Approaching Storm over Manitou

Approaching Storm over Manitou Lake Oil 36 x 48

I've just come home from our Annual Artists Retreat. This year we organized it to be in Assiniboia, Sk. the home of the fabulous Shurniak Art Gallery.  Bill Shurniak and staff are celebrating their 10 year anniversary of the opening of this absolute gem of Gallery. I'd venture to say that there is nothing in Western Canada to compare with it, and I've been in a few galleries out here!  The retreat is a week long and brings together artists from all parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and sometimes further away places.
This Oil painting was started on the first day of the retreat and depicts a wicked storm coming over the lake. It spawned a twister that you can pick out if you look carefully.

Dust in the Wind

Dust in the Wind

Just recently my beloved Blue Hotel was demolished and hauled away. I have to say it was rather sad to see it go and I wonder if it was really necessary, but thats another matter.  The building has been and will continue to be a special source of subject matter for me, to date I have maybe 6 paintings of it. This painting measures 4 feet square and is an Oil on birch panel.  It was actually started last summer at our retreat in Eastend SK and has undergone a number of changes to arrive at the point it is at presently.  Maybe it will have to sit for awhile, no danger of it being destroyed in my studio!  On a happier note I have received word that my painting Mt. Rundle, below, has been accepted into a FCA show in Kamloops to be held this April.

Spring Runoff near the Village Inn

I painted this morning sitting near the Village Inn here at Manitou Beach.  This rock formation was created last year as part of a major overhaul of the beach front needed to deal with the increase of water coming into the lake.  The result was we gained a lovely water feature complete with a Fred Flintstone type of bridge spanning over the creek.  A nice place to be, our family installed a bench in memory of our sister Angelene Tysseland who passed away last winter. 

Golden Morning

The dogs and I managed to get out this morning before the snow started to melt to much, I want them to get some exercise before it gets to messy out.  I am fond of this little slough I call Wellington Pond but I don't know if it actually has a name.  It drains into Wellington Creek and is starting to melt in this extraordinary weather we are currently getting. While painting this pastel I saw a flock of Canada Geese overhead, what a sight and thrill to the ears!  I know that my senses become acutely aware of my surroundings whilst I am painting and truthfully, that is one of my greatest pleasures of painting out of doors.  It is like having a continuous conversation with my Creator, acknowledging this extraordinary gift called life on the planet earth, if that makes sense to anyone. I figure David Suzuki understands, another gift to mankind.

Wouldn't it be nice

Wouldn't it be nice if winters were always this way?  I have enjoyed this winter so much, being able to paint outside practically everyday and going for long walks in the hills and fields with my two dogs.  I plan on going out tomorrow again and finding a nice place to paint and enjoy life. I like listening to Van Morrison and Neil Young while painting, funny how music and painting go together so well! The painting above is an oil of the hill across from Wellington Park.

Being There

There have been some lovely sunrises (and sunsets) lately, maybe its got something to do with the angle of the sun and time of the year.  Anyways, its been a joy to paint outdoors in such conditions because the temperatures have been unseasonably warm for winter in these parts.  I feel that being there when the sun rises and sets and attempting to paint that phenomena is a rich experience that enriches my life.

First Snow

I painted this a little while back when we experienced one of our first snows out at the Beach.  It was painted from my studio window and is a tiny little thing, 6 x 8 inches.  I enjoyed flicking the specks of snow on at the end, rather fun to try and achieve a realistic effect in a painterly way.

Hue and Saturation

This watercolour is pushing hue and saturation somewhat, but I swear it is not terribly different than what I have seen on some summer evenings out here.  I don't know, maybe I will wash it out a bit.
CC's are welcome.

Fading Glory

In the spirit of my photographer friend from Manitou Beach, Al Bowman, I submit this watercolour/pastel of the sun going down over the hills of Manitou Beach, SK.  Al is a spirited photographer who insists that he just likes "snapping pictures" but I feel he is much more talented than he gives himself credit for.  Check out his work on Facebook. I call this painting "Join the Union" simply because I was listening to a song by that name performed by Strawbs. Go figure.

