A tribute to Toronto heritage......

This painting is from a photo I have taken repeatedly when I  visit the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) in Toronto.  I love the long line of beautiful old homes across from the gallery.  I did another painting a few years ago of the house with the purple trim.  But I wanted to show it with its neighbours this time, and with a modern biker as a contrast.  It would be easy to ride past these regal homes with a familiarity that could make us blind to their history.  Many of them have been turned into retail buildings, including a couple of art galleries and restaurants.  I love painting buildings, with all the angles and posts and shapes.  It's a challenge!  I changed the perspective a bit to make the homes look like they are very tall and we are looking way up at them.  The biker really was there too, but further along the road.  I moved him/her where I wanted!

"Riding Past Royalty"
acrylic
24 X 18

A painting that will hang outside!

I was pleased to be accepted again this year in the Owen Sound Banner Project.  My painting "The Family Farm" will be on one of the banners somewhere near the harbour or on the main street.  The banners should be going up by mid-June.  Then my job will be to find mine!  All of the banners can be viewed at owensoundartbanner.ca and most of them are available for purchase, to be picked up after they come down in the fall.

"The Family Farm"
SOLD
and living in Medicine Hat!

Something to dream about...........

On April 14, a freezing rain warning and a new layer of snow.  Yikes!!  What a great time to post a new painting with a scene that we would all like to jump into!  This beach venue is from a photo I took some years ago at a church camp called Mishewah, which is connected to my church.  It brings back wonderful memories of swimming, sailing, games, children laughing and splashing, and adults lined up along the shore in lawn chairs carried down from the cabins beyond.  I tried to capture the feel of the hot sun and the deep shadows, and of course the towels thrown over the railings after the swimming lesson of the day.  I think everyone has just headed over to the Tuck Shop for an ice cream cone.  A scene we can only dream about today! 

Gone for Ice Cream
acrylic
16 X 20

Ready for the Storm

It seems like the right day to publish a new painting of mine.  It's snowing and blowing outside on April 4th!  Here is a farm scene that is actually only a short distance from my home.  I love the way it is nestled behind the snowy hill, far from the road.  This picturesque farm calls to me to paint it as I drive by, any season of the year.  I tried a slightly different style here, using short, deliberate strokes, trying not to overdo them.  I think it gets across the idea of the sky during an evening, just before a storm, when all of the farm's occupants are safe and warm inside.  

Ready for the Storm
acrylic
12 x 30