Trying to Fit In

Trying to Fit In

16x40"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #188 - This is the second of my tree portraits, which depict the characteristics of the adolescents I teach. This painting represents the process of a teenager searching for where he/she fits in with their peers and society at large.

Ready to Learn

Ready to Learn

16x40"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #187 - This painting was inspired by an artist named, Langevin and a tree that lives by the walkway of the school I teach at. I think I'll start a series of tree paintings that personify the lives of the adolescents I teach.

1953 Buick Special

1953 Buick Special

5x7"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #186 - I found this beauty parked right outside my front door!

Grace Found

Grace Found

10x20"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #185 - Continuing work from my colour book ... I used a analogous colour scheme of purple, blue and green. I like the simplicity of this painting, which is why I called it, Grace Found.

Home on the Range #10

Home on the Range #10

6x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #184 - I had to paint this little red tractor again as I ruined my painting last spring when I put the resin on it. Today is Thanksgiving - time to send thanks for all those hard-working farmers out there. Thank you!!

1956 Plymouth

1956 Plymouth

5x7"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #183 - I don't understand my love of painting old cars, trucks and tractors but I'm grateful for my neighbour Chris who's providing me with these gems!

Take the Leap

Take the Leap

15x30"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #182 - Oh, its been a long time since I started this painting. I began it at the end of July and then I was on holidays most of August and then school started and finally .... its finished. Lesson learned - don't start something you can't finish in a reasonable time. I was always searching for a rhythm that was constantly interrupted. But - I finished!

Release

Release

11x14"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #181 - I used an analogous red palette of light and dark values of magenta, red and red-orange.

Divine Support

Divine Support

5x7"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #180 - Just a little painting I completed while visiting my niece. She was interested in how to paint birch trees.

Presence

Presence

6x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #179 - In this composition I continued to use the ten hues from blue-green to red-orange, however, this landscape emphasizes the blue-green side of the analogous palette over the yellow-red side.

Self-Care

Self-Care

6x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting # 178 - I'm still working from my colour book. This composition includes ten hues from blue-green to red-orange. This landscape emphasizes the yellow-red side of the analogous palette over the blue-green side.

Light of Grace

Light of Grace

11x14"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #177 - The relationship between these analogous colours is harmonic because there are no dramatic contrasts of hue and the colours have a natural unity.

Spiritual Signposts

Spiritual Signpost

11x14"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #176 - I'm continuing my work using colour schemes from my 2000 colour combinations book. I like the analogous colours of blue, green and yellow.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity

10x20"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #175 - I'm still using my colour book to push and inspire my work. I think the subtle, understated blue works well with the strength and warmth of analogous orange.

Imagine

Imagine

5x7"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #174 - Back to my colour book ... I used an analogous palette of red violet, violet and blue and mixed subtle value contrasts.  My goal was to achieve a dynamic and elusive blue composition but my use of purple took over.

Awaken

Awaken

11x14"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #173 - I deviated from my colour book for this painting and instead manipulated a photo that I had from Canmore. I like the turquoise in the mountains. I'm still not sure about the strong red line in the foreground ... I needed something to give the painting more depth. The red comes forward and thus, pushes everything else back.

Inspired Moments

Inspired Moments

6x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #172 - This colour scheme is called a multiple transparency palette. The colours are strong and remote - perhaps perfect for a fall landscape!

Choices

Choices

6x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #171 - I used a secondary triad for this painting. This was a tough one as I found myself always struggling to achieve more constrast. It is what it is ... that's my new saying when it comes to my painting.

Breathe

Breathe

6x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #170 - This colour palette illustrates the harmony of analogous colours, which conveys energy and warmth.

Divine Timing

Divine Timing

6x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #169 - Its time to start a new body of work for Beacon Original Art's Fall Exhibition and Sale. My goal is to complete around a dozen landscapes and my inspiration is coming from a book called, 2000 color combinations. The color combo for this painting was taken from the cover of the book.

Home on the Range #9

Home on the Range #9

6x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #168 - I was so disappointed!!!! I spent many hours painting this tractor. I really wanted to finish it for my spring show. It was two days before the show when I applied my resin. To my horror, something went wrong and it turned bumpy and as hard as rock very quickly. I spent one hour the next morning sanding the resin and then reapplied another coat. All looked good. Eight hours later I picked up my painting, admiring the shiny coat until it began to drip off the painting and down my hands. Again, I must have done something wrong. The painting is ruined as I am not able to remove the sticky coat that lies ALL OVER this painting ... thus, its off to painting heaven! So long little red one ....

Growth

Growth

10x20"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #167 - Another bad photo lol, however, I'm so happy that I reached my goal of completing 15 paintings for my spring show with Beacon Original Art on April 25th at the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Hall. I hope to see you there!

Find Your Centre

Find Your Centre

6x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #166 - I'm happy to have painted a purple lilac for my spring show. My photo of this painting is dark but I have no time to take another as I'm so busy getting ready for my show in two weeks at Beacon Original Art.

Quiet Mind

Quiet Mind

6x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #165 - I like the simplicity of this painting and the minimal colour.

