Guy Combes at Wildstreak Art Workshop

Hello all, just a quick note to the artists out there. Wild Streak Art and Denise are hosting another workshop this year. It has been a couple of years since the last one. These are just outstanding workshops and not to be missed. This year's workshop will be April 26-30th and will be featuring Guy Combes. He is a wonderful artist and will be sharing his talent for wildlife art. Guy was born in Kenya and will be teaching about how to paint African animals.  It was a pleasure to meet Guy down in Wyoming this fall and to have the opportunity to discuss wildlife art with him while watching him paint.  So for anyone who is interested contact Denise Soule at http://www.wildstreakart.com/

75 year anniversary

Our Salmon Arm Art Gallery, SAGA is housed in a wonderful old heritage building that will be celebrating its 75th year in 2012. So the members art show theme  in January is 75. Now the gallery has allowed us lots of latitude in how we can interpret that 75 theme.

Still at first I was kind of stumped as to what I could or would paint for such a theme. I always like to have a strong nature or animal in my artwork and always try to present the theme in my own style. After thinking through a number of ideas....this is the one I have come up with.

When  building was first built in 1937 it was a post office, then it became a library and finally an art gallery. So my painting has a letter to represent the post office and two large books to represent the library. The title of the top book is "The 75 year Saga" with the dates 1937-2012 on it's spine. The bottom book is simply titled "Art History" to represent the Art Gallery life in this historic building.

On top of these antique books is an orange tabby cat.....our old Stanley cat.  I put in Stanley because....well I loved Stanley and he was a wonderful cat....but also because over the years many cats have been fed out of the back kitchen door at the gallery in the old cedars. Cats are interwoven into the history of the building and had to be my link between this theme and my animal paintings. This was a fun painting to tuck into December between all the busy-ness of the season.

A Special Place

Sometimes you find a special place. A place that connects with you and assures you that all is wonderful with the world. This is a painting of such a place. It is a wild and natural spot where the water pools deep and dark between high stone banks. This water is so pure and clear as it rushes over the rocks that glow in the warm light and heads down stream.

This painting is called "Healing Waters."  It is 30x36 inches and is painted with acrylic on canvas. Thank you to my brother, Robert for the great kayak trips each year that include visiting such wonderful places as this.

I'm Back!

Hello, it has been a while since I have blogged. Life interrupted the way it sometimes can, without taking into consideration what my plans are.
That's alright, work in the studio has resumed and I am happy to be well into a coyote painting. I love to paint animals that are really part of my daily life. Coyotes are one of  these. They are smart, illusive and so quick to adapt to what we do....like the spirit of the wilderness they ghost through my yard and sing loudly  to me in the night. This painting is like a cross between my Out of the Dark series and my full colour paintings. The back ground is dark with a full light foreground. It certainly gives it a punch of drama. I will be posting it shortly as it is coming close to being complete.

Jackson Hole Wyoming

Just returned from the heart of the Tetons, Jackson Hole Wyoming. Wow' what a place for a wildlife artist. The view in every direction is spectacular with the massive rock of the Tetons on one side and wild fields of grass on the other. Buffalo and pronghorn sighting on the drive from the airport.

 It is a small scenic town with more art galleries than anywhere I have ever seen and they are full of my favorites, wildlife and western themes. So pleased to see some of the artists that I know featured.

We were on a tight schedule because we were heading into an artist retreat...so we were in and out as many galleries as we could fit in 4 hours. It was great fun and I definitely will be going back, with a portfolio.

Arch is made from shed antlers from local herds.

Amazing sculpture on the street.

After our run through the galleries we were off into the mountains for an awesome art retreat. Totally a stellar way to spend a week, in the scenic mountains of Wyoming with some the best artists on the continent.

As beautiful as it was there, BC is just as lovely and it is wonderful to be home. So now back to the easel all renewed and refreshed.

Wild Art for Art Walk

Well it is the time of year when I collect up all the bits and pieces that make up my ever changing art booth and get ready for Art Walk in Winfield. I make my list and check it twice, three and four times. All the basics have to go plus beach rocks and pine cones for decorations. The nicest people come to Art Walk.

Usually I have a great helper with a truck but this year it is just me and my car. Ohh ....that is frustrating as I had hoped to include Bighorn Ridge.....but unless it rides on top of the car it is just a bit too big. I haven't given up yet....still thinking of how to work it.

 Here is your sneak peak at some of my new work that will be going to Art Walk.

What a Summer!

It has been a busy summer with lots of opportunities to enjoy nature and wildlife. Cold and rainy or hot and windy...It has been fun and my camera has been out.

We had a great trip to observe Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep above Banff. Most exciting to see were the newborn Bighorn sheep.They are the cutest and most agile babies. They nimbly scamper up and down the rock faces and then abruptly just plop down anywhere to rest. Their mothers look haggard and untidy with their winter wool falling out. In the time we had we were unable to locate the male herd.

sheep photo

sheep photo

Then it was off to the game farm in Kamloops to paint a portrait of Shardik, their 36 year old grizzly. The game farm is known for its work in protecting and preserving British Columbia wildlife. Their animals are all rescued animals that could not survive in the wilderness. It was an experience to sit out side Shardik's pen and really observe him, (something that is difficult and perhaps dangerous  :)  to try in the wild.) Grizzlies normally live to about 25 years, so Shardik has reached a grand old age. I wanted to paint him this time rather than the 2 new grizzly cubs that have just arrived as he has been an important part of the bear experience at the park for so many years.

Shardik photo

August is a great time to head to Vancouver island and the ocean. Whales, seals and otters are what I am on the look out for while my husband has his eyes on the water for salmon and halibut. It was a good trip with wonderful friends. We were fortunate enough to have a wonderful whale display close to our boat. The huge creature breached 5 times before turning on his side and waving his fin at us. It was an incredible experience to be so close. It happened too quickly to get any great photos but here is a friendly suntanning seal that agreed to stay put long enough for a photo.

island photo

Shardik the grizzly and my cougar painting are getting close to being complete, just a few more details. While I should be focused completing those two, a new painting is calling my name. A dainty fawn with lovely eyes is begging to be painted....so starting that painting now.

Pictures to be posted as soon as they are complete.