West Art Show September

Well, it has been a while(2 1/2 years) since I updated this blog. I have continued to paint, but just did not continue to blog. Since last posting , I have explored some really cool places, and painted in some interesting and sometimes challenging locations. Sometimes with success, but most of the time not.

This last spring, I was invited to show my art at the Cloverdale Rodeo Art show. It was long days, but I really enjoyed the people I was with and met some people that left a mark on me (no, not a black eye). They invited me back to a show in September, this weekend coming up, so I thought I need to update this. I am also coming out with a web page shortly.

Addison Colors - 12 x 24 Oil on Canvas

Recovered Blueberry Fields - 16 x 20 Oil on Canvas

Golden Reflections - 11 x 14 Oil on Board

Yellow Tree - 22 x 28 Oil on Canvas

Foggy Trail - 16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas

Manning in Spring - 24 x 36 Oil on Canvas

Gold Creek Power - 16 x 20 Oil on Canvas

 Due to some heart issues this summer (2017) I didn't get the painting in the studio that I had hoped for. However I did get out Plein Air (onsite) painting a fair bit and will be using these in my show. I actually like the "smalls" as the fit all over the house.

Beaver Reflections - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air 

2Bit Bar - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Fraser Tree - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Minniewanka Blues - 11 x 14 Oil on board

Williams Stream  - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Minniewanka  - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Lake Morraine - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board

Pier at Blackie Spit  - 9 x 12 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Pump Houses  - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Mountains near Spray Lakes  - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Vermillion Lakes View  - 8 x 10 - Oil on Board Plein Air

Copies and Creeks

A few more contributions. I have been working (not always succeeding) at getting a better contrast in my paintings to make them interesting. As I am doing this, I find it a struggle when I fiddle too long on it, but a pretty neat feeling when I just try and not overwork it.

"Northern Stream in Acrylic" 12x12

This was fun. It is a copy of Tom Thomson's piece that I copied from a book. I have been trying to copy different painters to learn from doing it. Hopefully it pays off in what I am learning

"Gold Creek Peak" 11x14

I had to climb over some bush and trees to find this spot along the upper part of Gold Creek. What a cool day that was. I hope I got the movement of the water.

"Malcom Knapp #3" 11 x 14

This is the same location that I had painted earlier, but the water level was a lot higher, and more powerful. I tried to capture the power of the water, as well as the copper color in the crazy spots.

(more to come from this location. the roar of the water is ... addictive)

Waterfall in Malcom Knapp Research Forest

I got off early from work today, so I sprinted up the hill to the UBC Research Forest (Malcom Knapp) to try and tackle some of the creek I found. The light had left, but I was able to put together some good darks, and had a peaceful time doing it.

"Malcom Knapp WF #2" (8x10 P.A.)

Alice Lake, Squamish

Today's P.A. was at Alice Lake, in Squamish. I grew up in Squamish and this is where I hung out as a teenager in summer.

"Garibaldi over Alice Lake"  - 11x14 P.A.

Gold Creek

Here is one I did from Gold Creek. That was a good day.

this was the original (8x10 P.A.) 

then I updated the rocks when I got home

this is in UBC Research Forest. Alright, though way too dark for the kind of day it was. I look forward to another visit.

Mike Svob and painting red hot paintings

It has been a while since I updated. Sorry. I have been painting a lot and learning a ton, so I am not sure where to start, but for now, I think I'll just post some pics and go from there.
Also, I will be updating my pictures. I got some great advice about photographing my work from Glenn Payan (http://www.glennpayan.com/), and I was just waiting for a sunny day to get that done.

Recently, I have been reading "Painting Red Hot Paintings" by Mike Svob. Awesome book. I like where it is taking my direction on some things. Here are some of MY exercises from his book. I love the use of contrast and colour to do some of the things I have been wanting to achieve.

I like the contrasts I get from this.

Christmas Mountains

I did a couple of small paintings for my mom for Christmas. They started out as 10x10 (which I finished) but we found a great deal on some frames that were 8x10, so I repainted them into the smaller format. It actually worked out better, as I was able to work out some composition issues with the first ones.
I loved doing these, as I didn't just paint pictures, but tried to incorporate a personality to these mountains. I hope my work reflects that.

We grew up in Squamish where Mt. Garibaldi dominated the northern skyline. I could have painted it from memory, as it was so prevalent in my past.

"Garabaldi" 8"x10" acrylic

My mom now lives in Abbotsford, and has another mountain to rule over her land. Mt. Baker is to her south and looks over the Fraser Valley.

"Mt. Baker" 8"x10" acrylic