Pine Needles....What Brush to Use???

There is a multitude of paint brushes in my studio. They are arranged in category; rounds together, flats together, varnish brushes together, etc.  But I  have to admit that there are more than a few that have never really been used. They were purchased because they were unique or a friend recommended them or I imagined a use for them that did not work out.

Really most days I grab 3 or 4  sizes of rounds and work most of my work with either a 6 or an 8 round depending which my hand landed on first. Partly this is because I become focused on my work and forget to change but mostly it is because a good round with a great point will hold enough paint and do a wide range of work. From broad strokes to the detail work that I love.

One of my brushes that have not seen allot of use is a long rigger or script liner. It just never gave me the control that I wanted, too long floppy bristles .....but on my current painting I have discovered what to use it for.....pine needles, many many pine needles. It works great! 

Sharing Artistic Process

Thanks to Opus Art Store I recently had an opportunity to teach a lecture demo on painting. It was a pleasure to be asked as Opus is my FAVORITE store; where I have been know to wander happily up and down the rows for hours with my arms full of supplies.

On the day of the demo there was a great group of  30 painters who like myself are interested in creating the appearance of texture in our nature paintings. It was my very first lecture demo and it was both very interesting and kinda of stressful .

I would like to extend a huge thank you first to Opus for the chance to do this and to the group of artists that came out to listen. As my first public speaking art event I know that it was not perfect and already have a list of things to do differently next time but it brings me to  my point.

While my presentation was lacking the polish of a more experienced speaker, we did go over a lot of information and at the end it became a lively question and answer event. This group of artists was happy to inquire as to my thoughts while sharing their own.

That is the point! Artist sharing is the birthplace of awesome creativity for everyone. Each of those artists brought something unique to the room and those that shared opened all of our eyes to a new way of thinking about art.

The new artists asked basic questions about tools or mediums, making not only me but all the more experienced artists in the room re-look at why we do what we do. The more experienced artists asked complex questions about not only technique but thought processes and artistic direction as well.

We are very fortunate to have such a wealth of artists and creative thinkers. Most of you are in that group and hopefully that you take time to share your ideas, creative process and artistic adventure with the people around you.

Rocks and Water Paintings

I love rocks. At any given time my pockets are full of small collections of rocks. The shelf above the drier has a corner full of stones and pebbles that have been retrieved from the laundry.

 I have partially completed the study needed to become a gemologist but in truth the rocks I like best aren't diamonds or pearls but the interesting and wonderful ones I can find. The smooth rocks that are to be found tumbled in the rough river, the lichen covered ones on top of the mountain. I might pick up a special one to remember a place or event. Or simply because it is so very black or such a perfect shape that fits my hand.  I have found that I am not alone in this love for rocks and stones.

 Many people share it.

Here are some of my paintings that feature rocks and stones often with water running over them to highlight their colours.

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.