Sunwapta Colors

 'Sunwapta Colors', 12 x 12 inches,

I have painted a few large Sunwapta Falls but none this small. I wanted to see if I could capture the same vibrancy and spontaneity as the original painting I did  4 years ago which won the Collectors Choice award at The Calgary Stampede. Although I think both paintings are successful, they each have their own strengths . Interesting, but hard to compare different size paintings.

'Sunwapta Roars" 36 x 36 inches

Tangle Creek Falls

acrylic 36 x 18,

Another version of Tangle Falls in Jasper National Park. 95% palette knife.

Glow Through The Brush

'Glow Through The Brush',acrylic 18 x 24

Tons of luscious texture on this one...layers and layers. I'd work on it, let it dry, work on it more and let it dry,and continued to do that until I was satisfied. You can't really see it in the photo but up close it's really abstracted.

Below is a small 12 x 12 that I got around to finishing.

Athabasca Rapids

acrylic 12 x 24
Yet another Athabasca Falls. One more week and I'm off to see them again. They are always different every time I visit.

Athabasca Foliage

'Athabasca Folliage' acrylic 12 x 24

Another angle of Athabasca Falls. This one had pink flowers in front but I'm not much of a flower girl and the color didn't seem to fit so....artistic licence.

Athabasca Falls Through The Trees

acrylic, 18 x 24

This is a study for a larger painting. I took this photo the last time I visited Jasper and I'm going back in a week for a few days...can't wait. I never tire of these falls,along with Sunwapta and Tangle.

Two times Two

 Four small landscapes ( 2 12 x 12  and 2 5 x 10 )

Wooded Pond

acrylic 10 x 20 inches,

Yep, painted over another old painting. I think the only shapes that survived the revamp was the left side trees and the shape of the right side bank...also, if you look closely, you can see some of the right side trees poking through the background. Some of the reasons I enjoy painting over old canvases are the surprises; the new textures, bits of old color coming through and not having to cover a white canvas.I stopped varnishing my work a long time ago. I finish my paintings with an isolation coat which allows me to paint over it if need be.

Approaching Banff

acrylic 18 x 18 inches
I pass this scene every time I go to Banff.( Cascade Mountain, near the gate). I take pictures from the car as it's moving ( my husband hates stopping before getting to his destination,lol). I really struggled with this one, trying to get the light and values just right. I think I was trying to follow my photo to closely. I usually enhance my photos ( darken the lights, lighten the darks, emphasize and /or saturate colors. ) and then I print them, but they never turnout the way I see them on my computer or let alone how it looks in nature. I thought maybe if I looked at the original photo on my computer I could find some solutions to why I was having so much trouble...but I couldn't find it. I will continue to try and fix my problems but I thought I'd post it anyway. This is one scene I will try and plein air paint.

A Splash With Yellow

Mixed Medium 12 x 24 inches,

I covered my canvas with crinkled blue and purple tissue paper,  applied with soft gel under and over. It can be manipulated to achieve some nice texture. I still used my palette knife for the tree leaves and the highlights in the waterfalls, and a lot of negative painting around the trees.

Seems like I can't go a couple of weeks without doing a waterfall...but they are so fun and forgiving with all sorts of abstract possibilities. There was no reference used for this one. I uploaded a larger image file so hopefully you can see the texture from the tissue paper.

Gentle Nudge

acrylic 11 x 14 ,
The last of my Animal Impressions for awhile. Back to my landscapes.

Gentle Desire

'Gentle Desire', acrylic 18 x 18

This one came together quite nicely. I really wanted the horse to fade softly in the background...maybe I could push him back and soften the edges a little more. I brushed on gel for the background and used a palette knife for the mane. I then used a wash of transparent burnt sienna over the entire painting and continued on with the darks;adding more opaque and lighter colors as I went on.

Colour struggle

'That's what She Said', 12 x 12 acrylic and 'Sunny Stretch',acrylic 11 x 14

I have been working on these two paintings far too long! I must have changed the background colour at least five times. Yesterday they were warm today cool. Funny how my mood influences my creative decisions. Best to step back. I'm still not convinced, so I'll shelve these two for the time being.

