#14 30 Paintings in 30 Days Clearing the Rink

#14 Clearing the Rink   6x8 Oil on Paper/panel   $125.00 unframed -Jan.

Most of the neighbourhoods in Edmonton have a rink and keeping them up properly is quite a chore. It's time consuming and very often needs doing when a person would rather be in front of a warm fire. The same industrious fellow has tended our rink for many years which is the height of neighbourliness!
I was drawn to this scene by the golden light in the background and the patterns on the ice.

#8 Terwillegar Park Lone Tree

#8 Terwillegar Park Lone Tree   6 x 6 Paper on Board   $125.00 unframed

I'm taking a turn this week with snow. I've had a yen to paint this scene in our dog walking park for years so I decided I would give it a try today. What a lovely day, first a friend showed up with a latte and a big smile, then one of my boys and his dog popped in. Then to top it off, the hysterically funny radio podcast of Vinyl Street Cafe's "Babysitters" show was playing. If you see any errant squiggles you'll understand it's very difficult to paint while laughing yourself silly!

I realize after I painted this scene that it was just the same sort of day as today, sunny but very cold! 

Painting 30 in 30 #5

Little Gems-Chickadee 3   Oil on Board 3 1/2 x 2 1/2    $95.00 framed

This little fellow is one that I prepainted just prior to the challenge just in case and that day was today. I'll  be back to finish the week at Ellis Bird Farm tomorrow. He's kind of appropriate because chickadees are one of the types of birds being given a leg up at the farm.

Painting 30 in 30 # 1 Ellis Bird Farm

Ellis Bird Farm #1   Oil on Cradled Panel 6x6   $125.00

The farm is a sanctuary for cavity nesting birds and for all those who visit it. I'd encourage you to  check out the story of the farm on the link. It's a fascinating story of the difference a few people can make with determination and initiative. 

I have lots of photos of the farm and very cold weather heading our way so I'll be a happy girl painting away, remembering how beautiful the day was and the fun we had.

Little Red Shed Near Canmore

6x8   Oil on Paper/Birch Panel   $175

I'm like a crow when it comes to red cabins, sheds and barns. Like the yellow car game on a trip, once you're looking for them they seem to pop up everywhere.

Look Both Ways First!

8x6   Oil on Paper

This Mom's using caution before heading onto the ice! Have you notice a familiar theme with the bright jackets? Keeps us feeling excited for Spring!

This is my 28th painting in January but I will finish the last 3 before I close this project and start painting large for the Scotia show at the end of the year. The challenge was posted by Leslie Saeta in California. She promised to direct us to a site for collaging our finished paintings and she's posted it today. Pretty neat, I thought you might want to check it out.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

Urban Barn

8x10 Oil on Panel
This little barn is one of a matching pair on a small farm in Edmonton that has become surrounded by a bus barn, an ecocentre and a big box mall which somehow all adds to it's charm for me. I love that the farmer has steadfastly held onto it!
Happy New Year to all!

Windermere Barn

Windermere Barn     8x10     Oil on Board      $325 framed
This barn is on a farm that has been surrounded by new subdivisions just south of us. It would be great if it would stay like that but there is a nice big For Sale sign on the fence. Meanwhile the horses and other animals seem oblivious to all that is going on around them. It's such a peaceful resting place for the eye and the soul. There are a few more barns on the same property that I have in mind to paint while they're still here.