Monotype "Colour of August"

I have started to read Twyla Tharp's book "The Creative Habit", she talks about rituals which help the creative habit.

The last few weeks I have started the ritual of getting up an hour earlier before work to focus on art, and not being a morning person, I am pleased to note there are more scribbles in my sketch book and more ideas have lingered on my mind through out the day.

Image size 10" x 13"

Monotype 'Chestnut Trees"

I grew up surrounded by chestnut trees, and I now live on a street lined with chestnut trees. In this monotype, I have tried to capture the shapes of the sunlit trees and although I would have liked to have seen more contrast, I am quite pleased with the way it turned out.

Image size 10" x 13"

Monotype "Kauai Evening"

I create monotypes using simple shapes and colours with the hopes of evoking an emotion of a time or place. I printed "Kauai Evening" thinking of my time spent last October in Kauai. It was wonderful, relaxing, a time to celebrate a wedding and a chance to escape the stress of everyday life.

Image size 10" x 13"

Monotype "Evening in July"

I'm not sure where July went and around here it's just starting to feel like summer,  but I'm hoping to spend a few more evenings enjoying views like this.

Image size 10" x 13" orginal monotype

Monotype "Change of Scenery"

 

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to get away for a week-end.  This view is from the Coquihalla summit. This painting is now at the Juan de Fuca Centre.

Image 8" x 10"

Monotype "Late Evening"

This is one of 8 pieces I have at Dr  Dustin Holben's office in Langford

Monotype

Image size "8 x 10"

Monotype "Early Morning"

Time has passed again, much too quickly!

  I see these trees outside my living room window,

 the light behind them is ever changing

 and there's usually a crow sitting on top of the tallest one.

Image size 8 x 10

Monotype "Spring 1"

 Yesterday was the first day warm enough to take our jackets off at the beach, today it's back to wind and clouds.  Oh well, the brief moment of spring like weather was inspiring.

Image size 4" x 5" SOLD
Matted 11" x 14"

"Side by Side" Associates Show at Coast Collective March 10 - 27

"Through the Back Door"
11" x 14" acrylic on canvas SOLD

Art Changeover Coast Collective

Three framed monotypes ready for the changeover at Juan De Fuca Rec Centre and Crossroads Pub & Grill. Left to Right  "Memories of Kauai", "Dreams of Africa" & "Valley Fields". The detail isn't great but a different perspective is always good.

Image size 6" x 6", framed 11" x 11"

Monotype "On the Island"

Another monotype, this one with my favourite colour combination. I'm forturnate to live a couple of blocks from the ocean, it never fails to help me de-stress.

 Image size 8" x 8" SOLD

Monotype - "On the Way to Work"

I love the simplicity of trees in winter.  The disappearing edges and the floating quality of the trees hopefully gives one the feeling of passing by but not missing the moment.

Image size 8" x 8"

Monotype "On the Way Home"

The past few weeks I've been working on monotypes, the process of monotypes can be found here and here. The actual printing can be tricky but with time and patience I have managed to print a few that I like. Stay tuned for more!

This image is 6" x 6"! SOLD

Nostalgia

                                                                                                                                                 


When I don't have a lot of time I find myself painting landscapes, putting paint on canvas without alot of preliminary thought gives me the fix I sometimes need.

11 x 14 acrylic on board -  SOLD

A Vague Resolution

I admire people who are able to make lists and outline their goals for the coming year, for instance my daughter and her husband meticulously write down resolutions and put them in their advent calendar to be read and reviewed the following year.

This year I do have a recurring thought that could be considered a resolution “Do something with the art blog”. I haven't made any lists nor do I have specific goals, just more discipline and focus on my part. Let's hope I can stick to it!

11 x 14 acrylic on board "Top of the Hill" - SOLD

Small Treasures Show at the Coast Collective

Coast Collective Show

Critters & Creature show at the Coast Collective Aug 5 - Aug 22.

Also check out what's happening on Sunday Aug 15th - Two events, the second annual "Clothesline Show" plus the "Coast Collective Festival of Animals Show"

I will have a few of my peacock pastels in the show.

For Fun - Peacock Study

Discovering Mark Leach's work is what inspired me try pastels again.

In fact tonight I went and found his book in the library and now plan to curl up and thoroughly enjoy my evening.

8" x 8" pastel on Stonehenge paper

Peacocks Invite Colour

A little respite from oils, I found some old pastels and began to play with colour.

I hear these guys calling at night while I'm going to sleep. They live in the park across the street, and they usually can be seen holding up traffic while strutting slowly across the street.

13" x 17" on Stonehenge paper

Coast Collective Show

Still experimenting with oils, I used a palette knife to create texture in this painting, it has a different look because it's painted on board instead of canvas. I find the surfaces I paint on have a definite say on the outcome of my work.

It is included in the Coast Collective show, the opening is Saturday July 10th from 2-4. The show runs from today until the 18th.

11 x 14 - oil on board