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.

Wooded Chroma

Acrylic 30 x 60 inches. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to tackle this one or how it would turnout. It was referenced from my walk along the Johnston Creek in Banff National Park. I was really drawn but all the colors in the under brush when the light hit it and the brilliant blues flickering through all the branches ( which stuck and clung to my hair). And the trees were amazing! I added more texture and there is a ton of layers. ( hard to see in the photo.) I still might play around with this one.

Along The Bank Of Vermillion

Acrylic 20 x 40 inches. This one was referenced from a recent walk along Vermillion Lakes in Banff. I love the warm colors against the cool snow and the spot of light. Below is my original reference photo along with the enhanced one.

Blazing Athabasca

This 4 ft x 5 ft painting is a slightly different vantage point from other Athabasca Falls paintings I have done...not to mention the largest! I managed to get some wonderful shots the last time I was in Jasper...you really can see the rainbow colors. A spectacular waterfall!

 Here are a couple of my process shots...a simple drawing, blocking in and covering the white, palette knife rocks and a lot of brush, rag and knife for the water. I decided to takeout the foreground rocks...there were also trees in the photo....just trying to simplify and keep the focus on the water.

The Roar Behind

This is a large 4 ft x 5 ft painting based on a favorite smaller painting of mine. The gallery loves big paintings and is always hinting " that would make a lovely larger one". I keep meaning to, but never seem to get around to it. So I think I'll pick out a few more of my favorites and see how they translate into larger paintings. ( trying to keep the freshness and passion). Here also are a few process pictures.

Branching Out

Acrylic 16 x 24, 'Branching Out'
I had a lot of fun experimenting with this one. I wasn't sure where I was going with it other than I wanted a warmer palette and not so much bold reds. I wanted a more abstract feel...one of the main reasons I like to get up close and personal with my subject matter...less 'postcardy.' There was a lot of negative painting, allowing me to sit and relax my back. ( I do love a chair with wheels that I can push back and observe )

Yes, I Did Two Paintings, Today

Yes, I did two paintings today. Some days I can't even do one. For such a small painting ( 12 x 18) this one turned out a little tighter than I would have liked. I was going to add trees and a warm foreground but I thought it would look way too busy and takeaway from the mountain. ( I just hinted instead.) Good decision, I think.

Cascading Moment

 Today's effort, acrylic 24 x 24. "Cascading Moment"

 I wanted to play with my neutrals and also create a warmer atmosphere. Lately, maybe because it's Winter, my palette has been very blue, cool, and high key. I am also trying to stop before I get too detailed and fussy...you know the 'better to be 20% unfinished rather than 2% over worked', rule. This painting is 85% palette knife.

Magic Falls Study

This is a small 12 x 16 study for a larger painting. It was reference from a small waterfall taken from The Rocky Mountaineer to Whistler. It was just an unnamed cascade on the side of the rails...it really could be a closeup of any small waterfall. I didn't want it to be a recognizable falls, I liked the abstract qualities, shapes and the blue shadows. This came together rather quickly...1 1/2 hrs.

Golden Threads

Acrylic 12 x 24,

My morning effort. I still want to explore the references I took while in Banff during my residency, seeing as I took hundreds of photos. I have two busy weekends coming up where I won't be able to paint at all. The deadline is fast approaching for the FCA Calgary Chapter show submissions and the Leighton Center Members show ( which I almost forgot about...again), so that's what I'm concentrating on for the next few days.

Commission Frustrations

acrylic, 40 x 56 inches,
I felt a little rushed doing this commission.I had very little information about the clients desire, other than they wanted one based on a previous much smaller painting. I don't like to copy my own paintings and I like to have total artistic freedom, so I was a little frustrated and under a deadline. Was it the reds, the mood, the mountain, the season, my style, the mood? I really needed to know what was important to them so I could get a feel and try to inject some passion into the work. And, I wasn't convinced it would work on such a large scale. But, it's done now and I'm quite happy with it....I hope the clients are happy with it as well.

Below is the painting it is based on

My Little Treasures

I've started a collection of little 6 x 6 inch paintings. I thought I'd share with you. Most of these were bought online, and although I was a little hesitant, I've been very pleased with the service, shipping and quality of the works...and very reasonable and affordable prices. I am hoping to have a whole wall of these little gems.

'It's A Snap' and 'Reserved Parking' by Oregon Artist Nora Bergman                                                                                                               

'Chrysanthemums On The Shelf' and 'Leisure' by  Massachusetts Artist Lisa Daria

'Point and Shoot', and 'Yesterdays News' by Calgary artist and friend Donna MacDonald

'A Slice of Refreshment', by Artist Faith Te from the Philippines

'Split Shells' and 'Sugar' by Russian artist Elena Katsyua

ARABELLA Canadian Landscape Awards Celebration

  I'm happy to announce, that I tied for the Peoples Choice award in the Arabella Landscape Contest. I was with great company...congrats to all the winners. I know how difficult the judging must have been.

More Banff Residency Paintings

Here are the remainder of my residency paintings. Some of the images are off as I didn't have the luxury of photographing them in my studio. The lights seem a little washed out.

Winter Gold, 24 x 48 inches

 Mountain Shadows, 12 x 12

Winter Wander, 12 x 12

Winter On The Hill, 12 x 24

Echos Mystery, 30 x 60

Artist In Residency Photos

Here two more paintings from my artist in Residency at the Banff Springs Hotel. ( I would add them all but I'm having trouble with my ipad ,so I'll wait until I get home and use my computer).

Winter Chaos, 30 x 30 is my favourite so far. Lots of underlying texture and more abstracted.

Bow Bright, 24 x 48

Productive at The Banff Springs

Normally I'm a fast painter, but this artist in residency is intense. The beginning of the week has been a slow period for the Banff Springs Hotel allowing me some serious and continuous painting time. I don't have time to ponder and be distracted with my usual day to day stuff in my studio. I feel I'm more concentrated even while talking and and answering questions from the public.

I have been treated like the queen of the castle. They put me a huge suit, private bedroom and a balcony! I'm able to enjoy the delicious food from any of the  restaurants  and free access to the spa as we'll! I'm not too spoiled.

My first day of painting, a couple from Montreal, loved the painting I was working on and bought it

before I had even finished it! They were leaving that day and couldn't stay to see it finished. It made me a little nervous completing it, so I didn't do too much more to it. This is the painting:

This and That

acrylic 18 x 36 'Along Canmore Trail'

Well, I have finally cleaned up my studio of work left undone. I either painted over or completed all unfinished canvases, and now have no distractions and can move forward. I'm on my way to Banff for a week residency in conjunction with 'Snow Days'. I'll be painting in the lobby of the Banff Springs Hotel ( poor me).  More winter scenes to come.

acrylic 24 x 30 Highway Glimmer