Chill By The Creek

Acrylic 20 x 30,
This one still needs some work, but I like to see what it look like when I load it on the computer. Somehow , many of the mistakes seem to jump right out this way...and I see a few I need to fix. Again this one is turning out quite different from what I had imagined. This was referenced from Policeman's Creek in Canmore.

Leighton From The Side

acrylic 16 x 20,

Another version of Leighton Art Centre. Not sure I'm quite done with this one. It didn't turn out exactly as I had envisioned or planned to paint it. Funny how that works sometimes...you just have to go with the flow and see where it leads you. Many happy accidents and pleasant surprises happen this way. It didn't photograph very well, though, it does look much better in real life.

Behind Leighton Centre

acrylic, 36 x 24

This is one of my entries into the Leighton Centre Juried Members Show. Before the deep freeze hit us , I took advantage of some mild weather to take some photos out at the Centre. I wasn't quite sure how to approach this painting so I decided to paint over an old canvas first...my drawing was going to off a little,as the trees were all in different positions. I'm pleasantly surprised with the outcome and may not need to do another one. Below is my original photo, adjusted photo and the old canvas.

On The Prowl

acrylic, 36 x 24
The last of my bears for while ...I think. More landscapes and paintings for the Leighton Center Members show. ( I'm working on some different concepts and techniques...should be fun ). It's a relief I don't have to worry about Stampede this year, as I didn't apply...much to busy to worry about that show.

The Companion

acrylic 20 x 16

I haven't painted a street/urban scene in well over two years! It was extremely difficult for me to start this painting. A friend of mine bought one of my paintings a long time ago and asked for a 'companion' piece to go with it. At the time, I was doing landscapes and was just starting my relationship with Mountain Galleries, so I kept putting it off. Months went by, and he gently reminded me about his 'companion'. I still put it off, as I was so busy and not painting like that anymore. I promised him I would do it in the summer, then the fall, before Christmas and then the new year. Poor guy, lol.

 It got to the point I was afraid to paint it as I wasn't sure how much my style had changed. I have worked hard trying to loosen up and didn't want to go back and be so tight. But I actually had fun painting this...it's a lot warmer than the first painting and I like that.  I really hope he likes it...'cause it may be a long time before I do another.

Just Chill'n

acrylic, 24 x 36

I'm really enjoying the challenge of these polar bears and the colors in the white of the fur. I'm not a big fan of animals in captivity, but if it wasn't for zoo's I'd probably never get to experience of these majestic animals. Two more polar bears to come, and on to more landscapes.

The Stalker

A couple of more black bears. The top one 'The Salker' is 36 x 36 and the as of yet unnamed bottom one id 11 x14 inches. Polar Bears next!

Pretty Boy

acrylic, 36 x 36 inches

"Pretty boy"

Look how nicely he posed for me.I had a request for larger bears and I'm happy to oblige ..more to come.

'Catching Up' acrylic 12 x 24
I started this one awhile ago but was never happy with it. I like the concept but I'm just not sure it works. Maybe because it's a little different from my other bears. I also think I have too much background...I would have liked a narrower canvas. So....I may do this one over.

Tangled Inspiration

Acrylic, 36 x 18 inches ,

Originally this painting was referenced by Tangled Falls in Jasper National Park...I kinda got carried away; hence the title. Inspired by the Falls and a little tangled at the bottom.

First paintings of 2012

 

My first two paintings of 2012! Both are acrylic 18 x 36 inches.

 I really like this size and vertical format. I have a few more canvases this size and I can't wait to finish them. 

It's nice to get back in my studio , although it was nice to visit with family and friends over the holidays. I wish everyone a wonderful New Year  with lots of inspiration and creativity! Cheers!

My Secret Place

Acrylic 12 x 24,  
One more landscape to complete and two more bear paintings to finish up...hopefully by tomorrow, and then I'm taking a Christmas break. I haven't seen any sunlight for three days!

