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)

B.C.

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The Steeples mountain range

Wednesday, October 21st, 2020


 

The Steeples, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

The Steeples mountain range, part of the Canadian Rockies seen from the Hwy 95 (Crows Nest) near Cranbrook BC – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 90 lb watercolor paper

Spanish Moss

Sunday, October 4th, 2020


 

Spanish Moss, Creyke Point, Vancouver Island BC, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 90 lb watercolor paper

Spanish Moss, Creyke Point, Vancouver Island BC, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Storm at Dawn, Denman Island BC

Friday, August 28th, 2020


 

Storm at Dawn, Denman Island BC Canada - 18H x 24W inches soft pastel on paper

Stormy Skies at Dawn, Denman Island BC Canada – 18H x 24W inches soft pastel on paper. I’m using up the watercolor paper blocks that I ordered online. I didn’t like the paper quality enough for watercolors, but it has a nice tooth for soft pastels.

Islandview Beach, Saanich BC

Sunday, August 23rd, 2020


 

Islandview Beach, Saanich, Vancouver Island BC Canada, 16H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Island View Beach, Saanich, Vancouver Island BC Canada, 16H x 24W inches soft pastels on 140 lb watercolor paper.

Thunderbird Park Totems

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020


 

Thunderbird Park Totems, Victoria BC, Canada - 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Thunderbird Park Totems, Victoria BC, Canada – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper, framed size 27H x 33W”.

Dutch Creek Hoodoos

Sunday, March 8th, 2020


 

Dutch Creek Hoodoos, BC Canada- 18H x 24W inches soft pastel on 140 lb cold pressed

Dutch Creek Hoodoos, BC Canada – 18H x 24W inches graphite, soft pastel and markers on 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper

Nimkish Lake Sunset

Sunday, July 7th, 2019


 

Nimkish Lake Sunset, 12 x 12 inches acrylics on canvas
Nimkish Lake Sunset, 12 x 12 inches acrylics on canvas. Frame unnecessary.

Lilies at Butchart Gardens, BC

Sunday, August 5th, 2018


 

Lilies, 18H x 24W inches graphite on 140 lb cold pressed premium

Lilies at the Butchart Gardens, Victoria BC, 18H x 24W inches graphite on 140 lb cold pressed premium. Detail image:
 

Lilies center right detail

Stellar’s Jays finished

Friday, May 11th, 2018


 

Stellar's Jays finished, 18H x 24W inches watercolors on 140 lb. cold pressed

Stellar’s Jays finished, Nimkish Lake campsite, Vancouver Island BC, 18H x 24W inches watercolors on 140 lb. cold pressed. Framed size 27H x 33W inches: white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish.
Stellar’s Jays are not seen in groups like this, perhaps only seen 3 together at most, so in that sense the portrayal is not accurate, but the aim here is to show a collage of 11 birds representing their distinct character.

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.

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