Morning Light

A few days ago, the early morning sunrise illuminated the now bare forest, and finally only a pencil thin focus shone on one birch tree, giving it a bright orangey glow. And today there was snow!

Sherwood River

Each summer, the children would set out from the cottage on Round Lake by canoe to explore this favourite little river. An old spruce tree had turned red as it dries, and stumps and logs could be found to maneuver around, and often wildlife was seen. I did this quick study from a photo.

Last of the Leaves

Autumn splendor, Thanksgiving, guests from Europe, traveling - all a whirlwind of activity. How difficult it is to keep to my commitment of painting, let alone a painting a day! So today when all fell quiet, I painted where I was and what I saw - the evening sun on the bare trees.
PS Nov 2 - improved version posted - have added some darks.

The Driveway in Autumn

The autumn colours are in their full glory, and yesterday the wind was blowing so that leaves scattered all over. Even though it is Thanksgiving weekend with company coming and all, I had to quickly get a start on the fall version for the series I had planned to do. Not fully pleased yet. Might do some changes or start another one tomorrow.

Hills in Provence

Another painting from France.

Fading Beauties

These are the rescued wedding flowers that were standing around, still looking brilliant and yet past their full glory. I was trying to capture their intensity and vibrancy as they were fading.

Provence Greens

Everything is green in Provence in May. It was a great colour mixing opportunity to see how many greens I could create. This painting is actually long and narrow but it was photographed smaller - both ends are cut off.

Jan 15 - now that I know how to trim, here is the full painting.

Brilliant Spring Vines in the Vaucluse

Hard to believe that vines can be that limey, but they were in May in the Vaucluse in Provence. We were working on composition au plein air. I was hoping that the eye is lead into and around the painting, but those vivid yellow-green grape vines really dominate the whole scene. The photo seems even more intense than the actual painting. I need a better set up for photographing the paintings....any tips?

Village in Provence

This was painted in the summer, after a spring plein air experience in France.