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)

:)