Day Lilies

I discovered some rather nice plants in the lot down from me last year and I got the vacant owners permission to tend some of them.  One of the species is the Day Lily, which I have attempted to portray in pastel.  This seems like a particularly good year for them as they have abundant blooms and don't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

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.  

Praludium

Today was a wild weather day, very unsettled and some extremely evil looking clouds.  This morning on my way to work I witnessed a very interesting weather event and I guess it stuck in my head because it came back to me in my studio this evening.  I had simply wanted to tone some canvas's for an upcoming Retreat and instead this painting manifested itself.  Somewhat like my buddy Chris Wikman I used some funky colours that I normally don't use, and although they are much more toned down than Chris's I think they are successful and reminiscent of nature.  I called it "Praludium" because I was listening to a Bach piece by that name played by the guitarist John Williams.  I thought it fitting and somewhat uncanny how this all happened.

Wind in the Grass, Smoke on the Wind

This pastel was a plein air effort from the hill above the dam at Eastend.  I was up there with Dean Bauche, Bonnie McNabb and Ovid Mercredi.  There was a pretty stiff wind blowing and I had to hold onto my pastel board tightly to keep it from taking off on me.  For sure I didn't have to worry about blowing the pastel dust occasionally.  I love sitting in nature and painting, and when the elements are particularly active, it is even more vital.  Plein air pieces form a lasting memory for many years after. 

A Pastel from Eastend

I have a few more pieces of art I created, with the help of a greater hand than mine, from my retreat down in Eastend.  This one above is from a favorite place of mine to sit, it is on top of a butte that overlooks the Frenchman River basin.  It is quite high up and can get quite hot at times.  Most times I get the gears from Red Tailed Hawks who take exception for me being in their haunt.  I have suffered the odd sun burn and have lost one large painting knife up there.  Maybe its become the prized possession of a large bird, likely a wise old Raven.  I understand that they like tools.  This is a wonderful place to be...........

Eastend 2011, the third day

Usually at art retreats I have to cease working in oils due to transportation issues and this time was no different.  I wanted to do a large painting like the previous days effort so I got out my acrylics and went at it.  The above painting is the result.  I call it Eastend Hills Afternoon.  The photo does not do it justice, much nicer to see the real thing.

Eastend 2011, the second day

High Winds, Bright Sky  30 x 30 in Oil on Panel

 

 

 

 

This time around at Eastend Dean let me set up my studio space in the ranch's owners workshop, which suited me just fine because I have much the same setup at home.  Dean Bauche and Bonnie McNabb were also set up there but Dean good nature ably ribbed me about how I managed to take over half of the workshop. I let it pass like water off of a duck's back.  I painted the picture above on my second day down there and it is loosely based on the previous posts plein air piece.  I am always amazed at how much work a person can get done on the ranch.  Wish I could do the same at home.

Eastend 2011

Bright Morning at the Y Road

We just got back from another amazing experience at Eastend, SK, where we attend a weekend Art Retreat.  The weather was fantastic with warm temperatures and a very nice wind to cool things off.  I managed to paint a few pieces, some in the studio and some with friends in the hills of Eastend.  I had some very special moments with close friends that are to personal to speak of here but they will stick with me for the rest of my life.  I post one of the pieces I did while sitting with my friends Jan Layh and Bonnie McNabb near the Y road.

Shellmouth goes North

As I have mentioned in this blog several times I have the distinct pleasure and privilege of attending a week long Art Retreat in Shellmouth, Mb.  Well this year that retreat is going to be held at Denare Beach, Sk. because of extenuating circumstances and will be hosted by two amazing artists who go by the names of Karen Clark and Sarah Trevor.  I can't express how excited I am about this because I grew up in Northern Manitoba and who I am as an artist is largely defined by the beauty of the Boreal forest and Precambrian shield area that makes up the geography of the land north of my home town of The Pas, Mb. The painting above depicts Amisk Lake which is near the location of this years Retreat and you can bet that I will be found paddling my home built Kayak around the many islands and inlets of this amazing lake with my pochade box at the ready.  Thanks in advance girls, I know you will put on a wonderful event for us all!

Spring Raining Down

Spring Raining Down  Oil on Canvas  $600.00

I call this abstract painting "Spring Raining Down".  To me it symbolizes alot of spring type attributes, I'll leave it to you to figure that out.  Maybe its a mistake to talk about what the painting means to me, I should just let it go out there and let the people make their own determinations about it.

Thinking like Leonardo Da Vinci

North Saskatchewan River near Moose Park, MB

I am currently reading a book entitled "Thinking like Leonardo Da Vinci" when I have a bit of time on my hands, which isn't much lately.  It is a wonderful read on an amazing human being, I have always had a great deal of respect for Da Vinci.  Without a doubt anyone would benefit from adapting some of his characteristics, stretching the mind muscle is a good daily practice.  Ovid Mercredi, a friend of mine, quite often encourages young people to study the great people that have come and gone in order to better their way of life.  Interestingly, he also recommends studying the infamous people as well so that you can learn how not to behave.  Sound advice for sure.  I'm looking forward to seeing Ovid and Gerry at the Eastend Art Retreat in July.  Ovid, like myself, spent time in The Pas, Mb, near where the above watercolour was painted.

On the beauty of Blue Herons

I saw a Blue Heron today, the first I've spotted this spring, and it got me thinking about the elegance of these birds.  Quite often I have seen them standing in water by a road or marsh, perfectly still and waiting for dinner with a patience I can only dream of.  Or, like clockwork I see them flying overhead in the morning in the same direction and then in the evening coming back on the same flight path.  I don't like taking anything like this for granted as I believe it has a relevance beyond current human understanding.  I think our ancient ancestors had much more respect for the animal kingdom than we do, for reasons we are already beginning to forget, and that is a sad thing.

On being Ruthless to be Kind

8 1/2 x 10 1/2 Pastel  $100.00

 

This pastel is a re-worked version of a previous post.  After trying to flatten the warped paper it was drawn on I succeeded in smudging the pastel and was forced to toss it in the garbage or have at it again.  Being part Scotsman and Ukrainian I have a tendency to scrinch and save whenever possible so I opted to introduce the colour I was observing outside my studio window in an effort to save it.  I am happier with this result, what about you?  Seems appropriate to resurrect something dead in the spring of the year, ie; being ruthless to be kind.