A Splash With Red

Acrylic, 16 x 12 inches

The photo reference had a lot of branches and broken tree trunks crossing the water with no foliage. I found it a little too busy and I must admit I find doing these kind of branches and trees difficult, especially  with a palette knife, so decided on one tree with a plash of color. I think it works quite well.

Tangled Mist

acrylic , 4 ft x 5 ft

Just a few details to work out and live with it for awhile, but I thought I'd show my process. This is Tangle falls in Jasper National Park, just past the Columbia Ice fields from highway 93 on the way to Jasper. I think this is the area they want to commercialize...make a walkway and charge people to see it...such a shame.

Falling Behind

acrylic 36 x 24 inches

I painted over another older painting I had done in early 2009.( see below) It had such luscious texture. I can't remember offhand the original waterfalls the first painting was referenced from but I've changed it so much you wouldn't recognize it anyway.  It didn't photograph very well though.

below is a close up detail showing the texture..please full view by clicking on it.

Gentle Cascade

acrylic 15 x 30 inches

The second in my series of waterfalls...slowly working my way to larger canvases. I'm deviating so much from my reference photos that I need to come up with some inventive titles.

Falling Through

acrylic 12 x 24 inches

This painting came together quite nicely...and quick too! ( 2 hours ). After watching some of Johannes Vloothuis free online tutorials on waterfall painting, I decided I would do another waterfall series. Somehow I don't tire of waterfalls and my gallery loves them, so it's a win win situation for me.

This was referenced from two photo's but not using them a a crutch. Speaking of Johannes, a while back I watched many of his tutorials on painting landscapes from photographs...I learned a lot of useful tips and information. He is sponsored by wet canvas and is still offering free live online workshops.
You can also purchase his taped courses online at a nominal cost. I really recommend him to all skill levels as there is always something to learn or be refreshed. Johannes's website

Garden Sculptures

For a little fun and something different,I took a 'garden sculpture' workshop from my talented friend Jane Romanishko. Instant gratification to take a finished piece home in one day! Paverpol is a new product (five years in Canada) invented 10 years ago in the Netherlands and the possibilities are endless! Checkout Paverpol website. Its was nice to meet other artists ( mostly painters) and a fun day was had by all...can't wait to do another one.

Winters Gift

acrylic 12 x12 inches
I wish I could say this just fell off my paintbrush it was so easy! As small as it is, it took me longer to paint this as it does for a 36x 36...to bad I couldn't charge the same price . I'm not sure I'll ever figure out why. Is it being in the 'zone'?

Field of Daises

acrylic 16 x 20 inches

I am submitting a few painting to the Federation Of Canadian Artists ( Calgary Chapter), and one of the paintings had to be in keeping with the "Spring" theme. I have painted similar daisies before and found them to be quite challenging...they still are. I tried to keep the texture and define the petals and stems without becoming too tight and detailed

Hmmm, which to choose?

acrylic, 11 x 14 inches,

I pass this scene often on my way to Leighton Centre.It's off of 266 ave when the snow is melting on the side of the road. I am only allowed to submit 3 paintings for the Juried Members Show ( all of which may or may not be accepted). I have already decided on 2 but can't decide between this one and the following.

acrylic 18 x24 inches

This is Barbara Leighton's parrot, Rojo. I thought I'd try something a little different and I'm not too sure it works, but maybe it's because I'm not used to it. It has a lot of texture from tissue paper and gel. The challenge was to tone down the green in the bird and to give a mystical  mood. ( originally I had a photo transfer of Barbara's ghost like face coming through the bird cage but it was way too creepy, lol. 

Anyway, I'm already submitting 2 landscapes so I'm leaning towards  Rojo. What do you think?

Winter Gold

 

acrylic 20 x 20

Just a few details to finish...but I'm really liking the feel of this one. I think I have captured the light quite well.

Grotto canyon Trail

acrylic, 20 x 20 inches.

I'm back in the studio after a family trip to Edmonton and coming back with a cold, which I nursed for 3 days. I still have a nasty cough, but the paints beckon..I have deadlines and commitments to meet. As well as my gallery, FCA, and Leighton Centre, I have also have set a goal for myself of 10 paintings a month.Not such a hard task now, but it will be when I start my larger canvases.

This painting is referenced from the Grotto Canyon Trail near Canmore Alberta.

Chill By The Creek

Acrylic 20 x 30,
This one still needs some work, but I like to see what it look like when I load it on the computer. Somehow , many of the mistakes seem to jump right out this way...and I see a few I need to fix. Again this one is turning out quite different from what I had imagined. This was referenced from Policeman's Creek in Canmore.

