From Drawing to Completed Painting

Many times when someone comes by my studio they are intrigued to see the process that a painting goes through from start to finish. This blog will give a quick over view of the creation of a painting called "All Canadian."

This painting was inspired when I met a beautiful horse that is a purebred Canadian horse, a breed that until shortly before this meeting I had never heard of. He was a beauty and he definitely caught my eye. So much so we purchased his 3 year old son and are hoping that he will become a wonderful mountain horse for us.

So the painting ideas rolls around  in my mind for a while and when I am ready with a clear plan I start drawing.. The drawing is fairly time consuming but when it is right I redraw it onto the canvas with graphite paper. From that point you can see  the painting develop in these stages.

Down by the Creek

Some of my favorite wild animals are not the hard to find ones but those that live down back by the pond.

The rabbits, ducks, owls and coyotes that live on the same property as I do. These are my closest neighbors and I love to watch them. Their lives are busy with many of the same things that mine is, family, food and work. Of course it only follows that I must paint them and here are a few of them. 

Favorite Things to do

We all have those favorite things we love to do.The past times that make you smile to think of them, that you love to plan for and look forward to.  Some of mine I have shared here on this blog. Here are two paintings that show a combo of my husband's and mine.
 They are titled Gone Fishing #1 and Gone Fishing #2. The first is a fly fishing painting and shows Neil's fly rod and a brass box given to him by his grandfather full of Neil's own handmade flies. We had some discussion while I was painting these flies...as Neil felt I was taking too much artistic license. One of my painted flies was totally vetoed and had to be repainted. (Oh my..... those fly tying artists...so wonderful and  temperamental :) This painting was created using watercolour and includes rocks and the feeling of walking on a river's edge...two favorite things of mine.

Gone Fishing #2 is river fishing and shows the different fishing gear and was painted in a more linear format in acrylic.

If fishing, rocks or walking by the edge of the rive are some of your favorite past times and you would like a painting to remind you of them - this original of  Gone Fishing #2 is still available and also prints of both Gone Fishing #1 and 2 are available in paper and canvas.

Artists sharing Art

This last month  I have been fully submerged in ART in all its glory...not just in my studio creating but all over the country involved in art events.
September this year has been spent sharing my art in several large shows, looking at other people's art, socializing, learning about art at workshops and meeting new wonderful artists.

The one thing that sticks most in my mind about this entire month is how wonderful and willing artists are to share their art. It is marvelous to listen and learn how other artists think about the world and how they use their medium  to share their artistic message.

Art is all about communication and many of these artists are masters in communicating their view of the world in paint, pencil, clay, and bronze. It has been a pleasure to spend time with such generous people.

A Painted Horse

Well as many of you know we are excited to have not one, not two but three new horses. It has been grand fun to be back riding and working with horses. We have a lovely nine year old Arab and a five year old Quarter horse and Morgan cross.

The last one that we purchased is a 3 year old colt who is a purebred Canadian. This is not a breed that I was familiar with but when we studied, it did sound like a horse that we would love....so we said yes and bought the youngster with high hopes that he will become a great riding horse.

Now these high hopes were in part started by seeing his father, who is a totally beautiful black stallion. Like every little girl (now grown)...I love black stallions..

So here is a  painting of the black stallion, who is the sire of our new  horse. This painting is called "All Canadian - A Waiting Beauty." It is acrylic on canvas and is 35x42" framed. This painting is heading out to Art Walk this weekend in Lake Country......stop by my booth in the Memorial Hall and check out the Canadian horse.

Yellowstone as Painting Inspiration

 Here are two recent paintings that were inspired by my trips to Yellowstone  - a buffalo and grizzly painting hot off my easel and ready to go.

Top Buffalo memory from Yellowstone -
That day the buffalo were wandering in the meadows beyond the river. They were grazing and resting in groups with the occasional bull prodding them to move. It was September and the bulls are aggressive as they are full into the rut - their mating season. Cows quietly grazed while the bulls grunted and chased each other. The various groups mixed and mingled.  The calves were no longer small but had filled out to be a good size ready for winter. It is always interesting to just watch these iconic creatures.
Then I had an incredible encounter with a big bull. I could hear it coming through the bush, snorting and huffing as it broke small trees and branches.  It stamped its feet and it stepped out of the trees in front of me with just an open trail between us. We had a tense moment when he first saw me.  I stood still, we stared at each other  for a long minute before he decided that I was not a threat. He brutalized a small tree just to make his point and then moved  on. Standing quietly I took a few photos as he moved back into trees. They turned out to be terrible photos but it was an experience I will remember not in the least because it was foolish of me to be that close to a bull in rut.

This particular painting is from a far more peaceful meeting with a shedding buffalo in the spring.

Here also is my painted account of my meeting with a Yellowstone grizzly. He had just swam the river and wandered the far side allowing me to study him in relative safety. I kept pace with him on my side of the river for a short time, took photos and truly enjoyed seeing him.

Kangaroos in BC

As a wildlife artist I am constantly watching the woods, the mountain trails and the back yard for animals both big and small. Canadian wildlife is amazing and impressive but I also love to see the creatures that are in other parts of the world.

Had a wonderful opportunity to visit a Kangaroo farm in Lake Country not long ago. It is a real surprise to discover kangaroos right in the middle of the Okanagan. Kangaroo joeys are the sweetest little cuddly creatures that love to be held in a fuzzy fabric pouch.  The farm also has some other exotic animals like these huge rodents. Thanks to the great friends that accompanied me that day.