Life as we know it...is BUSY.

I have been busy with art classes and applying what I have learned to my painting. Here is the last few paintings fresh of the easel.

 Alberta Wildrose
12*12inches
on Canvas
Sold
In this painting I was applying the color theory I learned in an art class with Tammy Taylor. And I think it worked well. It has enough tonal and hue value to make it interesting.

Brown-Eyed Susan
1*2 Feet
Oil on Canvas

In the Brown-Eyed Susan I applied the color theory I learned from Sharon Hazen. I was also introduced to complex composition called the Golden Means.I had fun with it.
These paintings were painted with a brush in stead of a painting knife. I figured out a way to keep my brushes useful without spending a lot of time cleaning them. Cleaning brushes are my nemesis.

I also signed up for The Whyte Ave Art Walk again this year. Can not wait!

Family Reunion Pictures

Earlier this summer I was asked by the Van't Hoff Family if I wanted to come take pictures at their family gathering. This was a very special type of gather, because it would be the last time (for some time) the whole family is together because Pete and Cheryl is taking off to Chicago. Pete will be attending Mid American Reformed Seminary to become a pastor.

It was a fantastic day for a family BBQ. It was warm and all the grand children were up to their normal trick and antics and Ouma joined in the fun too!

Now looking at these pictures, I realized that there is space for improvement. When taking pictures of a group of children, it might be best to line them up from tallest to shortest and place them each in their special spot. Then also to let only the really small kids, under 2 sit on Gran-ma and Gran pas' lap. Otherwise it is really hard to see their faces in between the children's'.

It is challenging to coordinate a large group like this but I think the pictures turned out good over all.

We pray that Pete, Cheryl and the kids will adjust to their enviroment and lives painlessley, and that God will bless their work there.

Marika

Cake Smash!

 Felicity Turns 1! I was asked to come out and take pictures of this little princess' Cake Smash! It was tons of fun!

Vant Hoff Portraits

Over the past summer I had the privilege of doing the Vant Hoff Family Annual Photoshoot again. We always have a lot of fun. And the pictures always turns our fantastic! 

The secret is that the family is always color coordinated which make them look like a unit. When you dress your family for family portraits, always avoid shirts with slogans or images on them. These images distract from a persons' face. If you can not find exact matching outfits for the family try to find neutral colors for everyone, they can wear any shade of black, brown, gray, and white. All these colors should blend together nicely.

Another thing to remember is that kids need to be comfortable in front of the camera in order to give spontaneous sincere smiles. In previous years we have always taken the pictures at the Vant Hoffs acreage (a location where they are comfortable at). But they do not want to same background year after year, so this time I suggested this background. Which is a school building covered in little rocks. And conveniently there is a playground adjacent to it! So while we were doing individual portraits, the other kids were sliding down the slides.

So this collage is an extract of the hundreds of fantastic pictures that was taken at this family portrait shoot.

Untitled African Landscape

(Untitled)
24*48"
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas



So how long does it take to paint a landscape?

Well, very, very long if you decide to attempt a more realistic landscape painting for the first time. And to make it even more of challenge, paint it on a 2*4 feet canvas. So, I started this painting last spring (May/June) and after quite a bit of repainting and some more layers. Some technique building such as painting clouds, trees and grass. It is done.

But I do not know what title to give it? If you look at the landscape, it is a picture of Wildebeest migrating at sunset. When you look at the clouds, you will notice that they look like clouds that hang around after a thunder storm. So imagine that there was a late afternoon thunderstorm. The wildebeest waited it out and now that it has cleared, they are moving on in the last few minutes of sunlight. The sun is very low. It is reflecting yellow on the bottom of the clouds and shiny reflections of the side of the trees and wildebeest. Now you know the setting and maybe you can help me to title it by leaving a comment.

Thank you so much for looking at my art and if you leave a comment thank you again. This painting is done. What a relief!

Chickadee and Willow

Chickadee and Willow
Oil on Wrapped Canvas
63" by 23"



As we are all eagerly waiting for spring, the first clue that it is coming, is the color change in the willows. It turns from a bland grey, to blazing red and sometimes yellow. To me it is just the prettiest sight! It promises that spring is on its way! But do not be fooled. These willows can bloom in temperatures as low as -25C. It is almost as if they are saying: " I have been waiting long enough for spring. It is - 25C, I do not care! I am blooming!" So even if they are promising spring it can still get pretty cold. I think that is pretty amazing.

Another thing that is really cool about nature in Central Alberta is the fact that the Chickadees stick around summer and winter. It can be -30C and these little birds will be flying around outside, when most other birds have left. Their little chirps are heard through the cold snowy days to remind us that all is well.

So here is my tribute to the Willow and the Chickadee. May the willow tease our visual senses soon!
And may the Chickadee, keep on chirping to bring life to our ears!

Happy New Year (by the way)

:)

Portraits

 So, it seems that summer and fall is 'the time' to take portraits. Mostly because we are surrounded by a lush green in the summer, and in the fall a various array of yellow and brown. Recently, I have had the privilege to expose some of my dear friends to the eye of my new camera. Which I am thoroughly enjoying! ;)
First, we had the Grobelaars over for a visit; we took them for a little walk around our property. Here are two selections of this photo shoot, of many other pictures. It seems that the more kids a family have the more pictures there tend to be in the end.

Then Nelly and her family asked me to come to their house for a quick photo shoot. And by quick I mean QUICK. They were already dressed-up, to leave for a birthday party when I zipped over before they got in their vehicle to take their pics. It was also pretty cold and windy at the time but I think it was successful all together.

So that is what I have been up to lately. Not much painting.... But lets say "No News, is Good News!" ;)

Until next time!

Marika