AN ARTISTIC JOURNEY

RE Doing my blog

2011-04-15T16:50:00.001-05:00

A new improved blog is underway, just have to re capture all my photos before finishing it. I have new paintings to add. I will let you all know when it is complete. Thank you.

The Buck is at the Highlands Hunting & Fishing Store in Lanark

2010-08-22T15:04:00.000-05:00

I have replaced the large canvas of The Grizzly at the store. In it's place is a buck with 8 or 9 points. It can be purchased framed or unframed. Just visit the store on main street in Lanark, Ontario and see the owner.

Studio Closed until Next Year 2011

2010-08-18T20:45:00.002-05:00

I have not completed the renovations as I wished therefore my studio space will not be open until next year. I still will continue to work on paintings and commissions. If you wish to view my work please look through this blog as almost all my work in the past few years is here. If you have questions you can email me at either lucina_darling2001@yahoo.com or DuchessOfBalderson@gmail.com
Hope to see you at the upcoming charity event for the Food Bank in Perth. I will be donating one or two paintings for that event for the auction.
For those of you who do venture out to Balderson for the day if I am home feel free to come say hello and see what I am working on inhouse.

If anyone wishes info by return mail send to: Balderson House Studio, R.R.#1, 1438 Highway 511, Balderson, Ontario, Canada, K0G 1A0

I am now set up to receive payment via PayPal to: lucina_darling2001@yahoo.com

Advertizement in The Humm for July 2010 Issue

2010-06-04T21:04:00.002-05:00

My ad will be in The Humm in the July issue. The photo of The Grizzly will be there plus some info about it and the Highlands store in Lanark, Ontario. If you are in the area you have got to stop in if you are interested in fishing or hunting. Great place and nice people.

The Grizzly

2010-05-03T16:34:00.002-05:00

The painting is now in Lanark at The Highlands store on the main street. I should have the Buck done soon and will bring it in there. It is a great store full of hunting and fishing items. A great place to shop for upcoming Fathers Day!

Secrets Series #1

2010-02-13T22:09:00.002-05:00

I am going to try something a little different. The paintings will vary in size, most will be quite large. The first is Sky, Forest and Pond done in a watery style. On two squares of recycled wood I have painted what is hidden in the Forest. A perfect robins nest, three robins egg blue eggs safe inside, far from prying eyes. In the bracken of the forest lies a newborn Fawn, safe in its ability to disappear into the colors at the bottom of the trees. Hidden from predators eyes.

The one I have started today will be Urban Secrets. Two Apartment buildings with soft sandstone colors, large windows impossible to see into on a sunny day. The secrets will be revealed on small canvases, one to be Despair, one to be Hope and one to be Death. We all wonder whats behind the windows we pass. In all of us is a little "peeping Tom" though we will deny it. #2 in my series will let you see what is hidden behind those windows.

A Gift For my Nephew - Wolf Cub

2009-11-13T19:39:00.003-05:00

This one is almost complete. The softening of the fur is the final step and is time consuming as each bit has to be stroked with a fine brush. it will be lovely when done.

Snow Suit Fundraiser Successful

2009-10-17T20:37:00.003-05:00

We raised over $1100 for the snow suit fund this year. Well done! The crowd was small, it seems night might not be the best time for this sort of event, but everyone was enthusiastic and the auction was great. Lots of nice items and my two paintings fetched a respectable amount for the charity.

Medical Tools Early 1900's - Still Life in Acrylic

2009-10-08T18:43:00.005-05:00

I painted this as a gift for my doctor who has been living the patient experience for a while now. It depicts items a Doctor from the turn of the century would have used. It is approx 20 x 11 and is done with an antique finish.

