Well this weekend Saturday June 13, I will be at Opus Art Store in Kelowna sharing how I create the illusion of the textures of nature in my paintings. My demo project will be a half finished painting of Killdeer and their chicks. It is a painting with rocks, sand, dry grass, feathers and wonderful bird feet. That should give us some textures to work with. Hope to see you all there. :)
Monday, June 8, 2015
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Lift Off & Soar
Yesterday May 11, was the accumulation of allot of work. It was installation day of a painting named Lift Off & Soar. This is a painting that is celebrating flight and the Canadian goose. The painting is 33 feet long and steps up twice to accentuate the feeling of lift off and flight. It features a small flock of nine Canadian geese.
It is on the feature wall in the departures queue before security in the Kelowna international airport. It will be there for six months, please let me know if you have a chance to see it. It is for sale and will be available mid December 2015.
Here are some of the progress shots along the way of creating it.
It is on the feature wall in the departures queue before security in the Kelowna international airport. It will be there for six months, please let me know if you have a chance to see it. It is for sale and will be available mid December 2015.
Here are some of the progress shots along the way of creating it.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Springtime Inspiration
The spring is a delightful time when everything outside comes back to life. It is the only time of year that I have some problem getting work done because I would rather be gathering inspiration then working. All of a sudden you can see the green of small leaves just thinking about unfolding. The air smells different and full of life. The sunshine calls to you and there are birds everywhere.
Today was such a day....and I had to take some time and just go out sit under the huge evergreen in my backyard to listen, watch and feel springtime coming. Small chickadees were very curious and hopped down the tree to a few feet of me to see what I was doing. But I was still, just observing and listening to the grass grow, the leaves unfurl and feeling the changes that spring brings.
Here are a few paintings that I have done to celebrate spring.
Today was such a day....and I had to take some time and just go out sit under the huge evergreen in my backyard to listen, watch and feel springtime coming. Small chickadees were very curious and hopped down the tree to a few feet of me to see what I was doing. But I was still, just observing and listening to the grass grow, the leaves unfurl and feeling the changes that spring brings.
Here are a few paintings that I have done to celebrate spring.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Bald Eagle swimming
This last weekend I was lucky enough to see an eagle swimming for the first time. We were out fishing (catch and release) on the lake. My husband released the fish with a quick twist of the hook and as he was putting the rod back into the rod holder...when a bald eagle dove down from the top of the lakeside trees and grabbed at the fish that was just starting to retreat down to the depths. Totally startled by the splash we watched in amazement as the eagle laid with wings completely spread out on the waters surface. He was still.
It wasn't clear if he was injured or fighting with the fish below the water. While we waited, so did he. After a few long moments, he started to swim in great big butterfly type strokes toward the shore, which was quite a distance away. It was amazing how he easily and steadily swam to shore. I was worried that perhaps it would be too much for him and that we might have to perform a rescue which I was cleverly devising as we watched. I have heard that eagles can not remove their talons when they sink them into the flesh of a fish and therefore can not release the prey to fly.
About 15 feet from shore he climbed up on a log but rather than rest there he hopped right over it and continued the swim to shore. When he arrived he only gave one big shake to throw the water from his feathers and then went to work eating his lunch. This eagle never seemed to be distressed by his swim and was only annoyed by the arrival of ravens that hoped to share his lunch.
When I arrived home a quick check on line proved that eagles can in deed release their talons and it is a reluctance to let their prey go that necessitates the swim. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me ....but the image is in my mind and may become a painting. Always so incredible to see wildlife in action!
It wasn't clear if he was injured or fighting with the fish below the water. While we waited, so did he. After a few long moments, he started to swim in great big butterfly type strokes toward the shore, which was quite a distance away. It was amazing how he easily and steadily swam to shore. I was worried that perhaps it would be too much for him and that we might have to perform a rescue which I was cleverly devising as we watched. I have heard that eagles can not remove their talons when they sink them into the flesh of a fish and therefore can not release the prey to fly.
About 15 feet from shore he climbed up on a log but rather than rest there he hopped right over it and continued the swim to shore. When he arrived he only gave one big shake to throw the water from his feathers and then went to work eating his lunch. This eagle never seemed to be distressed by his swim and was only annoyed by the arrival of ravens that hoped to share his lunch.
When I arrived home a quick check on line proved that eagles can in deed release their talons and it is a reluctance to let their prey go that necessitates the swim. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me ....but the image is in my mind and may become a painting. Always so incredible to see wildlife in action!
Photo of bald eagle from last year, alas not the swimming/fishing one.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Spring time and Squirrels
It is March and it is starting to feel like spring. Some days still pretty cold but everyday it is getting closer to warmth. This morning the Canadian geese were in the barnyard....telling us that they are back looking for nesting ground. Robins are definite back also....lots of birds at the feeder. Pheasants are here...but the real sign for me hasn't' happened yet....that is when the squirrels are back at the feeder. That is when I know for sure that spring is here and not going to be recalled in a snowy flurry.
So I am watching but no sign of those clever little fellows yet. Here is a painting of one of our wonderful yard squirrels.
So I am watching but no sign of those clever little fellows yet. Here is a painting of one of our wonderful yard squirrels.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Art Goals
Hey there, what are your art goals this year? What are you going to learn, improve and share? How better to accomplish the sharing of story in each of your painting?
I am always thinking about those things all year long not just at New Years. How to improve my techniques and share my story? Which is more important to me and to the viewer. I always love to work on improving my techniques and skills. It is an ongoing plan, with varying goals, workshops and time frames. But I think that my story, my emotion, the what and why I paint each creature in their wilderness home is perhaps more important to the viewer than I give it credit.
This year I am going to put more focus on improving my skills of communicating the wild stories that live within my paintings....bring more of the experience of meeting these sometimes illusive creatures to the canvas.
In this painting I wanted to share the deep quiet of the winter snow, the contemplative stare of an unafraid Canadian lynx in his still pose just waiting for whatever opportunity comes his way. That is this wild tale that I wish to share.
Winter Wise
16x20
Acrylic on Board
I am always thinking about those things all year long not just at New Years. How to improve my techniques and share my story? Which is more important to me and to the viewer. I always love to work on improving my techniques and skills. It is an ongoing plan, with varying goals, workshops and time frames. But I think that my story, my emotion, the what and why I paint each creature in their wilderness home is perhaps more important to the viewer than I give it credit.
This year I am going to put more focus on improving my skills of communicating the wild stories that live within my paintings....bring more of the experience of meeting these sometimes illusive creatures to the canvas.
In this painting I wanted to share the deep quiet of the winter snow, the contemplative stare of an unafraid Canadian lynx in his still pose just waiting for whatever opportunity comes his way. That is this wild tale that I wish to share.
Winter Wise
16x20
Acrylic on Board
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Discussing Art
I love to discuss art, why we create it, how we create it and what it says about who we are and what is important to us. It is an endless subject that grows and changes depending who you talk to. Everyone has a different opinion of what defines art, how it should be made and how to judge the quality of the art form.
Take time to ask everyone what art form that speaks to their heart. It could be music, calligraphy, paper folding, dance, writing, painting, drawing, cooking, woodwork or any number of other forms of creativity. How about making a point to ask everyone you meet over the next few days what art form is the most important to them. It will be a great reminder of how important creativity is to the human soul.
Take time to ask everyone what art form that speaks to their heart. It could be music, calligraphy, paper folding, dance, writing, painting, drawing, cooking, woodwork or any number of other forms of creativity. How about making a point to ask everyone you meet over the next few days what art form is the most important to them. It will be a great reminder of how important creativity is to the human soul.
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