Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Elbow Falls

 
'Elbow Falls',
Acrylic,30 x 40 inches
I go to Elbow Falls all the time. Funny though,I've never actually painted the falls,usually the banks.I combined several photos for reference.
I thought I'd include a few pics of my process...I meant to do more but got so caught up in painting...I forgot.



Friday, December 14, 2012

Tangled Magestry

 
'Tangled Magestry' acrylic 16 x 36.
Yes, another Tangle Falls. Most of my others were on the warm side and I wanted to cool things down a little. It's one of my favorite waterfalls...along highway 93 between Jasper and Banff. Now that I've seen it posted I realize there are a few adjustments I need to make.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Streaming Through


















acrylic 24 x 30

I really was captivated by the light streaming through the trees. I painted over a really old painting with tons of luscious texture and color underneath.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Commission done

 























 
I have finished my commission.First attempt was rejected...even after numerous adjustments. It became a job and one I didn't want to do. After about a month I thought I'd give it another try and not think of it as a commission and paint it the way I wanted. That worked out much better, and It doesn't matter if the client doesn't like it...I do.

This week I have painted two paintings based on previous paintings I had done. Again it's not something I like to do but I can see the value in it. I found it hard to do. As a intuitive painter,I don't spend a lot of time thinking and my mark making tends to be very spontaneous so trying to recapture that feeling as well as exact marks is next to impossible. Simply put...I don't remember how I did it. So this process made me think and analyze. I can see why many artist demos are done this way.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Crevasse























acrylic 16 x 24 inches

One of my favorite paintings 'Crevice',because of  size restrictions,was too small to enter into the Arabella Canadian Landscape competition. It was a small 8x16, quick and spontaneous study (to see,scroll down ).To try and recapture that freshness is very difficult,especially given the larger canvas and different orientation.

I'm not sure how anyone else approaches entering a contest,but choosing three images that fit the criteria and having to hold on to them for months is difficult. Which to choose??? I think I need to find someone objective that has a good critiquing eye to help me narrow it down.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Waterfalls

















I painted 2 waterfalls this week. The first was of Sunwapta Falls and the second an unnamed falls ( I used several references). I wanted to play with predominantly cools and warms.

Sunwapta Falls has always been a favorite of mine to paint and I have painted several. Most have been a square format...'Sunwapta Blues' is 24 x 36 with a cool dominance.

'Cascading Dream' was a delight to paint!( predominantly warm painting) I approached the canvas very loosely with a large brush  and rag. I covered the canvas with tons of transparent colors and loosely drew in my shapes. I proceeded with large brushes,building up layers of color. I didn't pick up my palette knife until towards the end of the painting.  It only took 2 hours! I wanted to paint more but I liked what was happening and didn't want to over work it ....it was hard to stop. Unfortunately it didn't photograph very well...much better seeing it for real.

Monday, November 19, 2012

The Banks Of Priddis Creek




 
acrylic 30 x 60 inches
Located off 22x just before the Priddis turnoff. I pass this creek often, always meaning to stop but always in a hurry to get where I was going. This particular day I did stop. It was a perfect sunny warm early winter day and the creek had not yet frozen over. I love the snow lit banks with the underbrush showing through,and the reflections in the cold water...one of my favorite things to paint.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Fenland Creek Banff

















acrylic 24 x 36,

This painting went through many metamorphoses. The first was at Brian Ayteo's workshop. I didn't use a palette knife and experimented with a different style. Lots of nice sof,t curvy, flowing lines, but overall,it wasn't me. It was as if someone else painted it,but I know many of you will like it better.

Brian gave me some pointers with composition,color etc, which I tried to incorporate into this newer version. ( honestly though, the workshop was so long ago I forget alot of what he said). Anyway, this is more me.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Revisit


















acrylic and tissue paper 11x14 inches

I just revisited an older painting I didn't like too much. I like it much better now.

