Light Shift

Light Shift, 30" x 36" , oil on canvas SOLD
This piece actually was started a few weeks ago, I was after an abstraction in the light on shifting sandbars..and it took me some time to establish colour and approach, etc, but i think paved the way for the previously posted painting, Cowslips, San Juan, which more or less painted itself.   This piece is thickly painted using all manner of tools, brush, palette knife, rubber shapers, handle of my paintbrush etc.

Cowslips, San Juan

Cow Slips, San Juan
40 x 40, oil on canvas,  I am rather pleased with this painting.  It is kind of stylized, and painterly at the same time.  I have not really painted rock/bluffs before, so getting the colour right was a challenge.  Its really the same mix more or less i use for sand, grey, portrait pink, teeny bit of umber, and yellow.   I have a fond memory of a day spent in this place a few years ago, on San Juan Island, the light was so beautiful and hazy.  I remember it from 3 years ago. ( too bad my memory doesnt include more practical things) !

Yellow Iris Dance

Yellow Iris Dance

40" x 40" oil on canvas

Some strange things are happening with my computer, its jumping all over the place so have had some trouble with writing this text.  hmm time for some computer repairs.  I have been totally focused on the painting for the past few days, usually i work on a number of pieces at one time, but really just flowed with this one, enjoying the "wet" on "wet" of oil, as a recent convert from acrylic to oil.  its great ! though messy and kind of toxic.

Coastal

Coastal, 24" x 48" oil on canvas
This is my first "larger" oil painting since beginning with oil.   I have begun a new process of doing a mini painting first and then redoing in large format, as the slow drying time of oil requires a different approach than acrylic for me anyway.  Though of course going small to large is never that simple..one cannot just copy there own work., each piece requires a completely fresh approach.  ahh..the challenges of painting. 
Also if any oil painters out there could recommend a good air purifyer that would be great.  I paint next to a wide open window and fan.  But it is cold and still damp out still and kind of unpleasant.

Take me with you

Take me with you, 6" x 6" oil on 1/8 panel, SOLD
I am pretty fascinated with patterns of the tide.  When i was a kid,  our summer days were spent "out on the tide" as we called it building boats, castles out of sand and sitting in our creations just as the tide swirled around, collapsing our sand masterpieces.

Billowing Clouds

Billowing Clouds, 6" x 6" oil on 1/8 panel,  SOLD

Am in full swing finally in the studio (Its about time!)  A year of many changes included painting medium..I am always surprized at how long new things take to figure out. 

Slow Moving River

A Slow Moving River, 30" x 30" oil on canvas
This is another re-worked painting.  I did this piece in 2004 and always liked some aspects of it, in particular the blue sky up top reflecting the slice of blue in the centre of the composition.  So i just went into it with a bit of oil paint, didnt really change much, just spiced it up a bit.  I once saw a painting of Jack Shadbolts, dated over a 10 year time. so I guess its not an unusual practise.

Summer Poppies

Summer Poppies, 6" x 12" oil on panel, SOLD

This painting makes me think of my mother who loved poppies and geraniums and reminds me of my childhood.  "Its a perfect day" ! she would say.  What IS a perfect day i wonder ?  Something we are always seeking perhaps?, like painting the  perfect painting..

Where the Yellow Is

Where the Yellow Is, 6" x 6" oil on panel
These little oil panels are an exploration for me in and around a new medium.  I am finding my shoulder giving out from painting large scale acrylics, labouriously making paint strokes to achieve the sheer layering that i love, but oh well, perhaps i will just do fewer this year.  So i am experimenting with these minis, with the idea of finding what "works" for me..Not quite there yet, but close.

Tidal study 2

Tidal study 2, 12" x 12", oil on canvas
This piece i did last October, hmm i seem to have gotten much more careful since going to the workshop,  I wonder what THAT means!.  I enjoyed the roughness and physicality of this..looking back at it.  and the attempt to merge the horizon and also, the sand and water.

Gerbera in vintage green

Gerbera in Vintage Green, 6" x 6", oil on canvas
First little painting in my newly painted white squeaky clean studio,  I had fun today shopping for fabrics/flowers and inspiration for these little still-lives.  FUN!

"Tidal Study"

Tidal Study, 12" x 12" oil on canvas
Hmm..truly i am enamored with the colours and goings on in the shifts in tides.  This is a piece I did in October, thought I would get caught up with my postings..this has been a big move and havent done much in the way of painting.  Though today I finished painting my studio..ready to get to work!

One Yellow, Three Orange

One Yellow, Three Orange, 6" x 6" oil on canvas
This is one of my still life studies from my recent "A Painting a Day" class in Sedona.  Looks simple but i discovered a lot about value.  Not to mention enjoying the beauty of the high desert

Coral at Play

I just returned home from a 5 day workshop in Sedona AZ. It was called "A Painting A Day",. quite fabulous it was, i am excited to get my studio painted and organized and ready to paint!