Grasslands

Grasslands 20 X 40

I finished this last week but it was lacking in depth and the colours were a little flat too. I'm happier with it now, especially the sky. If you click on the image you will see at least 8 glazes in the sky. I've done several landscapes like this. The strong and simple horizontal is always a big attraction for me. Perhaps having lived near a strong horizontal for most of my life (Lake Ontario) I am compelled to paint it, tho rarely in the form of water. Tomorrow this piece heads to LSP Designs for a show with 12 other recent paintings. The show runs til Christmas and some of the proceeds go to a charity called Kingston Grandmother Connection. KGC is a fund-raising organization in support of African grandmothers raising their grandchildren. I hope we both do well!

Too sweet?

Lovers' Tree 16 X 20

Artists can color the sky red because they know it's blue. Those of us who aren't artists must color things the way they really are or people might think we're stupid. Jules Feiffer

I must admit this is my first red or rose coloured sky. I rarely do blue skies, usually gray, yellow, white, beige - anything but blue. My landscapes tend to earth tones, usually fairly "real". The above painting seems a tad too romantic or sugary. Hence the title. Maybe it is not the sky rather the composition or treatment of content that is mushy. I'm going to post this on WetCanvas and see what the crtics have to say... I'll let you know.

Exploring Colour

This odd little painting (8" X 16") is an exploration of colour. I saw this palette on a large abstract in a Toronto gallery, warm reds and golds with a splash of cool light blue for contrast. The combination has potential for a bigger piece I think...

Consistency is highly over rated

Just when I thought I would be in the running for the most inconsistent artist in the country I am now convinced there would be no contest. I would win. As my painter buddy said today "Consistency is highly over rated". We both played happily in the studio all day, experimenting and teasing the acrylics with brushes, scrapers, sponges etc. I picked up a brush (as opposed to a mini roller, knife) for the first time in weeks and these popped out. Both are works in progress. They do not look like my work. BUT just maybe this will be the real me.....




Some interesting quotes about consistency:

CONSISTENCY is contrary to nature, contrary to life. The only completely consistent people are the dead. Aldous Huxley
CONSISTENCY requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago. Bernard Berenson
And my personal favourite:
CONSISTENCY is the last refuge of the unimaginative. Oscar Wilde

Wolfe Island WIP

My daily walks take me to the shore of the St. Lawrence where it meets Lake Ontario. Across the river is a large island which has been sprouting windmills, an eyesore or a delight, depending on your point of view. Above is my rather fanciful view. I have yet to add the ferry that travels back and forth. Not sure about adding more windmills with the blades? There are going to be over 80 windmills, not all will be seen from my vantage point:

http://www.canhydro.com/newprojects_wolfeisland_wind.htm

Some residents are pretty unhappy:

http://www.truveo.com/Wolfe-Island-Wind-Turbines-Life-on-the-Front-Lines/id/2623355125

Lean...

Here's one I've been working on, very lean acrylic paint, looks like watercolour. I'd like to keep it soft and calm but I think it needs a little more definiton to make it interesting.

Spinning my Wheels

It has not been easy get back to work in the studio. While I've been in there almost every day I have little to show for my efforts so far. Two months away has filled me with a tremendous amount of stimulation and my brain whirs with anticipation of creating a masterpiece! I can see the finished product but the road is not clear. I am frustated with the quick drying time of acrylics but also seduced by it. It may be time to head back to oils for a while.

I did tweak this one, so now it is ready for an upcoming show:

"Grow Baby Grow" 24 X 24 acrylic on canvas