Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Tar Gel Texture














'Wooded Blaze' and 'Winter Sparkle'.

Tar Gel is a medium I've been experimenting a bit with lately. These two 12 x 24's have texture applied with this gel. I dip it in the container with a palette knife and let it drip onto the canvas. My knife is about 6 inches from the canvas and I can somewhat control the length and thickness of the lines; but for the most part it a surprise. It's clear, and once it's dry I apply paint and then wipe it off to reveal the lines. You can see more of it in 'Wooded Blaze' (I've download a slighter larger image so you can click on it to see the texture better), whereas 'Winter Sparkle' is more subtle'.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Glow After The Storm















'Glow After The Storm', acrylic 36 x 60 inches, based on a smaller study and referenced from the Rundle stretch of mountains between Canmore and Banff.

 I decided to keep posting my paintings instead of holding back for the show. Working on my blog has become an enjoyable routine and allows me to keep track of what I'm doing ( a sort of painting diary ). Also, seeing the paintings in person is a much different and more enjoyable experience than seeing them online. The scale, texture and colors, to name a few, will be surprise enough for most people when viewing them live.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Getting Ready For Show Time














My studio wall is getting a little full...almost time to deliver to  Mountain Galleries and make room for new ones. I just finished signing, painting the edges and putting the isolation coat on these. I want to paint a few more for the show ( April 5th ), but I feel ready and ahead of schedule, which is good as I need to take 4 or 5 days off and head to Edmonton for some family time. I'm toying with the idea of not posting the rest and keep them a surprise for the show...good or bad idea?

Couple of little ones I just finished up, 12 x 12 and 12 x 24, although they didn't photograph very well.


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Calgary Foothills



















Here are a couple paintings referenced from photos I took while exploring the gorgeous foothills near Calgary. 'Luminous woods', 36 x 18 and 'Fallen For You', 20 x 30. I wanted to brighten up and think Spring....I can't have all winter scenes for my show in April.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Flicker On Echo Creek












It was such a sunny day on Fenland Trail, Banff. I loved the way the sun hit the snow and the branches of the bushes. I don't think I will ever tire of painting this little creek. acrylic 24 x 48. I reversed the photo so I could have my focal area more on the right.



Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Jasper Blast



Jasper Blast, acrylic 20 x 20, is twofold. This was referenced from a photo I took while on the highway between Banff and Jasper. The road condition was not good and we got another 'blast' of Winter. However, while in Jasper we definitely had a 'blast'; great company, awesome food, danced the night away and even managed to paint. I know it's almost Spring and I'm working on paintings for my solo show but I really wanted to paint this while it was fresh in my mind. I am so glad Winter is almost gone brrrrr. My original photo and enhanced photo below.






Monday, March 10, 2014

Jasper

















I had a wonderful weekend in jasper apart from the treacherous highway conditions. Traveling with three other artist companions, we made the correct decision to take the bus from Banff to Jasper. The weather made for some interesting photo ops. We enjoyed some painting time in Mountain Gallery owner Wendy Wacko's studio and I managed to complete a 36 x 48 canvas she wanted me to paint. It was from her photo of Cameron Falls, which I have never seen. painting someone else's photo can be tricky if you don't feel the passion. But in this case I love painting waterfalls and just imagine myself there. ( it's not the best photo though )

We also took time to enjoy the Jasper Rotary Clubs' Formal Masquerade Ball. It was nice to let loose and enjoy each others company.


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Cascading Above






















'Cascading Above', acrylic 40 x 20 inches.
 I played a lot with the colors/values of the bushes before settling on this one. I also used Photoshop to change/lighten/darken etc. the colors to see how it would look. More red, less red, more green less yellow, brighter, duller etc. I'm not very proficient at using this tool, which is really too bad, as I think it could be a lot more useful. Maybe taking a course down the road is in store for me.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Winter Glow On Echo
















'Winter Glow On Echo', large acrylic 48 x 60 inches.
 I finally finished this one, it took way too long for my liking and I got way to finicky. But it does give a good interpretation to what I saw and experienced that day. It is based on my walk through Fenland trail along Echo Creek in Banff during my residency. I have painted quite few of this creek but it was magic that day. I'm looking forward to spring and summer to maybe do some plein air painting along that short trail.

Monday, March 3, 2014

A Couple Small Ones




















I've been trying to finish a couple of small ones. I don't think I'm done with them yet. Something doesn't feel quite right and I can't pin point it. I keep putting them away and then bringing them out and adding more layers. Hard to see all the texture from the photos. 16 x 20 and a tiny 8 x 16. I'll just live with them for awhile and hopefully it'll come to me.

Update; I made a few adjustments, thanks to my friend Robert for his observations.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Calgary Stampede Art Show

















 I am so excited and pleased to announce that I have been accepted into The Calgary Stampede Art Show Studios ( July 3-13th). I will have a 10 day booth to showcase my best and recent western work. I will also have work  in the July 10 Art Auction and participating in this years Quick Draw. ( where I must complete a painting within an hour).

Along with my landscapes I will be featuring my bears, cows, and sheep etc. I have a lot of work ahead of me. Many, many years ago when I first walked around the Western Showcase, it was always a dream of mine, that someday I too would have a booth to show my work.