Leighton From The Side

acrylic 16 x 20,

Another version of Leighton Art Centre. Not sure I'm quite done with this one. It didn't turn out exactly as I had envisioned or planned to paint it. Funny how that works sometimes...you just have to go with the flow and see where it leads you. Many happy accidents and pleasant surprises happen this way. It didn't photograph very well, though, it does look much better in real life.

Behind Leighton Centre

acrylic, 36 x 24

This is one of my entries into the Leighton Centre Juried Members Show. Before the deep freeze hit us , I took advantage of some mild weather to take some photos out at the Centre. I wasn't quite sure how to approach this painting so I decided to paint over an old canvas first...my drawing was going to off a little,as the trees were all in different positions. I'm pleasantly surprised with the outcome and may not need to do another one. Below is my original photo, adjusted photo and the old canvas.

On The Prowl

acrylic, 36 x 24
The last of my bears for while ...I think. More landscapes and paintings for the Leighton Center Members show. ( I'm working on some different concepts and techniques...should be fun ). It's a relief I don't have to worry about Stampede this year, as I didn't apply...much to busy to worry about that show.

The Companion

acrylic 20 x 16

I haven't painted a street/urban scene in well over two years! It was extremely difficult for me to start this painting. A friend of mine bought one of my paintings a long time ago and asked for a 'companion' piece to go with it. At the time, I was doing landscapes and was just starting my relationship with Mountain Galleries, so I kept putting it off. Months went by, and he gently reminded me about his 'companion'. I still put it off, as I was so busy and not painting like that anymore. I promised him I would do it in the summer, then the fall, before Christmas and then the new year. Poor guy, lol.

 It got to the point I was afraid to paint it as I wasn't sure how much my style had changed. I have worked hard trying to loosen up and didn't want to go back and be so tight. But I actually had fun painting this...it's a lot warmer than the first painting and I like that.  I really hope he likes it...'cause it may be a long time before I do another.

Just Chill'n

acrylic, 24 x 36

I'm really enjoying the challenge of these polar bears and the colors in the white of the fur. I'm not a big fan of animals in captivity, but if it wasn't for zoo's I'd probably never get to experience of these majestic animals. Two more polar bears to come, and on to more landscapes.

The Stalker

A couple of more black bears. The top one 'The Salker' is 36 x 36 and the as of yet unnamed bottom one id 11 x14 inches. Polar Bears next!

Pretty Boy

acrylic, 36 x 36 inches

"Pretty boy"

Look how nicely he posed for me.I had a request for larger bears and I'm happy to oblige ..more to come.

'Catching Up' acrylic 12 x 24
I started this one awhile ago but was never happy with it. I like the concept but I'm just not sure it works. Maybe because it's a little different from my other bears. I also think I have too much background...I would have liked a narrower canvas. So....I may do this one over.

Tangled Inspiration

Acrylic, 36 x 18 inches ,

Originally this painting was referenced by Tangled Falls in Jasper National Park...I kinda got carried away; hence the title. Inspired by the Falls and a little tangled at the bottom.

First paintings of 2012

 

My first two paintings of 2012! Both are acrylic 18 x 36 inches.

 I really like this size and vertical format. I have a few more canvases this size and I can't wait to finish them. 

It's nice to get back in my studio , although it was nice to visit with family and friends over the holidays. I wish everyone a wonderful New Year  with lots of inspiration and creativity! Cheers!

My Secret Place

Acrylic 12 x 24,  
One more landscape to complete and two more bear paintings to finish up...hopefully by tomorrow, and then I'm taking a Christmas break. I haven't seen any sunlight for three days!

More Bears

Two more bears. 'Into The Polar Sun' 24 x 24 inches, and 'A Bearly Walk', 12 x 16 inches. I'm having so much fun with these bears. I find them very relaxing. During the first stages, I get back to my sculptural roots by carving and scraping into the heavy gel with my trusty palette knife. Once they are dry I begin the painting portion with many glazing and veil layers to bring out all the textures.

Bear Strut

acrylic 16 x 12 inches

I'm finding the black bears a lot easier and fun to do! And they are so darn cute!

Icy Glare

acrylic 24 x24 inches  ,
I was working on a couple of bear paintings...this one is the most successful , the other needs work...a lot of it ( bad from the get go). Trying to get a bunch of paintings ready to ship off by the 20th.