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Tuesday, August 28th, 2007
Three quaint old apartment buildings in the Strathcona District on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton, Alberta were demolished to make way for a large condominium complex — a shame, considering all the new windows that were just replaced a few years ago. To remove them beforehand would not be financially viable for the new builder, but it’s not the way things are done in oil-rich Alberta these days. Everything: fridges, furnaces… someone’s home the week before — smashed and crushed within 36 hours.
Individuals would gladly use these second-hand materials, even volunteer to take them out. China would kill for that wood. The trip to Mexico is still fresh in my mind, and of how they utilize everything, even wire frames of old mattresses as fence material. This destruction was wasteful, almost painful.
On the other hand, it was very interesting to watch! It’s these sorts of extremes that conjure up perplexing conflicting emotions, and all the travel this year leaves me with so much revitalized energy to draw upon for a long time. I haven’t been painting, but these kinds of experiences are where all worthwhile art originates.
Summer Storms
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007
Evening storm clouds accumulating at about 5:30 p.pm. mid July in Stony Plain, Alberta
Sky appears to be falling, Airdrie Alberta, July 2007
Train and storm, Montana in July
Damselflies
Saturday, August 11th, 2007
… just returned from Alberta, where this summer’s hot temperatures have maintained high numbers of dragonflies and damselflies. These ones will have offspring born in Airdrie, just outside of Calgary.
Raccoons
Thursday, July 5th, 2007
Bold and as curious about us, a family of five raccoons played in a willow tree in our son Adrian’s back yard, Ottawa, Ontario
Maple leaves, Kingston, Ontario
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007
…back after two weeks of driving from Texas to Ontario and back the long route this time through North Carolina just so we could see it, and thanks to the invention of the digital camera my daily image requirements remain satisfied! Maple trees are common almost everywhere between Texas and Canada, here are some branches in honor of Canada Day, held on July 1st. This shot was taken at Jones Falls Dam near Kingston, Ontario.
Aspen, Banff National Park
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
“Northern Delights 01, Aspen at a protected Bison reserve, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada – 14H x 11W inches oil pastels and water-wash pencils on paper, white double mat, 22H x 26W inches white frame with white crackle finish
First Snow, started
Monday, January 15th, 2007
First Snow, 36H x 24W inches acrylics and crackle medium on canvas, work in progress
First Snow has many layers and blobs of paint. A damp cloth dipped in white was wiped lightly across the textured surface to create the effect of snow powder. Crackle medium also works well to help with the impression of snowfall. The scene is of tall Spruce trees in Calgary, Alberta where, on September 1st, the day I was to return to Dallas I awoke to a gentle snowfall and powder on the trees.
Sun Shower 01
Friday, December 1st, 2006
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Sun Shower 01, 85H x 45W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, used watercolors resist medium, narrow dark wood frame. (now sold)
This painting went through an interesting work process, made connections with some of my existing painting methods, and shed light on new ones.
1) Sun Shower detail – masking medium, usually used with watercolors to keep areas white, was dotted with a toothpick all over where raindrops would be. 2) about 1.5 hours after starting. 3) after about 5 hours of work. 4) after about seven days.
The tall Ponderosa Pine is in our oldest son’s front yard in Ottawa, Ontario. A small covered balcony overlooks the yard and the tree dominates, providing lots of shade there. Last summer while sitting on the balcony, as it poured rain the sun kept shining. The street beyond sparkled, and branches were heavy with raindrops. It was an hour of incredible beauty that inspired this painting.
Morning Light
Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Morning Light, 48H x 36W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, sides wrapped, narrow frame stained dark brown
Post dated note: Morning Light was accepted into the 2007 American Juried Art Salon’s Spring/Summer Juried Exhibition online, and Studio 2600 Light, Shine and Sparkle Dec. 2007 – Jan. 2008.
Now sold but can be replicated in same spirit as original. Please allow at least 14 days to recreate before shipping.
Wild Canada: Stony Swamp Trail
Tuesday, August 1st, 2006
Stony Swamp Trail, Ottawa, Ontario Canada, Paper Places series, 14 x 11 inches oil pastels on paper with 3-inch-wide white double mat and 26H x 22W inch white custom-built white wood frame with crackle finish. The series inspired the accompanying poem:
It remains
when things are gone
and people passed
and roads
and paths
and places
we belong
to the essence.
Intuitive response to subject matter impart individual character to each piece, so styles are deliberately different.
Post-dated note: Stony Swamp Trail was accepted for The Artist Showplace Gallery’s Annual Juried Exhibition, February – March 2007.