Artistic License

Helliwell Park, Hornby, 22x28, acrylic

I painted this one last summer. Hornby Island is one of the gulf islands near Vancouver. The coastline of this park is very distinctive with windblown grasses and cliffs. I took some license in playing up the colours, and simplifying the shapes. Overall I was pleased and felt that it captured the feel of the place.

Making Changes

Pacific Shores, 24x48, acrylic

Well it didn't take me long to realize I was not happy with the last painting I posted. When I saw it in print it was just not right. I thought it seemed quite blah! So here is what I have done with it. Maybe it will get changed again I am still not very excited with it. I think I need to take a break and look at it later with a fresh eye. I often have a vision and get quite excited about it and then that seems to wane somewhere in the execution of the piece. It is so important to keep an eye on the larger picture and value pattern and not get caught up in endless little details that will not help.

Challenging yourself

Pacific Shores, 24x48, acrylic

I usually feel daunted at the prospect of painting large areas of rocks. Yet I am drawn to this kind of subject matter. The power of the ocean crashing against the shoreline rocks. So I try to challenge myself, and take on a big project, to try and grapple with my insecurities. I am of course never really satisfied with the results. I like to paint in a somewhat loose way, so I try to work on simplifyling the shapes and creating the feel of the subject. I am having trouble I think with a clear light and shadow pattern. Oh well, another challenge for the next time.

Painting with Feeling

Tofino Morning, 18x36, acrylic

I really think it is important to have a feel for what it is you are painting. To know your subject and have a sense of it. We have been visiting Tofino for about 30 years. It is on the west side of Vancouver Island and has a wonderful wild and natural feel to it. The beaches are vast and wild and the Pacific Ocean pounds against the rugged shoreline. It is a favorite subject matter of mine. As I am painting I feel myself there amongst the rocks and windblown trees at the shore. I have a sense of what it is that I am trying to convey. It is such a humbling thing to try to capture the power of nature in a painting. It is certainly a challenge for me!

65 Red Roses

One Red Rose, 8x10, acrylic

I was asked to participate in a fundraiser for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis organization. 65 artists from the Federation of Canadian Artists were asked to paint an 8x10 image of a single rose. These will all be combined into a large mural and presented to the Cystic Fibrosis group at a gala evening next Saturday. The mural will then be auctioned off as a fundraiser. I am very happy to be part of this great event. So this is my contribution.

Leading the eye in

Country Lane, 30x36", acrylic

I really enjoy pulling the viewer into a composition. Lanes, trails, pathways are always very appealing, we want to naturally follow them along. I try to hold the viewer visually in the picture, but also emotionally. To have them wonder what is around that corner or at the end of that pathway. To feel themselves in the scene exploring. I have been trying to control edges more lately. I find working in acrylics that I tend to get very hard edged. This one I kept the background trees as soft as I could and I am quite pleased.

Spring is Here

Burst of Blossom, 30x36", acrylic

I have not had much time to paint this week. Spring is definitely here in Vancouver so I thought I would post this image from a few years ago. It has always been one of my favourite paintings. I wanted to capture the feel of the blossoms bursting out. I had fun pushing the pinks and yellows. Today I have time to paint and I am really looking forward to it. I have been thinking about making my landscapes a little more contemporary. Maybe bolder colours and patterns, maybe more surface texture. I like to try new things it keeps me on my toes.

New Work

Creekside, 30x30", acrylic

I live in an area that is basically surrounded by dykes. This is a little creek that runs close to a path that is a very popular dyke walk. I wanted to express the wild overgrown feel surrounding this subject. I also like to try and capture a sense of movement, maybe the wind is catching the grasses and leaves. The blue of the water seemed to be  a nice complement to the oranges. Let me know what you think.

New Work

Feeling Blue, 30"x30", acrylic

I just took this one out to the http://www.birthplaceofbcgallery.com/ . The windblown trees and the shapes of rocks and waves are always an inspiration to me. I grew up by the seaside in England and I think my heart is close to the ocean. I love the smell and sounds of the waves and gulls. I like to say that I don't need to be in it or on it but I like to be by the water. I don't often put people in my work. I like to look at a painting and imagine that I have discovered it, a quiet place for me to explore.

New Painting

Walk through the Rainforest, 36x36", acrylic

I wanted to paint something loose and strong. I started this one by just making some gestural marks with a paper towel dipped in paint. I felt that it gave the painting a more energetic start that I really enjoyed. I wanted to maintain that energy throughout. I tried not to refine everything too much. When I look at nature I like the overgrown rugged nature of it. We have walked these boardwalk trails through the rainforest around Tofino for many years. Lots of climbing stairs and then finally going down toward the beach. It is such a magical place.

New Painting

View to Howe Sound, 24"x30", acrylic

This is another reworking of an older piece. I am much happier with this. It has a lot of paint on the canvas and I like the textural feel as the paint builds up. Making a clear value difference between the foreground, middle and background helps to create a sense of depth and pulls the viewer in. I wanted to capture the silvery light on the water, from one of the many viewpoints looking over Howe Sound.

