433 The Remains of the Season

I just love Allsorts! They remind me of the Holiday season. And they're so tasty. My biggest challenge with this painting was saving one of each Allsorts to paint. Yum.

432 Tea and Cherries

I struggled with the underdrawing. (This will improve with practice:)) It's curves and straight lines that I find the most difficult. So basically the drawing. Sigh.

431 May I cut In?

I had a hard time with the pthalo blue. It's a beautiful colour. But it just gets everywhere.
How about the title. It looked to me like either the mug and apple were fighting or kissing....hmmmn Or Dancing?

What do you think?

$75

430 Bluebird Dance

These little cups are my favourite. They are small and heavy and perfect for china tea. Also very paintable.

What do you think of the orange fabric for the background? Is it too high chroma? Would it be better as a pastel? Would a different colour be a better compliment?

I'm trying to figure out the Munsell colour wheel. 

428 Whose There?

buy

I really liked the way glass distorts images. These are those mini honey mandarins. You can fit a bunch in a tea cup.

427 Eggshells in a Que

I've been collecting pretty things for still life painting, but these brown eggshells inspired me more than anything else.

426 Ogden Point Sunset

It was a spectacular sunset at Ogden Point this afternoon.  Everyone was out on the break wall.

425 Fisherman's Warf Dingys

It was drizzling rain this morning and I was frozen stiff by the time I finished this little painting. But It was worth it. What a fun day! A seal and two seagulls came for a visit as well as some humans:)
The arrangement of the boats made for an interesting design.
I think they would make a nice 8x8 painting too with the area above the boats cropped off.

Burr....I'm chilled to the bone :)

If you want to buy this painting, or just want to take a closer look, click here.

424 Dallas Road Beach Scene

sold

I painted this today from the bank behind that hut near the dog run area on Dallas Road. Well, anyone who runs their dog there will know what I mean.

It was the most glorious December 22nd! Amazing! Warm in the sun and no wind on the spot where I was painting.

The sea kept changing colours. Sometimes it was green blue, and sometimes it was purple. The cliffs were aglow with creamy peaches and oranges.

Every critter in the vicinity came to say hello.

I feel like the luckiest person on earth!

423 Dallas Road Scene

SOLD

This is the beach at Mile 0, where you have to walk down all those stairs. It's December 21st today and the days are starting to get longer. Daylight!

This painting is for sale. If you want to buy this painting, or just want to get a closer look, click here.

422 Esquimalt Lagoon

sold (Vancouver)

 When I first arrived at the Esquimalt Lagoon to paint it was overcast with just a bright spot in the sky to indicate the sun. So I set up by the lagoon where swans and ducks came to visit. Just as I was set to paint the wind picked up so much that I had to move across the road to the beach. There was no wind on this side and the sky was so dynamic.

421 Holland Point December

sold

It's almost Christmas and it was quite warm (28 degrees) for plein air  painting. The sky was just amazing dark purple with yellow light coming through.

This painting is for sale. If you want to buy it, or just take a closer look, click here.

420 Panama Flats Park

bid here

This is today's painting at Panama Flats Park. It's such a beautiful time of year here in Victoria.

If you want to buy this painting or just take a closer look, click here.

419 The Pond

This is today's painting from the Cedar Hill Golf Course pond. If you look closely you'll see ducks. There were dozens of very friendly ducks all around me while I painted. 

418 Pandora

This is Pandora Street. It's in the heart of Down Town Victoria. I've wanted to paint this street for a few years. 

417 Charlottetown

Sold

This is the Charlottetown painting I started almost 5 years ago. I decided to straighten out the steeples. I like the winter light hitting them so crisply.

Lately I've been working on several studio paintings for upcoming shows. This has left me with little attention to give to my daily paintings. There are several shows coming up in  Feb March and April that I want to participate in.

Tonight is the Show Opening at the Well on Fort. The reception is 7 to 9. Hope you can make it.

416 Forest Scene

This is today's al fresco painting, done at Mt Doug Park. It was chilly but so beautiful with the orange foliage and bright green moss on the trees.

415 Ballet Under painting 2, 36x36, figurative

I worked today on making some corrections in the under painting. After working on it for a while I felt I needed to set the painting aside as I was over working it and it was losing some of it's freshness. Today I worked on the proportions of the figures and suggesting the features without over defining. I really want to get the values right so the painting reads well.
I also like the feet. Those soft ballet shoes make the feet look flat. This is especially so for children's feet.
Colour to come soon.

414 Ballet Underpainting, 36x36

I'm working on a large figure painting. This is a value plan I did so far. I chose the square format to emphasize that the ballerinas are huddled together. Even this is very rough and I'll work on correcting some of the values before I go in with colour. the light source is from the right and I notice I need to make the floor lighter towards the light source.

413 Charlottetown, acrylic on canvas, 24x30

This is a painting I started 4 years ago. I was in Charlottetown on NewYear's morning. It had snowed heavily for days and there was no walking on the sidewalk.  The woman in the street smiled and told me she was on her way to the Basilica for New Year's mass.

