627 Happy Easter (Still Life With Magnolia and Cinnabar Cross)

Happy Easter.

626 Tower Point Scenes

I went out with some painting friends to Tower Point in Metchosin. It was such a glorious day the kids were in their bathing suits.  Here are some watercolour sketches from my sketchbook. I did them with my left hand. It's part of my training to be proficient with both hands. 

625 Glass Piggy Bank

I found this little stippled glass piggy bank last year. I wanted to paint it as a challenge. Although it was a studio painting The lighting kept changing...I started it yesterday. I'm going to try it again with staged lighting. 

624 The Parliament Building Victoria BC

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This is the view from the Empress Hotel lawn of the parliament Building. I did it from a photo reference from last summer. It was a beautiful day. Sunny and a slight breeze. I love Victoria.

623 Daffodils in a Jar

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This week I was lucky to find two daffodils on the sidewalk. (Daffodils are blooming everywhere in Victoria right now) Well, who could resist. I couldn't just leave them to get trampled. Here they are. They are blissfully fragrant too.  Something like baby powder scent.  Isn't nature amazing!
The eggshell? Just reminds me of easter.

622 The Perfect Match,Japan Dolls

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I found these at my favourite consignment store last year and have been hesitating to paint them. I don't have a steady hand even with a mahl stick.  Well, finally I applied myself to the task. They are a cute couple.

621 Nesting

Here they are again.

I did this as a demo at the Victoria Sketch Club Show. The show ends tomorrow at 4pm.

620 Simply Salt

How could I paint the pepper mill without painting the salt shaker. Tomorrow I'll be doing a painting demo at Glenlyon Norfolk School from 1 to 4 at the Victoria Sketch Club Show. In case anyone wants to come visit. I will bring my set up. It's quite portable. I don't know what I'll bring to paint. Maybe a jar of dandelions. Hmmmm.

My set up, beginning and finished.

619 Italian Pepper Mill

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I bought this little pepper mill nearly 30 years ago at a church bazaar. I remember that day clearly. They wanted a quarter for it. I bargained hard and got it for a nickel. I pointed out that it was old and some of the paint had worn off (It used to be red, green, and ochre.) It was the best bazaar ever. I got tons of stuff. This pepper mill is the last thing I still have from that day. The paint has mostly warn off but the brass bits are still perfect and best of all it's the best grinder of all the ones I've tried. It's also special because it's made in Italy.

618 Darling Duo

I found this sweet pair of salt'n pepper shakers at the local consignment store yesterday and just had to paint them. Sorry about the rain drops on the painting. It was spitting a bit and I couldn't wait to take the photo.UPDATE: I just learned that these birds are King Fishers and not ducklings. The title was originally Darling Duckling Duo.

617 Daffy Dill

I think I over picked this little painting a bit. I just hate to waste a fresh flower. Hope it lasts a few more days so I can have another go at it.

616 Beach Near Mile Zero, Dallas Road Scene

This is the rocky beach near Mile 0. You can get to it by a very long staircase. It was a funny day starting with thick fog that lasted till after lunch. Then it was warm and sunny. Then a cold front set in and brought spitting rain with it.  It was a beautiful day.

615 Gonzales Bay Morning

I really like the way this three was growing. The rows were hanging around cawing. They are very busy this time of the year starting families and building nests.

614 Bottoms Up!

I didn't know what to call this painting. If there was a bottle of Tabasco sauce in the set up I would have called it the Fix. There was a blue bandana as a back drop with a pattern. I put the pattern but it looked too busy....even with the pattern simplified. So I took it out. I like it.
Raw eggs in a glass always reminds me of the movie "Rocky". (It dates me I guess). For a while after that movie came out I knew teenage boys who started drinking raw eggs and working out. Hmmmm.

613 Lady's Hat Island, Metchosin

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Lady's hat Island is called that because when the tide is low this little island is shaped like a lady's hat.  Pardon the rain drips (I photographed it this morning. It's spitting a little).

612 Pears Dreaming

Next to the apple pears must be the most painted fruit in the world. Well, in my studio they'e the most painted fruit. Look, I caught them dreaming. I did this before the last one but couldn't hold off on posting that one.  

611 Pear Halves Naked

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I was supposed to go out painting with friends this morning but they backed out due to "rain phobia". So I moved on to plan B (pears). Well here they are. I painted them with my left hand (except for the finest details). I am pleased with them. I think when I paint with my left hand I really take my time and plan each stroke carefully. 

Here's my set-up in case anyone's interested. Very simple and comfortable. I like to sit down to paint small paintings. Just a back stage made of foam core taped in the corner. I have a black foam core stage as well. And a few scarves I clip to it for a nice background sometimes.  My only lighting today was from the north window to my right.

My set-up

610 Pears Napping

You can get a lot of mileage out of a pair of pears.
I'm practicing painting with my left hand. I want to train myself to be able to paint with both hands. As a back up in case I sprain my wrist or something. Could ward off carpel tunnel eh. It's only my second day. I've been writing letters and doing everything with my left hand I would normally do with my right. It's kind of fun. I also think it could speed up my painting process or add a new flavour to it.  

609 Pear Pair

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These are the other two of those little pears. They are so pretty and tasty. I painted them in the light of a north window.