Wildflower Meadow

acrylic 24 x 40 inches
I'm not quite done with this one, but I have to live with it for awhile before I make any adjustments.Maybe it's because this is a little different for me and the adjustments are in my head, lol. In any event there are many things I do like. I am also enclosing the original photo and the cropped and lightened photo. This scene was on the road back from Maligne Lake in Jasper.

Busy Bee

I really don't know where the time goes! I haven't been painting much these last few weeks. Between holidays, travelling, company and a move, there really hasn't been much time. I have this week to paint before I'm off to Banff on the weekend and then New Brunswick. So nose to the grind, it's studio time!

This painting was causing me so much grief and has been reworked so many times...it was good to have a break and come back to it. I added the wild flowers inspired by a recent Artist in Residency trip to Jasper where the mountain blooms were so beautiful. acrylic 18 x24

Big Hill Springs ,Palette knife

small acrylic 9x12

I was going to say I reworked this plein air painting I did at Big Springs but I actually painted over the whole thing with a palette knife.

And Now For Something Completely Different!

acrylic 11 x14
I felt like doing something completely different for Canada Day. I wanted to try my new 'interactive' paints in my studio. ( I bought them for plein air painting as they stay wet longer and come back to life after to spray with water). I haven't done any figurative work in a while and needed a break from my landscape to do a little experimenting and playing. It's a little tight and my anatomy is probably way off but I do like a lot of aspects to this little painting. Gotta love red hair!

Awesome Rawson

Acrylic 54 in x 78 in ( 51/2 ft x 6 1/2 ft)

I'm not finished this one but I like the way it's coming together. My gallery wanted this size for the lobby of the hotel in Whistler, and wanted one similar to 'Rawson Vista'  link. I have a few details to work out and a couple of touch ups but it won't change too much from this. I doubt you'd actually see this view as I used  three different photos taking what I wanted from each.

What A Difference a Day Makes

 

( after some studio adjustments...still needs more )

acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24 in

I attempted three plein air paintings in the past few days and this one was the best of the bunch, although  they all need some studio work. I wanted to paint the same location at Lloyd Park as another painting I had done, only larger. The scene was completely different! The colors were cooler, the weather was hot and there was a ton of green.My acrylics did not react well in these elements! Might be tempted to try oils for this plein air stuff! It was sure nice to get out of my basement studio though, and take advantage of the beautiful weather and soak up some vitamin D.

Back in my studio I'm working on my largest canvas to date and should have it finished shortly.

Amidst The Haze

LARGE ACRYLIC 4 FT X 4 FT

I used a few photo's and my imagination for this experiment.( a little Michael O'Toole influence?) I like most of what is going on here...but I still need to touch up  and add some details...without overworking it! The overall feel is good.

Leaving Jasper

acrylic 12 x24
We were just leaving Jasper when I snapped this photo from the highway. So much to see in Jasper...so little time.

plein Air At Carburn Park

                                                                                    






















Two more attempts at pleinair, without the palette knife. Ingrid Christensen was kind enough to let me tag along with her  Tues class as she took them to Carburn Park in Riverbend, Calgary. One great thing about pleinair painting is I get to discover places right in or near the city, I didn't even know existed! I still find it somewhat awkward  and my paintings are so different than my studio work! But I enjoy it very much and it's nice to step away from my basement studio and enjoy the fresh air. I like these two but I can now see they some touch ups.

Athabasca's Colors

This is a large 4 x5 foot acrylic painting looking out towards mt Athabasca. I'd like to thank Debra Garside for the use of her photo as reference. I still have some touching up to to with some highlights and details.

Big Hill Springs, Plein Air

      It was a gorgeous day for plein air painting. There were waterfalls galore and the weather was perfect...my paintings were not. I attempted three paintings, all of the same waterfall and all from the same spot. One I did with  colored gel added with a palette knife and a brush after it dried (above) 16x16, one with a palette knife, no gel and a bit of dry brushing and one with a brush only. I wasn't happy with any of the results so I worked on them in my studio. So I guess they can't be classified as 'Plein -air'. I'm much happier with them now. I love the abstract qualities of this one and the subdued color. Please click on the image to see the larger view.

        I found it interesting how much I analyze and think and so aware of my surroundings while experiencing the elements and how frustrating and lost I felt at times. In my studio I have no distractions and I tend not to think too much and just let the painting go ...no rhyme or reason...I just have to like it. In my studio I do all my thinking, sketches, and visualizing long before I start my painting. With Plein Air I can't..or don't . I'm sure it will come easier with practice and I do love being outside!

Plein Air at Llyod Park

Here are my two attempts at plein air painting today before I take them in the studio to touch up. It didn't start out such a great morning as I laboured in my winter boots, coat, mitts and ear muffs but I ended the day in with a sun visor and short sleeves...go figure. That's our Alberta weather for you. It was fun painting with the girls. Sharon Williams is giving a workshop today and tomorrow on plein air painting...certainly a different kettle of fish ( does that make sense?) than what I'm used to. No palette knife...brush only... again a little different for me. I'm so used to thick paint and I'm surprised how little I actually use with a brush.Calling for sunshine tomorrow!

