Bike Shadows

My next biggest painting is slowly taking shape on my biggest easel today (thanks Dad for making the easel for me!!!). I thought about trying it on my smaller easel... but, then common sense took over and I pulled out the big one. I started by blocking in the cyclists (one at the moment just looks like a bit of a blob) first just to get a feel for how it is all going to fit. Then, I started blocking in patches of colours just to see what would look the best. I've decided on an orange/purple/grey combination and I think that was a good choice. Lots more work left... though, I may take a break and work on a watercolour over the weekend.



"Bike Shadows"
36" x 30"
© 2009
photo refernce from morguefile

Reflections, Finished Acrylic Painting

Took this one off my easel tonight and hung it on my wall. I'm soo tickled pink at how well it turned out and how quickly I finished it considering it is my largest painting to date. Though, that will change... I've started an even larger one tonight for my brother. Hopefully it won't take nearly as long as this one has been a long time waiting.



"Reflections"
18" x 24"
© 2009

untitled

I'm almost finished this large (for me) painting... just a touch little bit to do on one of the bouys and the center. It has been a very (very very) long time since I have used acrylics and I forgot how fun they can be. I am trying to stay loose, using my bigger brushes and not getting too fussy about the details. Up close I struggle to keep the details out... but when looked at from a distance, I am super happy with the way it looks.


untitled
18" x 24"
© 2009

Merry Christmas

From my family to yours:

Wishing you and your family all the best this holiday season.

Where I Paint

Its been almost a week since my last update, but... I do have a most excellent excuse, though I cannot share until the new year (some details still need to be worked out). Until then, I thought I would share where I paint and what has been distracting me (besides holiday planning/visiting/baking/preparing). The watercolours have been put aside just for a little while as I have a few last minute very large paintings that have a very tight deadline for me to finish. This one is based off a closeup picture I took of a tugboat on the coast up near Gibson's Landing (on the British Columbia coast). It is a surprise... though those who are being surprised by this don't check my blog regularly so I think it is safe to post it here.


Where I Paint
© 2009

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to morn
for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles,
but to live in the present wisely and earnestly. ~ Buddha

Courage

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, "I will try again tomorrow".

- M.M. Radmacher

A Kitty in Progress: Spider

I didn't manage to get much painting done today... busy trying my best to get the very very last minute holiday cards out to everyone. I am so late this year that I think all my cards will be Happy New Year cards instead of Christmas cards. I've also started writing down and thinking about my New Year's resolutions (I have a terrible habit of not following through with them). This year... I'm going to try to get some good realistic goals and keep to them next year. Stay tuned for my list (which should appear shortly before the end of the year).



Spider, Work in Progress
4" x 4" Watercolour on Aquabord
© 2009

Still On the Easel - Spider

Today I worked more on Spider, completed some of the shaping of his neck and the top of his neck. I've also started blending and shaping the whiskers along his face and neck. The masking fluid lines were slightly too wide so I've had to slowly adjust so that I can just blend the colours together. So far so good.



Spider, Work in Progress
4" x 4" Watercolour on Aquabord
© 2009

Birds!

I don't have a new painting to post tonight (been busy doing holiday cards and getting ready for the upcoming holiday break), but... I thought I would share some more bird photographs from my recent trip to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. I'll have a new painting (or at least an update on a work in progress).



Sparrow




Songbird (Sparrow?)

Daisies - Currently on the Easel

Okay... so I know I shouldn't have started another another painting without finishing some of my already in progress paintings... but, after feeding the chickadees on Saturday I just couldn't help myself. When inspiration attacks, one must not ignore it.



Daisies - Currently on the Easel
6" x 4" Watercolour
© 2009

More Spider (WIP)

I got a little more done on Spider this weekend, mostly in 'greying' up the fur (when compared to the photograph I had Spider a touch to brown. Its been a busy weekend working on all sorts of projects (painting and photographing), so overall... a good productive weekend.


Spider, Work in Progress
4" x 4" Watercolour on Aquabord
© 2009

Fun with Chickadees

No paintings today... had way too much fun at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary feeding chickadees and snapping photographs. I got some absolutely awesome photographs of chickadees as well as ducks, sandhill cranes, and some other (yet) unidentified birds.



Feeding Chickadees





Feeding Chickadees

The Rain Has Gone - Bird #25

After nearly a month of rain... it sure felt good to feel the sunshine on my skin. Even all the song birds seemed to be out in full force today! I hope the sun manages to stay around for a little while before the next winter rain storm comes.



The Rain Has Gone
3.5" x 2.5" Watercolour
© 2009