A Rocky Point Of View

'A Rocky Point Of View', acrylic 24 x 30 inches.

I'm sure everyone who has traveled through he mountains has seen rock piles on the side of the road. Either from blasting, avalanches or natural formations, it interesting to see all the shapes and colors. I love all the snow patches, windswept trees, and often waterfalls trickling down. It's quite the challenge though, trying taking pictures from a moving vehicle, as these scenes go whizzing by. So, I'm satisfied staring out the window, taking it all in and daydreaming of how I'd like to paint them.......

Radiant Rundle

From the Rundle Mountain Range between Canmore and Banff. 'Radiant Rundle', acrylic 30 x 40 inches. Painted for the Calgary Stampede Art Show July 3rd.

Treasure Along The Highway

Acrylic 36 x 36 inches.
This painting is referenced from one of my many drives from Calgary to Banff. This particular scene is just
before we enter the heart of the mountains, just before the Stoney Nakota Resort and Casino.

 I struggled with the sky color and the fact that the clump of trees is dead center. The sky went from blues,purples, storms, clouds, mist, yellows, and pinks before I settled on this. Stormy clouds and loud colors would have made a busy painting too busy. The middle trees don't bother anymore now that I moved the center of interest to the left.

Vertical Greys

acrylic, 48 x 16, 'vertical Greys',

I'm really liking this long vertical format. I used three different photo references as a starting point, and the challenge for me was to make it all unified. I started by mixing white gesso with a few colors to make a neutral grey. I then added this mixture along with some gel, to color combinations making several warm and cool greys. I adjusted the colors as I went along.

Vertically Inclined

Here are three vertical waterfalls I have been working on...trying hard not to follow a photo reference literally. All three were loosely based on the same photo. I enjoy painting waterfalls and rocks, with the endless possibilities for abstract tendencies and  the ability create your own scene. Soon I will try these without any reference at all. ( I've painted enough of them, lol ).

Above is 'Skyfall', 48 x 16, ( I really enjoyed working the greys with this one). Below is, 'Jewel Below', 48 x 16 inches and 'Cascading Melody' 36 x 18 inches.

Ewe looking At Me?

"Ewe Looking At Me?", acrylic 24 x 24 inches.
Another Ewe ( awesome name for thinking up titles!). Many thanks again to Carolyn of Look Back Photography for letting me use he sheep photos!

Ewe'll Thread Softly

Love sheep! 'Ewe'll Thread Softly', acrylic 24 x 36 inches.
 I really wanted to capture the softness with the white even though there are many layers of darker colors. These textural animals don't photograph very well...they look much better in person. You'll have to go to The Calgary Stampede Western Art Show and visit my booth to see it. :)

A special thank you to Carolynn of  Look Back Photography for the use of her sheep photos. Please take a look.

I also did a larger version of my favorite cows. 24 x 36 inches

Bear Down

'Bear Down', acrylic 36 x 18

Another in my animal series.