Invoke

Invoke

6x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #164 - For some reason this painting gave me grief. Maybe I just needed a little break from painting every night. I got too caught up in the details .... not good!!!! Anyway, I finally called it quits and this is what I have. I like the "fur" on the flower's stem!

Ambassadors of Grace

Ambassadors of Grace

6x6"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #163 - I love the blue in this painting - its prussian blue. I think I'll start using it more.

Ready to Support

Ready to Support

8x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #162 - When ever I see daisies I always want to pull off the little white petals and say, "he loves me, he loves me not" ... even when they're in a painting.

Open Mind

Open Mind

8x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #161 - I like the turquoise in the this painting and the centre of the flower. I was surprised at how quickly the textured came together - it just kind of happened.

Open Mind

Open Mind

8x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #161 - I like the turquoise in the this painting and the centre of the flower. I was surprised at how quickly the textured came together - it just kind of happened.

Imagination

Imagination

8x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #160 - Well, painting lilacs did not become easier with this painting. I think I'm still in my head instead of using my intuition .... and with that statement, I think I've just stated my new learning journey. I started this blog approximately 5 years ago. During this time I've mostly been in my head every time I embark on a new painting, ie. "I've been thinking ... light, shadow, colour, composition, what do I see," and my painting has been very methodical. I think its time that I start making the shift to trust my intuition ... could this be my metaphor for life? I'll keep you posted!

Connect

Connect

8x8"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #159 - Lilacs are very hard to paint! I have another one on the go right now - perhaps I'll learn some tricks! Stay tuned ...

Ignite Grace

Ignite Grace

16x16"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #158 - I have to say that I like this painting. I like the details in the petals and the perspective of the flower.

Strength

Strength

16x16"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #157 - I was looking forward to painting this picture because this flower is so pretty. Its from one of the gardens at the Stratford Festival.

Devotion

Devotion

16x16"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #156 - Well, I finished my rose painting! I've noticed that I'm becoming a faster painter. It's about time ....

Go Within

Go Within

12x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #155 - The last of my lilies. The set of three looks nice together. On to roses ...

Care

Care

12x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #154 - I thought I'd try this flower in multiple colours. Another one for my spring show.

Believe

Believe

12x12"

Mixed Media on Board

Painting #153 - First painting of 2015! This painting came together very quickly ... maybe I'm getting faster. Oh joy!!! I've started my body of work for Beacon Original Art's spring show.

Home on the Range #8

Home on the Range #8

6x6"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #152 - This piece was also commissioned. I like the red wood and the grass in the foreground.

Home on the Range #7

Home on the Range #7

6x6"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #151 - This was a commissioned piece and the first time I had ever painted wood (as far as I can remember). I like the broken glass in the windows.

From Canmore with Love

From Canmore with Love
14x18"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #150 - This paint began while attending a conference in Canmore. I walked by a colleague of mine who said, "Can I have that painting?" I had worked with Diane for the past four years on the Fine Arts Council of the Alberta Teachers Association. Diane is a gem - the thought of her makes me smile! I looked at her and said, "Yes, the painting is yours." I took the painting home and completed it with my trade mark patterns in the foreground. I used words to describe the experiences I had with Diane while spending a night out with her in Canmore.

1958 Edsel

1958 Edsel

5x7"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #149 - Another gem found in the fields of southern Ontario. The interior was cream leather with gold piping! It was for sale ... I debated whether or not to include the for sale sign in the painting.

1962 Chrysler Imperial

1962 Chrysler Imperial

5x7"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #148 - I saw this gem while out on a walk. Chris, the owner caught me taking photos. I think I may have to paint the tail lights as well as they were stunning.

Tuckered Out (Home on the Range #6)

Tuckered Out

6x6"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #147 - I found this truck nestled in the trees in someone's yard while I was out for a walk. I don't think it has been driven in years! A nice little addition to the collection.

Home on the Range #5

Home on the Range #5

6x6" 

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting # 146 - Another truck to paint thanks to my colleague Ken who provided me with the photo. I like it and continue to be surprised at how difficult these little guys are to paint!

Dance With Grace

Dance With Grace

12x12"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #145 - Again, this painting was inspired from a photograph from Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park. I used Photoshop to enhance colours and tried to create a "sparkle"! I think I almost "got it"!

Seen Its Day

Seen Its Day

6x6"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #144 - My niece sent me this photo of this beat up old tractor. The perspective of the photograph is excellent - well done Katie!! I like the painting - its fun.

Step Into the Light

Step Into the Light

12x24"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #143 - This painting was from a photo I had taken while visiting Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park. I used a Photoshop app to enhance the colours and then played them up a bit more with paint.

Simple Pleasures

Simple Pleasures

12x24"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #142 - My niece took the reference photo for this painting while we were on an Alaskan cruise. I'm happy with my trees and I really like the pop of orange in the background.

Abundance

Abundance

10x20"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #141 - This painting comes as a surprise to me. I say that because it didn't come from my brain - it just emerged from me. I used a reference photo that I had taken from Stratford, Ontario but the photo was entirely green. I like the red .... I think (:

Home on the Range 3

Home on the Range 3

6x6"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Painting #140 - Who knew that trucks were so hard to paint! Thanks again to my colleague Ken for the photo - keep them coming!