Thundering Through the Foothills [oil, 10”x8”]

This particular, spectacular storm rolled across the foothills between the Leighton Centre and the Rocky Mountains.  We had spectacular thunder and sheets of rain just a few miles away.  I painted for about an hour wanting to capture the power of the scene.  I kept an eye to the southwest though…  I wasn’t fond of my chances with lightening out on that ridge!  Bits of blue sky shone through here and there before the wind picked up, the umbrella came down and the golf cart got rolling. 

Golf cart you say?  Yes – golf cart!  Why let all that research golf engineers have done about moving heavy gear without sore shoulders go to waste?  Ron clipped some dividers out of an old golf bag and my chair [when I get a smaller one], umbrella, and tripod ride inside that.  Plenty of pockets for the layers of clothing, bug repellant and sunscreen, lunch, water, etc.  My Alla Prima pochade box rides in my backpack, attached to the top handle of the golf cart.  Nadda on my back – cool, eh?  Still, I’m not venturing too far from the car just yet…  my back isn’t up for long hikes. 

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Survivor START [oil, 10”x8”]

I took a photo of this wind-bent tree in Ucluelet, BC in 2006.  I’ve painted it a few times in watercolor but this is the first attempt in oil.  Although I’ve got a ways to go on it, this scene speaks to me about persistence, thriving in the face of adversity [wind and salt spray] and showcasing beauty along side of the challenges life throws at you.  Although the surf pounds loudly in your ears when you’re in Ucluelet, it’s a sounds of peace for me.  I’m looking forward to finishing this one but I’ve got to set it aside for about 10 days for a family wedding this weekend and then *WOOT* a Carol Marine workshop all of next week.  I’m trying to rest up in advance so I don’t run out of jam part way through…  cheers!

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Late June Tulips [oil, 8”x6”]

No, I’m not kidding!  The tulips planted on the northeast side of my house just bloomed a few weeks ago and they will probably last another week.  It’s been a very cold spring around here but today is glorious!  Sunny and warm for the first day of summer!  Enjoy!

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I Miss Biking [oil, 8”x10”]

Lately my daughter Kim has been biking to work along some of the beautiful bike paths here in Calgary.  There are over 1,000 kilometres of paved bike path within Calgary’s city limits.  I enjoyed biking to work until I lost my balance, fell and broke a wrist back in 2004.  The peace of the pathway before and after work was a wonderful contrast to pressured work days.  Since then my health hasn’t allowed me to get back on my bike and I’ve come to terms with that – don’t need any more broken bones, that’s for sure!  But last week I pulled my golf/art cart along a bike pathway in Tuscany and found this little view that pleased my eye.  Enjoy!

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Tomorrow in Balance [oil, 8”x6”]

More practice in oil painting and I took up a Daily Paintworks Challenge on “balance”.  Setting up this balancing act with a little striped box, a bottle of acrylic paint, and “tomorrow’s” blank canvas was just fun.  It was ironic to paint the bottle of acrylic paint with my oils!  We need hope in the future and signing this painting in the bottom right of the “tomorrow” canvas is symbolic for moving on with life and believing in the future.  Big thoughts for a fun little painting.  Have a great week!

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80% Chance of Rain [oil, 8”x6”]

I painted some of this scene plein air but felt it needed a few touch ups at home.  I added the warmer color in the tops of the cloud and underneath, as if it was evening.  It feels like the whole things is working better now.  I have no idea what the rules around “plein air” designations are…  I suppose I should be more curious about that.  Right now I’m happy if I can get a color mixed the way I want, never mind where I painted it.  Ciao!

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Monday Model [oil on canvas, 20”x16”]

I had another go at the painting from class 2 weeks ago…  I like her face and shoulders better now.  She appears to be sitting up straighter.  I also toned down the colors in the dress and warmed up the color in her skin.  This seems to have put the focus back on the model rather than the bright dress.  I feel like I’ve learned quite a bit from this exercise, particularly about the pushing and pulling of warm vs cool skin tones.  Getting a “likeness” however, is still eluding me.  Fun stuff. 

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