Paradise Village Yacht Club

8x10 Oil on Linen Board
$250.00 Framed
I felt compelled to paint this scene from a watercolour sketch that I'd done in Mexico a few years ago. I wonder if there is any connection to the wickedly cold days we've been getting again. It makes me want to go back SOON!

Hydrangea and Friends

Oil on Board-framed
8X10
$250.00
During the Christmas break, a few friends were talking about doing a painting a day and I loved the thought but wondered if it would be feasible. I gave myself permission to paint whatever caught my fancy and it's been interesting to see what is popping up. This reminds me of a friend in Vancouver who loves zinnias and hydrangeas as much as I do. So far, it has been a nice rythym but there are no large paintings on the go at the moment.

A Study in Pink

$125.00
Oil on 10" sq. deep canvas

I only had the time for a study yesterday so pulled out this deep canvas from the cupboard. It had some doodly lines on it from some previous thing that reminded me of petals and that seemed reason enough to paint a flower. I was thinking about my niece while I was painting it and before I knew it, the painting was done. Great serendipity!

Portrait Exercises

Exercise 16X20 Canvas Paper

This quick study and the one below were both done in 1 1/2 hr. I discovered this week that there is a consistency to when I start to lose concentration and begin to fiddle. That probably explains why I'm rarely happy with what I do in a workshop setting. It's likely even earlier with distractions. What I like about this one is that I feel I captured her look. She always has a big smile. And I like that I let myself just scumble on the fur trim. What I will work on is getting a better first layer of skin tone(better puddles) and check for proportion. Her smile is a little wider.





Exercise 16X20 Canvas Pad


This was the first of the two studies. I realized I got her skin tones really dark. Also the shape of her arm overall is pretty close but I shadowed it more like an adult arm. So...skin tones and shadow next time.

Jamaica Mystery Bird

Exercise
16 x 20 Canvas Pad
This month I have committed myself to painting an exercise or study every day so practise is taking precedence over painting finished paintings. I remember a few years ago reading Craig Nelson's book 60 Minutes to Better Painting and thinking it was impossible. Now I think it is essential. I'm determined to keep at it and although it's only been a few weeks, I'm seeing improvements. For one thing, I am seeing a difference in how I approach the easel. I'm taking notes after each one about what I did right and what I need to focus on next time. I'm lucky to have some wonderful friends who give great critiques but I was wanting to develop that skill further myself.
If anyone is able to recognize this bird from my painting I'd love to know. He seemed to be such a character with his long neck(longer than I have it) and cocked head.

Teapot/Orange Exercise

On Wed. mornings I do a timed exercise with a group of painters. We were introduced to the idea by a Calgary painter named Doug Swinton http://www.dougswinton.com/ I love the spontaneity in his paintings. The point is to use a large brush and lots of paint on largish canvas with a 2 hour time limit. The more I do it, the happier it makes me. There is a lot of freedom working with large brushes and the large pools of paint. This one is the 6th one. I did this at home over the holiday and it seemed finished at this point (1hr20min)so I signed it.
Love that sunshine streaming through the window at -30 deg.

Brian Ryder Exercises

This is one of the paintings I did over the holiday. It is one of the exercises from Brian Ryder's DVD which I received for Christmas. The scenery in this DVD is spectacular, especially for a prairie girl who grew up on the coast. I will post others as I go along.

This New Year seems like a time of gratitude and enjoying all that we have. Opportunity to paint, good friends, so much! We've had such cold weather but beautiful sunshine to paint with.

Please check out the link of one of my very good painting friends, Cindy Revell. I love her work!!!

Curlew in Balboa

6 X 8 NFS-study

Oil on Board

SOLD

This wonderful bird was basking in the sun in Balboa and I just had to paint him today. The sun was shining on his beak and it was the brightest magenta. There seems to be a recurring theme of sunshine in Laguna happening in my paintings, likely because of the -25C temps we've had for awhile in Edmonton. Thankfully, with beautiful clear skies for walking and skiing.

I was delighted today to see that Karen Appleton had linked my blog to hers. She is one of my favorite painters and a wise soul. I won't give it away but check it out and see for yourself.

I hope that you all have a wonderful year in 2009 and the warmth of family and friends today to start it off!