October 16th Fund Raiser - Art Auction

2009-09-19T17:31:00.002-05:00

On October 16th at 7p.m. there will be a fund raiser for the Childrens Aid Snow Suit Fund. It is being held at The Grinds in Perth. 1 Sherbrook Street. Inside the old Shoe Factory. The Grinds coffee shop has graciously allowed us the use of their premises. As the group putting this on is the Perth Writers Guild it will mainly be literary. Authors will read from their published works and sign and sell their books. There will be a live auction and I have donated the two paintings you see here. There will be numerous other items of interest to be auctioned. I hope you can come out that evening in support of the Snowsuit Fund.

Garlic Festival Painting fetches $145 at Auction

2009-08-28T21:52:00.002-05:00

I am so pleased! The painting I donated to the Perth Garlic Festival silent Auction fetched $145.00 which is a very respectable price. The Lions Club group are very happy and called to thank me. I told them I will do another one for next year.

Time To Paint Again

2009-05-31T15:53:00.002-05:00

Now that the wedding preparations are done I have cleaned up the studio and ready to get back to work. My large painting of the Pheasant male and 2 females is based in, the trees done and the male Pheasant based. I hope to have a photo in about 2 weeks.

Meanwhile, the LAWS Fur Ball benefited quite nicely from the auction of the Buck & Doe painting. Altogether I hear they raised over $6,000 for the animals. Great going guys!

The Grizzly - Price $1200.00

2009-04-13T18:30:00.002-05:00

This is a very large painting of a fierce Grizzly Bear. It would be best displayed as the only piece on a wall, unframed.

The Old Bucket

2009-04-13T18:17:00.002-05:00

I had a few suggestions as to the Dragonfly and did put one in at the end of the shovel. Looks pretty good there.

2009-04-12T15:06:00.001-05:00

Harvest - Time To Rest

2009-03-01T13:45:00.003-05:00

This painting depicts the Harvest time, the basket of MacIntosh apples with a curious Red Finch atop. The basket of large garlic bulbs hides a sneaky little visitor. The cat is too sleepy to worry about either the bird or the other creatures around him. A busy spider spins a web in the old sheds window. Terra Cotta pots have been stacked ready for storage for another year. This is Acrylic on Canvas. Size is 16 x 20 inches.

There is no price on this painting as it is to be donated to the Perth Lions Club for their auction in aid of the Garlic Festival in August 2009. A value of $400.00 would be the cost of this painting.

Lions Club Painting for their Fund Raising

2009-02-21T15:21:00.002-05:00

I have almost completed this one. It will be donated to the Perth Lion's Club for their fund raising uses this summer. It is acrylic on canvas and is 16 x 20 inches. It is a sleeping orange and white cat. He is sleeping amidst the terra cotta pots that I use in my garden. A rattan basket of drying garlic is at the left side. There is a basket of fresh picked apples behind, with a red poll perched amidst the apples. On the left near the bottom is a sneaky little chipmunk in a pot.

Buck and Doe in the Fall *SOLD

2009-02-13T20:31:00.005-05:00

24 x 30 inch canvas. Buck and Doe in the Fall in Ontario.

Three Young Foxes - Price $350.00

2009-02-11T20:20:00.005-05:00

On 24 x 30 inch canvas. These three are cautious but their curiosity has them taking a peek at something anyway.

Eagle - 12" x 12" canvas

2009-01-11T22:10:00.004-05:00

This is on 12 x 12 canvas. it is an Eagle.

American Robin / Mourning Dove

2009-01-01T14:24:00.002-05:00

The American Robin is a common sight in Ontario in the Spring/Summer months where they are busy nesting and then raising their broods. The Mourning Dove is here all year round and are generally ground feeders and seen at our bird feeders all winter. Robin $65.00 Dove $65.00

Unframed on canvas 9 x 12.

Arctic Wolf & Timber Wolf / January 2009

2009-01-01T14:17:00.005-05:00

The White Wolf is an Arctic Wolf and is a male, the Timber Wolf is a female. On canvas 11 x 14

By The Clyde in Lanark has new paintings

2008-11-24T21:52:00.004-05:00

The Race Horse, The Appaloosa and the Bay are all at the By The Clyde store in Lanark.

I have posted two of the photos here. I do not have one for the Appaloosa.

