Monday, May 31, 2010

Friends, acrylic on canvas 8x10

This was the scene this morning at the beach. The rain had stopped for a while but still threatening. The heron was there for a while then left and returned to model for me. Then this seagull came and sat with the heron. They seemed to be meditating. Not fishing or anything. Sailboats passed with their sails down. There were blue reflections on the driftwood. I had a bit of trouble getting the water right. It was a sickly gray so I changed it. I have a license to do so.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Vincent Van Gogh Irises, Acrylic 15 3/4 x 10 3/4


I painted these today in the rain at Playfair park here in Victoria. Usually I don't paint such a large painting but I bought a gorgeous odd size frame from a yard sale and I was dying to fill it.

Someone called these Irises Vincent Van Gogh Irises and I think it suits them.

Lots of motion in this painting.










Here's the painting in the frame.

Victoria Inner Harbour Scene, acrylic on canvas 8x8"





A typical Victoria Causeway scene. There's always a lot going on when the weather is good.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

James Bay Cafe and Books, oil on canvas panel, 6x8"

James Bay Cafe is a nice little old fashioned spot which I often drop by on my way home from painting plein-air on Dallas Road. My new little thumb box allowed me to capture this scene discretely.
I used only 3 primary colors plus white on a sienna ground. My favorite subject is groups of figures.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Harbour Scene

The fellow reclining is the portrait artist taking a rest. There is always activity happening on the causeway.

Victoria Harbour Paintings

I painted these scenes on the Inner Harbour this weekend.

The Harbour is a great place for people watching.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Undersea Gardens, acrylic 8x8

I did this one at the end of my day. I captured the right hue of the sky. Something I often struggle with.

The Demonstration, acrylic 8x8

Today was my first day at the causeway. Everyone else was selling like crazy. Me, none. But I did paint a couple of little studies. It's a good opportunity to paint dynamic scenes.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Holland Point View, Oil on panel, 6x8




Holland Point Again. Today I decided to try an exercise using only white and three colors: cad red middle, cad yellow middle, and ultra marine blue.

I think the water should be greener and the distant land more purple or gray.
I like the warmth of the foreground.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Ogden-Point acrylic on canvas 5x7

The break wall at Ogden Point. Quite a small painting.It was a lovely sunny day but I think I got the colors for an overcast day.  I will have to work on that.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Spring Day Ogden Point



It was very hot today and everybody was out. Lots of sail boats in the water. I found it difficult as everything was sun washed and blinding. I will try an umbrella next time. Acrylic 8X10









I also did this 8X10 watercolor driftwood study today.










I did this driftwood painting the other day. 8x8 acrylic the other day.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Government House Plein Air

I painted these little oil paintings this morning at Government House with the AlFrescoes. I labored on the fountain 6X8 and then did the quick sketch of the totem sun dial, 8X8.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Holland Point Scene, acrylic on canvas, 8x10

I'm working on getting my colors right for mountains, sky,sea. The sky kept changing. I worked at it from 8 to 10am. Then the ship entered the scene and I put it in. Should I have left well enough alone?

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Place of Whales, oil on canvas 8x8

We went out with a guide to paint here. Here the Tsartlip people harvested oysters and gathered for social and spiritual events. The place was given its name because the whales would sometimes follow the salmon here. It was sunny one minute, then hail, then rain. It was beautiful. I felt the spirit of the land and I felt truly honored to be a guest of these people.

Monday, May 3, 2010

wind-tree 8x8, acrylic

It was the most amazing morning. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing so hard the birds couldn't fly, there was a misty rain, a huge rainbow formed over esquimalt though it wasn't there until I finished this painting.
I love the way trees look with back lighting.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Wicker Chair, acrylic on canvas, 6x8in


Look what the tide brought in. A nice cane chair. Too heavy to carry home but everyone who passed by sat in in and lifted it but decided it was too heavy to tote away. Even a crow perched on it for a while.
It was cold and windy and the water was all colors. lots of green.

1538 lacing Up