Feeling nostalgic.......

 My latest paintings definitely look into the past, which seems to be a theme on my canvases lately.  

My newest one is of a curious building in Cargill, Ontario.  Apparently it was a general store once, but has long been abandoned, leaving the old crocks and mason jars on display in the windows.  I had fun painting it in a wonky style.  Across from this structure is The Mill Pond Gallery, a beautiful and inspiring art gallery, where this painting is now hanging.  It also includes a great Café, and ice cream stand.  Here is a short video of an interview with Kevin McKague, the owner of this quaint spot.   I highly recommend it as an art experience for locals as well as tourists this summer.

"Cargill Curio"
acrylic
18 by 24

Paintings # 6 and 7 of 2023......

"Tenacity" is from a photo of our barn window. The name comes from the way the berries seem to hold onto the vine tenaciously right through the fall season, and maybe even into winter. I hope I will be that tenacious as the seasons of life demand it!

Tenacity
acrylic
16 x 20

"Redeemed" is from a photo I took at an antique store a couple of years ago, and has been waiting for me to paint it.  It was a challenge to draw!  But fun to paint.  There was such an amazing shadow there.  I added the SOLD sign myself.  The name Redeemed reflects the way I have also been claimed, just as I am with all of my rusty spots and imperfections........ by the Lord Jesus, for eternal life with Him!

Redeemed
acrylic
20 x 20

Both of these paintings are hanging at the Southampton Arts Centre.

Paintings Number 4 and 5 of 2023..........

 ...............Number 4 is "Just Around the Corner".  If that chicken could dream, what might it hope for?  

"Just Around the Corner"
acrylic
28 x 22

.............Number 5 is "The Master's Voice".  Sheep are so much fun to paint!  They have unique personalities.  I love the way they're streaming out of the barn into the sunshine, ready to follow their leader, their Shepherd. 

These paintings are now hanging at the Southampton Arts Centre.

"The Master's Voice"
acrylic
34 x 21

Back to the Country.......

 I do love painting barns and country scenes!  Painting number 3 (of 2023) is called "In Green Pastures", because it reminds me of Psalm 23, "He makes me lie down in green pastures".   This scene is so peaceful, as if the farmer is inside having a meal or possibly a nap, since the tractor is quiet and waiting.  The sheep are happily grazing, protected by the fences and knowing their shepherd/farmer is looking after them.   I am a sheep who looks to the Shepherd.  

"In Green Pastures"
acrylic
12 x 36

Changing Seasons

 While staring at my latest paintings and deciding which to post after a long stretch of not posting at all........  two popped out at me because they pointed out the change of the seasons in our little corner of the world.  While I may not particularly favour winter over the others, it does provide a contrast to the pleasure I feel during the other three!  

The first one, "Harmony", is from a photo of a bouquet I had on my table in the fall.  The two flowers are so different in colour, size, and form, yet they go together harmoniously, in a way that we as a society can learn from!  Their differences serve to highlight the beauty of each one.  Such a good lesson, all from a bouquet in the fall.

"Harmony"
acrylic
16 x 12

The second, "Resilience", is also from a photo of my own, taken while on a walk through our bush midwinter.  The leaves of some trees, like this beech, actually can survive the autumn winds and the deep freeze of winter.  They cling to the tree branch for dear life, allowing the snow to pile up on them in interesting and varied shapes.  I hope by the grace of God to have the same resilience no matter what I face! 

"Resilience"
acrylic
24 x 16

There seems to be a barn theme happening on my easel lately!  I do love country scenes, and barns and fences and trees and fields and animals........  

Here are my two latest paintings, both of them on a canvas 2 feet high and 3 feet wide.  It's a challenging and rewarding size to use!  

"Of Another Time" is intentionally nostalgic.  I loved the random, broken down fence posts, that lead the eye from the bottom right corner, up to the old door of the unused barn.  This piece is hanging in the Southampton Arts Centre.

"Of Another Time"

acrylic

24 x 36

"Watchful" is named for the way the sheep are watching the viewer, but also for the way the farmer may be watching that foreboding sky.  I was hoping that the viewer would "walk" along the fence and up to the sunflowers, then turn left to visit the sheep.  This was sold from the Southampton Gallery about 3 weeks after it was hung!  I think there are many art collectors who enjoy country scenes too.

 "Watchful"

acrylic

24 x 36

New Gallery work................

 I have taken three brand new paintings to the Southampton Arts Centre, that I'm very pleased with!  

Here's a fun piece on a farm.   (That setting seems to be of interest for me lately!).   I love the bright field in the distance, contrasted with the dark tractor sitting in its parking spot beside the barn.  It was actually fun painting the tractor!  I had to look at Google photos to make sure I had the details right for this 1940's machine.  The title "At Rest" could mean an afternoon nap, or a more permanent one.  

"At Rest"

acrylic

16 x 20

And here's another farm!  I love the way my eye travels along the road, and down to the distant farm in the valley.  It's important to me to show distance in a painting.  Did you notice another tractor? I'm sure you can even tell the make of it.   "The End of the Road" could mean the literal end, or maybe the sense of finding one's place of total contentment.  A happy place.  

"The End of the Road"

acrylic

30 x 24

Now for something different:  "Beach Walk".  The wave was a new challenge.  (There aren't many waves in a farm scene!)  The photo reference was taken on a lovely walk along Lake Huron this summer, and seeing it brings back good memories.  And we can all relate to a time when we walked along a beach, perhaps wading in a little ways in our bare feet, and picking up pretty stones.  

"Beach Walk"

acrylic

15 x 15

These paintings now hang in the Southampton Arts Centre.  If you haven't been there yet, I recommend it for all art enthusiasts!  Here's the link:     https://www.southamptonartscentre.com/