"Recess" at a Mennonite school

My latest painting is from a photo I took as I drove past this school somewhere between Hanover and Kitchener--  I'm not sure just where!  I simplified the shapes and left out a lot of detail.  The larger shapes and their values are much more interesting to me than the little details.  There is a nostalgic touch to the final result!

"Recess"
acrylic
12 X 36

Here is a close-up, since it comes out so small on this post:

My next class on February 22.............

.............we'll try trees, with studies for both summer and winter.  We all think we know what trees look like, but it's good to take a closer look at the real thing, as well as photo references.  A deciduous forest will come to life through a "negative" exercise, like these studies I've just been working on:

    

                                                                 

       

And here's a little study of evergreens.

I hope the participants get some good insights into painting trees with watercolour!  Looking at tree shapes all around me, especially in winter when they are beautiful skeleton shapes, has become a regular and inspiring habit of mine.......

"Snow" watercolour class........

Last Saturday, February 1, was the first watercolour class of the winter for me and 4 participants.  It was a great day to be painting snow!  Just looking out the windows from our room gave us lots of motivation.  In fact, three people couldn't come because of the snow.........

Here are two paintings I started as demos, and finished when I got home.  "Mailboxes" is a theme I have enjoyed for two previous paintings as well.  

Next class is February 22, when I'll be challenging participants to observe and paint trees.  I will be paying attention to negative painting.  Trees are a great way to practise it!  I will post a couple of examples soon.

A New Painting-- "From Alligator Rock"

I couldn't help wanting to paint this scene from my Charlton Lake holiday last September.  It was an invigorating walk up to the top of the cliff, where we spent time just taking in the fabulous view.  While it was a cloudy, cold day at the time, to me the scene needed to be bathed in sunlight in the morning.  All the hopes of a day on the water are still in the air.  I would be sitting on the end of the long dock, with a cup of tea and a book, legs dangling over the edge.  In the middle of this brutal winter, it's a lovely thought!

"From Alligator Rock"
acrylic
12 X 36

An "Art and Soul" Show is up.........

at the Walkerton Library, on "The Wall", which is a lovely space available for artists to apply for a show.  A collection of my acrylics is on view from January 10 until February 22, 2014.  I was over to the library to hang it today.  It looked so colourful under the good track lighting!  A couple of the people working there with me said it was just what we need for this time of year when spring seems so far away........  

Here is what part of it looked like.  I'm looking forward to seeing those poppies bloom in my yard later on in 2014!

......but the Christmas Store is down...........

The Saugeen Artists were sad to see our Christmas Store close on December 24.  It's always a special time of getting to know the other artists and working closely together in a way we don't have the opportunity to do during the rest of the year.  I did sell many cards and two paintings, so it was definitely worthwhile for me, and for many other group members.  The talks and tours around the gallery with members of the community makes it worthwhile too, in a different but important way.  We feel very much supported by the Hanover and area residents!  Thanks to all who came in to look, to encourage, and even to purchase our work.

Trying out a new style..........

Three little 10 X 10 kitchen paintings are now part of the Saugeen Artists art store now open in Hanover.  I wanted to try something quite different from the usual, and came up with a kitchen theme.  I painted using obvious brushstrokes, and paid careful attention to values, working from dark to light, adding brushstrokes that would give each object its shape.  I love that challenge!  I'm working on three more, on a green underpainting. 

Photos of the Saugeen Artists Store in Hanover..............

.................to entice you inside!  I created a new window display yesterday.  New work is being added every day, with a big rehanging next week.  There are free artist demonstrations every Saturday afternoon, and a ballot box for tickets to win a gift basket on December 21. 

 Two floors of great art!

Here is the new window display........

with Teddy making up his Christmas list.

Besides paintings he can choose jewelry, knitted neck warmers,

....stained glass.......

.......and while he waits at the counter to pay, he can choose from lots of cards, and then put his name in the ballot box!