A Gift

A Gift

12x6"

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

Painting #273 - This is the painting that my client chose from my six paintings of wheat.

Comfort

Comfort

6x6"

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

Painting #272 - I thought I'd try a different sky colour. I like the softness of the grass in the background.

Abundance

Abundance

10x8"

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

Painting #271 - I received a commission to do a painting of wheat. This is the first of six paintings

Follow Your Intuition

Follow Your Intuition

12x16"

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

Painting #270 - I'm experimenting with a new app., hence, the loose, bold colours. This is a painting of the Peace bridge in Calgary that my husband and I frequently use to cross the Bow river.

First Loves

First Loves

8x10"

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

Painting #269 - Actually, I did this painting in June but forgot to post it. I created it for my brother who is getting married today!!! He loves his Harvey and of course the new lady in his life, Cheryl.

Let Go

Let Go

10x10"

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

Paining #268 - This painting was inspired by a photo I took of down town Calgary. Again, its loose. I have realized that I have a lot to learn about blue pigments. I had great difficulty achieving the blues I wanted for this painting.

Walk a Bright Path

Walk a Bright Path

12x6"

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

Painting #267 - I'm still using my new app. to manipulate my photos. It helps me paint in a loose manner, which I like. This work was inspired from a photo I took at Prince's Island in Calgary

Be Still

Be Still

8x6"

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

Painting # 266 - Finally, I'm back in the studio! I found an interesting app and I'm using it to inspire new paintings. This work was created from a picture I took at St. Patrick's Island in Calgary.

Dance on the Promenade

Dance on the Promenade

20x30"

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

Painting #265 - This painting is inspired by the song, Promenade by the Fragments. The drums lead the listener into a ChaCha type melody. The song is uplifting and makes me want to dance.

Loess Interpreted

Loess Interpreted

30x36"

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

Painting #264 - My artwork is inspired by the song Loess, by The Fragments. Loess immediately resonated with me. Its melody inspires a sense mystery as do the lyrics, which personify soil. Through this project, I learned that a loess is formed by the accumulation of wind-blown silt, and its soils are among the most fertile in the world.

After repeatedly listening to the song, I was motivated by the story about the earth’s land. I’ve never considered the life of soil and how it constantly moves, settles, accumulates, and takes shape. It’s like there’s a secret world that lives within our landscapes. I felt the melody reiterated this idea and that’s what I wanted to capture in my painting.

I chose blue tones to depict a mysterious mood and used mostly an analogous colour scheme of yellow, green and blue. I loosely blocked in the sky, land and trees. In the foreground, I painted bands of colour in different widths to represent layers of soil. This is also where I would capture the movement of the music and the land. From this stage, the painting took on a life all of its own. I aspired to let the song feed my art and to remain open, receptive and responsive to the moment. A constant challenge was ensuring my piece looked unified. I knew I was finished when the feeling of my painting fit the tone of the song.

Praire Gem

Prairie Gem

10x10"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #263 - Well, this will be my last painting of the year. My teaching career has sucked so much of my energy and I didn't paint as much as I would have like to. Oh well, 2019 is a new year!

Chill Out

Chill Out

10x10"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #262 - I was trying to achieve a very "cold" painting so I kept it monochromatic. I'm not sure if I succeeded because I feel some warmth when I look at it.

Reach Beyond

Reach Beyond

12x36"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #261 - Still exploring the landscape. I need to work on my leaves in the foreground. It will come!

Breathe

Breathe

30x10"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #260 - A colleague gave me this photo and another colleague asked me if I would be interested in participating in a canola field exhibition. So thus, here is my canola field painting!

Have a Seat

Have a Seat

24x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #259 - It's glorious to work from a photo! While out for a walk I captured this scene and was eager to paint it. I'm still focused on "subtracting the light" and using single pigment paints.

Presence

Presence

10x10"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #258 - Still focusing on "subtracting the light". It's hard to think backwards ... I'm used to adding the light at the end of my painting journey!

Rainbow Ridge Babe

Rainbow Ridge Babe

8x10"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #257 - My friends who call their home, Rainbow Ridge Ranch sent me this picture of a baby moose they saw on their property. I though he/she would be fun to paint. I didn't use my new process for this one.

Trust

Trust

12x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #256 - Still experimenting. Did I mention that I'm using a whole new palette of single pigment paints? I'll continue to trust the process! Just wondering ... should I bring my edges in closer to the tree?

Friendship

Friendship

12x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #255 - I'm just continuing on this journey. I don't mind this painting. I think my leaves look rich.

Patience

Patience

20x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting # 254 - I will have to be patient with myself as I learn this new process. I forgot to mention in my last post that I'm only using single pigment paints too. WHAT - no more mixing paints!! I use a layering process. I've always glazed but this is much different .... its that "subtracting the light" thing!

Take a Risk

Take a Risk

20x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #253 - I'm trying something new - its called "subtracting the light". Its very challenging because I have to plan out my whole painting before I begin. I would call myself an intuitive painter so this is very different for me. I admire David Langevin's work and I read his blog about his process. I'm hoping to achieve more light and vibrance in my work.

Connect

Connect

7x5"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #252 - Small and quick AND, I think I've found my new challenge!!! I'll share in the next post ... it's about subtracting the light!

Passion

Passion

12x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #251 - Continuing with small and quick and trying to improve my clouds.

Peace

Peace

7x5"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #250 - Again, painting small and quick. This painting was fun to do.

