Pansie en plein air

Pansies  Pastel on Paper

We've had a wonderful break in the autumn weather lately so I've had a chance to sit outside and do some plein air pieces in my backyard.  Seems like I do all this garden work and never have a chance to enjoy the fruits of my labour so its awfully nice to be in the sunshine and soak everything up.

A Midsummer Evening

A midsummer evening  Oil on Canvas  36 x 48 in

My niece Tatianna was married this past August on a beautiful day/evening.  Part of the ceremonies involved a memorial to a friend that passed away suddenly.  This involved lighting a number of Chinese lanterns and setting them adrift in the evening sky, which had an almost full moon suspended on the horizon.  This was followed by an amazing fireworks display and memorable music.  It was a very touching and meaningful occasion and made a deep impression on me.  This painting came of that experience.

High water on Little Manitou

High water on Little Manitou  6 x8 Oil

Painted this from my Kayak the other day, Saturday I believe.  Should remember it because although I painted it when the waters were perfectly calm by the time I was finished the weather had changed and I had a devil of a time paddling back across the lake to get home safely.  My heart was pounding, and not just because it was hard work! The things I do to satisfy the Muse.

Autumn en plein air

Flood Aftermath  Oil on Canvas 9 x 12

I painted this sitting on the shore of the Assinaboine River at Shellmouth, Mb. It was the morning and I remember everything about it, the warm temperature, the stillness occasionally broken by a fish jumping, no mosquitoes and the overall serenity.  The flooding has changed the geography quite a bit in the last number of years. I couldn't get to another favorite spot because the river had created a new tributary!

Peonies

Peonies

These are the last of my Peonies for this season, I sat in the backyard awhile back and had a great time attempting to capture their essence.  Next up will be the Sweet Peas or Dahlias.

Summer en Plein Air

Brady's Coulee, Eastend SK

Another plein air piece painted from the deck of the CPR Station masters home at Brady's Coulee, near Eastend Saskatchewan.  Its an oil on paper board and was done in the early hours of the morning around the beginning of July.

Wolf Willow Art Retreat

Bradys Coulee, Eastend, SK Casien on  Paper

Just nicely recovered from my annual pilgrimage to Eastend Sk where we Artists congregate for a number of days of art making and merriment.  I confided to my friend Dean Bauche, the host of this fabulous event, that someday I want to come back for an indefinite amount of time.  A wonderful place to be.

Pansies

I love pansies, used to eat them when I was a young tyke. Another good flower is Carragana, taste like lentils. Anyways, this is a plein air piece celebrating their beauty.

The Village Perk

The Village Perk

I painted this 8 x 10 oil on last Sunday, felt like painting something local. The Village Perk is a funky little Cafe down by the lake where great coffee and food is served.  The tables and chairs are very retro and the atmosphere is nice and laid back.  Ken, the owner, keeps it open for the tourist season only.

Robert Genn's Passing

Sailing on Little Manitou, SK

As some of you may know by now, Robert Genn has passed on. He was the gentleman who originated the Painters Keys internet site that has since gone on to be a magnet to thousands of people worldwide with an interest in reading his online letters and ruminations on Art and related matters.  Robert Genn was a wonderful Canadian artist, his paintings are instantly recognizable. He was witty, funny, well versed, philosophical and so generous.  It is hard to imagine how he found the time to do his twice weekly letters and still manage a busy schedule of painting and related business but he did.  I will be indebted to him as I go out on my own plein air excursions, another thing that he excelled at.  So thank you Robert for your example of how to be human.  Also thanks to his daughter Sara for continuing on with his legacy.

Supernatural

I got up quite early yesterday morning (5:00) and enjoyed the natural world from my deck that faces the lake. My watercolours were handy so in a  contemplative and purposeful way I painted my experience in those moments.  I had barely started painting when a large Raven flew overhead me with a small bird in its beak, likely a Robin chick, so I included that in the piece.  A thought entered me saying "this is." This is as natural as the way the wind causes the surface of the lake to turn another colour and texture. This is as natural and right as the sky turning from a pale rosy tint to blueish green.  Its hard to put thoughts on paper sometimes but I'll try.  We can trust Nature, she always gets it right.  We should not impose ourselves on Nature, that is not Natural and Healthy.  I am grateful to be taught the most amazing things by observing the seemingly simple and underated things in Nature.  This is not the first time the Raven has talked to me, but maybe thats a story for another time. Thanks for coming by.

A painting for my Grandson

Its been awhile since I last posted. I have been busy paying the bills using my carpentry skills most of the winter but I have had some time to paint.  This painting of foxes is for my Grandson Cohen to hang in his nursery. I wanted to paint something of interest for him, sort of like "wheres Waldo" with the foxes hiding in the bushes. Unfortunately this family of foxes home is currently being destroyed to make way for some bone ugly tract homes and condo's in Sylvan Lake, Alberta, across the backlane from where Cohen lives. Thats progress for you.  Instead of what do the foxes say we could ask "where will the foxes go?"

The Guitarist

The Guitarist Pastel on Paper  12 x 9 in

I cannot remember the name of this Lady, I know she is Russian and plays the classical guitar superbly. I was struck by her demeanor and how she was so in the moment. A pleasure to listen to, I must do a search and find her again.