My First Art Purchase

'Yesterdays News' , 5 x 5 oil, by Donna MacDonald

I made my first real art purchase a while back and I can't stop looking at it. Donna is a very talented local artist, and when she brought this little gem into one of our Federation Of Canadian Artists meetings, I immediately knew I had to have it! I had a painting given to me for a wedding present and traded for another ( Sharon Williams ) but this is the first time I actually dished out some money for a painting and I think I have opened a can on worms ...'cause I want more! I'm really tired of having my own work on my walls only to take them down to be delivered , and then having to stare at blank walls for a few weeks, or months. I really have to start saving my pennies and sell more work so I can collect some beautiful paintings!

Another reason I can't stop looking at this piece is the luscious buttery feel to the oils. I paint in acrylics and find it very hard to achieve the same effects. I recently took a one day figurative workshop with Ingrid Christensen who's work I adore! It was put on by my FCA group so the supplies were included. It was a perfect opportunity to try oils. I learned so much, only to realize how much more about oils I need to learn. I did a lot of fumbling and found I couldn't treat them the same way as acrylics. We painted two poses from a live model, but I'll only show one ( the other will need a lot more work...when I go out and buy some oils). I think oils might be in my future!

'Susan',oil, 11 x 14

Two Moo

Acrylic , 9 x 12,
My last one for Leighton Centre...deadline to deliver is today and this little fella is still wet...but it'll dry by the time I get there.

 Mountain Galleries has sold 15 paintings this month alone! They have done a fabulous job promoting and selling my work! Time now to do some replenishing, and I think I'll do some bear paintings along with more landscapes.

More Equines and Cows

A few more little ones for Leighton centre, 8 x 16 and 8 x 10.

Leighton Centre

'Smokey Anyone?' acrylic, 8 x 10 inches

Leighton centre is having their Annual Christmas In The Country, fund raiser on Nov4-5-6th, and 11-12-13th. I think around 70 or more Alberta artists will be participating. Lots of unframed art and fine craft for sale with children's craft activities,festive treats, prizes and free admission. for directions go to website

These are a few examples of what I'll be showing,along with a few equine and cows.

These two 12 x 12 ,floral paintings were painted specifically for my dinning area. A little different than what I usually do, but because they were for myself, I wanted to experiment with a different subject and a lot of color to make a bold statement. They looked quite good in my room, but with mountain galleries having all my stock, I needed something for Leighton centre. If they sell great, I'll paint more for myself, if not then I'll gladly hang them back on my wall.

Wild At Pryor

Acrylic, 10 x 20 inches

This is my study for a much larger painting. (3 x 6 ft). Unfortunately it didn't photograph very well. it is a lot softer looking with lots of texture glaces and layers. I recieved  permission from the photographer ,Tiffany Meyer, about a year and a half ago, but only just started working on it now. I see lots of possibilities.

Canmore Sky

small 9 x 12, acrylic
A view from Canmore Alberta, just outside of Banff.

Fire In The Sky

Acrylic, 11 x 14

I didn't think I'd ever paint sunrises or sunsets....I always had it in the back of my mind that they were too 'postcardy' or 'cheesy' for lack of better words....well, I just did. Still trying to wrap my head around it though, I'm not sure how I feel about it.

 I do want to play around more with clouds though, as they offer so many shapes and colors to create atmosphere. Most of my paintings don't have a lot of sky, so this should be a fun challenge. ( palette knife or not...hmmmmm)

Hidden Falls

acrylic 12 x 16
This little painting was quite fun to do and took no time at all ( doesn't always work that way). I had an old canvas which was repainted many times, so it had lots of texture and colors underneath to work with. I was undecided about what to paint today and so to get me moving and motivated I painted a scene I had painted before. They are similar but not the same as well as a different orientation and size.

The Pond Reflects

acrylic 16 x 12 inches,

Originally there were no autumn colors nor was there any snow...but I played around so much this is the end result.

My Show In Banff

I had a wonderful time in Banff for the opening of my show.We made it a mini holiday and enjoyed the time with my husband, our children and some close friends. I managed to create about 28 paintings for the show but a few were sold before the opening. I did manage to sell 9 total. It was a great experience but I was a little nervous during the local TV interview ( a glass of wine or two had a nice calming effect). Many thanks to all my guests for their support and a special thanks to Wendy Wacko, Aimee, Adrienne and John, the crew from Mountain Galleries, who did such a wonderful job putting together my show. I'm including a few photos from the beginning of the afternoon.

During my TV interview

I was thrilled when these clients bought 2 of my paintings!

My husband, daughter and friends

Myself, Adrienne and Aimee from Mountain Galleries.

Little Red Bush

Tiny ( for me) 12 x12 inches, acrylic
It still amazes and frustrates me, how a smaller painting can as long if not longer than most of my larger ones. I'm going to live with this one for awhile but I'm pretty sure I'm going to make some adjustments.

Peeking Through Study

acrylic, 16 x20
Really had a hard time photographing and photoshopping to try to get the colors correct and it's still not right! I'll have to do a re-shoot later. I'd like to do a larger ( and more horizontal) version of this one

Painting From Photos, pt 2

Acrylic, 15 x 30 inches
Here is another painting from Elbow Falls. I changed the photo quite a bit in this one. Exaggerated the colors, moved things around, simplified the background and added more shapes and colors. The original photo was quite washed out so I had to pump up the color.

Painting From Photos

Small acrylic study, 12 x 12,
It took me a long time to learn how to paint from photos ( I still probably rely too much on them). I don't consider myself a pleinair painter, but I do love being outside. My studio process does not transport well to an outside mobile setting for various reasons. But I will keep trying.

In any case, it's important not to become a slave to the photo.  Everything will need adjusting ...composition,perspective, lighting and color. Here is the original photo I took out at Elbow Falls along the bank, and the photo after I did some adjustments. I will do a larger version of this scene 'cause I'd  really like to play with the rocks in front which I could not do in the study.