Bungalows Emmanuel, Melaque Mexico

My brother Ken and his wife Marg stay at the Bungalows Emmanuel every time they go to Melaque, Mexico. Emma and Manuel treat them like family. My husband and I were hoping to stay here as well to experience their hospitality but there weren't any suitable rooms available.I had brought a frame down to paint their place and leave as a gift so I continued with my intention. They have a little store on the right on the main floor. Emma was surprised and delighted with their gift. Ken and Marg will be going down shortly so hopefully they will see it.

"Bungalows Emmanuel"

Water colour, matted and framed

A Gift

Rest of Melaque Mexico sketchbooks photos

This is the wonderful homemade sketch book I received from Debbie. I kept it unused as it was to pretty and precious. It was time to enjoy the beautiful 5" x 5 1/2" blank pages of water colour paper on Gord and my Melaque, Mexico holiday...1 page for each day. This is the rest of the sketch paintings in water colour. I have enough unpainted pages left for another holiday!

More water colour sketches around Melaque, Mexico

 

These sketches were done in the gift of a 5" x 5 1/2" handmade sketch book from my friend Deb. This wild door made me think of the Tree of Life. I loved the ornate metal and the wild wall colours. Don't you just want to go in and explore more?

As it was not prime season yet, the umbrella vendors had spare ones set up without the chairs and I loved their dancing reflections.

Water colour sketches around Melaque, Mexico

 This summer Deb had made me a small travel water colour sketch book (5" x 5 1/2"). I had been taking it with me through out the summer, but thought it was to beautiful to use. I finally started on the first page and really enjoyed painting in it on this trip. I tried to paint a page a day but will use photos to finish the last couple. There is still enough pages for 1 more trip (thanks again Deb).

The first sunset was spectacular and the colours were vivid...perfect for my tastes! It was interesting painting in such a moist climate.

This beach was tucked away, we pretty much had it to ourselves. The water felt calm and serene.

FCA Rex Beanland Workshop - Urban Scenes in Watercolour

Tami and I are the coordinators of the Calgary FCA workshops. We just had a wonderful weekend with Rex Beanland teaching urban scenes in watercolour. If you click on Rex's name, you can see his write up on the workshop. The participants were a vibrant group and full of laughter and fun with a variety of skill levels.

This was our first exercise, learning to work with the wet medium with a range from tons of water to very little. Did you guess which one was mine?

Below is our second learning painting, with actual urban building shapes working with light washes and very dark pigments. 

Perfect paintings for Halloween!

This is the last and is currently unfinished painting of a view of downtown Calgary.

"Mad About Art" Federation of Canadian Artists, Calgary Chapter Show and Sale

If you are in the Calgary area, this is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon, enjoying a feast for your eyes. There will be over 150 juried pieces of art for sale. If you bring cash or food donation for the Food Bank, you can enter your name to win an original painting by renowned Canadian artist Rick Berg. Two of my paintings were juried into the show and "Robin's Pair" was awarded "Honorable Mention"!

"Robin's Pair"

Oil on board 12" x 12" framed $250

Awarded Show "Honorable Mention"

"Sparkling Hill's View" Plein Air

Oil on board 9" x 12" framed $200

I am one of two workshop coordinators and we have a workshop this Saturday and Sunday so I will not be in attendance. There will be many artists in attendance throughout the day if you have any questions or comments you would like to share. Enjoy!!

"Fall Reflections" Plein Air Painting

Yesterday Debbie and I headed back to a spot in a private yard near the Leighton Centre. We left a note on their door and ducked under the barbed wire to find our peaceful spot. It was serene and quiet, a wonderful way to spend some time with a friend!

 The light was changing so quickly, so I added colour that I saw glimmers of. Thanks for taking the photos Debbie! Note the painting outfit: gardening gloves, rubber boots, an apron and paint on my face and clothes, without the paint brush in hand, most people would stay clear!

A little more of my view and set up while the painting was progressing.

"Fall Reflections" Plein Air

12" x 12" Oil on Board $200 unframed

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've traveled from B.C. to Calgary today so thought I would post a painting that I did during a plein air class at Carburn Park in Calgary last May. The top photo is what I was looking at. My finished painting is underneath. It is really hard to narrow your focus down when there is so much to see and it is all similar in colour so I concentrated on the shapes I saw. You can see a fellow artist busy with a different view.

"Carburn Park Reflections" 

Oil 10" x 8"

$100 framed as shown

"A Peaceful Stroll"

"A Peaceful Stroll"

Oil on board 7" x 5"

$50 unframed

I do not usually paint this small, but loved the fresh feeling and vibrant colours. The reference photo was taken after a painting outing and the stroll was so beautiful and peaceful, a great way to finish an afternoon in Lloyd's Park.

Plein Air Event & Wet Paint Auction Alberta Culture Days

"Autumn at Leighton Centre"

Plein Air (Outdoor on location) Oil on board

9" x 12"

This was painted on a very grey and rainy day at the Leighton Centre during their Plein Air Event and Wet Paint Auction during Alberta Culture Days. I love, love, love this painting! It was rainy then cold most of the day but Debbie and I painted until we couldn't feel our fingers and wet toes anymore.

The challenge was to (speed) paint for 2 hours then pop the paintings into a frame and a live auction would follow. There were about 30 artists but everyone (artists and buyers) were to wet and cold to stay so I am happy to report that I get to enjoy this painting!! This is a first time annual event and Debbie and I agreed that next year is a must.