Winter Cabbage

Oil 6" x 6"
Ah, winter cabbage. How else would we localvores (those who eat locally) survive? I was thinking of a boiled dinner series-at least the veggies. A way to celebrate those humble vegetables. We had one the other night with friends after a sauna. Yum. A funny thing to paint actually, but I loved the lines of the curly leaves.

The Tomato Affair

The Tomato Affair Oil (6" x 6")
Okay, indulge me here. There is the tomato couple, and the new hot tomato comes into the scene, see how he/she is pretending indifference-but beckoning with the leaf? The interest shown by the other tomato? It was a challenging composition to work with-the actual set up-but fun to play with. The story line came after I was done!

The Tomato Team

The Tomato Team (oil 6" x 6")
Back to some oil paintings again! It has been a few months. I will be focusing on some of the small ones for the market--and it limbers me up. They are fun to do... work too as they can be a challenge. I am not showing the ones I wipe off. I think I spend a third of the time just getting the composition! After using watercolours, my but these babies take a long time to dry!

Country Girls

3 1/2 x 4 1/2 " watercolour
As opposed to city chickens...and all the controversy. We have had chickens now about 13 years and can't imagine life without them. They are better than TV! Oh, and the eggs are good too!

MacKay Farm Study

3 1/2 " by 4 1/2" watercolour
Everytime I drive by this farm on the hill the shape catches me. This very cold day with the bright sun and strong shadow made it perfect. This is a study for a larger painting. I have done it once, but it didn't quite do what I wanted. So I do it again. I am reluctant to post it! For a painting I get stuck in my head, with watercolour, I sometimes do the painting up to five times before I am ready to leave it!

Winter Shadows

watercolour 14 1/2 x10 1/2 "
The late afternoon shadows are so marvellous. So much subtle and vivid colours. Out skiing behind our house is our own trail overlooking the valley. I can feel the crispness of the day and the bite of my skis in the snow.

Snowy Drive (sold)

Winter Squash

Some friends gave me this squash in the fall, at the Market. To paint. Well it was a bit of a challenge and took a few tries! It is a 7"x 5" watercolour. They said it grew in their neighbours compost and would I like to paint it. I liked that. I believe art is also embedded in community, or should be. Like we have the butcher, bank, drugstore, library, artist....

Rural Routes show in Tatamagouche NS

Rural Roots a collection of paintings by Susan Sweet and myself. Opening reception is July 31 at 7 pm at the Fraser Cultural Centre in Tatamagouche. All welcome!

Marian's Place

24" x 36" oil on canvas
This painting is in my current show and will also be in the August show Rural Roots opening July 31 in Tatamagouche at the Fraser Cultural Centre.
It is a scene I walk by often, esp when I take my horses to graze in a neighbour's field. This is at sunset. The fields are overgrown as they are not worked anymore. It is a lovely little farm and I hope some day someone will take on farming it actively again.
The grasses were interesting to do. I was not really sure how I would render them. In the spirit of not over thinking, I just started and here it is.