Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Secret Within






















acrylic 36 x 24,

 I'm pretty sure there are no waterfalls that look like this,but this is where the painting took me. Painting over yet another used canvas with texture,this one came together quite quickly. I love the looseness. Without using a reference photo of a particular place, allowed me much more freedom, and a wonderful sense of satisfaction to be able to just play and create.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Parkway Highway View



acrylic 36 x 48,

This was one of the fabulous views from the Icefield Parkway Highway on the way to Jasper. This can be a treacherous part of the highway for avalanches, and with no shoulders, there is no stopping. I was fortunate to be caught in 'road painting' so the traffic was at many times at a stand still while creeping up the mountain. I was able to roll down the windows and snap a few pictures.

I was in a dilemma while trying to decide to include the road in the painting or crop it out. I decided to keep it in as it helped to keep the viewer from moving out of the painting by pointing inward.




 I have also included my process. I started with a  simple line drawing but realized I had not toned my canvas. I painted over the pencil marks ( I am not too worried about accuracy as much of this will be painted over and lost anyway).I loosely cover the canvas with transparent paint. I paint the sky without being too concerned as I will go over it later. I mix with gel, some colors for my mountains. From this point on most of the paint is applied with a palette knife. When the mountains are dry I work on the sky and dry brush the mountains to set them back. I now have my lightest light and will paint the darkest dark of the trees.I mix more color with gel for my rocks and roughly apply the paint. When it's dry ( it can take hours) I add my details and dry brushing to bring out the textures.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Off Icefield Parkway



acrylic, 24 x 40 inches,

This is based on a scene off the  Icefield Parkway, between Banff and Jasper, near the Waterfowl Lakes and the Mistaya river with a partial view of the Kaufman peaks.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Pyramid At The Marsh


acrylic 18 x 24

This is another commission piece derived from a larger 36 x 48 painting I had done about a year ago. This is the second commission from this piece and I think my most successful. If I do another of this scene...I might be able to do it in my sleep,ha ha.

This is of Pyramid mountain on the way towards Patrica Lake, from the marsh on the side of the road in Jasper.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

First Diptych
























I've completed my first ever diptych. A large one at that. Total 40 inches by 60 inches. This is a mixed media piece as I used tissue paper initially to lay down some texture. I'm not sure if I should call it 'Mixed Media' or 'Acrylic and Tissue Paper'. They work together or separately... hopefully they will be bought by the same client and he can decide how far apart or close  he wants them.

A note about the title: 'A Groovy Kind Of Love' was playing in the background while painting this piece. 'When I'm feeling blue, all I have to do is..." part of the lyrics seemed a very fitting title. It's very unusal for me to have a painting named before it's even finished.

No photo reference was used for this painting, I took my clues from past work.



Monday, July 2, 2012

Along The Wickaninnish Beach


acrylic 12 x 24 inches,

Near the Wickaninnish Interpative Centre,between Ucluelet and Tofino