Whidbey Island Workshop - Day 3

This was our final workshop day and had to head to the ferry then the airport to go home. Dreama Tolle Perry talked about the "business" of art and how she manages her own art business. It was very interesting in how she grew and what she did as well as talk about self promotion which is hard for most artists. After that we worked on a small painting 8" x 8". Dreama handed out about 5 different pictures (the yellow icing cupcake picture was painted upside down). We started on our painting and blocked it in then she had us move to the next easel and continue painting on that one with whatever paints the artist had on her palette. We moved to 6 easels with an unknown time frame at each.

It was interesting moving on to the next easel and look at what others had painted, deciding what you liked, what you didn't and what you were going to paint on it. For tight painters it was mortifying to follow a loose painter and vice versa. Here is my cupcake painting that I arrived back to. We were allowed 5 paint strokes then had to quit. I am still hoping to work on it at home and make it mine. I really enjoyed this challenge and learnt a lot from it.

Dreama just put her photos of the weekend on her website. My blue vase painting is in the second row on the left and the bottom photo is of Deb and I painting at our easels.

dreamatolleperry.com

 

Whidbey Island Workshop - Day 2

12" x 12"

Oil on canvas board

 

This is the painting I did on day 2 in Dreama Tolle Perry's workshop. We all painted this from a photocopy of a picture from Dreama. The groans were very audible as this was a very complicated picture. Dreama again showed us how she minimized the photo, did the under painting and then how to get started.  The 12"x12" was different, but it certainly worked for this picture as there was so much in it. Most people left out the folded up umbrella, but I put it in mine.

 

It was fun to work with these colours and just dove in. I was really hoping to do a building or something other than flowers so I was pleased and intimidated as well. Dreama walked from easel to easel helping us with the "wonky" chairs (which were very difficult for most people).

 

Again Deb and I stayed until our paintings were complete. I was very happy with the day and my painting.

Whidbey Island, WA Workshop

My friend Deb and I flew out to Seattle on Thursday morning, toured around, went to a couple of art stores, had a delicious lunch then made our way across the ferry to Whidbey Island. There were hilarious adventures in getting lost, found, lost, found, lost and found just trying to get away from the airport as well as meeting Mad Madge in the ferry line up! We stayed in a wonderful cabin on Goss Lake, enjoying the canoe and hot tub.

We were both there to learn and enjoy Dreama Tolle Perry's 3 day oil painting workshop. The picture below is of my name tag....perfect! Each tag was different and we read them out when we introduced ourselves at the beginning of the 3 day workshop.

Dreama talked to our group and then started a demo working from a picture. She painted a brilliantly coloured under painting and then we painted ours (from the same picture). We went back and forth about 3 times watching Dreama demo then working on our own painting. Deb and I wanted to finish ours so we stayed and closed the place up for the night.

 

12" x 12" Oil on linen board

 

I enjoyed the whole experience of painting this. I had never painted a 12" x 12" format before and really like the size. I finally found a way to enjoy the Caribbean Blue oil paint and freely created. I was using the colours Dreama recommended for the workshop.

 

 

A birthday present for Curtis

 

"Memory of Thailand"

Oil on canvas 16" x 20"

 

This painting is based on a photo that Curtis took on his travels in Thailand. I also painted a couple other paintings that I used his photos as a reference and offered those paintings to him to pick one as a birthday gift. He hasn't decided but I think this is the one.

 

It looked stunning in a large black frame.

 The other choices were "Panama Rest" previously on this blog and a painting of the San Francisco bridge that I haven't posted yet.

Sicamous, B.C. Annual Art Walk

 

"Sue's Hydrangea"

16" x 20" Oil on panel

These two paintings are in the Eagle Valley Manor from April until September. If you are in Sicamous, B.C. most of the local businesses have maps with a list of all the art all around town that you can go enjoy at your leisure. It will be fun to do a "walk about" and check out the businesses and find your favorite paintings! It is fun to map read and find the treasure, something free to do as a family on a nonbeach day.

 

"Red Delight"

Oil on board 14" x 11

This is a picture of the still life set up and my finished painting. I really enjoyed this one with all the different reds as well as lots of colour mingling in the background. The vase was a challenge.

Sicamous, B.C. Art Walk 2013

 

 

The BC Arts and Culture Week (April 21-27) is the start of the annual Art Walk presented by the Eagle Valley Brush and Palette Club in Sicamous, B.C. The free Art Walk runs from April until September with members paintings in various businesses. There are brochures with maps in each business and you can walk around town and look at the art. The two paintings below are in the Eagle Valley Manor along with 3 others I will post later.

 

It is a fun day to go from place to place, especially if it is not a warm lake day!

 

 

 

 

"Red Amaryllis"

Acrylic 16" x 20"

 

 

"Northern Flicker"

12" x 16" Oil on board

 

www.KarenOliversFineArt.com

Big Hooves To Fill - Juried painting!!

 

"Big Hooves To Fill"  *SOLD*

Water colour 14" x 19" double matted & framed to 16" x 20"
click on painting for a larger view

 

 I painted this after I enjoyed a gift of a hot air balloon ride. What interested me was how little I could see of the cows (basically just their backs) and how much the shadow described them. I loved the contrasting shapes.

 

I am really excited as this painting has been juried into the 11th Annual Juried Members Show at the Leighton Centre (just outside of Calgary). The show is called "Transcending Tradition" and will be on from April 26 through to May 30, 2013. The Public Opening Reception is on Saturday April 27th from 2pm - 4pm. Please enjoy the show if you are in the area, as well as a stroll on the grounds, the views are spectacular!                         www.leightoncentre.org

 

Panama Rest

"Panama Rest"

Oil on board 12" x 16"

click on painting for a larger view

This painting is based on a photo our son took while on vacation. I love the long boats and this one felt like the boat owner decided to have a siesta on the beach during the heat of the day. Actually, I was mentally putting myself there as I was painting!

This is a quick sketch Rick Berg did on oil sketch paper to help me understand how to get a curve in the boat as well as the water flow.


Holiday in Palm Springs CA

 

Hiking in Palm Springs

Water colour 10" x 14" double white mat to 16" x 20"

click on painting for a larger view

 

We just came back from a week in Palm Springs, a wonderful break from our very unsettled snowy and windy winter weather. Love peeling the layers of clothes off to live in summer clothes - day and evening!

 

I had painted this picture after the last time I was there. It was satisfying to stand at the same spot and enjoy the same view and another day hiking.

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.