Monday, June 30, 2014

Move In Day




















Well today is the day I move into my Artist Studio at the Calgary Stampede Western Art Show. Most of my paintings are loaded in my vehicle and ready to go. The Stir-Up  ( pre- show for collectors, buyers, friends and family)  is on Wednesday and will an exciting evening with over 2000 guests.  here is a video showing the setup of the Western Oasis  video

  I just finished this little guy, acrylic 18 x 18 inches


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Ewe'll Be In My Dreams





















More Sheep! 'Ewe's Running Away' 20 x 40 inches and 'Shearly Ewe Jest" 36 x 36.
I'm not sure I'm done with these two yet but pretty close. I am done painting any more animals for a bit...but will be working on some small ones ( bears, roosters and cows) during my stint at Stampede.  A a couple of small landscapes and I'm done! Just in time for my company to arrive and set up on Monday!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Backward Glance
























I can't believe how fast this little fellow came together. Acrylic 12 x 12.

It's almost crunch time and I'm scrambling to get all my paintings finished. I've been working really hard, putting in a lot of hours, and hopefully it will all pay off. I'm excited about my upcoming booth at Stampede and proud of the work I will be showing. I'm looking forward to chatting with people about my work, and seeing public reactions, as I don't often have that opportunity. Usually my painting go from my basement studio to the gallery...never to be heard of again ( until they sell :) ). If I sell any at Stampede that will be a bonus, if not Mountain Galleries will be happy they have tons more inventory. I'm also very thankful Mountain Galleries will be there to help and support me! They are handling promotions, selling, packing, framing, deliveries, setup and take-down...I don't think I could do it without them!

Monday, June 23, 2014

The Mooody Two's
























Back to the animals. I have more cows, a bear and more sheep on the way.

I started the cows in River Rock and wasn't having a very good time with them. A few suggestions from friends and Brian, made them a little better but when I got home, I knew they had to change. They needed some punch and more contrast. Even though the color was close to the actual animals, it wasn't working for a painting. The painting below is how I left it at River Rock...but believe me it was worse. 'The Mooody Two's',acrylic 24 x 24




















The bear just needed some details worked on. ( I borrowed a pose from a white spirit bear and made him a black bear) 'Smokey Bear', acrylic 20 x 30


Sunday, June 22, 2014

Metamorphosis
























Do you remember this painting? It sure has gone through a lot of changes. I thought I was done with it but something was really bothering me. I couldn't explain it.

 I'm trying to workout my cool/warm dominance in my paintings. Too much half and half. I've also noticed lately that I have a tendency towards blue. Stepping out of my studio, going to River Rock and watching Brian Atyeo's magic,  rejuvenated me to be bolder and loosen up.

This painting was too blue, too rocky and too boring...even after I added the red it was still too timid. I'm still not sure I'm done with it but I'm really liking whats happening!






River Rock Two


Here are two more landscapes I started at River Rock. A very productive but exhausting few days. I'm not used to painting all day and well into the late evening ( 3 or 4 broken hours is usually my limit), but I couldn't resist the artistic energy flowing through the rooms! Very motivating!

'I'm Head Over Heals", acrylic 48 x 24 and 'Athabasca Rush', acrylic 32 x 42.. I'm also including a couple of paintings Brian worked on. I am now the proud owner of the 'Salt Shack With Moon', painting.







Saturday, June 21, 2014

River Rock





















Acrylic, Creek-side Blaze, 24 x 30
A last minute decision, but I had a great couple of days in River Rock and managed to get get a lot of work done, during Brian Atyeo's Open Studio. It was so nice to see the Whistler girls again, and meet new friends. Lots of cows, horses, deer, and a magnificent Great Gray owl. Peaceful yet intense. I tweaked these landscapes when I got back to my studio. More to show and tell later.








Sunday, June 15, 2014

Moody Moraine
























This was a fun painting to work on all day. Lots of interesting shapes and textures. I really wanted to show atmosphere but be true to the scene without being postcard pretty. 'Moody Moraine', acrylic 36 x 36 inches.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Chestermere Art Demo

























 I did a couple of demos for the Chestermere Fine Art Guild a few days ago. (  a great group of ladies! ). Because of my painting technique and the 'slow' drying time of my acrylics, I chose to bring two half completed pieces. I would begin from scratch and when I got to the point where I needed my painting to dry, I would whip out my half completed one to continue the process. I did the same for the second painting. I still needed the painting to dry so I finished up some details in my studio.

I enjoy doing demos and answering tons of questions. I don't do workshops. It's not my job to teach anyone how to paint...I'm not a teacher nor a great speaker, and I'm still learning myself. I can show my techniques, explain how I think and offer advice. I can't teach being intuitive, spontaneous and fearless....but I can show it.

Canvases sizes are 16 x 48 and 20 x 20 inches.







Monday, June 9, 2014

Moraine Lake




















Almost done my two large 36 x 48 Moraine lake canvases. Just a few details and color adjustments to ponder on. I don't always do a study before I paint a larger work. In this case I did, and the two larger paintings came together quite quickly. I think I will start doing thumbnail sketches and studies more often as they do sort out a lot of problems early and save time in the long run.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Moraine Studies

































Here are two small ( for me they are small ) studies for two 36 x 48 canvases. Both of these were referenced from my trip in July. On my way to the Purcell Mountain we stayed overnight at Lake Louise and I was up early in the morning to capture the sunrise. Hardly anyone around a usually very crowed place...it was lovely! 'Streaming Through Moraine Study', 18 x 24 and  'Along Moraine Trail Study', 11 x 14.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Water Under The Bridge No More






















After having a nice lunch with some awesome art friends, I was feeling loved and refreshed. It was nice to get out of the studio for a bit.
 I just couldn't let it go....it's water under the bridge no longer. I took one look and said it's boring. It's too grey and there are too many rocks. It needed some punch and I didn't hesitate. I got my large palette knife and mixed up some reds and went to town. I like it better now...do you?

It's Water Under The Bridge






















Way too much time and effort was spent on this one. Two days! It still doesn't feel right but maybe I just have to live with it for awhile until something pops out at me. I thought I was almost done when my husband said ' Nice, different for you...the rocks are really dark'. I love my husband very much, he is not an artist, but I listened anyway...Not so done anymore...I fiddled, glazed, reshaped and then did it again...and again. I'm done with it now, it's over and I'm on to the next one. "It's Water Under The Bridge", acrylic 36 x 40 inches.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Highway Vista


I have updated this painting., I removed some of the cows as I didn't want them to be my main focal point. They were too large as well. I added more trees. I like it much better now.
























Acrylic 30 x 60 inches.
 I'm not sure I'm done with this one yet. It's the first time I've put animals in my landscapes. Trying to make sure they blend in with the painting and not just 'stuck' there, staying true with my style and not getting too fussy with detail was VERY hard to do. Maybe because I'm not used to it. I hope they don't look like little rats. I did want to show scale, but I made the cows a little too large....I may have to back and rework them....or take them out altogether.