Ghosts of Yesterday

Part of the old log farm buildings are collapsing, but the logs seem resolute to continue. Gratitude and appreciation to the past, joy and welcome to the new. Happy New Year!

1867

1867 or so, to now, ending 2009. And here the past sits, silenced, alone but not forgotten.....nice to visit but not dwell in for long.

A Walk in the Park

Actually it was in the middle of 400 acres of forest. After the ice storm, we went skiing along the logging trails to take in the frozen splendour . Fresh deer tracks were everywhere.

Season's Greetings

The valley had a splendid display of hoarfrost about a week ago, and I was working on angles and perspectives etc. It was my intention to paint something for Christmas, but alas, the joy and bustle of the family coming home delayed that, so here it is today.

Retreat

It is so gray outside these days, but when there is a sunset, the glow radiates everywhere. I wanted some of those colours.

Crabby Tea

Mary still had some crab apples from the fall, even with a leaf, and we painted this still life today. I am still working on those wonderful ellipses - getting there slowly but surely.

Birch Notepaper

While stomping through my backyard - mini forest - I came across these two birch trees. The bark was hanging from one and reminded me of how as children we would write notes with great delight on birch bark.

Back to Basics

The basics - shapes (and that includes ellipses), value, colour etc.

I am reading a book called "The Talent Code" which describes the effective way of learning so that we create the brain pathways - neurotransmittors wrapped in myelin - so in other words, practice is key, but correct constructive practice creates fast firing circuits.

So I am going back to slow, methodical, aware practicing ....... called DEEP Practice.

Now we know!

Next I need to connect with a "hotbed". Will keep you posted!

Partners

Painting day with Mary - now we are indoors. I am working on variegating the colours in the background and shadows.

Chirping...

These little clay birdfeeder had shapes that I have been wanting to paint. The birds are essentially the same and yet different. They have minimal details and yet are quite expressive.

I had filled it with seeds, but it can't stay out for the winter.

Reckless Abandon

Did a painting of fruit on a nice linen canvas. It was done far too careful and neat. Did not like it, wiped it out and did this one on a piece of paper, with a completely different approach - base pure colour on the fruit, over the lines, then sculpted with strong contrast colour with fast decisive strokes. I much prefer this look.

Next Step.....

Bit more work on the foreground - Richard actually cut off a few inches off the bottom after the fact. Some refining details on the buildings were needed, and maybe still are needed. Interesting experience for sure.

Painting with R. Schmid 2 - November

It felt very appropriate to be painting this scene at this time of year since Schmid paints it in Vermont end of November. He is outside in snow flakes and minus degrees, I am in a warm room by the fire and the television screen. This lesson ended faster than the last, and the foreground is not complete. I think I will continue on my own.....

Painting with Richard Schmid

What an experience! Am I finished - is it complete? Richard goes on and on with so many strokes that he is very clear on but I can not really follow. But I am pleased with the result.

Painting with Richard Schmid - first step

Yesterday I was watching a painting DVD by Richard Schmid "White Pine" and decided to paint along with him. It is getting complicated, but what an excellent way to really listen to what he is saying. I think we are half way.......

Coe Hill

From a month ago, on our way home from Thanksgiving at Gigi and Paulo's cottage.
Although the majestic tree in full fall colours was to be the focal point, the eye does get drawn to that dark mysterious spot at the forest edge. I love little meadows like this.

Murray's Shed

We actually went plein air painting today. It was nice until the sun went down - amazing how fast the fingers start to freeze. Mary has a favourite spot that gives us endless compositions.

I am an easel junkie and got another one while in the US - my newest one is an Easy L and this is it - finally the right one for me. It is so compact, light, sturdy and diverse. In Kiawah it held 16x20 canvas as easily as a 6x8. Today was its first outing in Canada - oh joy!

One Pear

So many aspects of practice are involved in painting one pear on one plate - get the ellipse right, the values of the plate, the base shadow and the second cast shadow of the plate, the pear, the shadows and reflections in the shadows on the pear, the highlights....and viola, add a stroke for a stem and there it is!

Illusive Weeds

I had started this composition on the workshop but had wiped it out because of the foreground weeds - they had turned to a brown grey nothingness. Fall weeds in the sun are difficult to see and define shapes within their massive jumble. This attempt is better than the first, but it is still not where I want it to be. So to be continued....

Orange Zap

On the final day, we painted in a new location - finding a composition of shapes, light and shadows etc. A fellow painter, Christophe, suggested the little stroke of intense orange in the background - I like it, it adds that little element of pizzazz.

Squares Exercise

We had to paint squares of the colour that we saw, and then paint the scene.

Sweet Grass

Yes, this was an exercise - and the pink stuff is actually the low country sweet grass in bloom.

Veranda Oranges

On Wednesday, three still lifes were set up on the veranda, in the full sun. We were to focus on what was in sun, and what was in shadow and find the correct value and temperature.

