I returned home from an awesome trip to Cuba on Monday. I made some quick adjustments to “The Ride” and “Beach Buds” yesterday and included them in my jury submission for the FCA’s Absolutely Art show May 12. I felt the skin tones were too light and cool in my first postings [links above]. I like them better now. What do you think?
Summer routines are wonderful to look back at and forward to… One of the great things about spending time at Moose Lake Gospel Camp is the waterfront activities. The kids love ALL of it but having a generous boat owner willing to pull them on the tube is a highlight. In this painting I’ve tried to capture the joy of the ride.
Cheers!
Ron brought me these lovely spring-time tulips last week. They were all tightly closed at first and then one pink and white opened before all the others…
Here’s a photo of the tulips and my original rough sketch. It was fun to get back into the studio even if just for a few hours. I’ve missed it as life has been pretty busy lately. Happy Spring!
Since yesterday’s earthquake I’ve had Mexico on my mind. Since skies are one of my favourite subjects to paint, I used a photo taken at a hilltop restaurant in Bucerias as the basis for this painting. It was such a dreamy, warm, contented evening of dining and relaxing with friends, Stu and Maureen. The landmass on the lower right is Punta de Mita. Cheers!
The two little people on the left are my grandkids, Kalista (6), and Kai (3). The gal on the right is a new friend the kids made on Decks Beach near Tokyo Teleport. This is an amazing area in Tokyo Bay… man made islands with fun things for families to do and connections via ferries, boats and trains. We had so much fun. Cheers!
This is the first time I’ve attempted to paint a fall landscape from our trip to Japan last November. The colors are intimidating blends of the brilliant compliments… green maple leaves morph from green to red and many leaves retain some of each. Yet it doesn’t make mud like it would on a painter’s palette! Creation is amazing that way…
I’m not through with this yet but it has to dry before I can finish off the final few strokes. Have a great weekend everyone!
I’ve had a few people by facebook or telephone ask me which paintings I had in the two exhibits this weekend. So, here’s the scoop AND some paypal buttons in case you feel like making a purchase! Free shipping in Canada… please contact me for USA or International shipping prices.
The following 8 paintings were in the FCA Calgary Chapter show and the CCPS juried show on Saturday:
Positive Flash, mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas, 16”x20”. SOLD!
Elbow River Jam 2, Oil on panel, beautifully framed, 11”x14”, $340.00
The Gloaming at Sheep River Falls,
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 24”x24”, $550.00
Oil on wood panel, beautifully framed, 16”x20”, $530.00
Closing In, Oil on wood panel, beautifully framed, 6”x8”, $150.00
Oil on wood panel, beautifully framed, 9”x12”. SOLD!
Rudiger’s Ranch, Oil on wood panel, beautifully framed, 9”x12”, $260.00
Today’s Picks, Oil on wood panel, beautifully framed, 8”x10”,200.00
I’m so excited to have my new Cameron Bird painting installed… Artym Gallery dropped it off last Monday and it looks wonderful in the spot I chose for it. See what you think…
Cameron paints in a very chunky, direct style that simplifies without losing sight of the subject. I love it!
I joined my friend Sharon on Tuesday afternoon for some “car painting”. It was my first experience with plein air from the back of a car and it was fun! I pretty much reworked this entire painting when I got home though… and I like it better now. I was feeling the farming aspect of this scene – the grain bins and the rows left over after last fall’s harvest. The idea of that is coming through better now. However, I’m struggling with the “less is more” concept of plein air. I need to be more selective and simplify more… that apparently takes years to learn, not just a mere few months. Cheers!
I’ve reworked this painting recently… After my October 15th post, I realized that I messed on up on the size of the people and therefore the beach wasn’t reading “BIG” at all. I think I missed the value on the water and the wet sand on the first go too. I think I like it better now… I wish I was there! Have a great weekend!
