Monday, March 30, 2015

Bow River Banff




















Bow Falls in Banff is a big attraction for tourists, and although I enjoy looking and listening to it, I have never been that moved to paint it. The scene off to the right, however, I have always wanted to paint. Yesterday I took a friend who had never seen the falls and the light was just perfect. I really liked the way the light bounced off the side of the mountain and the
contrast of the snow and shadows. While fresh in my mind I decided I would paint it. One smaller one and one huge one. This is my smaller study, 24 x 24  and my under painting for my 4 ft x 6 ft.


Saturday, March 28, 2015

Johnsons Creek












Most people when they go to Johnsons Canyon, hike up to the falls. My knees were bothering me that day, so I decided to go the other way and follow the banks of the creek. The light bouncing off the creek and the bank was so illuminating! My wish was to capture that brilliance. This is the larger 30 x 60 canvas based on my earlier study.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Little Studies



















Here are two little studies I was playing around with. The paintings didn't take long to do but trying to photograph them took me forever. I'm not sure why, but the colors had a greenish tint to them and trying to correct in Photoshop took me literally hours. I tried outside, my studio, and other rooms and I still don't have it right. My internet on my computer is down and although I can edit, when I download them to the laptop they look so different. I suppose every computer/laptop/tablet screen will vary in color. It's no less frustrating. Soooo much better to see the work live.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Passing Stormy Banff

















My other 48 x 72 inch painting. I took some liberties with this one. There were no foreground rocks in my reference photo, and the trees were much taller and hid most of the mountain. The foliage had some color but I just had to pump it up.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

The Bank of Vermillion Lake
















A very large canvas, 48 x 72 inches. This is referenced from the vermillion lakes in Banff. I struggled with the sky color...blue, green, yellow, pink, stormy, bright? Settled on varying greys with hints of all of the above. I actually stayed away from my usual cadmium's and used a lot more Alizarin Crimson. Still needs a few details and touch ups, but will live with it a few days before coming back to it.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Voiters Flats

Here is my 'study' for a 48 x 72 larger painting. Referenced from a recent outing to Voiters Flats in Fish Creek Park, Calgary. Acrylic 20 x 28 inches.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Two Little Ones






















Remember I had all that left or gel mixture in various greys? Well, here are the last two paintings from that day, applying the texture first. The paintings pretty much dictate how it's all going to unfold and it really is a satisfying process for me. These are yet untitled, 12 x 12 ( liking this one a lot...might just keep it), and 20 x 10 (before and after)



Thursday, March 5, 2015

Looming Louise























I felt like painting Lake Louise again...must be time for another road trip. Spring is near.
Acrylic 40 x 40

* Made some adjustments...much better don't you think?
Before:

Monday, March 2, 2015

The Transition






















As I mentioned in my previous post, I had a lot of greyish gel mixture left over and splattered it on 5 canvases. As I was applying the greys on this one, I realized I really liked a lot of my under-painting and drips so decided to keep them.( and added more as well). As I started to paint, I decided to keep a lot of the initial palette knife greys as well for a looser more abstract feel. I call this , 'The Transition', 18 x 36 inches






















Here is another, 20 x 10 inches 'Passage'. Before and after.