Pyramid From The Marsh

acrylic 36 inches x 48 inches ( 3x4ft)


I was in jasper recently and loved Pyramid mountain, with its peachy salmon highlights...you could see it from everywhere, Pyramid lake, Edith lake, Patrica Lake etc..this particular painting was from a roadside marsh but I changed it to a fall scene...still some touch-ups left to do though, and I'm not done with this mountain yet!

Painters at Painters

We had a great time in Campbell River, BC, for Painters At Painters this past weekend! My husband and I love making the trip to the Lodge and this year planned it to coincide with this popular event. Many of BC top artists were present and there was an array of talks, demos, discussions and plein air painting, along with great food and awesome views!I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to Kathryn Amisson and her husband Greame Roberts,Alan Wylie,Janice Robertson, Mike Svob, Brent Heighton, Nickolas Pearce,Chief Tony Hunt and his wife Gwendoline, Robert Genn and many more! I have more photos on my  facebook page . I came away fully rejuvenated, refreshed, relaxed and ready to paint!

Robert Genn and his delightful grand daughter
Below is Nickolas Pearce

Mike Svob with Gail Johnson looking on.
Below is Brent Heighton painting and Keith Hiscock observing.

Vermilion Lakes Study

acrylic 24 x24
A study for a possible large painting. Vermilion Lakes with a view of Rundle...Banff National Park.

I Can See Pyramid Study

acrylic, 18 x24
This is a study for a much larger painting. You can see Pyramid mountain in Jasper from this hiking trail. I know snow/winter scenes are not that popular but I love painting snow with all the abstract shapes and colors!

From Edith Lake

Large 3 ft x 6 ft acrylic Edith lake in Jasper.


Not quite finished this one...I see a few things that need touched up now that I see it on line...I often do that when I'm unsure of a piece...download it and see it in a different light and something usually pops out at you.

Canter

acrylic small 10x10
One more small equine, and that's it for now. I'm dying to paint some larger canvases of scenes from my trip to Jasper.

Small Equines

A couple of small equines I'm putting into the Leighton Centre fundraiser 'The Clothesline sale'.

Rocky creek Study 1 and 2

Small 12 x12 acrylic studies

Roosters

   





















Working on a couple of roosters that I'm putting in Leighton Centres' largest fundraiser, the annual spring 'Clothesline sale' to be held on Sunday May 29th.Last year we had over 70 artists participating with unframed art hung on clotheslines throughout the property. Hay rides , BBQ, artists demo and children's craft centre make for a great way to support the centre and enjoy a day out in the country with the whole family

The Raven

Acrylic 12 x12 . More playing around before I settle in and do more large scale landscapes ( from my recent trip to Jasper). I have a few more roosters to finish up as well. This guy was lots of fun playing with the texture in his feathers...felt like I was sculpting in clay.

Spring Fling at Mountain Gallery in Jasper

Great weather, awesome art and meeting new friends! We had a wonderful weekend in Jasper! It took my girlfriend and I about 10 hours to finally reach our destination. It was total eye candy in every direction and we had to stop constantly to take photos!

Mountain Galleries at Fairmount Jasper Park Lodge was having the first annual 'Spring Fling' in conjunction with the 'offical' opening of the new'green' gallery.

Many of the Gallery artists were in attendance and had travelled from all over Alberta as well as Vancouver and Saskatoon.. It was great to put faces to the artwork!

Randy and Heather Hayashi along with the electrician Terry standing in front of my painting 'jewel In The Woods'

My friend Rosemary checking photos with artist Nicholas Bott and his wife Sharon. Abstract artist Libby Weir, myself and BC artist Joan Baron!

Gallery owner Wendy Wacko with artists Mel Heath, Jerry Heine and their lovely wives.

Calgary artist Bill Duma sharing a laugh with BC artist Gail Johnson

Glass artist Lee Brady and his wife Muriel

New Paint and a bit of a change

I've bought some interactive acrylics, thinking they will be better for plein-air painting. ( to go along with my brand new soltek easel!)  This is not a plein air painting, however but I wanted to get a feel for these paints which stay wet longer and can revitalize with a bit of spray when they start to dry. I'm not sure I need them for this type of painting with the texture underneath. A couple of Red Robins for a change of pace and to welcome ( finally) Spring!

acrylic 9x12
Again using the interactives and no palette knife. Hmmmmm.... struggled a lot with this painting...maybe too may new variables...small canvas, new paint, new subject and no trusty palette knife. Fun to play and experiment though.

Tangle Falls

Large 6 ft x4 ft acrylic
Just a few details to workout such as softening some edges, lightening some areas and adding a few details. I'm still working out how to make my images look like the painting with this new computer system...this photo seems way to dark for my liking...but I'm getting there.