocks and tumbling marks! With the heavy wind and rain just beginning we hastily packed up and ended the successful workshop. With mixed feelings it was the last workshop Tami and I are organizing for the Calgary Chapter of the FCA. I am looking forward to taking workshops with Caran and Sheila as the new organizers.

FCA Calgary En Plein Air Workshop June 2016

These two paintings were worked on in Canmore, AB during the Federation of Canadian Artists, Calgary Chapter En Plein Air workshop with Jerry Markham. We had overcast skies, rain, wind and a little bit of sun but a very enjoyable time was had by all! He even gave us a demo while we hid under trees to get out of the rain! Jerry is a fun, energetic and very knowledgeable instructor, meeting you where you were in your painting journey and skills. He bounced from participant to participant repeatedly helping, guiding and discussing the paintings in progress.

"Snow Ghosts"

"Snow Ghosts"

12" x 12" Oil on board

$175 unframed  #20007516

I painted this in Doug Swinton's class from a photograph. I cropped the photo then Doug showed me how to paint on the photo so I could have the bright snow where I wanted as well as change the foreground with paint until I had what I wanted. The other questions I had to answer about it is: 1. motive/interest: snow covered trees  2. dominant spacial: front  3. center of interest: 2nd tree in on the left  4. dominant value: dark  5. dominant direction of light: from left, shadows go right and 6. dominant temperature: cool

Sometimes working with Doug makes my brain hurt...all those questions, and that was before I could pick up a brush, whew! I read once that a painting is at least 1000 decisions (I wonder when they start counting).

Mt. Rundle

"Mt Rundle"

Oil on board 12" x 16"

Click on painting for a larger view

This is a view of the top of Mt. Rundle that I get to admire from afar and then up closer as we drive on the highway from B.C back to Alberta. You can see it from quite a distance and it keeps coming in and out of view as you go around corners. I love the jagged top and the long lines of rock, gullies and trees. I find that it is a very striking view from any angle and love the peek a boo quality from the highway.

Deb and I enjoyed painting in Rick Berg's class and I worked on this one there. I needed his help to get the depth and was happy with the final painting.