Will He Get Going?

6x8   Oil on Paper

I imagine this couple had a little time before heading off to New Year's dinner and did a few circles around the oval. In the meantime,the little guy behind them sat himself down, not at all sure that he wanted to go on with this escapade! His Mom patiently waited so I'm sure in the end he got up and going, brave little soul. 

Taking a Spin

6x8   Oil on Paper

All of these skaters and many more were on the ice, the challenge was deciding which shapes to include. I really admire that even the tentative skaters are willing to go out on this vast sheet of ice with no walls to grab  onto if the need arose!

Snugged Under the Trees

6x8   Oil on Paper

This sturdy little shed snugged under the old trees sits patiently waiting until spring. Which comes a lot sooner than here in Edmonton, just saying! -38 today with wind chill makes it a wonderful day to be inside painting and listening to CBC.

 

Who's Chasing Who?

8x6    Oil on Paper

 

Our little neighbour playing chase with her new pup! They were both as delighted as the other! This is painting 24 but hmm it's the 28th, so with all the best plans, life has gotten in the way a few days but I'll do my best to catch up.

On Her Way to the Duchess

8x6   Oil on Paper

On a very cold Saturday morning recently, I was taking pictures in Glenora when I came across this woman ardently striding along and asked if she minded having her picture taken. Not at all she smiled, just be quick! Now before you start feeling sorry for us, we were all headed for a fantastic bakery in Edmonton called The Duchess. If you don't live here, I'm sad for you but if you come to visit, you have to go!

x-Country Trails at Hawrelak

6x8    Oil on Paper

Hawrelak is the coolest park in the central River Valley in Edmonton. It's the same park that hosts the Silver Skate Festival, a triathalon, Symphony Under the Stars, Shakespeare in the Park and yet it also has a series of quiet X-Country ski trails where on a Sunday afternoon you can see not a soul. Pretty cool for a city park!

Shootin' Pucks

8x6   Oil on Paper

Backyards rinks are everywhere in Edmonton. This little sister has been patiently waiting her turn but a warm house is starting to seem like a good idea!

Doesn't Matter How You Hit the Rail!

8x6    Oil on Paper

It doesn't matter whether you hit the rail on skis or a board, the point is getting there. Our son is an avid boarder but he tells us that lots are going back to skiing these days! 

This painting was really difficult to photograph so you'll just have to see it in person!

Riding the Rail

8x6   Oil on Paper

Riding rails in a competition is what get these kids out of bed on a cold winter morning!

This was really fun to paint, the excitement the kids felt seemed to transfer itself to my brush. Looks like the beginning of a series.

Red Barn on a Sunny Day

6x8   Oil on Paper

I loved how the bright sunshine shone through the tree and onto the deep red barn. I have no idea how farmers find the time to keep their outbuildings in such beautiful shape! 

Come Play With Me!

6x8   Oil on Paper

Come Play with me! Nope, I'm heading in for dinner. These two guys are both pups and were delighted with the snow but just like kids, one wants to head in before the other one's ready.

Vanilla and the Twins

6x8   Oil on Paper

The twins stick together like glue and food is high on their needs list. They stand around in knee deep snow and dig until they get the nice green grass underneath. Vanilla on the other hand is all about checking out her people.

Winter Field

6x8   Oil on Paper

This scene is a field on my cousin's farm east of the city. It is painting 16 in the series and it actually feels like I'm over the hump the last few days. Having said that, I really need to get the Christmas ornaments put away so I guess I'm not that over the hump!

Heading for the Rink

8x6   Oil on Paper

This little guy was striding to our local skating pond with such purpose. Turns out it's his first time on ice but it won't be long before he's sporting a hockey stick with his determination!

Gathering For Another Run

6x8   Oil on Paper

This family had taken to the little slope away from the rest of the crowd at Silver Skate. I'm sure they thought the hill was huge!

