Canyon Creek

This is a 24 x 36" acrylic. It's my second version of this place, which is in North Vancouver's Lynn Canyon. I love the clarity and colour of the water. It took quite a while to get the feeling of rocks underwater- lots of glazing and layers of paint. I think it works now :-)

Even newer crow- actually a raven

   Raven's Rest 24 x 48" acrylic

I had no intention of painting this piece quite this way. I started the underpainting and began to have fun with it- letting drips happen and working wet into wet paint. I initially thought I would paint most of the painting more literally but as the painting evolved, I couldn't bring myself to cover up all the abstract passages. It became a goal to add just enough detail and then let go. It was exciting and very intense. I think this painting taught me a lot and I hope that it will have an influence in future works.

new crow

"Nestled in the Pines"

18 x 20" acrylic

The gallery in Fort Langley asked for a crow painting so here's my effort. I have been struggling with several large paintings so it was a joy to do this one and have it turn out. I think I am paying the price for having not painted since early December. I have to trust that if I just keep painting, I will find my feet again. It does feel so good to be back in the studio after all the disruption of the move.

This painting was done on a panel, rather than the canvas that I usually use. Panel lends itself to textural techniques and I played with dripping and wet in wet quite a bit. I tried to keep it loose and just apply detail where necessary. I used a limited palette of dioxazine purple, green gold, quinacridone gold, ultramarine blue, quinacridone burnt orange and white.

New Beginnings

I'm happy to report that we sold our house and moved into our new place about a month ago. Last week I finally started working in my new studio. The new space is smaller but cosy, welcoming and full of light. It's an open loft on the top floor of our townhouse. I love working there. Right now I'm working on my third painting- images to come.

"Windswept" 24 x 30" acrylic

"Summerfield" 24 x 30" acrylic

These will be my last 2 paintings for 2014. They are currently hanging in the Medal show at the Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery in Vancouver. They might represent a new direction for me, although I've been incorporating some of the techniques used here for a few years now. On "Summerfield" in particular, I've used a lot of chippy brushstrokes and I'm really enjoying the results.

I've learned over the years that painting has a mind of it's own. I think we might do our best work if we just follow the muse and don't try to control or preplan too much, how things will go. When I'm teaching, I call it "letting the painting be the boss". The process involves starting a painting and then stepping back and looking to see what the painting is asking for. In this way, each painting becomes an adventure- you don't know what will come until the painting is finished.

2014 has been a year of letting go for Alan and I, and it has been one of the most difficult ones for me. We lost my precious Dad in January. Alan has had many health challenges and we have gone through the stress of putting our home of 26 years on the market. There have been a few tears on my part as I try to let go of this place that holds so many memories for us. This is where I raised my children and where we hosted so many dinners with family and friends. Three years ago we built my dream studio and I don't really feel that I got enough time to experience it. Still, the time is right to make a change.

In January we will move into our new home- a large pretty townhouse in the heart of Fort Langley. We have lots of space for two studios and many of the comforts of a new house that we've never had in our 100 year old current house. We will be close to friends, shops, restaurants, walking trails and the beautiful Fraser River. We are excited to have a new start and be able to stay in our community. I'm looking forward to making new memories in the new house and welcoming friends and family there.

For all of you who read my blog- thank you for your interest. I hope that 2015 is a wonderful, creative, happy year for you.

3 little paintings

  I have been on a roll with 12 x 16" paintings lately. Must be the dull weather that's causing me to want to do bright colour. It's fun to take a reference photo with just green trees and play around with alternative colour possibilities. I have always struggled a bit with small paintings- I feel more comfortable on a larger scale but it feels like these little guys are teaching me something. Texture and movement are what I'm learning more about. Also, on a small painting you have to simplify- those editing decisions are challenging, but necessary, to make a stronger painting.

Winter Pine

"Winter Pine" 24 x 30" acrylic

I have been away from the blog for quite some time. Our life is filled with real estate stress right now as we are selling our current house, and have purchased a new house. We're only moving a few blocks away but have downsized on the garden space by buying a large townhouse. Plenty of studio space for Alan and me, but very little upkeep. We are excited to start a new chapter of our lives but right now there are a lot of distractions.

Painting has been a lovely distraction so I have managed to produce a few new pieces. I painted the tree in this new piece once before in oils. My plan was to start it in acrylics and finish in oils, but I ended up seeing it through in acrylics. Instead of blending the sky, I used chippy brushstrokes to make the subtle transitions. The painting will go to the Adele Campbell Gallery in Whistler for their annual "Spirit of Winter" show.

I have a couple of events coming up soon. This weekend, we are in White Rock for the annual International Artist's Day festival. It's held at the White Rock community centre and goes Friday night and all day Saturday and Sunday. I will be doing an artists talk on "What Jurors Look for"on Saturday from 11:30 to 12:00.

I also have my last workshop of the year happening at the Steveston Hotel in Richmond on November 1st and 2nd. It's intermediate level acrylics and details are on the Federation of Canadian Artists website- www.artists.ca, under "education". Contact me if you have any questions.