Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Oyster Boat

Oyster Boat in Merigomish, NS
7" x 5" watercolour

Last Fall we went to an oyster tasting. It was a bright, windy fall day. The seafood was amazing. This boat had been pulled up on the edge in the fall tinted grasses. I could not resist and squirreled away the photo until I had time to paint it. I hope to do a larger piece now, just deciding watercolour or oil?
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Spring Hope from theGreenhouse

Spring Hope
Oil 12" x 18"
The larger oil painting as a follow up to the smaller one. I had it for while, and needed to tweek it, took awhile for me to see I needed to darken some areas and highlight just a little more on the begonias. Then I decided time to move on to the next!
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Sunday, May 29, 2011

Garden excitement

Spring Rituals
oil on gessoboard 6" x 6"
I am helpless in the flower section of the greenhouses. We have a lovely one here in the village and it is one of my favourite places to go on a dreary-or lovely-day. There is something so optimistic about it. I had this little painting in mind for awhile. Thinking of a different composition for a larger painting.

Monday, May 16, 2011

First Tiny Radish

First Radish
6" x 6" oil on gessoboard
Wayne brought in the first radish from the cold frames on a cold rainy day. What a sign of hope for spring! It was so delicate and I could immediately see the painting. I had to keep spritzing it with mist to keep it from wilting ....and paint fast
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Thursday, May 12, 2011

Winter Rose

Winter Rose
Oil on gessoboard 6" x 6"
A cabbage sort of rose. The pink was a challenge to get the values. But fun!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Delicate Balance Oil on canvas panel 6" x 6"


A yellow rose. I wanted to focus on the petals and the light behind them. I was surprised it would balance in the small jar...thus the title.
I have not done an oil painting for awhile, nice to be back.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Storm at Sea

Storm 1
7" x 5" watercolour

I really had fun with this one. At one point it 'bloomed' on me, but I just worked with those edges and poured on more paint. I also let it dry for a few days and I think that helps.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Wet brushes again!


both Watercolour 5" x 7"
After some serious angst, I just started splashing some paint around. Watercolour is an easier place for me to start and I am comfortable with it. I tried a small oil, but after two hours and a knot in my stomach, I wiped it. The little canvas no longer mocks me as I wiped it and took charge! Ha!
It feels good though. I am working on some more abstract-ish seascapes.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Circling the Studio....

No pictures, except a new photo for my dashboard!
I just realized it has not been a full year since my last post...this is reassuring! I have been blocked--okay I know I am the only person to ever experience this, that is why it is so uniquely painful! It is a longer story than I want to go into, but it has been a complicated year with some major losses and family transitions. My call away from art making to taking care of family is something I just had to do. Now I am circling the studio. Have been for some time. I cleaned it out (after some renos in other parts of the house). Then re-arranged it and built new shelving. Abandoned it. Yesterday I went down to just be there. Ended up vacuuming the stairs--dust on them don't you know!
I did find a new easel that will not have my paintings popping off and landing face down on the floor-we are talking oils here.
Still a lonely room.
So I circle. I think about painting all the time. Imagine paintings, compositions.
How to return? It feels like I (I, Me) have such heavy expectations! Okay, so maybe we just go down and play. Yes. That is a start.