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.

Must Be Autumn

Must be autumn, 'cause I can't seem to get enough of these little foreground pops of reds.
'The Jewel Below', acrylic 12 x 24 and a yet unnamed one, 12 x 16

The Foliage Above

'The Foliage Above' acrylic, 16 x 20
I'm having so much fun experimenting with these reds.I love seeing where this leads me... the satisfaction of that final punch of red as I finish the painting. Certainly can't be timid as I load the palette knife with brilliant color and with a gentle swiftness slide it across the canvas.

'Stream Through The Red', acrylic 16 x 20

Along Minniwanka

acrylic, 12 x 24
It's fun to add these reds...I just hope I'm not overdoing it. I'm officially done all my paintings for my solo show in Banff, at Mountain Galleries on Sept 30th...opening Saturday Oct 1st. I would love to meet and chat with you, I'll be there from 2-5 pm.

Chephren Lake

Acrylic 18 x 36 inches. Chehpren Lake in Banff National Park.

Falling Mystery

Acrylic 18 x 24, This one I started awhile ago and have been fussing with it ever since. It certainly is not what I intended this painting to look like but it  unfolded this way and I kinda like it. Still not sure if it's done yet

Louise

'Louise', acrylic 16 x 16 inches.

Mostly done with a palette knife, a rag and a dry brush technique at the end. I combined two reference photos along with my own artistic licence. I was quite surprised how quickly this came together.

I Won A Painting!

'First Snow' ( 16 x10 ) is a painting by Richard Robinson of  New  Zealand...which I'm thrilled to say is now mine! I first discovered Richard while looking through fellow artist Jerry Markham lists of links. I signed up for his newsletter and small video demos. He was starting a unique online workshop which I signed up for along with over 130 others.. He would submit a photo for us to paint with complete artistic licence . We would upload photos of our paintings he would pick some to critique. We all could make comments and vote for our favorites. He would then do a demo and video himself. He would choose his favorite to receive the painting and the popular vote would receive three of his DVDs. Well, I'm so happy I won the popular vote and the painting!! My version of this scene pales in comparison ( my version and the original photo ). I will certainly treasure this gem. You can see Richards work here Richard Robinson.

Shimmering Through

This little painting was a lot of fun to do. I wasn't using a photo reference so I'm not sure if this scene could actually exists but the freedom to loosen up and explore was exhilarating! Acrylic  9 x 12

Forest Dance

acrylic 12 x24 inches, palette knife
A definite Tibor Nagy influence although nowhere near as refined. I really do adore his work,the palette, the incredible light, the abstracted quality, the rough yet delicate strokes and the controlled looseness...you really must checkout his work! Tibor Nagy

Two Small

                                                                                                               

I worked on two small 9 x 12 acrylics this morning and was quite pleased with the way they developed. After working so large, these two seemed to fly off my palette knife.

Come Sway With Me

Acrylic, 12 x 16 inches
Something a little different from me. It's not the way I originally intended this painting to look like and it took me a long time to paint. I changed the water and sky color so many times...I fussed way too much.

Plein Air break

I did manage to get out for a few hours to do some plein air painting ( albeit unsuccessfully!). Our intent was Elbow Falls, but it was closed due to bear sightings so ended up near Allen Bill. It was nice to get out from my basement studio to enjoy some beautiful weather, even if I didn't produce anything worth keeping. I had some great painting companions! Sharon Lynn Williams  Ingrid Christensen  Cheryl Quist and Jan Chalupnicek.

This is a photo I took of Ingrid and I knew immediately I wanted to paint her. I did attempt it, but will have to put it on the back burner and finish it when my show is over and I can concentrate on a more loose, wet on wet technique .

I enjoyed the break and hope they will invite me back when I can spend the whole day and be in a more relaxed state of mind. Thanks guys!

Run Deep

acrylic 16 x 16
I'm working feverishly on some smaller paintings for my upcoming show in Banff and I'm running out of time. Sometimes these smaller ones take just as long to complete as the larger ones :( Fusing too much perhaps. Not the case with this one though...I didn't want to over work it so it took about 2 hrs.

Through The Brush

Acrylic 24 x24
My Rundle from vermillion Lakes.

Commission

This is a commission from Mountain Galleries which I just finished. The Clients really liked my painting "Pyramid From The Marsh' but it was too large ( 3 x 4 ft ) for their fireplace. This one is acrylic 30 x40 inches. Commissions are usually difficult for me because you are trying to please someone else instead of yourself. Also it's hard for me to get motivated to paint someone elses vision. But in this case, it was an interesting challenge to use my own painting as reference and try to make improvements and keeping the scene without copying it.

Kananaskis Cascade

Acrylic 4 ft x 4 ft .

This is the last of my larger canvases for a bit. I need to concentrate on some smaller ones for my show, which is creeping up really fast.

Sunwapta's Rush

Yet another version of Sunwapta Falls only much larger.  acrylic 4 ft x 4 ft. A definite must see for anyone close to Jasper, Alberta