Russian Day

The Plein Air Convention organizers brought in Nicholai Dubovik from the Surikov Institute of the Russian Academy in Moscow. He spoke with such truth and depth while doing a demo. First comes drawing, and then the plein air experience - it is the most organic proces in the education of an artist. Students go out painting for 2 months in the summer when the light lasts until 1:00 am, 1000 miles north of Moscow. A program is being setup for artists from North America to go and experience this - for 2 months.

Plein Air Convention in Las Vegas 2012

So here I am in Las Vegas, seeing the beauty and the amazing energy and power of this ocean floor. I had hoped to see the desert in bloom, and there are a few flowers but because of drought llast fall, there is very little this year. Was in the Valley of Fire and the Red Rock Canyon - unreal! And the Convention is over the top. One day down, from 6:30 to 8:00 and so much information and experiences. Tony Pro, Jeremy Lipking and Alexey Steele did a portrait demo together on stage (photo). Too many fantastic artists to mention them all. Did go to the zoo called The Strip to see the Monet exhibit at the Bellagio Hotel. Exhibit was worth it, the Bellagio water fountain is fantastic, the strip is another story........

Challenge #8

This is for The Complete Artist online workshop challenge this month - sliced oranges, another fruit, glass and a shiny metal object, all on a white cloth.

Equinox Heat Wave

It is the beginning of spring and here we had unusually hot weather. Mary and I went down to the river to paint. Ice was still floating on the water.

Still Life with Oranges #4

The journey continues.....the mug looked simple to draw, in its slanted style, but was actually quite demanding.

Still Life with Oranges #3

It is very revealing to continue on the same subject - white vessel, white cloth, oranges - even though I change it around a bit. There is so much to learn and see and work on. Carol Marine is coming to Toronto in August, so Mary and I are getting ready

Still Life with Oranges 2

Like this one better, getting more decisive with the brush strokes.

Still Life with Oranges

I have a project to work on for my continued education on basics - and this is my first set up. Shapes are better, I was struggling with warm and cool shadows, and I want to improve my brushwork.

Banana Plantation

Living Fence Posts

Another one from Costa Rica - many fence posts are trees, and tend to sprout.

In the Cloud Forest

My final painting from Costa Rica, I am now home.

Amapola

Flowers against the misty background of the jungle and volcano. The background and the mist is always lighter than I think, so this was actually my second attempt.

Scenes

Because of the high humidity, the mountain range is very blue. I painted it as such, but thought it was too strong, and did a quick repaint, lightening up the blue. I think it is better. Unfortunately it was just painting paper and I tore the paper...but the learning was worth the exercise.

Starfruit Still Life

This still life is painted for the online workshop that I am doing. The starfruit came from a tree close by and the red flowers are from the jungle - no idea what they are called. The feel like plastic and hang in a cluster.

Pineapple Field

It is beautiful driving through the countryside. Besides banana, papaya and orange plantations, there are the grey/teal coloured pineapple fields. The mountain range is very blue in the distance, because of the humidity.

By the Stump

Today we all painted on the veranda, whatever was in front of us. The one side is filled with lush vegetation and interesting blooms that peek through.

In the Rain

Yesterday it rained and rained - hard - of course - it is the rainforest afterall. The banana tree in our yard stood out because it was closeby - everything else was blurred by the rain and humidity.

Jungle Path

Late Wednesday afternoon, I carried my equipment down to the stream, set up my easel on a patch of gravel and looked back up the way I had come. Daylight was minimal, mosquitoes started to bite, and howler monkeys COULD be nearby, so I painted as fast as possible. It was an exhilirating experience to be one with the jungle like this.

Vista

This one lone tree standing over the rest called for my attention. The air is humid so the background is lost in mist. It is very peaceful here.

Arenal Volcano

We have a perfect view of the volcano, but it is mostly shrouded in clouds. Now and then, the clouds move and we get to see the peaks, which are steaming and puffing. Everyone here has a personal feeling towards the mountain, and now we do too.

Queen of the Night

Gave these gorgeous delicate and oh so fragrant flowers another attempt - they are tricky and acrylic makes it even trickier. But I am learning. It was a joy to be with this flower as it danced and swayed in the breeze.

Across the Road

The building is wonky, both in my painting and in real life. I am undecided if this works ok in a painting or not - whether it would be better to adjust the structure....

Naranjas

This painting actually has more green in it, but the photograph is a bit off. I am starting to get a feel for acrylics and am happy to have them here because of the humidity. The girls were getting oranges for morning juice from the tree beside our casa - of course they had one of the local men up in the tree while they stood at the bottom with a basket. It was a painting in itself.

Costa Rica

I am in the rain forest in Costa Rica, next to the volcano Arenal. It is of course humid and warm, so I brought acrylics, thinking that this is the best medium for here. Must be true because that is what is in the galleries.
This is my first attempt at acrylics - ever, and is very different from oil and watercolour. So here goes...

Reminiscing Autumn

In October I managed to get some photos as the sun was setting over the last of the red sumac at Shaw Woods near Eganville. Need some critiques on this painting - not sure about it yet.
On another note, I have signed up to attend the Plein Air Convention outside of Las Vegas in April. There will be a lot of good speakers, painters, and even some plein air painting of the red rocks for all participants. Better get painting....

The Present

My dear friend Heidi brought me a birthday gift, and the wrapping was so beautiful that I had to paint it before opening. It will be opened on the weekend when she is here again. In the meantime, it is being enjoyed as is.

Friends

These shiny red pomengranates were asking to be painted, with a pear to set them off, and a dark background for drama. It is the mood of the day....

Mandarin & Ground Cherries

Happy New Year!
A tad late all around but things sometimes happen different than planned, so may the new year be absolutely magical.
I wanted to paint this little grouping before Christmas and poof, things went differently. Instead it waited and didn't whither, so it must have been slightly enchanted. Therefore I honoured it as my first painting of the year.