Grizzly Bear

2008-10-20T13:41:00.004-05:00

Completed this painting today.

This large canvas is 30 x 40 inches. It depicts a very dangerous Grizzly Bear at it's most fearsome. These creatures are solitary and prefer to be left alone in the wild. They are not the teddy bear types.

2008 Inroads Studio Tour

2008-09-09T21:03:00.002-05:00

The tour started at 10 a.m. on August 30th with us running around frantically putting up the signs at the major intersections. Some mix up occurred as someone else had already done so for two of the intersections. I returned to my studio at 9:50 a.m. and the first car full of visitors arrived along side me. It was enjoyable chaos from then until 5 p.m. that day. I was overwhelmed by the good words and the interest in my work. I sold two paintings before the day was done. On Sunday it was slightly slower but there ended up being almost the same amount of visitors if my Guest book was any indication. Another sale and a future commission where finalized. I did have some visitors confused as to the route so after 5 p.m. I checked out the two signs that I hadn't put up and there was indications of how to get to the #2 artists studio but nothing to indicate mine except a small arrow. I debated putting my signs up but didn't want to step on any toes so just hoped for the best.

Monday was a busy day and I sold one more painting. It was a very successful venture from my point of view and I enjoyed chatting with the many visitors. I worked on my huge Grizzly Bear painting while in the studio and that interested many people and I noticed a few came back on Monday to see how it was coming along.

I actually had one couple come back 3 days in a row before they purchased a painting, that shows people are being very choosy which is always a good idea when buying art. After all, it will hopefully be on view in your home for many years so it is always best to be very sure.

I hope to have the studio open as often as I can manage with only having every 2nd weekend off but for sure my usual Mondays off it will be open.

Some New Paintings I Have Completed

2008-08-11T20:01:00.004-05:00

The following photos are of some newer paintings I have done lately. The photo quality is not the best but I hope you can see enough to be able to enjoy them. They will all be here in my studio for the tour. The first is a large canvas and the subject is a vase of Big Joyful looking Sunflowers $300.00 The second and third are 9 x 12 and one is Chives and the other is Rosemary $100.00 each. , both in terra cotta pots. The fourth is a whimsical take on the Ringworld series of science fiction books and shows floating islands of land with castles on some, sheep on others, on one a beautiful Pegasus, it is still in the works but is turning out to be fun to do, I can envision a few larger ones like this $55.00.

The studio is coming along very well. We paint the ceiling and floor tommorrow, the insulation and vapor barriers all done, the electrical done, I am hopeful it will be ready to set up the work area and paintings by next weekend. We still have the sculpture to set up and end of walkway as well as the light standard. I will try to take some photos tommorrow and post them so you can see the progress.

TRIO - Second Study

2008-05-21T16:51:00.002-05:00

This is a large canvas approx. 24 x 30 It depicts Trio, the stallion I painted for his owners. I wanted one of my own but decided to make the background dark to see what difference that would make. I like it. This painting will be at my studio in Balderson on display this Fall. The Inroads Studio Tour is the first week in September and I am pleased to open my Studio to visitors.

Buck and Pony

2008-04-04T20:41:00.003-05:00

This is the same Buck that I previously had painted on an oval canvas. I especially like the way the background seems to suggest sunshine coming through the trees.

The second painting is a simple one of a nice pony named Pete.

Paintings Commissioned for a Young Boy

2008-04-04T20:27:00.002-05:00

These three paintings are the completion of a commission started before December 2007. The person who ordered the 4 season set has the Spring scene already. What is here is the Summer, Fall and Winter of farm subjects that are of interest to a young boy. He is approx. 17 months old now. They will hang on his bedroom wall. I have tried to incorporate items a young lad would find of interest such as red wagon, snowmen, snowforts, cows, geese, hot air balloons etc.

Completed - Wheelbarrow and Cat

2008-01-27T17:46:00.001-05:00

I have now completed this one, adding more white highlights.

