When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

summer

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Stellar’s Jays

Monday, April 17th, 2017


 

Stellar's Jays, phase 03 work in progress, 18 x 24 inches watercolors on 140 lb. cold press

Work in progress, Stellar’s Jays at Nimkish Lake, Vancouver Island BC, 18 x 24 inches watercolors on 140 lb. cold press. For years I’ve been visualizing a painting that portrays the Stellar’s Jay in various poses, representing general character. My Dad pointed out that Stellar’s Jays don’t usually group this way, which is an accurate view of the broader behaviour that didn’t even occur to me. Interesting! Phase 02 below and detail image – the yellow is masking medium:

Stellar's Jays, work in progress, 18 x 24 inches watercolors on 140 lb. cold press Stellar's Jays, work in progress detail

Normally I don’t outline anything when starting a painting, which works fine with acrylics because it’s easy to change things throughout the process, but watercolors don’t allow for much room for error, especially if you don’t have much practice with them. Wingin’ it usually works for me because I don’t mind failure in exchange for experience, but mapping out the shapes and arrangement lightly in pencil really helps, and confidence is fundamental to painting well.

Smoky Lake Summer

Wednesday, April 12th, 2017


 

Smoky Lake Summer, 14 x 20 inches watercolors on 140 lb. cold pressed premium
Smoky Lake Summer, 14H x 20W inches watercolors on 140 lb. cold pressed premium. 20H x26W inches approximate size framed. This is my favorite summertime memory of Alberta… miles of moving shadows across bright Canola fields and expansive, moody skies. The painting started off without the tree but needed a focal point. Detail images:

  Upper left detail of Smoky Lake Canola   Tree detail of Smoky Lake Canola   Lower left Canola detail of Smoky Lake Canola

Clearcut forest, Tillimook OR

Tuesday, February 28th, 2017


 

 Clearcut 01 detail, watercolors Clearcut 01 detail, watercolors

 Clearcut 01 details, watercolors – work in progress details

North Saanich Poppies

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017


 

North Saanich Poppies, 16 x 20 inches W/C on 140 lb. cold pressed premium

North Saanich Poppies, BC Canada – 14H x 20W inches W/C on 140 lb. cold pressed premium. Framed size 20H x 26W inches with white mat, white wood frame with crackle finish.

Watercolor gestures

Sunday, February 19th, 2017


 

Bee Balm, 4 x 6 inch watercolor

Bee Balm, Hydrangeas, and Tiger Lilies 4 x 6 inch watercolor gestures, working no longer than 30 minutes each.

Hydrangeas, 4 x 6 inch watercolor

  Tiger Lilies, 4 x 6 inch watercolor

Mt. Walker Rhododendrons

Friday, February 17th, 2017


 

Mt. Walker, WA Rhododendrons, 15H x 22W inches WC on 140 lb cold pressed premium

Mt. Walker, WA wild Rhododendrons, 15H x 22W inches WC on 140 lb cold pressed premium. Details:

  Mount Walker WA Rhododendrons, central left detail   Mount Walker WA Rhododendrons, central right detail

Monk’s residence, Luang Prabang, Laos

Monday, October 17th, 2016


 
Monk's residence, Luang Prabang, Laos

Photography Fits!

Monarda finished

Thursday, July 7th, 2016


 

Monarda finished, 24H x 28W inches acrylics
Monarda, lower right detail of 24H x 28W inches acrylics
Monarda finished, 24H x 28W inches acrylics on canvas board. Total size 32H x 36W inches with frame of 2″ black suede mat, gold trim then 4-inch red suede surround and gold frame.

Monarda photo compilation: in progress and finished piece framed

 


 

Monarda 24H x 28W inches acrylics on canvas board. Total size 32H x 36W inches with frame of 2" black suede mat, gold trim then 4-inch red suede surround and gold frame

Hydrangea

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013


 

Blue Hydrangea, 18 x 24 inches graphite on 80 lb premium

Blue Hydrangea, 18H x 24W inches graphite on 80 lb premium, white mat

Gladiolas

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013


 

Gladiolas, 24H x 18W inches graphite on paper, white mat

Gladiolas, 24H x 18W inches graphite on paper, white mat

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