I struggled with the blues. The snow shadows were pthalo and the sky was the problem. It was a winter sky. Pthalo just wasn't right. Finally today I tried cobalt blue with a touch of yellow. I like the sky now. But the steeples are crooked and the electric wires are too thick. (in reality there were twice as many electric wires).

412 Ogden Point

SOLD

I just got in from painting this. The days are so short in December but out I went with just enough time to do a quick study before the sun set. I love all the colourful kelp against the neutrals. This is Ogden Point. A favourite beach of the night partiers. Just as I was leaving the partiers were arriving.

If you want to buy this painting or just take a closer look click here

411 Dallas Road Scene

sold

It was a glorious day and everyone and their dog was out walking on Dallas Road. This spot in particular is one of my favourites. It's just overlooking Fonyo Beach.

If you want to buy this painting, or just take a closer look at it click here

410 Fisherman's Warf

Here's a little pleinair I did this morning at Fisherman's Warf.

If you want to buy this painting or just take a closer look click here

409 Best Dog in The World #8

SOLD

This lovely Golden Retriever puppy was so ernest. I could tell he was just trying so hard to please his lady. And yet he was only 7 months old. I met him and his lady while they were taking a walk out at the Esquimalt Lagoon this weekend.
I don't remember his name but he's the best dog in the world.

If you want to buy this painting, or just take a closer look click here

408 The Best Dog in the World #7

SOLD

This is a lovely poodle cross named Mia. I met her at an art exhibit yesterday. She was with her man who is a sculptor. She is such a gentle soul. Full of energy and so clever too.

407 White Carriage Horse

SOLD

This is another James Bay Carriage Horse.

I used a cad red light surface and a rather limited palette. I like the overall composition and think this would make a very nice large painting.
I think I captured the personality of this horse as well.

This painting is on auction at a starting bid of $49. If you would like to buy this painting, or just get a close up look click here

406 Clydesdale Horse

SOLD

This beautiful creature is a Clydesdale. He is one of the carriage horses that gives rides around Victoria, mostly James Bay.

Isn't he gorgeous!

If you want to buy this painting or just take a closer look click here

405 Beatrice

sold

This is Beatrice. A sweet little bulldog. A little shy, but not too shy to take a treat of have her chin stroked. She's the best dog in the world.

If you want to buy this painting, or just take a closer look click here

404 Blue Bridge

sold

This is today's effort. A studio painting. Pardon the darkness and glare as I painted and photographed it indoors. I didn't appreciate the value shift with the acrylics when they dry. I might try this with oils. I quite like looming bridge in the background.

403 Carriage Horse

SOLD

This is a friendly carriage horse that waits on Menzies  Street. I always like to stop and say hello to these lovely work horses when I pass.
This is my first time painting a close up horse. I approached it like any other subject by putting down a series of angles, lines, shapes, and colours. I think I got a good likeness of the fellow.

If you want to buy this painting, or just have a closer look click here

402 Best Dog in the World #6

sold

This is Gus. He's the new dog in the neighbourhood.
He's a gentle giant. His man said he weighs 175lbs but so friendly and affectionate. First thing Gus did when he saw me was offer to shake hands.

Welcome to the neighbourhood Gus.

If you want to buy this painting, or just take a closer look  click here

401 Blue Bridge November

This is Victoria's Blue Bridge. It is rather rusty as we are no longer maintaining it (the city plans to replace it soon). So I'm painting it to remember it.
Coincidentally, today I met a lady who called it "Johnny's Bridge", because her uncle John used to raise and lower it years ago.

I wonder if the new bridge will be as paintable.

If you want to buy this painting, or just take a close-up look click here

400 The Most Loved Dog in The World

Okay, I admit Bear wasn't maybe the best dog in the world in all categories. She never got along with other dogs. She was over protective of  me and had to be closely monitored when other people were around. She had health problems. And she never learned not to chase skunks. Sigh.
But she loved me times ten to the millionth. And I loved her back even more.

399 The Best Dog in the World #5

sold

This Chihuahua is a small dog with a big personality. This wee fellow is a world traveller. He now lives in James Bay, but he's come up from Arizona and even lived in Scotland.

He has quite a lot of white whiskers but I decided they were too distracting so I left them out.

Doesn't he look like if he would talk he'd have a Scottish accent?

If you want to buy this painting, or just take a close-up look click here

398 The Best Dog In The World #4

This is Duke. We met while he was playing on the beach with his lady. In spite of his small size he likes to bark at other dogs. (You know the type.)  He is just so cuddly and has a great smile. When kids see him they say, "Look that dog is smiling!".

He's the Best Dog in the World!

If you want to buy this painting, or just take a closer look click here

397 Hummingbird

bid here

This little hummingbird lives at Holland Point.  I see this same little guy often when I walk along the path near Dallas Road.

I started with a cadmium red ground and used a limited palette of the the Cad red, cad yellow, ultramarine blue, and titanium white.  I tried to make every brush stroke count.