The Bay Two - second in series

2008-01-27T17:32:00.000-05:00

I had done this image before on a larger canvas and wanted to see what the difference would be on a small one. I also gave more intensity to the colors. It is a beautiful result. I kept the raw sketch and may try to do another color scheme. The background is a blend of black/blue/violet and allows the horses image to come forward in a good fashion.

Old Wheelbarrow in Garden

2008-01-22T11:56:00.000-05:00

This one is almost finished, just have to weather the look of the barrow a bit more. It will be available for sale in the studio when it opens in spring.

Mustang and Rider coming out of the storm.

2008-01-15T19:02:00.000-05:00

Most horses are skittish in storms, especially with thunder and lightening involved. This painting shows a skittish horse startled at the end of the storm and the streams of sunlight coming out of the stormclouds. It is 16 x 24 acrylic on canvas.

Sara - An example of a breed called Tuxedo

2008-01-04T10:10:00.003-05:00

This is acrylic on 8 x 10 canvas. It is a breed of cat quite common in this area of rural Ontario. This particular cat, a female, is named Sara. SOLD

White Fantasy

2007-12-29T15:35:00.000-05:00

I call this one White Fantasy, it is what I think of when I look at it. I have always wanted to try winter painting because it seems the most difficult to do properly. It isn't all white as you might think, it is an amalgam of white/black/blues/greys/violets in varying intensities. I enjoyed doing this one but it was touch and go at one point if it would turn out as well as it has. This is definitely a keeper for me. I put two photos here as the angle does show a slight difference in the light reflections.

Completed Two Paintings

2007-12-01T12:41:00.001-05:00

Finally completed the two I have been working on. I have started another painting using the plaster technique and will put a photo on here soon.

Auction Donation of Painting

2007-11-21T14:29:00.000-05:00

I have donated one of my paintings to the Country Christmas Auction that will be held Thursday November 22nd from 7 to 930 at Temples Sugar Camp Restaurant which is on the Fergusons Falls road east of Balderson. All proceeds, I am told, will go to support the North Lanark Community Health Centre which is in Lanark. A worthy cause. All the items have been donated by locals and businesses. There will be coffee, tea and desserts I hear which would be worth it even without the Auction. There is an admission charge, which some might find steep, it is a SMILE! Oh, well thats my humour attempt for today. So I have added the painting here so look for it if you bid, and bid well! And by the way, I dropped the painting off at Nature Lover's Bookshop at 62 George St in Lanark and wow, that place is amazing! I am embarrassed to live so close to Lanark and not been in. And our darling Whitticar the Moose looks so happy there. With Christmas coming it is a great place for buying gifts that Mean something. I plan to.

November 18, 2007 - Two new paintings in progress

2007-11-18T14:20:00.000-05:00

The painting of the Holstein family is for a good friend. She is giving it as a gift for Christmas to a small boy. It is half finished at this point. I have painted a similar rainy day scene but made it much greyer as the person who it was for was an adult, but I thought that for a young boy the rainy day should still be a bit cheery so am going to ask my friend what she thinks of a bluer palette for the rain and water. The painting of the horse is something I am currently experimenting with. It is a thin plaster technique that can be used this way around an image or possibly as a swatch of texture beside an image. I am going to do a few different ways. This one I am especially pleased with as I love that mare, she has figured in a few of my paintings thus far. She is a darling with a very lovely face. I still have some touching up to do on the horse painting before it is complete but just small bits.

October 16, 2007 - Art in its Many Forms

2007-10-16T18:16:00.000-05:00

Weaving is often thought of as a Craft but in it's highest form I consider it an Art. I recently attended our Area Convention for the Womens Institute. We were honoured to have the wife of the Afghan Ambassador as a speaker. A beautiful lady named Korshied. She also brought some of the Silk Shawls made by the women of Afghanistan. The colors were so beautiful words do not begin to describe them. The feel of the luxurious silk and the colors! My they were something. I believe there is a big showing upcoming in Ontario shortly and will try to find out the details. I have posted two photos I took at the convention.

