This is a monotype, I did last June, I didn't blog it because I wasn't crazy about the picture and kept thinking I would take a better one, well it never happened and the painting is now ( along with a few other paintings) at the "Chiropractor for Life" offices in Langford. I did this monotype after driving through the Fraser Valley during twilight, the light was very nostalgic for me, having grown up in the valley.
I tried making baba ghanoush for an event this past week-end, but I ended up not serving it. It didn't look at all like the picture. I am much happier with the painting and I'm glad to say that it will be in the "Food for Thought" Show at the Coast Collective, Sept 21 to Oct 9
It has been a while since I have used watercolour. In this painting I started with transparent watercolour and added white gouache to the backround. The photo does not show it, but I like the contrast, of the opaque look of gouache, and the translucent look of watercolour.
There is nothing like walking in the evening until the last bit of light disappears. This monotype plus 17 other paintings and monotypes of mine are showing at "The Gingergroup" until the end of September.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.