More Bears

Two more bears. 'Into The Polar Sun' 24 x 24 inches, and 'A Bearly Walk', 12 x 16 inches. I'm having so much fun with these bears. I find them very relaxing. During the first stages, I get back to my sculptural roots by carving and scraping into the heavy gel with my trusty palette knife. Once they are dry I begin the painting portion with many glazing and veil layers to bring out all the textures.

Bear Strut

acrylic 16 x 12 inches

I'm finding the black bears a lot easier and fun to do! And they are so darn cute!

Icy Glare

acrylic 24 x24 inches  ,
I was working on a couple of bear paintings...this one is the most successful , the other needs work...a lot of it ( bad from the get go). Trying to get a bunch of paintings ready to ship off by the 20th.

beautiful British Columbia

I'm working on a bunch of small canvases for the Mountain Galleries in Whistler. Not only do they have a gallery at the Fairmont Chateau in the upper village...they are now opening another gallery in the lower Village (3400 sq ft).It's so exciting, but I have very few pieces in Whistler. So, I'm now concentrating on BC scenes.

Opabin Plateau

acrylic 16 x 20
This is a commissioned piece I did for Mountain Galleries...I hope the clients like it. Commissions scare me...it's always someone elses vision and not your own, so at times it's hard to have the same passion. I'm so incredibly busy right now, trying to replenish my stock for the gallery, and get ready for Christmas. I really thought I'd have a lot of down time at the moment and be able to relax...but *sigh*  it's not to be.

Studio View

acrylic 11 x14 ( mostly palette knife).
I wish this was my studio view, but this painting is referenced from a photo Scott Christensen took in front of his studio! (his facebook page) This little piece was more difficult than I imagined...and I certainly didn't do the photo any justice. I do hope Scott paints this in his lush buttery style with his oils. This painting would work better in a larger format I think.

On another note, I'm pleased to announce that Mountain Galleries has sold 100 of my paintings this year!

Amid The Chaos

acrylic 36 x 24
I reworked yet another older painting...this one has at least two other paintings underneath it. This made for  some incredible textures so I tried for a more abstracted technique. You really must full view to see the textures more clearly...but it's even better in person.

River Ice

acrylic small 10 x10
I really had a hard time trying to get the colors right in the photo...it looks much better in real life. It's off to Banff along with 11 other paintings tomorrow. Yeah, road trip...too bad the weather wasn't nicer.

Red And Gold

acrylic 12 x 12
I think I've about exhausted my red tree series. I do like the splash of red, although we live in an area that is predominately yellow in the fall...we do have a splattering of red bushes here and there. This one came off my palette knife rather quickly.

Reworked

acrylic  small 9 x 12 inches

Funny how a couple of years make.( I didn't realize just how much I have learned!) I dug an old painting out and thought I'd revamp it. What a huge difference...I even changed the slant of the slope! I pushed back the mountains, gave a lead in through the trees, added a little fog for atmosphere, got rid of the sharp geometric angles, made a clearer focal area and generally softened the look....much better!

Below is another reworked painting.

ode to O'Toole

acrylic 12 x 12 inches
I'm a huge fan of Michael O'Toole's and of all the paintings I've done with the red foliage, I think this one is most like his. ( Certainly not in the same ball park!). People also say some of my work reflects that of Robert Glenn or the Group Of Seven...I take that as a huge compliment. Tons of Canadian art is influenced by the Group Of Seven including Robert Glenn. I don't try to copy anyones style but one can't  help but be influenced by the artists you admire. My studio is surrounded by photos of art I love...it inspires and motivates me.

Rebel

  
Acrylic 12 x 24
I love this time of year when you have fresh snow slightly melted to reveal the colors of autumn. Makes for interesting patterns as well... I notice I tend to do this in a lot of my paintings. I'm liking the contrast in this one.

Peeking Through

acrylic 15 x 30 inches
This my larger version of 'Peeking Through'. I find with a lot of my larger canvases in which I've done a study, that they just don't seem to have the same freshness or spontaneity of the smaller ones. Maybe because the larger ones seem to have more detail and therefore are a little 'tighter'.

Quiet Reflection

Acrylic 24 inches x 24 inches.

A good place for a little quiet reflection ...less we forget.I will be forever grateful, thank-you.