Another Big Sky

Golden Sky, 36x36, acrylic

I am enjoying these sweeping sky paintings. The colours are also wonderful to play with in big broad strokes. The main challenge is to establish a feeling of perspective. Keeping the edges soft is also a challenge in acrylics.

Painting Big

Power and Glory, 36x48", acrylic

I really enjoy painting a large canvas. I find it very freeing to use big and bold brush strokes. I seem to be more expressive on a larger scale. Last year we travelled to Powell River, B.C. and saw some beautiful sunsets. That was the inspiration for this piece. On my first attempt I had the water much too busy, it seemed to compete with the sky. I calmed it down and I am happier with the peaceful feel of the painting. I always like to try and draw the viewer in, so it was important to have a sense of perspective in the sky and the water. I think I will do some more of these.

After the Show

Mountain Valley, 30x40", acrylic

Well the fundraiser was a bit of a dissapointment. No sales to report. It is a lot of work for just a two and a half hour event. The good thing is I now have some new paintings. This is one of them. What first drew me to this image was the lovely blues in the mountains and middle distance. It gave me a chance to play the warm foreground colours off against those blues. The challenge was the bare trees in the foreground. I wanted to keep them loose and not paint every bare branch. I am trying to make more creative brushstrokes, dragging and pulling and using the brush on the side. I think trial and error is the best way to learn. I almost always use flats.

Preparing for a Show

Lionsgate from Stanley Park, 24x30, acrylic

Finally I am getting around to a new post. I have been preparing for a show on Saturday evening. It is a fundraiser for our local hospital foundation. Last year it was a wonderful event. My preference is to paint larger canvases and now I am concerned about logistics, always something to worry about! Thank goodness my husband will be helping me set up. I find the frames are so easily damaged. Yesterday I took pictures of the paintings and today I will get them in frames and make up title cards etc. My problem seems to be that I want to keep fiddling with them, just one more stroke here or there. I prefer to live with a finished work for a while until I feel really good about it. This piece I wanted to really make use of the warm underpainting and let it come through, I am pleased with the overall warm feel of it.