The Marsh at low tide

After we did paint chips and colour/value/temperatures squares, we were to paint a simple scene using this experience.

Kiawah Island

We painted black and white exercises, for shapes and values. Then we graduated to black/white and yellow ochre and included colour temperature. Sounds easy - wasn't!

off to Kiawah Island, South Carolina

I did paint the back field in the rain today, but due to technical difficulties, could not load it to post. I am off to South Carolina for a painting workshop with Ian Roberts and friends. Will have lots to post when I am back....in 12 days.

Workout

Today's exercise - finally got the ellipse, study in values (cup might be a bit dark), varying colours especially in the shadows - I like the glow in the shadow behind the shapes, and deliberate brushstrokes which can be an exercise in itself. Feels like I was at the painting gym!

Felix

All peacocks have lots of personality, even as they emerge from a painting. It was a lot of fun to paint Felix - a sheer joy comes with him. The camera does not quite pick up the colours or the gold on the feather "eyes".

Gigi's Flowers

This still life came about by itself at my cousin's cottage at Thanksgiving. I sketched it and wanted to paint it - large. So these last two days have been absorbed in doing so. I would actually like to do it again, but next time very loose and expressionistic. And I really enjoyed the colours!

Rainy Day

My view from the window - I wanted to give those fall colours one more try.

Two Pears

More practice - I made a big puddle of dark colour today and worked outwards from that. This technique will be useful in my next plein air painting.

Last Autumn Leaves

This scene is at the edge of our lawn in the backyard. It is a bit like entering into another reality. The little tree full with leaves was to be the focal point, but the eye is pulled into the forest.

Keeping Company

Rescued a mini decorative pumpkin from my sister's frozen garden and decided that painting it would be good practice for shadows etc.

Farm Laneway

Shapes, value masses, light and dark - that was my objective - and the sun was shining on the dry grass so that it actually did look white.

Solitaire

Back to basics - one apple on a small canvas, for the experience of technique a la Carol Marine. The apple was on a shiny surface so there is a shadow and a reflection. Somewhere the yellow got lost, and the red got a bit muddy but it was fun.

In the Vortex

After many small outdoor scenes, it was time to paint on a bigger canvas, purely from the heart. I had been reading about the German painter Franz Marc who painted expressionistic horses and other animals. The idea was so appealing that I wanted to try it too, even though I tend to paint more realistic.....this is afterall my herd, even though I set out to paint just horses, the ones I know emerged.

Dune Ride

There were dune buggy tracks on the wide beach. The canvas happened to have a deep green primer, which gives the painting a darker tint. I was focusing on the little valley - the sweet spot.

Brilliant Autumn

Sunny sunny day, full autumn colours and I had to go back to the Ottawa River to see it in this prestine moment. I was looking for shapes within shapes, and a focus on this long line of Laurentian foothills that stretch along the river.

The Woodshed

I tried out different brushes today - decided that I need to start with bigger sized brushes.

Before the Wind

It was chilly and windy today, and Mary and I painted outside, with frozen fingers and determination. A bright orange red tree against the darker forest was the beginning. I had to mute down some of the colour for it was too bright. We know that it is a maple in autumn, don't we?!

Upriver

Dramatic weather came down the river, raining in one spot and sunny in another. I wanted to capture the serenity of the calm water and gulls wading against the moving clouds and dark sky.

Point Alexander

I started this painting the last time I was here, and continued today inspired by a painting by Doris McCarthy. Doris was mentored by the Group of Seven, and is close to 100 years old now. Today I went back to that spot on the Ottawa River and took several photos. It was raining on and off and the colours were just starting. Hopefully a plein air day in this beautiful location will be possible this week.

Foggy Rain

It has been raining on and off, and is rather dreamy in the distance. This is Wilson Road, the road I live on. I picked up the mail and saw this scene - I liked the way the telephone poles stood out and the road disappeared into the fog.

Art Crawl in Toronto

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on QUEEN STREET WEST in TORONTO.

My paintings are displayed all over Poutini's, 1112 Queen Street West for the Art Crawl. I feel very honoured.

Touch of Autumn

I live surrounded by tall maple trees, and often wonder what to paint besides trees. But today I looked up to the top and saw a touch of fall colours starting.

Across the Road

This ripe soya field is across the road from our driveway, and today was a warm and humid day. I was working on distance perspective and balancing both sides of the composition.

Ottawa River

Mary and I went to this beautiful beach near Deep River - it was a very muggy warm cloudy day, and just as we set up, rain clouds were rolling in. The scene seemed to change every two minutes, so it was an interesting challenge to stay with one idea. I want to go back - there was so much to paint!

Forest Edge

Today was a busy day at home, but I want to get back into the routine of a painting a day. So with the last rays of the sun, this little spot at the edge of our back yard forest made it onto canvas.

Over the Fields

The Laurentian foothills are so blue these days, and since it is windy and cloudy, the sun appears, shines light on something and moves within seconds. A grouping of trees was bathed in light for a brief moment.