Tuesday, November 29, 2011

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

Sunday, November 27, 2011

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.


Thursday, November 24, 2011

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

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

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


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

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

Monday, November 21, 2011

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

Sunday, November 20, 2011

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



Friday, November 18, 2011

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

Thursday, November 17, 2011

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.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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



Tuesday, November 15, 2011

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

Monday, November 14, 2011

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

Sunday, November 13, 2011

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!




Saturday, November 12, 2011

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

Friday, November 11, 2011

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

Thursday, November 10, 2011

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

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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

Monday, November 7, 2011

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

Sunday, November 6, 2011

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

Saturday, November 5, 2011

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

Friday, November 4, 2011

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.




Wednesday, November 2, 2011

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.



1538 lacing Up