Breeze Softly

Acrylic, 16 x20

Whisper Softly

Acrylic, 10 in x10 in

I had originally intended this for the Clothesline sale but didn't get it finished in time. I really like how this one turned out and I tried not to over work it. I only wish it were larger...guess I'll have to paint it bigger. Please click for a larger view

Clothes Line Sale and fun for the whole family

TO READ PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGES TO SEE LARGER

I will be showing 15 paintings, horses, cows, sheep and roosters along with a few landscapes.67 artists will be participating. This is one of Leighton Centres most popular events and fun for the whole family! Come on out! The snow will be gone and the sun will shine.Click for more info Leighton Art Centre

Wooded Mystery

acrylic, 16 x16

It's been awhile since I've painted. I needed an extended long weekend on Vancouver Island. ( someday I will do a series of boats and harbors and the coast). I've also spent a few days preparing my work for the Clothesline sale at Leighton center and figuring out which paintings to submit to the FCA show in July. Anyway, this painting didn't quite develope the way I envisoned ( I even swore at it a few times during the ugly stages), but I do like the end result...with a few touch ups left to do.

Shimmer Within

Small 8x10, acrylic
I had planned to do a few touch ups to the old ( plein air ) painting on the right. It didn't quite turn out that way; it's basically a totally different painting. All that underlining texture from the 'now underpainting' gave way to some real interesting effects. The FCA Calgary Chapter bought this painting to use as the door prize for our upcoming exhibition and sale in July.

 

Glitter Within

Tiny 10 x10

Just experimenting...no reference used. Maybe I'll put it in the closeline sale at Leighton Center.

In The Brush

      Acrylic, 18x24
* I've revised this one. I stopped the stream from flowing off the page to try and keep the viewer in the painting...thanks Cheryl) Does it work better?*

Another version of the roadside pond out by Leighton Center. I fussed a little to much with this one and it doesn't have the same 'freshness' feel as the last one. But there are certain things I like better. On to the next one ( going to go big!)

The Melt

Acrylic, 24 x33

Here is the first of my new series, based on Leighton center and the foothills. I'm trying to loosen up and use the palette knife with more paint and varied strokes. I still have lots of stuff to work out, but I've made a revelation about my work direction and am inspired by my new favorite artist, Lynn Boggess.

This painting is still wet and I'm not sure if I'm done with it yet, you can see the reference photo in my second latest post. Let me know what you think.

Picnic Pond

A small, acrylic, 10x20. I plan to put this one and all my smaller ones ( 15 ) in the Leighton Center Clothes line sale on June 6th.

LEIGHTON CENTRE, part 2

Here are a few more pics, and a couple of painting ideas.  Still have loads of photos to sift through. It's too bad the photos don't accurately portray what I saw and how I felt...hopefully my paintings will.

Sharon Williams and Doug Swinto. ( she had enough of the wind )

Brent Laycock working on his second painting. He does admit he relies on his reference material too much. But his paintings are much more vibrant than the photo.

Elenore Lowden Pidgen explaining some of her watercolor tips.

Ken's first encaustic painting

Lleighton Centre, Mentors Day

It was a beautiful day, abeit a tad windy. Mentors day, at Leighton Centre was a great way to spend the day and get inspired. It was my first viewing of the members show, and I also took hundreds of pictures, most of which I am still sorting through. The shapes from the melting snow intriged me most,and I must have produced a dozen paintings in my head.I also like watching fellow artists paint, and can always pick up a tid bit or two.

I think this was the first of  the many paintings Elenore Lowden Pidgen painted ( she was the most prolific artist of the day)

Karin Richter was giving a demo using pastels

David Veres was showing how he creats his wondefull textures

Sharon Lynn Williams was brave enough to venture out in the wind to do some plein air painting

Marianne Hunt also painted some plein watercolors, she was a little closer to home.

Ken Bourassa shared a few laughs while demonstrating his encaustic ( wax) techniques

I guess, when I wasn't taking pictures, I spent most of my time watching Brent Laycock painting with acrylics.

We all took a break and shared a wonderfull luch that the Leighton Center Staff prepared.

I will post some more pictures tomorrow

Highway Peek

Acrylic, 24 x36

Here is another painting that I renamed and reworked. The original was too 'in your face'... way too bright and too much rock. I made some drastic changes by softening the mountains and added more trees in the foreground. Personally I think it works better. What do you think? I've been busy this week touching up some paintings and varnishing. I don't like having unfinished or problematic paintings laying around.