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)

Ontario

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Raccoons

Thursday, July 5th, 2007


 
Raccoon
Raccoons

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


 

Maple leaves, Kingston, Ontario

…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.

Sun Shower 01

Friday, December 1st, 2006


 

Sun Shower>
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.

Sun Shower detail - masking medium was dotted on with a toothpick wherever raindrops would be. Sun Shower, about five hours of work. Sun Shower after about five hours of work. Sun Shower after about7 days.

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 inches acrylics on canvas, sides wrapped, narrow frame stained dark brown
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 - 14 x 11 inches oil pastels on paper

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.

January Thaw

Thursday, June 15th, 2006


 

January Thaw - Willow saplings, Fallowfield, Ontario, Canada

January Thaw, 14H x 11W inches oil pastels, white double mat, brass title plate, 22H x 26W inches wide white frame with white crackle finish.
Willow branches, welcome bits of color during the January thaw, a seasonal expectation in eastern Ontario, when temperatures hover around 0*C. After a period of 1-2 weeks temperatures can dip to -40*C, and the most intense, unpredictable part of winter begins.

The Evolution of January Thaw

The Evolution of January Thaw – a painting is more than the sum of its parts. It transformed dramatically while conversing with other Artists and their critiques on a popular online Artists’ website.

“When I am painting I have no knowledge of what I am doing. Only after a moment of ‘returning consciousness’ do I become aware of what I have been doing. Then, however, I have no hesitation about making changes, or destroying images, because the painting has a life of its own. My mission is to bring forth this life”. Jackson Pollock

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