Silver Skate Festival Sleigh Ride

6x8    Oil on Paper

The sleigh ride is one of many things to do at the Festival besides just putting on your skates and going for a spin. This festival is held in Hawrelak Park, a beautiful park in the River Valley. The City of Edmonton does a great job hosting festivals all year but when it really counts is in the winter to get families out enjoying the weather!

Silver Skate Festival Teepee

6x8   Oil on Paper

We're heading back to Edmonton today, I found some pictures from our Silver Skate Festival a couple of years ago that offer the opportunity to paint lots of figures in gesture.  It was a really cold day as you can see from the sky but that never matters, lots of folks were out with their families. 

I'm not naturally drawn to winter sports but fortunately my boys are so it's gets me out to enjoy the day!

Veronica and Her Babes

6x8   Oil on Paper

"All right you two, get back in the right direction!" Just like kids they only need one other to make mischief with. 

One of my goals in doing this project was to get comfortable with using thicker paint with is happening a little more each day. 

3 Sheep Escaping the Heat

6x8   Oil on Paper

A bit of a departure from winter. It was minus 20c today, what can I say? Maybe I'll paint them in winter tomorrow!

What a Ride!

8x6   Oil on Paper

Beautiful winter day, the oval was full of families. What more could you ask for? This baby was snug as a bug for an afternoon skate. 

Speed Skater

6x8    Oil on Paper

This speed skater was amazing, he smoothly navigated around everyone including this babe in sled. I felt that it might be better as a vertical composition so I'll try that today. I did like the little background figures!

Sister Angels

6x8 Oil on Paper

I was focusing on the issue of composition in this painting because the photo had the older sister on the left and the little sister in front. In the photo it didn't seem problematic but when I was doing some thumbnail sketches, it felt like she was leaving the picture so I wanted to experiment with moving them around. 

That of course caused me to be late posting, sigh. And a I had a good laugh at my own expense as I was finishing up as I put the handle of my paintbrush in my coffee cup instead of the container they stand in. The sensation was "Why is there so little resistance?" I should have taken a photo for my painting friends so they could laugh along with me :)

Family Skate

6x8 Oil on Paper

We are lucky enough in Edmonton to have lots of good outdoor skating ponds and ovals and they are all well used. This lucky baby can just be lifted from her car seat and put on this stroller for a few turns on a sunny afternoon. This large oval is in the River Valley which Edmntonians love justifiably! It is across the river from the University so the buildings formed a good backdrop.

I'd like to say Daily Paintng gets easier each time but I'm still working towards that!

Little Snow Angel

6x8  Oil on Paper

This little snow angel will likely become part of a larger painting with her sister and a dog. Her Grandma is a good photographer and she was kind enough to send me a bunch for the project. 

This project gives me such appreciation for the Daily Painters who paint and post while teaching hither and yon across the continent and surely they must still have time for a life. It must require being super organized as well as committed!

Winter Sun

6x8 Oil on Paper

This is a scene we came upon the other day when we were trying out our new snowshoes. The sun here in winter is one of my favourite prairie images. A bold orange orb that just takes your breath away. 

This challenge is, well can I say, a CHALLENGE and I realized yesterday that each day will be a different challenge. I lost two hours yesterday trying to work through why my screen wouldn't accept the USB drive. Aargh! So now I've learned a new little skill, I'm sure there will be another. Anyway, off to paint the one I should have started first thing this morning so I can still get out for some of this glorious sunshine. 

Best Seat in the House

8x6 Oil on Paper

This fellow captured my attention a few years ago at a painting demo at the Leighton Centre. Jerry Markham   produced a wonderful landscape and this fellow had a great view of both the landscape on the easel and the view of the Foothills out the window.

May Snowstorm

8x6 Oil on Paper

This is the first painting in a series that I am painting this month as part of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. It's biting off a fair bit to paint and post a painting each day but the benefits are tremendous. Focus on some learning goals, determination and a good reason to go to my studio in the cooler days of winter. It brought back wonderful memories painting this scene, none of could believe our eyes when we looked out the window and saw this big dump of snow in May!

I will put the paintings on my website but will hold them until the end of the month to enjoy them together for a day or two.