As you can see from the photos they sold quickly. Such beauty is rarely seen on these shores.

September 9, 2007

2007-09-09T19:31:00.000-05:00

I haven't been posting lately because I had promised a friend I would re type his manuscript for his second book. I am now finished that and can turn my time back to Art. I hope to have something to post here shortly. Meanwhile I have heard the Balderson Art Gallery is to close at the end of September. That is too bad. It is always sad to see a place of beauty disappear and I suspect that it will be missed. I am hoping that the owner will re-open elsewhere and if so that I will be able to have some of my paintings there. I will put a note on here if that is so.

July 23, 2007 - At The Races & Midnight Ghost

2007-07-23T16:19:00.000-05:00

The first 8 x 10 canvas in Acrylic is A black horse. This is an image from a photograph taken at the race track in Florida. I have changed the colors and number. The original photo was of a bay, I thought the black would be a more striking color for the horse.

The second is a 8 x 10 canvas in Acrylic and it is what I remember seeing a few weeks ago during the full moon, I had never seen a large owl and with the moonlight on its feathers it looked quite eerie but very beautiful.

Visited Tay River Gallery this week

2007-07-22T20:55:00.000-05:00

It is a beautiful gallery, saw some very good work. I especially enjoyed Currans paintings. Hope to visit it again.

July 12th - Commission x 3 Completed

2007-07-13T21:01:00.000-05:00

I have completed the three paintings that had been commissioned and had to be done by mid July. The first is of a single cat, long haired, white and light orange in color. The second is of two striped tabbies, one orange and one standard tabbie colors, I am especially pleased with how it turned out. The third was more difficult due to the polaroid photo I was working from but I did manage to capture the dogs face quite well. The cat, well, thats another story...

I have already delivered the lone cat painting and the other two will go out this weekend.

June 27, 2001 - 2nd commissioned 8 x 10 progress

2007-06-27T18:57:00.001-05:00

This is the 2nd 8 x 10 on white board commissioned work that I have been doing. It is proving to be a challange due to the poor quality of the photo but I am satisfied with the dog but the painting of the cat needs further work. Am hoping to have it done by Saturday.

June 21, 2007

2007-06-21T21:00:00.000-05:00

The painting of the Robin, Egret and Birdhouse is from three old art books I have had lying around for years. I happened to have an odd shaped canvas and thought it would suit.
The second 8 x 10 smaller canvas is of a Fawn and it is for my personal collection, in our area of Ontario we see so many of these perfect little creatures this time of year. The third is on whiteboard 9 x 11 and is a commission to be given as a gift by the person who ordered it. It is an orange cat in a cute pose. Each painting has been varnished and is ready to be framed or hung as is. I have been painting around the sides of the canvas now as it makes it easier to have the choice of framing or not.

June 16, 2007 (addendum)

2007-06-16T20:59:00.000-05:00

This painting of a sturdy little donkey was recently sold at the Balderson Art Gallery. I will bring a few of my other paintings for her to display in a few days.

June 16, 2007

2007-06-16T20:52:00.000-05:00

I completed this large 24 x 30 inch painting this week. It was a commission and is to be given to someone for their surprise Birthday in July. The horse is called Trio and he is almost black with some bay highlights.

May 29th 2007

2007-05-29T19:49:00.001-05:00

I haven't been painting for a few weeks, pressures of garden, work and family. I am now putting the finishing touches to this painting and am close to finishing a commission of which I will put a photo here when done.

Price: $195.00

April 16, 2007

2007-04-16T09:47:00.001-05:00

This is an 8" x 10" of a Free horse high atop a hill. In the background are cliffs, forests and hills. I will be doing a few smaller canvas such as this to take to the Drummond Horse Show in May. It will be held at Drummond Centre, off Highway 7 East of Perth on Concession #7. About a half hours drive from the West end of Ottawa. I will post the exact dates and time when I have that information.