Selkirk Looming














Large 30 x 60 inches x2 acrylic,
Originally I wanted this large painting to be a diptych, but I felt the two painting were two similar. I think they work much better as individuals. I used large palette knives for these and had a lot of fun making marks. The middle of the mountains have a very abstracted feel and flow to them.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Meadow Creek
























acrylic 30 x 30

This creek in The Purcell meadow was wonderful. Very slushy and green as you got closer to it. It is also a favorite spot for Bella, the resident grizzly and her cubs to drink from. ( I actually was witness to that awesome sight)

This composition was a little different for me,but I've been excited for awhile to get at it. I struggled with warm /cool dominance...should it be more cool or warm? I'm still not sure I have it right so this will be one I will go back to.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Approaching The Edge



















I started this one a while ago,but I got stuck and wasn't sure how I wanted to proceed. An earlier painting I had submitted to the FCA won first place,so I thought maybe I'd try using some of the same elements on this larger painting.  My reference photos from Purcell Mountain Lodge;



Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Meadow Hike



















'Meadow Hike', acrylic on canvas. Large 4 ft x 5 ft. Fresh off the easel,this is my largest to date of my Purcell series. I'm waiting on some 3ft x 6 ft canvas to do some large mountain close ups and a dyptick.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Through The Meadow

 

large 48 x 48 acrylic.
I'm really liking the perspective of these latest paintings...I have a few more to do. I'm also liking the really large palette knives with the freedom it gives me and a few tips from my last workshop. Thanks Brian Ayteo!
Oh, and I want to go back to the Purcells!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

High Meadow




acrylic 40 x 40 inches
I like the perspective of this one. Although I painted mostly on the edge of the Purcell's looking at the Selkirk's, I enjoyed walking through the meadows by the Purcell Mountain Lodge. I used a really large 6 inch ( rounded top ) palette knife for most of the foreground. Paint's still wet on this one so I'll probably do some touch ups before signing my name. ( actually, now that I've posted it ,I can see my back and middle ground are the same size and my painting can almost be divided in half. It doesn't bother me too much but I should be able to fix it)

revised:











I like this much better now. With just a few strokes,I opened up the middle to allow the viewer a way in and around the painting. With no distinct division between middle and foreground, it makes for a much better composistion.



Monday, October 29, 2012

Crevice





































acrylic 16 x 8 inches,
I really love this little palette knife painting ( I don't know why I forgot to post it ). It's simple and bold. I didn't fuss...it almost looks like a  Plein Air painting. I was experimenting with a premixed neutral to which I added different pigments, to harmonize. I wanted to bring out the light using surrounding greys.Not sure I want to part with this one.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

FCA Calgary Demo






















The FCA Calgary put on a great show yesterday. Over 400 visitors and 40 + artists displaying a diverse array of quality juried paintings. It was nice to take a break from my basement studio to mingle with other artists and interact with the public about my art. That's one thing I really miss. After shipping  my work to the gallery, most times, I never get to see the public reaction. It's nice to get your ego stroked every now and then, especially when an artist is often riddled with self doubt.

This is the demo I did in the afternoon. I worked quite quickly and enjoyed all the comments and questions.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Selkirk Beckons



acrylic 36 x 48

The start of my large canvases depicting my Plein air experiences from the Purcell Mountain Lodge in BC. It's going to take some getting used to painting large again and a challenge to try and capture the looseness and spontaneity of the smaller studies.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Drizzle Down The Ave




acrylic 12 x 12

As much fun as it was to work on these urban scenes,( and I have sooo much more to explore and learn!) I have to concentrate on mountain Galleries and paint landscapes for the rest of the year. And I'm so excited about these large canvases I'm working on.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Splender In The Grass



Another cow painting. 'Slender In The Grass' acrylic 24 x 24. That's it for the cows....maybe in the Spring.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Two Small Street Scenes



 
acrylic 8 x 16 inches

These tiny street scenes didn't take as long as I thought to finish,as they are a little different and smaller than I'm used to. I tried not to get too finicky with them.You'll be able to find these at the Leighton Art Centre,Christmas fundraiser in Nov.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Leighton Art Centre



















acrylic 16 x 20

Working on a few cows along with some urban scenes for the 'Leighton Centre Christmas in The Country' funraiser. I will be volunteering the weekend of Nov 2nd-4th so drop by if you are around. leighton Centre 

Opening Night Nov 2nd 4-7 pm

This special opening night allows you an exclusive first look at The Christmas in the Country Art Sale at the Leighton Art Centre. This annual seasonal highlight featuring works by over 100 Alberta artists. You don't want to miss this chance to support our local artist and artisans!

You will find  original unframed art and fine craft, plus live music, festive treats and so much more!

