West Art Show September

Well, it has been a while(2 1/2 years) since I updated this blog. I have continued to paint, but just did not continue to blog. Since last posting , I have explored some really cool places, and painted in some interesting and sometimes challenging locations. Sometimes with success, but most of the time not.

This last spring, I was invited to show my art at the Cloverdale Rodeo Art show. It was long days, but I really enjoyed the people I was with and met some people that left a mark on me (no, not a black eye). They invited me back to a show in September, this weekend coming up, so I thought I need to update this. I am also coming out with a web page shortly.

Addison Colors - 12 x 24 Oil on Canvas

Recovered Blueberry Fields - 16 x 20 Oil on Canvas

Golden Reflections - 11 x 14 Oil on Board

Yellow Tree - 22 x 28 Oil on Canvas

Foggy Trail - 16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas

Manning in Spring - 24 x 36 Oil on Canvas

Gold Creek Power - 16 x 20 Oil on Canvas

 Due to some heart issues this summer (2017) I didn't get the painting in the studio that I had hoped for. However I did get out Plein Air (onsite) painting a fair bit and will be using these in my show. I actually like the "smalls" as the fit all over the house.

Beaver Reflections - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air 

2Bit Bar - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Fraser Tree - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Minniewanka Blues - 11 x 14 Oil on board

Williams Stream  - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Minniewanka  - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Lake Morraine - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board

Pier at Blackie Spit  - 9 x 12 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Pump Houses  - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Mountains near Spray Lakes  - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Vermillion Lakes View  - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Copies and Creeks

A few more contributions. I have been working (not always succeeding) at getting a better contrast in my paintings to make them interesting. As I am doing this, I find it a struggle when I fiddle too long on it, but a pretty neat feeling when I just try and not overwork it.

"Northern Stream in Acrylic" 12x12

This was fun. It is a copy of Tom Thomson's piece that I copied from a book. I have been trying to copy different painters to learn from doing it. Hopefully it pays off in what I am learning

"Gold Creek Peak" 11x14

I had to climb over some bush and trees to find this spot along the upper part of Gold Creek. What a cool day that was. I hope I got the movement of the water.

"Malcom Knapp #3" 11 x 14

This is the same location that I had painted earlier, but the water level was a lot higher, and more powerful. I tried to capture the power of the water, as well as the copper color in the crazy spots.

(more to come from this location. the roar of the water is ... addictive)

Waterfall in Malcom Knapp Research Forest

I got off early from work today, so I sprinted up the hill to the UBC Research Forest (Malcom Knapp) to try and tackle some of the creek I found. The light had left, but I was able to put together some good darks, and had a peaceful time doing it.

"Malcom Knapp WF #2" (8x10 P.A.)

Alice Lake, Squamish

Today's P.A. was at Alice Lake, in Squamish. I grew up in Squamish and this is where I hung out as a teenager in summer.

"Garibaldi over Alice Lake"  - 11x14 P.A.

Gold Creek

Here is one I did from Gold Creek. That was a good day.

this was the original (8x10 P.A.) 

then I updated the rocks when I got home

this is in UBC Research Forest. Alright, though way too dark for the kind of day it was. I look forward to another visit.

Mike Svob and painting red hot paintings

It has been a while since I updated. Sorry. I have been painting a lot and learning a ton, so I am not sure where to start, but for now, I think I'll just post some pics and go from there.
Also, I will be updating my pictures. I got some great advice about photographing my work from Glenn Payan (http://www.glennpayan.com/), and I was just waiting for a sunny day to get that done.

Recently, I have been reading "Painting Red Hot Paintings" by Mike Svob. Awesome book. I like where it is taking my direction on some things. Here are some of MY exercises from his book. I love the use of contrast and colour to do some of the things I have been wanting to achieve.

I like the contrasts I get from this.

Christmas Mountains

I did a couple of small paintings for my mom for Christmas. They started out as 10x10 (which I finished) but we found a great deal on some frames that were 8x10, so I repainted them into the smaller format. It actually worked out better, as I was able to work out some composition issues with the first ones.
I loved doing these, as I didn't just paint pictures, but tried to incorporate a personality to these mountains. I hope my work reflects that.

We grew up in Squamish where Mt. Garibaldi dominated the northern skyline. I could have painted it from memory, as it was so prevalent in my past.