Price: $50.00

Three Horses / 8" x 10"

2007-04-14T19:11:00.000-05:00

This one was a delight to do. The images are lively and natural. I had an old photo of a herd of horses and took these 3 out of that. They look curious and at the same time comfortable with one another. This is on an 8 x 10 inch canvas that I had first washed in blue and white. I added the ground after the horses were done.

In the area of Canada that we live this color of horse abounds. The roans and the bays are what you see in most fields and paddocks.

April 7th 2007 - Buster Painting Completed

2007-04-07T19:22:00.000-05:00

The 8" x 10" painting of Buster, 14 year old German Shephard is complete.

March 29, 2007

2007-03-29T08:17:00.000-05:00

I wasn't quite happy with the finished product for the Dalmation Pup so I had set it aside for a while. Yesterday I added a bit more burnt sienna to the subject and that did seem to make it look more like what a real pup does. It is now done. I sealed it with varnish and here is the picture.

March 14, 2007 - Completed Cat Painting

2007-03-14T20:39:00.000-05:00

I finished the Slumber Kitty on a Shelf painting tonight. It turned out quite nice. I have to varnish it and then plan on putting it on my Sitting Room wall. I love cats and the expression on this little ones face is so evocative of what cats are all about. I did it with a technique called 'washes' which is a softer way of painting the acrylic.

March 11, 2007

2007-03-11T11:00:00.001-05:00

Perfectly beautiful day out here. Already 7C plus at noon. I am making 5 small garden signs for the flea market next door in the Cheese Store at Balderson. I made 5 with One Spoiled Cat Lives Here for them now they want some that say Caution! Cranky Cat. I will paint a suitable cranky cat face on each also. They don't take much time and people seem to like them.

I base coated a very small canvas, 5" x 7" today in medium blue, mottled with a rolled up rag. I am going to put a large group of African Violet leaves covering it, with blue violets in the centre.

I haven't gone back to my cat on shelf painting yet. Letting it sit while I do these other little projects.

I base coated the background of my portrait of my mother and son. It is from a photo I took when Chris and I visited my mom almost 20 years ago when she lived in New Brunswick. I have fond memories of those visits. It will be my very first attempt at a portrait of a person. Should be educational to say the least. I am hoping to be able to do some large scale portraits within a year.

March 7, 2007 - Cat on a Shelf

2007-03-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

I started this one a few days ago. I still have to do the edges and a bit more on the leaves and the dish. I will probably shade under the shelf a bit more. Shading has to be done around the plate rim and vase.

March 4, 2007 - Little decorative boxes completed

2007-03-04T16:26:00.000-05:00

The three little decorative boxes are done, and on display with others I have collected over the years. I have many others packed away. This project was fun and took my creativity in another direction from the paintings I am doing. I feel ready to tackle the more difficult projects now.

March 2, 2007 - Some little jars for myself

2007-03-02T19:25:00.000-05:00

I am taking a break for a few days from painting on canvas. I am working on these three tiny little wooden pots. Each is about the size of a small apple. I have shown a photo here of what I have painted them so far. They will need another coat each. The violet one needs varnish. I am not sure what I will paint on the green and lilac one but perhaps some flowers and leaves. It gives my mind a rest from the larger more intricate work.

It is always a good idea when you start to weary of painting to take a rest. Do something completely different such as bake something, or read a book or go out dancing. The mind occasionally needs to leave creativity behind and just coast. I find I then return to my painting with renewed enthusiasm and vision.

February 24, 2007 - Three Paintings Completed

2007-02-24T15:49:00.000-05:00

The first one is the Memphis Belle painting for Chris. It turned out very well. I left the two background aircraft minimilistic to put emphasis on the foreground aircraft. It depicts the Memphis Belle after it had been fired upon.

The second painting is the Dalmation Puppy I had started a while back, I put a bright red background over the black as it is destined for a barocque gold frame.

The third painting is a Buck, head portrait. It is my first time painting on an oval canvas, it presented some special challanges as to placement of the figure.

