Still crowing

"Bad Boys"  16 x 26" acrylic

I started this painting as a demo at the Birthplace of BC Gallery this past weekend. Just did a bit more tweaking to it at home this morning and I think it's done. I used three different photos for the crows, so I started with a life size sketch on paper to figure out the composition.

The background was done intuitively and I didn't preplan it much, other than to paint quinacridone gold as the base colour and consider having light coming through the four corners. This is a fun and also nerve wracking way to paint for me. It can get overworked so easily- too busy, too muddy, too dark, too light. I did lots of glazes, wet-in-wet and edge softening with water. I allowed drips to happen and sometimes guided them with a small round brush.

The crows, I painted with as much realism as I can muster. I like the contrast between the realism of the subjects and the abstract quality of the background.

Teapot & Apples

I am in the middle of writing another "how to" book for Walter Foster Books. This one is about still life in acrylics and will feature projects from 4 different artists. Here's a little preview of a few stages of one of my projects. I have to say that I'm a lot more relaxed doing this for the second time. I've always loved doing still life so I'm having fun with these paintings. I'll be doing 5 altogether and I can do a couple that are more advanced than the ones for the first book, which was for beginners. 

 I think the book will be published early next year and can be ordered through Amazon.

In or out?

Just completed this painting. I showed it to Alan and he said the log in the middle was distracting. I've been working on this painting so long that I can't really judge it any more. Nice to have another pair of eyes to give me feedback. I took the log out and liked the painting better right away.
I don't have a title yet but it's a 30 x 24" acrylic.

Brothers Creek

I have a lot of unfinished paintings in the studio right now. Some are very close to finished, others are half way there and have problems. This is unusual for me because I normally like to see a painting through before I start another one. Not sure what's going on but I think it's ok. I will spend the next few weeks trying to resolve some things and see what happens.

The painting is a 24 x 30" acrylic. It's of Brother's Creek in West Van- right behind my childhood home. I have never painted this particular spot but have done quite a few pieces of the river over the years. I love the shimmering light- it gets me every time.

Pemberton weekend

I spent the weekend painting with Susie and Andrea in Susie's magnificent studio in Pemberton. What a beautiful area- there will definitely be some Pemberton paintings coming up soon. Here we have Susie painting and Blue enjoying Susie's dog, Sophie's, bed. Painting with friends is one of my favourite things to do.Thanks to Susie and Andrea for great food, great company and lots of inspiration.

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.