Artists Working Together

Well... our Art Show at the Prestige is all packed up and put away.  It was a great show with some amazing artists. It was really fun and inspirational to work with these artists. They are generous people happy to share their artistic vision of the world.

For those of you that did not get an opportunity to stop by, let me share a bit of what this art show was composed of. Gaye Adams is a Blind Bay artist that has the ability to fill her paintings with light. Her landscapes glow and her portraits subjects look to have been caressed with light.

John Burrows, also from Blind Bay creates his paintings with colour used in a masterful way. His landscapes, gardens and folk art are infused with happy feelings from his rich palette of colour.

 Dennis Weber, a Metis artist from Kelowna shares his insight with paintings that really tell stories. His graphite portraits have such expressive eyes.

Reg Parsons, a bronze artist from Cranbrook with the 3D art was in the centre of our show. His sculptures brought such dimension to our show. With a skilful and complicated  process he creates artwork that will last almost forever.

My nature and wildlife paintings were my way of creating a window to look out at our Canadian wilderness. It was very satisfying to get some of  the large paintings out of the studio and share them.
All in all it was a great weekend.

Please take the time to check out these artists websites to see their artwork.
www.gayeadams.com
www.webergallery.com
www.johnhburrow.com
www.regparsons.com
www.valerierogers.com

Inspiration & Creation

The summer search for inspiration is endless. The hikes in the mountain, the wading down the streams, the berry picking on the mountain slope: all of these events are enjoyed not only for the experience of the moment but also for the paintings that will be born of it.  My camera is never far from my side and it records as I go. My pockets fill with rocks, pine cones, funny sticks and wisps of the gray lichen that is so hard to duplicate in a painting. So many beautiful and extraordinary sights to see.

So you would think that all the paintings come easy and that when I finish one, the next idea just rolls out ready to be painted.....but that is not always so. Sometimes the place between paintings is a most awkward uncomfortable place. I want to be painting but the idea for the next painting is in an uncomfortable growing phase that is taking its own time to develop.

 The bunches of other ideas that not long ago made me excited to paint, are just not right to create at this time. So instead of painting ....I am forced to turn the inspiration around and around in my head, then run it through my heart until....it is finally ready to think about becoming a painting.  It is a bit like being horse in the race gate but without a race to run.

But when it is time.....wow....the inspiration from all that time out in nature........it all comes together to jump start an idea. Then the I am on a quick run to the easel and the beginning of something new!

Photo of me enjoying inspiration on Vancouver Island and a painting called Turtle Creek featuring a close up look at a small island creek rippling its way down to the sea.

Awwww.... Kittens

Still playing with kitten paintings. Just having fun with creating the soft fur, the big eyes and the delightful feeling of awwwwww that you feel when you see one. My daughter has just chosen a beautiful gray tabby kitten to join their family. I really want a kitten also but really not such a good time to add an animal to our household, so in stead this is what I will do .......paint them.

Miniature Artwork

Well this month as well as working on several large painting I have been painting several small painting for the upcoming show at SAGA Gallery in Salmon Arm. This will be an entire show of miniatures - 5 inch by 7 inch paintings.

It was different but fun to work this small.  I used it as an opportunity to try a few new working surfaces. This kitten is on linen canvas, the squirrel is on a special art hardboard and the apples are on watercolour paper mixed media with 140 1b paper attached to canvas. All the processes worked well and here are two of my mini results ready for the SAGA Show.

High Water

         There has been allot of high water issues in my area this spring and many home owners have had distressing problems due to this. Sicamous was hit with flooding and several creeks jumped their banks with devastating results.
         This painting is because of one of the happier situations created by the high water. This young mallard hen moved her chicks and found a perfect nesting spot above the water line. This was where I was fortunate enough to get very close to her without concerning her in the least.....viewing her from the raised wharf walk. Their spring time antics were delightful. 
         For years a lovely unique narrow frame has been waiting in my basement for a painting. Finally watching these ducklings through the narrow wharf railings provide the inspiration for it. This painting  is 5x20 inches. Here is an image showing the detail also. 

Artists for Conservation

It is delightful to be accepted as a signature member of Artists for Conservation. This is a society of artists from 27 countries around the world that are inspired by nature and wildlife. Excellent artists creating beautiful artwork and promoting conservation efforts to protect their inspiration. That is the focus of the 500 artists that are included in this group. I am pleased to be juried into such a group of artists. Together we will work to make a difference with our art....to protect and support what we love. 

 

Please go to www.natureartists.com and check out my new web presence as a member of this prestigious art group. 

A Squirrel on a Stick

Squirrels love my yard, playing in our cherry tree, cedars and wood pile. They are always dancing and darting across the lawn, hanging upside down above the bird feeder trying to steal seeds ( they do have their own seed spot below on the ground.)

While painting this painting there was a perfect moment when I had just paused in my painting to study the result of my work and was leaning back in my chair close to the window. Suddenly up on the outside sill popped a curious squirrel wanting to know what I was up to. We looked at each other for 30 seconds or so before he dashed off.

So here it is with full squirrel approval, "A Squirrel on a Stick." I know that I need a better name, but this one does make me laugh as it sounds like he is a corn dog. And this particular squirrel is a bit of a teenage corn dog, a squirrel full of fun and mischief.. You can tell as he is a teenager as he is a bit leaner than an adult, with a face that is youthfully curious and his tail has yet to fill out.