My Best Side

'My Best Side',acrylic 9 x 12

I just finished a commission for Mountain Galleries. The client wanted a realistic representation of  Mt Kidd and the fourth hole at the Kananaskis golf course. Commissions for me are always difficult because it is someone elses vision and passion, and in this case it was particularly challenging.The greens are so vivid on golf courses and usually not a painters best color.The gallery was quite pleased with this one.

Lost In The Foothills

acrylic 20 x 28

During one of my travels to the Leighton Art Centre,I decided to take a different route and ended up taking a wrong turn. I was lost for a bit, but stumbled upon this beautiful vista in the foothills. I also saw a lot of areas to plein air paint ( haven't done that this year yet). here are the two photos I used as reference after I touched them up a bit.

Longing

'Longing',acrylic 11 x 14
Another in my cow series.

Baby Blue

'Baby Blue', Acrylic 12 x 12.
 This little fella was fun to do. When I applied the texture (gel) at the beginning, I used a brush more than the palette knife to try and mimic brush strokes. Appling the texture overall using a palette knife doesn't allow me the freedom to blend my edges. This way worked quite well...for acrylics.

Busy On The Creek

acrylic 2 ft x 3ft

Another version ( larger) of Policeman's Creek minus the snow and the houses. I just realized my horizon line in smack in the middle, and my mountain is too pointed.I could almost divide my canvas right down the middle for two equal sides. These things are usually not so good in a painting...but somehow it doesn't bother me...much. I did work on varing my greens and adding a pop of colour with the red leaves on the tree...that works well. Looks like I'll have to live with this one and figure out some problems.

Sheep

'White Coats',11 x 14, 'Three Woolies',12 x12.

Amidst working on some landscapes for Mountain Galleries I am also working on some small animal  ( sheep, rosters,cows and horses) canvases for the Leighton Centre's 'Clothesline' Fundraiser,where about 60 invited artists are asked to hang unframed work on clotheslines. There is entertainment, BBQ, children's activities etc, enjoyment for the whole family! It's the centre's largest event of the year.I'm volunteering and looking forward to it!

Pond In The Woods

acrylic 36 x 24.
Painted over another older painting I did about 2 1/2 years ago. I am still amazed at what a difference a couple of years make! I had such fun exploring this one and seeing where all that luscious texture would take me. I'm quite happy with this one. Photo doesn't do it justice. Below is the original painting.

Policemans Creek Canmore

acrylic 20 x 28

Back in my comfort zone with a landscape and my palette knife. This was referenced from one of my many jaunts into Canmore and walking along Policeman's creek. I took many liberties such as the red bushes and removing the houses. I think it came together rather well and quickly.

puddle Play

acrylic 12 x 16
Puddles....all kids love puddles. Ahhhh to be that free again.  . My main objective was to keep it loose and fresh and not overwork it. I'm beginning to think I can only achieve the thick brush strokes using oils.Thanks so much to Kevin S Harding for granting me permission to use his lovely photo as reference ( you can view his work here link )

Space At The Bar

acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14
I really like back light and mood in my paintings and I think this captures it quite well.I'm still using the interactive acrylics. Thanks again to Kristi for letting me use her photos as reference, although I changed it dramatically.

Reserved

'Reserved',acrylic on canvas, 11 x  14

After my initial underpainting, I decided to use my interactive acrylics ( similar to Golden Open ) which stay wet longer. It was easier to blend and soften edges but I still found myself using thin paint ( except a few marks around the table) and using a palette knife is out of the question for these small urban scenes. I love seeing all the brush marks from thick oil paint and maybe I'm fighting a losing battle...but carry on I will.
here is the reference photo from Twincitiesrestaurantblog. used with permission.

The Approach

acrylic, 11 x 14

I'm still experimenting with my urban scenes and this one is done on board...no palette knife. I'm using regular acrylics, but I think I will have less struggle with the soft edges if I use my interactives. However, it is interesting to see the different effects I get. Somehow I just can't seem to use my paint thicker...not sure why...maybe still a bit timid.

I feel it's been so long since I painted and I'm getting behind. Time to get my nose to the grindstone. Although, I really enjoyed my week off and trips to Whistler and Vancouver. I'll post some pics later...or you can see them on my facebook page.