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.