The Blue Hotel

Here at Manitou Beach we have an intriguing old building on the edge of the lake.  In fact it is now partially submerged because of the increased amount of water we are dealing with at the resort.  I am told it was once known as the Blue Hotel back in the glory days of this community.  Recently it was used as a brine shrimp processing plant.  At the present time it is abandoned and probably due for destruction.  It is kind of a sad commentary on what was once a grand and popular place.  I don't like seeing buildings such as this being permanently lost because once they are gone, their gone forever.  I plan on doing a series of paintings of this wonderfully evocative place, hopefully before it disappears.  

Here comes the sun

What a beautiful day it has been.  The moment I got up this morning I knew it was going to be different, the clouds in the sky had that look about them like it was spring or something.  After work I set up a small 10 x 12 oil I worked on the last time the sun shone and did some refining to reflect the kind of afternoon it was.  It is melting like crazy, I hope the crews working on the berms by the lake aren't have to rough  time of it.  They are trying to keep the lake from flooding the shore side developments by building up the shoreline.  Good luck with that.

Approaching Storm

Approaching Storm

A beautiful morning but there is a threat of some windy weather on the way.  I gathered up my painting box and headed out with the dogs to a spot on the east side of the settlement that overlooks the lake northwards.  The temperature is hovering around minus 3 Celsius which is great for painting out of doors.  I have come to enjoy the way my paint gets a bit stiff outside as it makes for some nice texture, which I like immensely.  This piece is 8 x 10 inches and is an oil on masonite, primed with ochre over an acrylic modeling paste base.

Re cycling

Approaching Snow

This painting is a re cycling effort, something I do occasionally as I am not one to throw things out.  The options are simply burning canvases that are not satisfactory, cutting them up and throwing them away or white washing them and starting over.  This third option appeals to me because I have always been interested in texture so painting over a previously painted canvas reveals some very interesting textures and can add to the charm of a picture.  Speaking of charm, I am discovering the charm of Manitou Beach every time I venture out for my walks with Crystal and the dogs, or just by myself.  There is beauty in the simplest things.  This painting portrays an approaching snow storm coming from the south west side of the village.  Let me know what you think of it!

Backyard Painting

Abandoned Cottage

I came across this tiny abandoned cottage down the back lane from where I live awhile back and determined that I would depict it some day.  Today was the day.  I am sure that no one has lived in it for quite some time and it is slowly returning to the earth, from whence it came.  I loved the textures and light playing across its surfaces and likely will have a go at again.

Early Morning In Hills of Manitou

Awhile back Crystal, the dogs and I went for a walk in the neighborhood of Manitou.  It was a lovely day, the temperature was just below freezing and the light was fantastic.  Sometimes I think she hates going for walks with me because I am forever stopping and gawking or commenting on the beauty of the surroundings.  Driving is even more dangerous as I tend to look sideways or behind me as I hurtle down the highway!  Anyways, back to this painting.  Low contrast paintings are difficult to execute but very rewarding when you have a bit of success with them.  I am satisfied that this one somewhat captures the moment.

The day after I painted this small oil Little Manitou froze over for the winter. This is early morning, the sun is just peeking over the eastern horizon and the foggy mist is hovering over the lake, casting everything into a wonderful ethereal effect.

Little Manitou Sketches

I had some fun the other day with my watercolours. It was a lovely Saturday morning and I felt like doing some painting whilst sitting in our sitting room that overlooks Manitou Lake. So out came my little kit and I went at it. No sooner had I done one when all of a sudden some fog rolled in and pretty much obliterated much of the detail. I decided to try capturing that effect and had some success. What fun I had! I suppose that is one of the great features of watercolours, you can set up right away and begin painting right off. I have posted three images, one an ink drawing from this summer. I did it while I was waiting for my concrete slab to set up enough to begin power trowelling. The light was failing and there was a wonderful misty effect happening, absolutely magical. To make the day even better I went for a walk with my two dogs to Wellington park and discovered a dozen robins flying about! Bear in mind that this is wintertime in Saskatchewan with the temperature hovering around minus 14 Celcius and at times dropping to minus 50 with the wind chill. Poor little things, but they must have their reasons for sticking around. I love Robins and am thrilled to have them here for the winter but I do find it odd that they stayed here for the winter.