Lake Clear Reflection

On location oil on stretched canvas 12" x 24"

C$395. unframed

It's challenging for me to keep up with posting in the summer with my gallery at it's peak...Lake Clear is such a magnificent and varied lake. The clouds this day were like open wings.

Lake Clear Island

On location oil on canvas 20" x 24" C$850. framed

Lake Clear has the most amazing turquoise water...in fact it seems to have every colour in it depending on what is on the bottom and what it's reflecting. Lately I enjoy water that has a lot of movement...it's fun to get very loose and playful with the brush.

Lk Clear Cliff 2

On location oil on canvas 12" x 24" C$ 325.

Back to the same location...

Cliff on Lake Clear

On location oil on canvas 24" x 30" C$950. framed

What a spectacularily beautiful lake! I'm always astonished by it's variety...from lovely sand beaches to towering cliffs. This is when painting outdoors is so much fun...I have painted here before and I enjoy going back to sights that are somewhat familiar...it's like carrying on where I left off. The small paintings I did previously and posted helped me be more aware of the lights and darks in the rocks...important when there are so many of them.

River View 3

On location oil on board 8" x 8" C$95. framed

This is the third in a little series of rock paintings...studies of the light and dark values.

River View 2

On location oil on board 8" x 8" C$95. framed

Again focusing on the lights and darks of rocks...essentially creating an interesting pattern that engages the viewer.

River View

On location oil on board 8" x 8" C$95. framed

I did some rock studies to help me loosen up withe dark and light shapes. It was fun.

Snake Rail Fence

On location oil on canvas 30" x 36"

C$950. unframed

Another large painting done on site.

Basin Lake Depot

On location oil on canvas 30" x 36" C$1100.

Lately I've been pushing myself to work larger on location...partly for the challenge of loosening up and working more spontaneously, and partly because my painting time is so limited when my gallery is busy. It's also fun. I don't really get it finished on site, but the main ingredients are there and I can work on it more in my studio. This cabin is a historic site...there used to be a logging depot here, and it's not hard to imagine this intersection actually being quite busy.

Maples

On location oil on board 8" x 8" C$ 95. framed

Another in a fun series of red barns.

Stone Fence

On location oil on board 8" x 8" C$95. framed

Stone fences surround many farm fields around here. They represent an immense amount of labour that has gone into moving and piling all those rocks. Maybe they are a metaphor for the amount of work that goes into painting and being an artist. Every painting is like a rock that gets added to the pile...after many years they surround a field of creativity and mark an artist's life.

Spring Sumacs

On location oil 10" x 10" C$225. framed

Lots of barns this spring...time is rushing by as my gallery gets busier. I will continue to paint and post but may not always have time to write!

Snake Rail Fence

On location oil on board 8' x 8" C$95. framed

Red Flowers

On location oil on board 8" x 8" C$95. framed

I'm simplifying a lot these days...just want to get to the point.

Creek

On location oil on board

8" x 8" C$95. framed

This place is just down the road from the Funky Farm...I've always loved lily pads and have painted them many times. I've been looking at other blogs a lot lately too and what a great way to see what other artists are doing. It's very educational...

Funky Farm

Oil on board on location

8 " x 8" C$95. framed

Pretty funky allright...still painting even though life is hectic...

My Lake

On location oil on board 8" x 8" $C95. framed

Still painting even though I'm madly busy getting my gallery ready for the fast approaching season. One day at my nearby cottage the reflections were totally wonderful. Some things to keep in mind: reflections are always directly below the object, whereas shadows can be on an angle depending on the sun's location...and reflections are usually slightly darker than the value of the object itself.

Rockingham Church

On location oil on board 8" x 8" C$95. framed

I might not be able to paint daily, but I am trying to paint often. These little 8" x 8" quickies are great for playing with colours and compositions.

Avocado

I'm still working on the fruits and veggies series. They are fun and great practice.

Valley Barn: before and after

This one really needed more warm colour and contrast.

Tea Lake: Before and After

This week I've been altering a few paintings that are several years old...not BAD paintings, maybe some compositional challenges...but also my palette is more varied now and so I wanted to rework them. I find this process very interesting, so I'm posting before and after versions and would be happy to hear comments from anyone...

On location oil on stretched canvas 15" x 30" C.$950. framed

Lillies in Glass Vase

Oil on stretched canvas 20" x 24"

C.$850.

The final painting in what was a fairly lengthy series of flowers in glass vases. Sometimes I have to keep painting a theme until I've said everything I have to say about it!

Africa: in Conclusion

Herewith is the conclusion of my humble presentation of the glorious diversity of Southern Africa: the countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe and S. Africa. I hope you have enjoyed it...now my blog will be resuming with my most recent paintings which are available at the Wilno Garden Gallery, my painting studio, gallery and frame shop, in the heart of downtown Wilno...so stay tuned!

Africa: More Herbivores...as opposed to carnivores

Eland, gemsbok, kudu, impala, springbok, steenbok, waterbuck, red hartebeest...there were many, many types of cloven-hoofed mammals some in huge herds, some totally on their own. What I found particularly interesting were the singular males with their large harems of females, and then the bachelor herds of males.

Africa: Giraffes

How thrilling it was to see giraffes in the wild. I could hardly believe my eyes. Their height was beyond what I had ever imagined.

Africa: Botswana

There is great beauty in a perfectly flat landscape...huge skies, endless grass and sculpted trees...amazing sunsets...a feeling of grandeur dotted by humble homes of mud, wattle and thatch. Botswana has a very peaceful feeling...gentle and timeless.