"Garabaldi" 8"x10" acrylic

My mom now lives in Abbotsford, and has another mountain to rule over her land. Mt. Baker is to her south and looks over the Fraser Valley.

"Mt. Baker" 8"x10" acrylic

Painters I am following these days

I have started following some painters whose work I think is awesome.  I hope you get a chance to follow them and see the great works they are doing.

Gaye Adams. A wonderful painter and a really neat lady.
http://gayeadams.blogspot.ca/

Marc R. Hanson. I stumbled on him a little while back and sit and just look at his paintings when I need a lift.
http://marchanson.blogspot.ca/

James Gurney. A watercolourist who takes things to a great imaginative level
http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.ca/

Susan Galick, an awesome lady (she looks so much younger than me, yet has grandkids) and a painter who is on the climb.
http://www.susangalick.com/blog

Olga Rybalko. A real sweetie who does amazing things with arcylics.
http://www.olgarybalko.com/


And lastly, Murray Phillips, my instructor, mentor, and friend.
http://murrayphillipsart.com/


Please check these people out. You will be glad you did.
Enjoy

Cold Days Painting

I haven't posted in a while, but I came across a couple of cold pictures that I thought I could post.

This was done on Remembrance Day, and it was really windy and cold. Brenna and I went up to Alouette Lake to do some painting and it was stormy on the lake. I had to pin my box box with one hand while I painted with the other. Brenna wrapped up in a blank and set up on the beach for a bit.
The result wasn't great, (it really needs a foreground) but it was fun none the less.

"Stormy Rememberance" (P.A.) 9"x12"

The second comes from the first day we got snow here. It was about -6' with a heavy wind in my face. Brenna and Champ walked the dike as I painted. At one point, the paint (acrylic underpaint) froze to my brush and I had to move to oils, which were very stiff. The wind was so bad that it blew my brush holder (a plastic bag) onto the ground, and I lost several brushes. I couldn't really feel my fingers during. It was pretty cold.
I loved it, and I turned in one of my favorite paintings to date.
Notice the fat boy pants. I had to do it so I could put the long underarmour underneath.

"First snow" (P.A.) 9"x12"

I also tried to render it to a 16"x20" that evening

October Update

A couple of my more recent paintings. Finished off the blueberry rows and a new one inspired by the Birches and Storm. I am going to try and enter them in a show for December 12 - 14, 2014. Gotta love the bright colours.

"Blueberry Rows" 16" x 20"

(the same painting as below, but I finished it. I think it is my favorite to date. Stupid iphone camera doesn't do it justice.)

"Last Light on the Birches" 18" x 24"

Recent Plein Aires

Some updated pics: I will be updating the blog in the next day or so ...

Some small plein airs (outside painting) for your perusal. I love getting out and painting outside. It is SO FUN.

 

"North Alouette Colours" (P.A.) 9" x 12"

"Deception Pass" 10" x 10"

"Birches and Storm" (P.A.) 9" x 12"

"Heron Fields" (P.A.) 9" x 12"

The Finishing Touches

Tips on the finish.
I think I mentioned it earlier, but I am part of a painting group who bring their recent work to the be critiqued by the group. I am quite overwhelmed by the talent of the people around me, but am so pleased with their kindness as they contribute direction and sound advise.

"Quiet time on the South Alouette" 16x20

The advise from the group was ...

1. Make the Star the Star (Emphasize the middle section)
2. Check your lines (make the lines on the back mountains consistent)
3. Light changes things (add back lit foliage where sky holes are / add highlights to the front grass)
4. Brushstrokes need to reflect the direction of your object (water reflections need to be completely horizontal)

Here is the same picture with the changes added (and a different frame)

The highlights and foliage seemed to add depth to the picture. 

These were great lessons, on seeing those things that help the picture get to the finish stage.... Thanks to the power of the group.

Blueberries and Cranberries

Here are today's pictures.
Svengoolie ("The Wolf Man" with Lon Chaney Jr.) picture for this week is

"Blueberry Fields and Pump Houses" 16x20

Similar to the one with three trees (Can berry fields be much different?) but I liked how the buildings looked against the dark reds of the bushes. See pump house (8x10) down below.

Also today, I got out to paint onsite at those cranberry fields. I enjoyed the day. What a beautiful spot. 

"Cranberries & Pump House" 8x10