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
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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!

Oregon Grapes AKA. The amazing "Blue Berry" Painting

Oregon Grapes
Oil on Canvas
3*4' (yes, feet)
$450.00

As previously mentioned in my Art Walk Wrap Up Post that this painting drew a lot of attention. And was known as the Blue Berry Painting. I just nodded and said "yes". (It is not polite to correct people when it is obviously blue and have berries on it.:) Maybe a British Columbia crowd would have gotten it right of the bat.)

Well, let me explain. This painting has been hanging on my wall for a couple years now and it never quite worked. I did not like the background so before Art Walk decided that enough was enough, I am tired of looking at this thing on my wall. It needs to be fixed!

So then Viola! I repainted the background by looking at the original picture again. And then everything just fell in place.

What is so unique about this painting is the color use. Here I had to make the blue grapes pop out to the fore ground and make the red stem recede in the background. So what is so special about it? Well, blue is a cool color and usually recedes or pull back in to the painting. In contrast red a warm color usually pop out of the picture and I had to reverse it. To explain better you can look at this post where I was also playing with color temperature goofiness.

Last but not least, here is a picture of blue berries on the bush for future reference ;)

Butterfly and Brown Eyed Susan

Butterfly and Brown Eyed Susan.
Oil on Canvas
16*20"
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This was the painting I was working on at Art Walk. My neighbor was watching as I painted and really enjoyed it. She just had to have it.:)
So, if you like it and wanted something similar please do not hesitate to speak up. I will gladly paint something similar for you.

(I apologize for the quality of the picture. My camera died and all that I had to my disposal was my Phone Camera)

Gladiolus

Gladiolus
Oil on Canvas
30*20"
 Sold

Sunflower Color Celebration

Sunflower Color Celebration
13*13 (on 1inch profile, this means it can stand on its own and does not need framing)
Oil on Canvas with Painting Knife.
$125/sold

I enjoy painting sunflowers from my garden! It is actually amazing to see that there are some left; the squirrels ate them when they were small. Then we had a windstorm and they were blown over and started growing like vines. One is completely horizontal and still flowering. They had to overcome one more challenge: then the neighbors' horse found that if he stretches his neck just so, that he can help himself to a tasty treat.
I was very wise to plant plenty.

Sunflowers in Fall colours

Sunflowers in Fall colors
13*13
Oil on canvas (1" profile) This means it stands on its' own; does not need framing.
$125/sold
We are experiencing the prettiest fall that I can remember thus far. Inspiration was the fall colors this year and the sunflowers in my garden.

Rose Hip Study.

Oil on Canvas
18*24"
$240 (Sold)

This a rose hip of the Alberta Wild Rose, the picture I used as reference was taken in the fall after the hips have dried out and became all wrinkly. Did you know that you can eat them and also the leaves of the Wild Rose itself?
Here is a picture of a Alberta Wild rose.

In die Karoo: Sleutelfontein II

16*20"
Oil On canvas
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Here is the second in the "Karoo Series" I really like the landscape of the Karoo. My intention is not to make a realistic representation of the landscape because then I could just take a picture with my camera and be done with it. But instead it is an interpretation which involves layering the paint, playing with textures and the push and pull of warm and cold colors.

In die Karoo

16*20"
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Wow! Halt!
Life happens and then before I know it has almost been a month since I promised African Landscapes. Well better late than never. This painting is painted from a picture we took while driving in the Karoo. These huge Aloe-type trees were fascinating. And yes they are really as tall as a building.

Flowers in Fall Colours

16*16
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Birthday Roses

16*20"
Sold

Flowers

16*16"
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