February 21, 2007 - Buck

2007-02-21T16:49:00.000-05:00

I have base coated the head of the deer. I used burnt sienna with burnt umber mixed with paynes grey for the darker areas. The nose was highlighted with white and some paynes grey. White for the neck patch, around the eyes and beside the muzzle.

February 18, 2007 - White Tail Deer

2007-02-18T17:23:00.000-05:00

This new painting is on an oval canvas. It is a White Tail deer. I have done the background in three different colors. The darker areas are Paynes Grey and Hookers Green, bringing in some Bright Yellow to add highlights where the head and horns will go. The effect I am trying for is shafts of sunlight coming through the dark trees.

The second photo is the Dalmation Pup. A further application of Titanium White has been liberally brushed over the entire pup. He is coming along nicely.

I purchased the oval canvas from Wallacks in Bells Corners, Ottawa. It was a bargain at $11.39 as I have trouble finding good quality Oval canvas anywhere. I most likely will buy all my supplies there from now on as I find the prices and selection quite good.

February 15, 2007 - Small Cow Painting and Pup

2007-02-15T17:03:00.000-05:00

I finished this small painting of a farm scene. The yard is flooded from the rain and though the goose and her babies are enjoying it, the herd has other thoughts. They are sheltered but still are not happy. This painting was done for a friend of mine, who loves cows. He has it on his kitchen wall beside his chair.

The Dalmation Pup painting is a larger one. I have finished the eyes and nose. There are 2 layers of white on so far. It needs another two layers and then the black spots to be touched up slightly.

February 14, 2007 - Happy Valentines Day

2007-02-14T15:38:00.000-05:00

I put the last base coat on the airplanes. It is a mixture of black, avacado green and antique teal. The aircraft in that era was a mid to dark green to blend in with both the night and the evening sky. The next step on this painting will be defining the wings and the engines.

February 11, 2007 - Continuing Base Coating

2007-02-11T09:30:00.000-05:00

Today I have sketched the 3 airplanes onto the canvas. I had darkened the sky a bit with darker shades of blue/green/black. I basecoated the airplanes in a mid range green.

The painting of the puppy I now put a background of black to bring out the shape of the figure. I will next work on the eyes of the puppy.

February 10, 2007 - New paintings started

2007-02-10T16:22:00.000-05:00

The top canvas is the background for the Memphis Belle painting that I am doing for someone. The sky will most likely be darkened more and grey shading done to the clouds before I start the plane image. The lower canvas is of a Dalmation Puppy. I am at the base coating stage now. I had already put a suede look background on the canvas.

February 9, 2007 - Buying supplies

2007-02-09T15:18:00.000-05:00

The Mare & Foal painting is complete. It depicts a former race horse with her new foal. She is remembering her days of glory at the track, perhaps a little sad at having to give it up. But life goes on and now she has this new foal to raise.

I pay quite a lot for my canvas and other painting supplies so decided to try Wallacks which is in the west of Ottawa. Someone said their prices are quite reasonable. They have a lot of everything and I even picked up some odd sizes of canvas which are hard to find. I bought two long 30" by 10" canvas for $11 each and an oval canvas for 9 dollars. That is quite good.

I hope to start a new painting this weekend. It will be a departure from my horses. It is the Memphis Belle aircraft.

February 7, 2007

2007-02-07T16:40:00.000-05:00

Today I completed one of the projects at my art course. It was to teach me a technique called 'floating' which really means putting paint on in graduated degrees per brush stroke. On the leaves and the apple the shading is done by 'floating' in burnt umber.

The outer edge is spackle and then incised. It is not something I would really use as part of my techniques but it is interesting for this project and quite easy to do. And besides, anything you learn about art is sure to have some use somewhere along the way.

