No Where to Go

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and it seems like there is just no where to go. I saw this street sign/traffic light in my meanderings in Vancouver and found it rather ironic...



"No Where to Go"
3.5" x 2.5" oil on gessoed paper
© 2008

Spring Baby

Sorry about the glare on this one... I just couldn't get a good picture... it was either too blurry or there was too much glare.



"Spring Baby"
3.5" x 2.5" oil on gessoed paper
© 2008


I pulled out a brand spanky new brush to paint this one with... and I have to say I am amazed on how wonderful it feels to use a new brush. Perhaps I should retire my old worn out brush. I have a few more black gessoed ACEO cards yet, though I am not sure what to paint yet. The black gesso has been so much fun that I have prepared a larger canvas with it. I've already decided what to paint on that one so when I have something worth showing... I'll post it.

Morning Cuppa

I finished another little painting on black gessoed tonight... presenting "Morning Cuppa"... my favourite get-up-and-go drink first thing in the morning.



"Morning Cuppa"
6" x 6" oil on stretched canvas
© 2008


The black gesso is a little bit of a challenge to paint on... being used to a white base. The colours react different... the whites brighter and the transparent ones nearly disappear. I've gessoed up another canvas and just trying to figure out what to paint next.

Early Bird

I was over at my favourite art store today picking up framing supplies when my eye happened upon black gesso. I've been meaning to pick some up to give a try for a long while, but I keep on talking myself out of it. Well, today, I gave it and picked up a small jar. This little guy below is my first painting on black gesso and it was really fun to paint on. There will definitely be more as I play around with the way the colours play on the black.



"Early Bird"
3.5" x 2.5" oil on gessoed paper
© 2008

With a Little Luck

This one was suppose to be ready by St. Patrick's day... but I just couldn't get the paint to dry in time for me to put the layers onto the clover. Oh well, not big deal. It is finished now!



"Strawberry Fields"
3" x 4" oil on canvas paper
© 2008

Private Commission: Summer Days

I think I am nearly done this painting... though there might be the odd tweak here and there as the paint dries. I really love the contrast of the colours on this this little bird and there is much more variation in the oranges of his breast in real life.


"Summer Days"
4" x 6" oil, commission
© 2008


I was hoping to have another painting done and ready to show, but unfortunately the green paint is very slow to dry lately and I have not been able to put the final touches on the painting. I was checking the tackiness of the paint tonight... it should be good by tomorrow.

Strawberry Fields

Just a quick little one from me tonight... been busy finishing up a commission and it taking a little bit longer than expected. Not a big deal..... perhaps is it the perfectionist in me coming out. The colours didn't pick up very well by the camera... there is much more colour in this one in real life. I'll take a scan of it once the paint dries.



"Strawberry Fields"
3" x 4" oil on canvas paper
© 2008

Exciting News: artSpacific 2008

I just found out that I've been accepted to show two paintings in the upcoming artSpacific 6th Annual Juried Exhibition at the Firehall Centre for the Arts in Delta, British Columbia from April 12 to May 9, 2008. The official opening reception will be held on April 12th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and all are welcomed to attend.



"Abstract Reflections" & "Frozen in Time"
Entries into artSpacific 2008
© 2008

Its Spring Again

Spring has undeniably arrived out in my neck of the woods... the daffodils are up and the trees are starting to bud out. With all this new growth I sure have been in the mood to paint 'springy' type of painting.


"Its Spring Again"
2.5" x 3.5" watercolour
© 2008


I have a few larger sized paintings in the works, a couple of commissions and some others for future display... all in various stages of paint drying and completeness. Finished versions will be posted soon.

Posing with Snowdrops

I finished a companion piece to "Cherry Blossom Time". I loved the way the painting turned out last time, that I just had to doing it again. The snowdrops are just starting to bloom out here, as well as the crocus and daffodils so I do believe it is safe to say that spring is here! Yah!!


"Posing with Snowdrops"
3.5" x 2.5" oil on gessoed matboard
© 2008

From the Sketchbook: Sunny Window

I don't have any finished paintings to show tonight (got a couple on the go though...) so, here's another page from my sketchbook. I've been trying to sketch out objects that I wouldn't necessarily paint... like buildings, and landscapes. I'm happy with the way this one looks... I just might do a little painting of it.



watercolour and ink sketch
© 2008

Cherry Blossom Time

It's getting close to cherry blossom time out here and I thought I would try something a little different tonight. I discovered two things with this painting:

1. I really need to practice painting cherry blossoms
2. Indigo, burnt umber, and titanium-zinc white make an awesome silvery grey



"Cherry Blossom Time"
2.5" x 3.5" oil on gessoed matboard
© 2008

Springs A Coming

Spring is starting to come to the west coast with more days of sunshine than rain lately. To celebrate... I present this painting of a chickadee checking out some early spring tree buds. Actually... spring is just an excuse to paint these little guys.



"Springs a Coming"
3" x 4" oil on canvas paper
© 2008