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Here we go again for the 4th time
I joined the 30 Paintings in 30 Day Challenge once again It is actually my fourth time participating. I sort of tell myself when ever I commit to it – it is a huge commitment and the other larger pieces I am working on get neglected for awhile. But the sense of accomplishment that I get from doing it is well worth the effort. So far… So far all of these are oil on panels. The square ones are on cradled panel, the 10 x 8″ are on flat panel and will require frames. I am really unsure how long I will stay with the oils as I prefer to…
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On Watch
It is that time of year when I feel like I disappear. I have secret commissions that I am working on and of course, am unable to share. I can share my most recent acrylic painting of a crow – On Watch From how do I do this – to I got this When exploring in Rockwood Park in Saint John, NB last year, I happened upon this crow perched on a rock framed by two tree trunks. I knew instantly that I planned on painting this scene. I took a few reference photos… until my subject flew away. Only the tree trunks that drew me in felt like brackets…
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Spring Scentsation
Large acrylic painting of lilacs is finally signed and off the easel I think I heard a heavenly choir of angels Hallelujah! Really I mean it. I have spent so much quality time with this painting. First scoping all the lilac shrubs in Quispamsis, Rothesay and beyond. Then taking photos. I scouted, I hunted and even had friends on the lookout for me. Interesting enough these particular blooms grow in my own backyard. Worth crying over Then I remembered what I forgot. The wonderful scent of heavily perfumed lilacs are an allergy trigger for me. I managed to take photos through my watery eyes. This was pretty funny. I was…
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Winters Light Shines Through
I have to admit this was one ambitious painting I think I may have a thing about straight lines and me not really know what to do with them. I always thought I have a steady hand and a good eye… but am not thinking my astigmatism may not know how to deal with them. Seeing this finished painting sure brings a smile to my face. We have a wonderful hanging stained glass window that was given to us Over the years we (really me) watch with fascination of how the right changes with each season. Winter is particularly beautiful with the deep colour of the sky and the reflections…
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Painting of a Dragonfly on the Fence
Dragonflies We have a backyard pond complete with a waterfall and lily pads and dragonflies are frequent visitors. Frequent but they do not rest for long. Almost never long enough for me to run and get may camera and get back down the stairs. And my camera is by the door when I am home! On the Fence But I have gotten lucky a few times. One summer’s day a dragonfly landed on my friend Jackie’s belly. And I had my camera right there. I just had to convince her not to swoosh him away until I got the photos. The photos were really over exposed as her top was…
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Cascading Blooms Watercolour Complete
Cascading Blooms a 1/2 sheet watercolour of pink climbing roses is now completed Procrastination I finally figured out why I have been procrastinating so much. At least I think I have been. And not sure I was even conscious of it until now. Participating in the 30 paintings in 30 day challenge in January was very satisfying. I mean I completed a painting a day for goodness sake. Felt accomplished every single day! Now that I am back to painting larger works – they seem to be taking forever. I had a goal this weekend of finishing two. Well, I only finished this one. But, you know, you cannot hurry…
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Roses for Valentines
I am currently working on another painting of roses I started to think about it and realized just how many paintings of rose I have done. Being Valentine’s Day, I thought I would share some of the rose love with you . Roses for you and for me! There are wild island roses from Prince Edward Island. Roses from my father’s garden a long time ago. My friend Jeannie’s climbing roses that I take reference photos of every chance I get. Apparently horse manure makes great compost for roses. Carpet roses that grew by our little pond. Past tense – a particularly hard winter did them in – so happy…
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Pretty In Pink completed
I love the feeling of satisfaction I get when I realize that a painting is finished I’ve let this one percolate long enough to call it completed. I am done looking at it with the squinty eyes and scrutinizing. It is time to put down the paintbrushes and wash off my palette. When I get near the completion of a painting I spend quite a bit of time assessing and reassessing it and second guessing myself. This is a normal part of the painting process. I want to ensure the warm tones are balanced over the painting and that the cooler tones are the right shade and the values are…
