A Friendly Face
It’s hard to resist a friendly face like this. We made friends instantly.
Posts tagged ‘acrylic painting’
Oct 16
3 Comments
Oct 6
Change of Scenery
We spent a week in the Okanagan this summer. Our routine involved lots of swimming (unavoidable with kids) and lots of wineries – we just went for the scenery. Okay, maybe we tasted a little bit. The landscape included lots of farms, fields, fences, old buildings and ideas!
International
International 18 x 14
This tractor reminds me of the one that my grandad used to give me rides on when I was a kid. I’m not sure if his was an International – I think it might have been a Case. For you mechanical types out there, please don’t look too closely at the inner workings. I’ve only approximated the bits and pieces of the motor. I was not going for accuracy as much as for capturing the character of this well-used machine.
This painting will be included in my upcoming show at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre (The Cultch) at 1895 Venables Street. The opening is on September 5, 6pm-8pm. Please stop by if you are in the neighbourhood.
Jul 31
What’s My Style?
Winter Tracks 8″ x 10″
Recently, someone who has never seen my work asked me what style my paintings are. I should know how to answer that, but I was at a loss. I don’t know the answer. I know what I paint and why I paint it, but I don’t know what my style is called. It occurred to me that I should have a short prepared statement that I can rattle off when needed, so I am giving it some thought. These are the first words that come to mind: design, pattern, bold colour, light vs. shadow, simplified. I will keep thinking. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Summer slow down
Wisteria & Shadows 18″x14″
It has been a while since I have posted any new work. That is because there hasn’t been any. I have been thinking and planning and dreaming about what I would like to paint, but I don’t seem to find time to do it. I really cannot complain though because my free time has been spent with my family, hanging out at the beach, park or pool. Anyone who lives in Vancouver knows that when the sun comes out you have to soak it up. It could unexpectedly transform into grey drizzle at any moment.
The down side is that I do lose my painting momentum. This painting took so long to complete, that I lost my enthusiasm half way through. I am happy to be moving on to something else and have decided to do some tiny paintings – that I can actually finish. I was in such a hurry to be done with the painting above, that I didn’t even sign it. Oops!
Jun 14
An Unexpected Problem
September Maple 18 x 14
This painting has been done for a couple of weeks, however computer problems have kept me out of touch for a while.
It is an interesting experience to have your computer die. After the first feelings of frustration and panic, I realized that eliminating all of the fiddling around I do on the computer would free up a bit more painting time. I have not yet recovered my data, which means that I do not have access to my source files – several years worth of photos that I use for ideas and inspiration. So I found myself digging through my desk and found a very old file of printed photos that had once interested me. They have given me some new ideas and shifted my direction slightly. I am also anxious to get out and take some new photos – inspiration is everywhere!
(By the way, when I talk of reference photos, they are all my own pics, taken by me).
Slowing Down
Slowing Down 9″ x 12″
Here is the second yield sign painting. Like the previous one, it is a scene from Mayerthorpe – the Alberta town where I grew up. I always wonder what people think of me photographing their houses and then painting them. I admit that I feel very self-conscious about pointing the camera at private residences, but I do it all the time.
May 5
Yield
This is the first of two paintings I’m working on that prominently feature a yield sign. As I’ve worked on these I have been thinking and wondering – what is it about the yield signs? Why do I feel compelled to paint them?? I love the splash of red, but it’s more than that. I am not drawn to stop signs in quite the same way. I do, however, have the same attraction to power lines and light poles – they make a painting more interesting somehow.
Yield sign #2 should be completed next week.
Apr 28
Winter Bales
Winter Bales 18" x 14"
After finishing my Fine Arts degree, I stopped painting for several years. The job I took to pay the bills had nothing to do with art. I kept on drawing in my spare time, but without the direction and studio space provided by art class, I did not paint. I can’t remember what inspired me to pick up a brush again, but I do remember what I painted. It was an awful picture of hay bales that I did on cardstock. It was my first attempt at working with acrylics, and it did not turn out well. As bad as the painting was, it obviously sparked my interest in painting again. After practicing for a few years, I now love acrylics and I am much happier with my latest attempt at hay bales.
Apr 3
The Vineyard (again)
Vineyard at Mont Redon 11"x14" - painted in 2012
I painted this from an old photo that I took while traveling in France. It is the second time I’ve painted it. I wanted to try it again because my first attempt was many years ago (10 to be exact), and I think that my style has evolved since then. I deliberately did not look at the first painting before doing this one. However, I couldn’t help but compare them after I’d finished.
I can see that I have become less adventurous with my colour – or to put a positive spin on it, more accurate with my colour. I also see that I am more precise with shapes and forms. What I used to imply loosely, I now work to make more solid. I am not sure that this is a good thing. My older painting is shown below. (I apologize for the glare in this photo. It seems I have become more careful about photographing my work as well).
Vineyard at Mont Redon 16"x20" - painted in 2002
Buy Vineyard at Mont Redon (2012 version)