If you want to buy this painting, or just take a close-up look click here

396 The Best Dog in The World #3

sold

This is Henry. I met him on Dallas Road walking with his man Ed.   Ed rescued Henry from a puppy mill in California only three weeks ago.  It will take time for Henry to feel secure and confident. Ed really loves Henry. It shows:)  They will be best friends for life.

Henry is the BEST DOG IN THE WORLD!

395 The Best Dog in the World #2

Sold

Thursday I had the honour to meet "Bruni". He's 14 years old (which is pretty senior for a large dog). Boy, he seemed so smart. When I asked to take his picture he sat down and said "cheese".

The man Bruni was walking with said they live in courtney.

I chose a cadmium yellow ground for Bruni, as I felt it would contrast well with his dark fur. And I chose a blue background to compliment the brown (dark orange).

This painting really captured his likeness and personality.

If you want to buy this painting, or just get a close-up look click here

394 Blue Bridge

SOLD

It was pouring rain today and it got windy. I had to hold my umbrella with one hand and paint with the other. And the oil paint kept slipping off the canvas, wet with rain. Oh yeah, and I had to stop painting cuz my hands were frozen stiff. Then there was this other artist nearby, who's easel got blown away with the wind, and she had to run into traffic to catch her drawings which were blowing all over the place.  Okay, I've whined enough.

This is the Johnson Street Bridge. Soon to be replaced. This is at least my 3rd painting of it. Each one completely different from the others. With this one I used a cadmium red light ground. It's a dark orange so it looks sharp next to the different blues.

This is one of those paintings that I like more each time I look at it. Hmmn.

To buy this painting, or to just get a close-up look click here

393 Fonyo Beach November

sold

What an amazing November day. And it's a long weekend to boot. Everyone was out enjoying the sun. I've painted Steve Fonyo Beach from this vantage point before. I'm drawn to it. This I used a yellow ground and painted over it still wet. I fit the sky and sea thinly and as I did the grasses I used a palette knife. I really like the bold colour and texture from the palette knife.

If you want to buy this painting, or just want a close-up look click here

392 Coffee In the Sunshine

bid here

Even though it's November and the temperature is cool enough for jackets, people still like to soak up the sunshine.
 Here's a typical James Bay Scene.  This is James Bay Coffee and Books.  It is one of my favourite spots to go after a plain air painting day. It's a book store, internet cafe, and soup and sandwich bar.

 They have Scrabble Tuesdays and Friday Live Music Night.  Lots of good life drawing opportunities.  The coffee's really great too.

If you want to buy this painting, or just have a close-up look click here

391 Shy Bulldog,

bid here

This little bulldog used to sit with her "Grandpa" outside a local cafe. Grandpa was looking after her while his daughter was out of the country.  I used to always go over and say hello. She was very friendly, but a little shy. When I took her picture she wouldn't look into the camera.  If I remember correctly her name was Beatrice.

This painting is for sale. If you want to buy this painting, or just have a close-up look click here

390 Still Life With Iris

bid here

I copied this from a large water-colour I painted many years ago. That water-colour is now nowhere to be found but I do have the image from my website.  I did it in very dilute oils on a 6x6 ground. I added the white background afterwards. I might experiment with this image, approaching it in different ways. I'd like to get the loose water-colour effect with oils.

To buy this painting, or just to have a close-up look click here

389 Aristrocrat

sold-Saskatchewan

I saw this gorgeous bull dog at a doggy park yesterday. I took a few pictures from far, but he knew the camera was on him and he posed. I just love dogs. But they won't hold still long enough to paint.

I painted it on a yellow ground and kept it really simple.

To buy this painting, or just to take a close-up look click here

388 Saxe Point November, oil on canvas board, 6x6

There was frost on everything this morning. What struck me first about Saxe Point were the rocks dark,  silhouetted against the silver sea. Initially, I had the grass a vivid lime green with some gradation. But it was almost the same value as the sea. So I scraped it off and made the grass more autumn green.

If you want to buy this painting or just get a close-up look click here

Music Night James Bay Coffee and Books

Music Night November 4th

I like to go to Music Night at James Bay Coffee and Books. The acts are great. These guys write their own songs and their really great. Also, it's a perfect opportunity to sketch crowds.

387 China Town Night

Pardon the glare. I've been working on this the past couple of days. I started it Last year and it's been set aside since. I did it on a black ground.

386 Red Umbrella

It was a rainy tray day today. This is a Government Street scene.  Although it was a rather dark tray day the white dog and bright red umbrella make a balanced design.

To buy this painting, or just take a close-up view click here.

      

385 Mr Moustache

bid here

(Pardon the glare). This handsome man is a Comissionaire on the Inner Harbour. I painted this from a photograph I took this summer.
I don't usually paint from photographs, but this was irresistible. That is one gorgeous moustache.

I really wanted to simplify the painting so I made the background simple.

I really like this painting.  I think it really captured his likeness and even the personality of this gentleman.

I've been wanting to make a stash of photographs of interesting faces. So lately I've been asking folks if I could photograph them for use in a future painting. I try to get them to make a funny face or interesting expression.
So far people have obliged me. :)

To buy this painting, or just get a close-up view click here