The Journey

The Journey

6x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #249 - I had just been cross-country skiing with friends. It was a glorious day. I'm just continuing to paint small and quick until I find a new challenge, goal or pathway in my painting journey.

Relax

Relax

12x16"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #248 - I was feeling "stuck" and didn't know what to paint. I did some reading about painters block and the following statement got me to pick up my brush, "You always have something in your head, just paint it". I let go of trying to figure out what to paint, found a photo for inspiration, and just painted. It is what it is!

Sparkles and Me

Sparkles and Me

8x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #247 - I had so much fun painting this picture of my sister-in-law and me. We were in the Caribbean and bought the same Micheal Kors sunglasses. My brother took the photo in black and white with only our glasses containing colour. It just had to be painted!

Pathway to the Elbow River

Pathway to the Elbow River

8x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #246 - It sure is a lot easier to create a painting from a photograph. Usually, I create my landscapes from memory and feeling but I had a reference photo for this piece. This painting is my last for 2017 and marks my 30th piece of the year! Whew, I didn't think I was going to meet that goal this year. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Looking West

Looking West

12x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #245 - I always use molding paste when I paint coniferous trees and I honestly didn't know if I could paint one without it! I'm happy with my result.

Sparkles Along the Bow River

Sparkles Along the Bow River

12x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #244 - I didn't plan on painting my tree this way, however, this is what I got. I like the addition of rhinestones in the piece. The whole painting lights up when the sun hits it!

Banks of the Bow River

Banks of the Bow River

8x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #243 - I really enjoyed painting the river bank in this piece. I like the design of the three distinct areas in the foreground: the underground, the water and shadows, and the bank.

Inspired Moments

Inspired Moments

10x10"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #242 - I thought I'd paint a bit bigger this time. I like the loose strokes in the background, however, I'm still struggling with my foreground deciduous trees. These will have to do for now.

Stay Connected

Stay Connected

5x7"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #241 - I'm continuing with my tiny landscape paintings and enjoying the feeling of expressive mark making!

Miracles

Miracles

5x7

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #240 - I like this little gem! The ochre and purple compliment each other nicely. On to my next small piece ... Which colour scheme shall I choose next?

Take the Leap

Take the Leap

5x7"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #239 - I'm continuing with my small paintings. I used an analogous colour scheme of blue, green and purple. I like the roots in the foreground and continue to enjoy the freedom I feel while painting these small pieces.

Time to Rest

Time to Rest

6x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #238 - I'm painting a few small pieces as they are good for gifts. I enjoyed the freedom I felt doing this painting ... perhaps because of its size??

Memories

Memories

6x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #237 - I was playing around with inks and this is a photo transfer of the same piece I did on watercolour paper (which I like better). I have great memories of New Hamburg's fall fair when I was I kid and that's what I tried to capture.

Winter's Upon Us

Winter's Upon Us

30x10"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #236 - I began this painting when the weather started to change and a cold chill was in the air. The snow hadn't come but I knew it was on our doorstep!

Gift of Grace

Gift of Grace

6x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #235 - This was a commissioned piece and was a lot of fun to do because I knew the person it was for. Today is her birthday and I feel that she is a gift of grace to our world.

Magnificent Soul

Magnificent Soul

16x40"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #234 - In this painting I wanted to capture the beauty of the land as the season changed. Autumn is a colourful time of year and an inspiration for me.

True Alberta - Redo

True Alberta - Redo

36x48

Mixed Media on Canvas

Again, I added so branches and leaves in the foreground, which provides more interest and depth to the painting.

Alberta Thaw - Redo

Alberta Thaw - Redo

24x36"

Mixed Media on Canvas

I decided to paint some bush branches in the foreground. I think it gives the painting more depth.

The In Crowd - Redo

The In Crowd - Redo

40x40"

Mixed Media on Canvas

I decided to change a few of my paintings that have been in my inventory for a while. In this painting I added some warm coloured leaves to represent the change of season. I also added some "jewels" - their shine really catches my eye!

A Child is Born

A Child is Born

60x40"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #233 - This was a commissioned piece, which really pushed me because of its size and "trying to get it right" for my clients. Unfortunately, I didn't get a good photo before it went to its new home!

Untitled

After the Rain

24x48"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #232 - I don't think this painting is finished. I'm experimenting with skies because I have a commissioned sky painting. I struggle with leaving the canvas so "simple" ... why do I want to see more? I like the calmness presented here but a part of me is saying, "so what?". I need help ...

Hot Summer Night

Hot Summer Night

10x20"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #231 - Noticing that I love the turquoise and orange colour combination.

Ready to Work

Ready to Work

8x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #230 - I'm participating in a show called Cultivation of Art at Vales Greenhouse in Black Diamond from June 23-25th. I thought my body of work should include a tractor. These little red guys are hard to find so I used an existing picture I had that was taken by a colleague. Hope to see you at the show!

Autumn Rush

Autumn Rush

12x24"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #229 - I simply wanted to capture the colours of autumn in a landscape. I'm still experimenting with different styles of tree foliage and haven't captured a style I love ... yet!

Spring Alarm

Spring Alarm

10x20"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #228 - I wanted to capture the first moments of spring when bits of lime green begin to appear. I don't think I captured that but I like the bold colours in the foreground.

Acts of Creation

Acts of Creation

6x20"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #227 - I just wanted to try something different. It was difficult to integrate the girl's face into the landscape but I'm happy with the turn out. Its different - different is good, right? lol