Free for all Horion Patron Circle Members
Tickets $20

Friday, October 19, 2012

Close To The Edge
















I was thrilled to find out my painting,'Close To The Edge' was awarded first place in the up coming FCA Calgary show. 'Mad About Art' is a juried ( from Vanvouver) exhibition featuring 40+ artists from Alberta. The one day show is on Oct27th from 10 to 4 pm,you can find more information and directions at FCA Calgary website . I will de doing an acrylic demo dauring the day,so if you are in the area,stop by and say hi.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

To Selkirk From Purcell























acrylic 20 x 28
Another from the Purcell Mountain Lodge trip...almost ready to tackle my large canvases for my Purcell series.

Last Stand







 

acrylic 16 x 16

My first snow painting of the season!( Even though this scene was from last year). Can't wait to do more.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Watching The Band

 


Acrylic 8 x 8

One of the tiniest paintings I have done in a long time and I was hoping to be loose and free but I spent more time and fiddled with this one way more than I would have liked. I'm sure with oils I wouldn't have the same problem...trying to blend and watching my edges. Maybe I'll have to back to my interactive's ( similar to 'open') when using a brush for these urban scenes. However, I'll keep plugging and maybe magically I'll stumble across an easier way that works for me.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Play day

























I decided today would be a play day and do a little experimenting. After finishing my demo and working on my commission ( she wasn't quite satisfied with it...sigh),I need a break from my normal work. These were fun to do but I need to see where I can improve.  Both are square format, 'In Training',16x16 and 'Cocktail Hour',12 x12.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Up Close And Purcell


 

I'm finished my two demo paintings I had started at Banff. One is a commission of a painting I had done about a year ago of Moraine Lake ( 24 x 36). The other is from Purcell Mountain Lodge paint out with Wendy Wacko of Mountain Galleries medium size 24 x 30)... I'm gearing up to do some really large canvases.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Demo in Banff























Alice and I in the back, and a guest in front trying her hand at painting. ( photos by Doug Johnston)

















Back from an overnight trip to Banff to paint ( with fellow Calgary artist Alice Helwig ) a demo for Mountain Galleries at the Banff Springs Hotel in one of their beautiful ball rooms. The room was dimly lit and set up as a fancy cocktail bar with stand up tables draped in white table clothes and servers passing around hot hor d'oeuvres...and then there was us. With our painting easels, plastic table coverings,brown paper on the floor and our 'dirty' painting clothes,the spotlight was on us..  Painting in front of a large group ( 600+ ), is still relatively new for me ,but having Alice there was a huge help as we interacted and tried to paint. Mountain Galleries also had a blank canvas set up to invite guests to add a few splashes of color.Guests were timid at first,but by the end of the night the canvas was full thanks to the encouragement of gallery staff John and Aimee and artist friend Douglas Johnston ( thank-you ). It was a very successful evening, and we capped it off with some beer and pizza afterward.

Monday, October 8, 2012

'Snow Bright'



















This mountain scene was started in Brian Atyeo's workshop.  Trying different techniques ( and not using my pallet knife),it went through many stages of metamorphosis. After trying many suggestions, the painting was left unfinished ( see photo image). In my studio, I felt it strayed too far from my style and it made me uncomfortable. I made many adjustments while still trying to capture Brian's recommendations, I think the final painting is more 'me'

Saturday, October 6, 2012

More From The Brians Workshop



 

Brian Ayteo's workshop was a very intense 5 days of painting. My 'roomies' and painting buddies were all keeners and we painted well into the late evening every night. The Whistler girls, Susie Chipolla,Andrea Moore,Doria Moodie,and Lianne Gulka along with my fellow Calgarian and veteran Janie Lockwood were tons of fun and very talented ladies.River Rock Studio was a wonderful artist retreat in the middle of the Rocky Mountain foothills surrounded by forest and rivers.

I tried to have an open mind as I explored different techniques and subject matter outside of my comfort zone. I had very few successes, and that was to be expected but I did pick up some very useful information and tips.I will share with you a few paintings but many of them still need work.

No one seemed to like my 'Kitties'.It was painted late a night after a couple of cool ones ( I normally don't work at night and I never drink and paint). I pretended I was different artist and had such fun! My husband didn't like it,nor did our son,so I hung the painting in our spare bedroom.  When our daughter came to stay she asked for it to be removed as it 'creeped her out'. "Its just not like you".Oh well,I like it!