Holly McWilliams Workshop

What a fun, energetic and wonderful learning experience it was on the weekend with the FCA Calgary workshop with Holly McWilliams. We all drew then painted the same figure photo reference, learning how to make the body warm and cool (hence the two sides painted differently). It was really fun to work with purples, yellows, reds and blues for the figure.

On Saturday we watched Holly demo and fill our brains with so much interesting information, then we went on to paint on our own. On Sunday we worked on our figure again, then moved on to a photo of our choosing (that is why some of the figure paintings were
 not finished). Holly taught both oil and acrylic at the same time which was wonderful to hear and understand.

 

"Figure in Warm and Cool"

20" x 10" oil on board

 It was a very fun workshop with a wonderful group of artists led by the much loved Holly.

A sad "See you later" to the Pettitt Superman

"In Memory of our Superman - Clay Pettitt"

8" x 10" Acrylic on board

I painted this in an effort to release some of the sadness and shock of my cousin Clay's passing. He died suddenly of a brain aneurism leaving shock, anger, heart brokenness and disbelief. He was the Pettitt family's Superman.

The back of the board was painted bright yellow, a reference to the ray of sunshine he was in so many lives. I printed comments that friends and family had said about Clay on Facebook around song words that meant so much to his wife. Clay loved with all his heart and knew he was loved back!

Sponge Toffee Meets Terracotta Warriors

 

"Sponge Toffee Meets Terracotta Warriors"

Oil on canvas 16" x 20"

 

I received 3 photographs via email from my friend Joan. She had recently been to Bryce Canyon and aptly had already named her photo. Joan is always very generous and allows me to paint whatever she sends me from her world travels. With a title like this one and the wild colours, it was just what I needed to get into painting again! Thanks Joan, keep 'em coming! The bit of shine is from the still wet painting.

Shuswap Villas View #2

This is the second plein air painting that I have painted from the deck at the Shuswap Villas in Sicamous B.C. a couple of weeks ago. The view is large and too much to fit in one canvas so I painted the end of what I could see of the beach beside the Eagle River. This is my view, easel set up and the painting in progress.

 

 Shuswap Villas View #2 (in progress)
Plein Air Oil on board

View from Shuswap Villas

This plein air was painted with an almost aerial view from the Shuswap Villas deck in Sicamous B.C. The deck is on a rock bluff with the view of the lakes and Eagle River mouth far below. Even though this one was painted on site, I decided to do a larger format (16" x 20") and was amazed how much more time it took. I was really happy with my easel set up as I could easily move to keep out of the sun.

 "View From Shuswap Villas"

Plein Air 16" x 20" Oil on canvas board

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sicamous Evening

This painting is from a photo our son Curtis took in the Shuswap. It felt good to turn it into a colourful view of what we see in Sicamous. The moon over the hills and reflections on the lake are very beautiful especially in the early morning. I completed this a couple of weeks ago, but haven't had time to post it.

 

"Sicamous Evening" 

16" x 20"

Oil on board

 

 

...in progress....with the photo above the painting.

 

California Coast

I loved the photograph Curtis took from the plane as he flew over the California Coast with his Mount Royal University Aviation classmates a few years ago. The curve of the land and river, thin cloud silhouette,  malleable looking terrain and the plane wing reflections were all appealing. I thought only a plane buff could figure out what this was but happily a few artist friends got it right away!

 

"California Coast"

16" x 20" Oil on board

 

View from Chase, B.C.

I spent 3 relaxing nights with my friend Sue at her family cabin in Chase B.C. It was wonderful and felt like I finally had a summer holiday. We biked, walked, kayaked, shopped, met a wide range of interesting strangers, enjoyed the sauna, delicious homemade meals and even managed to paint a plein air painting on the dock. The painting started with brighter skies and calm water and then a storm quickly came in, changing the view and colours in a hurry.

Sue took the picture below of me enjoying the moment.

 

 

And the final painting (left as a gift).....

 

 

"View from Chase, B.C."

8" x 10" oil on board

Plein air NFS

 

 

Mid Afternoon, Girona Spain

 

Mid Afternoon, Girona Spain

20"x 16"

Oil on canvas board

 

Finally found my happy place painting again. Life has been so messy and busy for the last couple of months. My last paint out with Deb (previous post) renewed my spirit but I had not painted since. This painting is of a photo we took in Girona Spain last year during a very happy holiday. I have included the photo below but this painting is more a reflection of things going on in my life right now, bright and dark.

 

 

Bebo Grove #1, Fish Creek Park, Calgary

Bebo Grove #1 plein air

8" x 10" oil on board

My friend Deb finally got me out painting again.  I haven't been painting as my world seemed to be on fast forward going many different directions and none of them of my choosing.

 We met at Bebo Grove in Fish Creek Park and walked until Deb spotted this area. This was painted from a dry rock creek bed with water on both sides.It worked beautifully as interested parties could look at us from afar but had to get their feet wet to come up close. It was such a beautiful morning, being outdoors with a friend painting had my heart and head in such a wonderful space.

The colours were vivid from the purple shadows in the water and on the rocks to the lime green of the bushes.

 

This is my set up and the beautiful view.

We were absolutely delighted to watch these fishermen fly fish their way up to and past us. We were all having fun! Looks like a good reference for another painting!