Opus Outdoor Challenge

I had a wonderful day, my first of this season plein painting (outdoors, on location) during an annual painting challenge put on by Opus Art Stores. My sister Shannon and I signed up, were given an 8"x10" canvas board and a map of the large painting area. There were over 300 registrants. After a season of indoor studio painting it was very different to have all these distractions - Shannon and I conversing, people having a look at what we were doing and the beautiful scene of Okanagan Lake with so many vistas to choose from. I painted in oil and Shannon painted abstracts in water colour. There were a lot of artists around so it was fun to check on their progress as well. I painted 2 views then we moved out of the lake wind and I started painting a couple on a bench. They left soon after I started and were replaced by others. The painting has one lady's shorts and a different one's shirt etc. We ran out of time so I did not get it finished but was able to get an idea of their body positioning.
What I did miss was a picture of Shannon and I together!

Painting #1 with Kelowna Bridge in the background

Painting #2 with sailboats in the enjoying the wind

Painting #3 unfinished but captured body positioning

In The Still Of The Fog

"In The Still Of The Fog"
20" x 16" Oil on canvas
#20029418

Boats of all kinds intrigue me. This scene was so still and calm in the hazy fog. I loved how the boat and masts were old and worn but the fishing buoys looked so lively in the reflective water. I struggled with how to make the fine lines of the ropes and the hazy fog behind without defining everything. This was a perfect one to learn with in Doug's class.

Link to my website 

Overhaul

"Overhaul"
Oil on canvas    16" x 20"
#20024418

I found this photo reference very intriguing, a view of the natural aging process. Even with age we can stand tall beside others that are slowly getting closer to the earth.

Five At Rest

"Five At Rest"

Oil on canvas   16" x 20"

#20020418

Mexico was once again the inspiration for this painting. I loved how the boats all snuggled up together and bobbed up and down like nodding heads in the small waves. These boats were taken out early in the morning to catch fish, returned and cleaned up ready for the evening or next morning. I have no idea how old these boats are but they were very well looked after.

After Breakfast

"After Breakfast"
Oil on canvas   20" x 16"
#20008418

This painting is based on a photo I took while vacationing in Mexico. The fishermen had brought their haul in, fed the birds what they did not want or need, cleaned their catch and boat and set the boat back out in the water. These birds looked like they were not going to miss the next outing.

A Chicken Named Duck

"A Chicken Named Duck"

12" x 12" Oil on canvas with 1 1/2" painted sides

#20004118

This is a painting I did in Doug's class. He was busy working with others when I asked for his help and he said "I'll be right there to help you with your duck", loved it and voila this painting is named. I found I was being tentative, detailed with mid-tones so Doug smudged away all that detail and added bigger brush strokes for me to work with. I am happy with my "Duck"

Beginner Art Class - greeting cards

I had the wonderful opportunity to teach beginner water colour classes in Gallery One-Fifty in Sicamous B.C. The easy to teach adult students learned about different supplies, words and methods using water colour while working on greeting cards. The picture beside is of some of the students work (I felt like a proud Mama on the beautiful work done in both classes).

I also taught an alcohol ink painting beginners class and loved watching their reaction to this very mobile medium. I will definitely teach both these classes again as we all had fun and enjoyed our time with each other. The second photo is of some of their completed works.

If you are in the Sicamous area and are interested in a variety of beginners workshops by a variety of local talented artists, put your name down or check out the next classes in Gallery One-Fifty (314 Finlayson Street, Sicamous B.C.) or email galleryonefifty@gmail.com.

Pick Up Game

"Pick Up Game"
20" x 16" Oil on canvas
#20021313

I wanted to make a painting for our friend and neighbour Bruce. I asked his wife Chris to send me some photos of their trips that would be meaningful to Bruce.

Chris sent me a few pictures that were sent to her of their lunch spot on one of their biking holidays. There were some kids playing soccer so Bruce in his biking gear just joined in. It sounded fun for the kids as well as the biking group's lunch entertainment! Happy 60th Bruce!!

Are You Coming?

"Are You Coming?"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

#20016318

The photo reference for this painting is by Doug Swinton. He has a bin of photos in our class that we can choose to paint from or he will pull one out when we don't know what to paint. I loved the 3 cows in the front and the mountains were just behind them with a large sky. I wanted more prairie and the mountains further behind but did not know what to do with all the boring winter prairie I had painted. Doug dragged his brush to make an "S" curve through the wet paint and then put a few dark blobs for cows. It was a lesson for the class. I then got rid of the path and made the blobs look like cows. I am happy with my big prairie scene. 

Roadside Viewpoint

"Roadside Viewpoint"

30" x 40" Oil on canvas with 1 1/2" painted sides (framing not required)

#20014318

This large painting is from a photograph taken on a  holiday with Lucy and Peter as they showed us around the beautiful English countryside. Lucy pointed out where she had camped below as we soaked in the view from the roadside viewpoint. I am enjoying this large painting on our fireplace right now.