Holiday Greetings

Greeting Card on Archival Watercolor Paper $10

It's that time of year when we send holiday greetings. Since I am in a bit of a painting funk I thought it would be good to paint a few cards to get the painting inspiration going.

For anyone wanting to do this I recommend 140 lb watercolor paper and I highly recommend putting gesso on before painting. Then throw on the paint and make an original you painting. This one hasn't been folded yet. I also put a coat of medium on when finished and let that dry. Then if someone is wanting to frame your card it doesn't need glass.

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Weathered

Weathered 10"X10" Acrylic on Paper $100

This is from my Nova Scotia trip. Love those boat houses.

Celebration of Life

We had Marion's Celebration of Life yesterday.

One of the things that she said was that even though she had cancer she wanted to live her life to the fullest. She knew lots of people that were healthy and not living.

I say "let's live".

Distance

Distance 18X24 Acrylic $450

This is a mixed media painting with paper, gauze and acrylic paint on canvas.

zipline

Zipline 18X24 Mixed Media on Archival Foamcore $450

I have posted this painting before. I love the textures that I managed and since I am currently working on large rock formations and how to achieve both distance and structure I thought I would revisit the way I did this one.

I am doing a lot of value studies, going back through old sketchbooks and blocking out large areas to see if that structure would make a more interesting painting. Doing this exercise is so stimulating for my imagination that I was up at 4:30 rumaging through the past. Everyone should try this :D)

Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach 14X11 Oil on Canvas $150

As a follow up to Gratitude I thought I'd revisit Ruby Beach. The big haystack type formations loom out over the beach and still waters as the ocean rushes in behind them. The three of us visited this beach in June and the formations left quite an impression on me. I believe I will try and do a number of these.

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Gratitude

Gratitude 8X10 Oil on Canvas $100

How do I title a painting? I do love rocks, water, warm colors, happy memories. When I put them all together I am grateful for my life, my experiences and my relationships. I thought gratitude was the best title.
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Golden Lining

Golden Lining 11X14 Oil on Canvas $150.00

I wanted to paint a Blue Painting for the Blue Day. I wanted it to be a cheerful blue painting. Then I thought of the silver lining. Obviously the silver turned into Gold. My paintings always have a mind of their own. Makes me wonder who is in control?

West Coast 12X12 Oil on Canvas $150

This is a picture of our beloved Spirit, walking and travelling companion. He fell

suddenly ill and passed away to join Marion two days ago. We are trying hard

to remember all the good stuff rather than being heartbroken.

Viking Village

Viking Village 8X10 Oil on Canvas $100

There is a Viking Village in Ribe, Denmark that my mother and I travelled to
a number of years ago. I thought it would be nice to revisit the trip.

Susans

Susans 8X10X1 1/2 Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas $100
Painted on the sides so that it does not need framing.

Since I had a long weekend to work on these I decided to work in oils. Marion had many gorgeous flower arrangements sent to her during her time in the hospital. I took advantage of the arrangements and the light for beautiful, cheerful, photographs. I will use them for many years to come.

Angel Bear

Angel Bear 12X12 Oil on Canvas $150

I believe in angels, hugs and warm cuddly things. What better subject to paint
at this time than a cuddly teddy bear with wings. Smile!

Atmosphere

Atmosphere 36X48 Oil on Canvas Sold

I love doing these intuitive paintings where there is no particular place or plan

yet the painting intuites into a place I've been, a feeling, an emotion. That's what

I call an intuitive landscape. Often I start with a gessoed ground where I have added

some acrylic to the gesso for a colored ground and since I use a large brush to

spread the gesso there emerges a pattern or idea and I go from there.

Threesome

Threesome 9X12 Acrylic on Canvas $115

I wanted to paint something upbeat and positive. Flowers are just the
ticket for that.

I am playing a lot with the gesso and acrylic mix to get more of an oil
painting scenario. I use the white gesso instead of white paint and then
if I want the white to truly stand out I use the paint for contrast. When
doing this the important thing to remember is to coat the canvas with
medium to bind the gesso and paint together.

Old Timer

Old Timer 11X14 Oil on Canvas $150

I did this painting this summer. It is from a rural area south of here. There are lots of

old barns, a subject I would like to revisit.

So much to do :D))

My Dear Friend Marion

I chose this picture of Marion to let you know that she passed away this morning.

In the picture Marion is videoing taping reference material for us to paint and I am using
my camera. The smile image is perfect. Marion's positive upbeat love for life and painting
is like no other.

I will miss her dearly and at the same time be grateful for every minute we spent together.

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NODP

Autumn Air

Autumn Air 11X14 Acrylic on Canvas $150

One of the things that I have tried to do when going out to see my friend Marion, is look
at the beautiful scenery and have a record of the changes of color and atmosphere to tell
her about. We have done so many reference collecting trips together that I figure this is
another one of those journeys. The weather and trees have been very co-operative with
crispness in the air, a slight breeze and gorgeous colors.

Then of course the next challenge is how to represent that in paint. :D))

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Country Road

Country Road 11X14 Acrylic on Canvas $150

This is my approach to a landscape using acrylics as opposed to oils. I do

love my oils but since we now have a nip of frost in the air it is not efficient

to keep my windows open for the oils.

I hope you like it.

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That Time of Year

It's That Time of Year 10X10 Acrylic on Gessoed Paper $100

It's that time of year when we need to look ahead to the coming season and

new year and new beginnings. I will soon start to do a series of these trees.

They make great gift and are fun to do.

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The Pear of Us

The Pear of Us 10X12 Acrylic on Canvas $150

A few years ago Marion and I took a Robert Burridge workshop. Aside from the

great learning we also had the most incredible synergy around pears. One

evening we sat with a glass of wine, a sketchbook, a few pears and played on

the word play of pears. Even the next morning we were coming up with song titles,

and meanings.

In memory of that time I am going to donate the proceeds of this painting to

cancer research.

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