New Work

Shannon Falls, 36"x24", acrylic

I have been struggling along on this one for a few days and I am still not sure if I am happy with it. I have had a photo for awhile that I have wanted to paint, mainly because of the white shape of the falls. However the rest of the image is very dark. When my husband was at the falls during the Olympics he took another shot, this time the background was completely in mist and very light in value. I liked the contrast but neither image really gave me enough information. I am liking the direction of this better than my first attempt which had the rocks a darker value. The foreground was not clearly separated from the middle and background and I lost the depth that I feel it needs.  This one seems to give it more atmospheric perspective. I will post an update if I work on it some more. It is hard sometimes to know when to stop fiddling. I really prefer a somewhat spontaneous painterly look. When I start reaching for smaller brushes and getting into too much detail I am usually in trouble. I will often say at a class if you are in trouble pick up a larger brush.

Glazing

Longbeach Surf, 30"x40", acrylic

I brought this painting home from a gallery and had another long look. I felt that it seemed a little blah, and I needed to warm it up. I decided to glaze the foreground with transparent red oxide and a little nickel azo gold. It seemed to bring some life back into the rocks. When an area is not working is does not always need a complete repainting. Glazes can add a degree of sophistication and sublety to the work. I find it works especially well if an area has become chalky because of too much white in the mix.  You can brighten, tone down and grey areas, all with glazes. The horizon looks a little curved but that is my photography.

SFCA Designation

Hi. Yesterday was a great day. I heard that I had been accepted as a senior member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. This gives me an SFCA signature status. I am very honoured to have attained this and I now feel I have to work really hard to live up to it. The process involves having a history of being accepted into juried shows and then submitting images plus originals to be juried by the board of governors (SFCA'S) You need a majority of votes to then be accepted. I have been a member of the Federation for about 17 years. I took their foundation courses and have been exposed to some inspiring instructors.  Over the years I have taken workshops and participated in some wonderful events. It has allowed me to make connections with other artists and to grow my skills and confidence. If you would like to know more, their website is http://www.artists.ca/

New Painting

Squamish Riverbed, 24"x36", acrylic

This was inspired by a day trip to Squamish last fall. The warm fall colours against the cooler neutrals in the mountains and surrounding dry riverbed were what I wanted to emphasize. I first painted the mountain in more detail, but it was a distraction. I try to think what is this painting about, is it the mountain, the foreground, the fall colours? It cannot be about everything. I try to simplify the supporting cast and play up the star character. In this case the trees. What do you think?

Latest Painting

Rainforest Trail, 24"x30", acrylic

I have just finished this painting. I am attracted to images that draw the viewer in, and trails seem to do that for me. I also always find this subject a challenge. So much to simplify, so many greens to control and values to plan. This is part of a boardwalk trail that leads to the beach, in the rainforest around Tofino. I can hear the seagulls and the waves crashing, and the air smells so fresh.

Still Life

All Aboard, 8"x10", acrylic on canvas

A small painting a day seems to have become quite a trend among artists. I like the idea of honing your skills by working on something small and immediate. It requires you to think about, composition, form, lighting, shapes and colour. Being a landscape artist I felt a little out of my comfort zone. I went to the fridge and found a few colourful items and just put them together on a white plate. I had a number of light sources and found that a bit challenging. When I used to teach beginner watercolour I would always recommend just starting with some fruit and vegetables as subject matter. Easy to find, very colourful and the shapes are interesting,

Olympic Experience

Good Morning. My husband was a little miffed that I introduced the dogs before I made mention of him, so here goes. My wonderful husband, Allen, has recently been working as a volunteer with the Olympics. His job was as a driver of a member of the IOC family. His client for the last two weeks has been from Syria. He was a world champion weight lifter and also sports minister for his country. Allen has worked long hours, but has also seen alot. It has been a wonderful experience for him. We were both invited as guests for dinner at the Olympic club on two occasions. It was a very interesting experience, I shook hands with Jacques Rogge and learned alot about the perspective of someone who lives in the Middle East. He has experienced many Olympics and commented that this is the most beautiful city in the world, and that we are very lucky to live here. I felt extremely proud of Vancouver at that point. We really should count our blessings. Back to Allen, I could not ask for a more supportive partner, he is my best friend and advocate of my art career. He has picked up bits of information about art and is proud to make seemingly informed comments at various art shows. Somewhat like the comments I make regarding hockey games.

Teddy and Jessie

I wanted to introduce you to my two constant companions. They follow me everywhere and never criticize my paintings. They get to know all of the signs as it relates to them. For example when I spray my palette before I put the lid on they get excited because they know that we will be going downstairs and that may lead to something good. Teddy is the little white male dog. we found him sitting by our car in a Tofino beach parking lot. We made every effort to locate his owners but he had no tags, was covered in fleas and would have been a bear's lunch at some point. We took him home and within a week we had him neutered, tatooed and vaccinated. He is only about 1yr. Jessie was a rescue dog from Furever After Small dog Rescue, a wonderful organization. She had been abandoned needing an operation which she was given. She is a little angel. They get along very well even though Jessie is much older at 11, she tolerates Ted's irritating little ways.

Freezing Over, 14"x18", acrylic

A new day. Many things to do today - paint, clean, dogs for walk etc, but first I want to play on my blog ( a new toy) As I said this is a little bit of trial and error. I think I have posted an image of my latest painting. The Birthplace of BC gallery is having a show called Art On Ice, so this will be one of my contributions. I decided to start the painting on a black background as I would be using a number of light shapes. It has very different challenges than starting on a white canvas. I enjoyed the process. I started to think that it was getting too cold with all of the blue, but then I thought well it is ICY. Orange and blue are my favorite complementary colours. Each painting is a challenge, I think of the old saying "when it is good it is very very good, but when it is bad it is horrid."