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! 

Zhaoming Wu Workshop - Portrait

Oil on canvas board

16" x 20"

an unfinished portrait

This is the portrait that I did in a FCA Zhaoming Wu workshop held in Calgary, Alberta. Zhaoming is a master painter and it was an absolute thrill that I was not only able to watch him paint live, but also receive instruction during this 3 day workshop.

He painted the live model portrait in the morning, explaining his steps and then the artists painted in the afternoon. There were 2 models and the artists were in a semi circle painting so each view was different. It is incredibly hard for the model to be still and try and stay in the same position, that is why the look on her face is somber.

I found it really challenging to paint the portrait with her head view changing after each break. Even a few inches made a difference in whether you could see her far cheek and how much of her nose compared to cheek etc. that could be seen. Zhaoming helped me with her nose and that put it together so much nicer...a few strokes was all he needed to add where I probably would of still been trying. I was happy and exhausted at the end of the day! 

Celebrating July 1 - Happy Canada Day!

These two paintings are of summer in the Okanagan in B.C. Canada. They make me think and feel the Canadian summer celebration with water, sun and fun - July 1st - Happy Canada Day!

 

The Last Buoy

Water colour 16" x 20" NFS

 

This painting is of my wonderful friend Ev, a gift for a previous birthday. Waterskiing is a passion of hers and watching her waterski is breathtaking.

 

 

 

"Stormy Okanagan Lake"  $350

12" x 16" Encaustic painting on board

click on painting to see a larger view
 

This is a repost of a wonderful area to play on land and in water. I grew up in Kelowna B.C. and boating was a family pastime. The Okanagan Lake can become stormy very quickly and the waves get very large which made for a lot of fun playing in the water, but down right scary in the boat. We would try to get near the shore quickly as the waves would come over the front of the boat and up the windshield. The hills are very dry in the summer and I always loved the "dry & wet" contrast of that beautiful area.

 

Sicamous, B.C. Art Show and Sale

 

Sicamous Art Show and Sale Opening Reception is tonight and the show is on until from Friday June 28 until July 2. I was helping with the setting up and was completely enamored with all of the different art - paintings, jewelry and hand crafts. If you are in Sicamous B.C. for the long weekend, drop by the Red Barn and check out the art sale and show. There is no entrance fee and your creative side will thank you! I have these 3 paintings in the art show plus one more that I just realized I don't have a photograph of! I also have painted wine glasses, cards and original small paintings for sale.