February 5, 2007 - New reference material

2007-02-05T15:35:00.000-05:00

I bought a new book today by Susan Scheewe. It is about oil painting but I can adapt some of her models to acrylics and watercolors. This book has the most realistic rendering of flowers that I have ever seen, right down to the waterdrops. Hope to start one this weekend. I will post her website here: http://www.painting-books.com/aboutus.asp as well as providing a link. For anyone who is remotely interested in the realistic painting instead of abstract or other types these books have got to be the top.
The one I just purchased is her newest and has a Blue Iris on the cover. It cost me $19.99 Canadian at the Painted Pony shop in Stittsville, Ontario, Canada.

February 4, 2007 - Tour went Well

2007-02-04T18:31:00.000-05:00

The "i don't have a studio tour" ended well. We had plenty of visitors all weekend and many good comments on both my and Willa's work. I also received good feedback on the new idea I had about the bird and flower painting with a crystal in each. Will have to explore that premise further.

Willa was a delight. If all young people are like that I think the future of our world will be positive. Such enthusiasm and style!

February 3, 2007

2007-02-03T18:08:00.000-05:00

I had to work all day so haven't a clue how the tour is going. Will call Willa soon and get an update.
Have put in a link for an interesting site. It is an art form that appeals mostly to men but as an artist it has some fascinating ideas. It is dioramas or scenes from war, using a mixture of models, painting, scene creation and ability to visualize the battles.

February 2, 2007 - First night of tour

2007-02-02T21:13:00.000-05:00

Above is how I set up at my host's place for the "I don't have a studio tour".

I arrived at the site where I was to set up my paintings. I used a large easel and one smaller tabletop. It looks quite nice and those who came from 5pm to 8pm seemed to enjoy them. The person who hosted me is called Willa. She is a fashion designer of recycled material into clothing that is very edgy and trendy.

So far it looks good, the paintings are all set up in a way that you can walk around from one to the other in a natural flow. The lighting in the room is good in the daytime, large windows but at night I found it a bit dim in the room but thats the only complaint I have. I will make do.

Unfortunately I have to be away at work all day tommorrow so won't be there to greet visitors but Willa has it all in hand. I will drop in at some point to see how it is going. I have left small cards with my phone number and email address for anyone needing information.

February 1, 2007 - Work in Progress & new idea

2007-02-01T10:24:00.000-05:00

This is the painting I am doing now. It is about 50% completed. The foal is my main focus today, then I go on to the mane of the mare. The second smaller canvas is about 7" x 4". It is a chickadee on an apple tree branch, with apple blossoms. I have put a Swaroski crystal in the flower near the bird. It is not traditional art, but I like it. I will see what comments I get at the tour this weekend and might paint a few more, perhaps flowers alone.

The "I don't have a studio tour" link

2007-01-30T19:40:00.000-05:00

This link will take you to the site that started it all. I hope this coming weekend will be a lot of fun, and we get lots of visitors to the venues in Perth, Ontario. It is a start and will be an opportunity for some of us to get our work known.

January 30, 2007 Past Paintings

2007-01-30T14:14:00.000-05:00

January 29, 2007 The Bay Family completed

2007-01-29T23:01:00.000-05:00

Above is the Bay/Family painting:

Today I completed the painting called Bay/Family. It has a bay mare with her new foal on the left portion of the canvas. The stallion is at the right, looking with curiousity at the new addition to the stable. It turned out quite nice. I especially like the quizzical look in his eye. Much like any new father I think. I have based the background on my next one, the background was done by rolling on beige acrylic and water then pressing a crumpled cloth over it. The look is much like leather or suede. The new one I am starting on is a head study of the light brown mare, her foal is against her neck in safety zone, she has a bit of a sad look I think, dreaming of her days as a race horse. I will put a small scene at the track in the far background, lightly done in watercolor style. She is remembering the days gone by.

January 28, 2007

2007-01-28T19:22:00.000-05:00

I am an artist. My latest work is in Acrylic on Canvas. I have room for improvement and as such am posting my work here, plus my thoughts as I create it. The search for new subjects and how to render each is always a struggle, and hopefully some of them are pretty good. I will have an upcoming art tour in our small town of Perth. I hope to get some feedback from that.

Your comments will be gratefully accepted.