Saturday 26 May 2018

What to take with you...


As it was another beautiful day, I headed outdoors for my first real 'plein aire' session this year.  Below is kind of my current set up with one or two extras that may not be needed. 

1.  A Pack:  We won this back pack somewhere and it has a fold out seat attached.  It was big enough to accommodate my Gorilla Painting box.  I rarely sit down when painting, but thought it might be useful should I become exhausted from the painting frenzy.  My tripod fits nicely on the side too.




2.  What is inside the pack:
-Roll of paper shop towels  -  a garbage bag  - pre-stained wood panels 9x12
- 5 to 8 brushes  - paints: cadmium red, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, cad yellow light, yellow ochre light, sap green, viridian and white
- a view finder
- brush cleaner (walnut oil)
- bug spray
- water to drink
- a hat (need a bigger hat next time)
- the Gorilla box which holds all the painting stuff
- palette paper
- tape for the paper
- bear spray  
- in the picture is a great little stool that I got as a gift.  It is from Lee Valley, garden tools.  I don't take it often but if I go on a workshop or will be out all day it comes along.

This was the scene I chose to paint.  Down in the ravine near home. Below is my tripod and box set up and paint laid out.



It is nice to have a companion along if you aren't painting with friends.  We don't bring the dog with us to bear country, but this is in the city so she enjoyed a couple swims while waiting for me.


The painting in progress.  

It's always good to do a couple brief close to home trips before you head off on a serious painting journey.  I discovered I should have had a bigger hat as it was seriously hot out.  It was too windy for the painting umbrella and you can't wear your sunglasses while painting unless you can compensate for the colour differences. So it is better to find some shade that will be around for awhile.  This is just an oil study should I decide I like it I would paint a more precise version back in the studio.




Painting outside or as the french say ' en plein aire'

Following my struggle in the studio, I went outside for a brief one hour paint session.  As I had not planned anything I just wanted to test out the outdoor painting set up for this year to make sure I have it all organized.  I forgot the tape so my palette paper did blow off at one point.

I didn't have my umbrella set up ready and the yard was FILLED with mosquitoes, so I just stayed up on the deck and quickly painted one of the deck chairs in the sun.
My Gorilla Paint box set up on the deck

My quick one hour deck chair painting
8x8 canvas

Friday 25 May 2018

Painting is....SQUIRREL!!!

I believe most artists will struggle at times to stay motivated or focus on their painting every day - so many distractions. Currently my struggle is the beautiful weather, after a LOOOONG harsh winter, pulling me outdoors.  I am enjoying biking, hiking and gardening these last weeks and being inside the studio / office / work is difficult.


That is why today I decided I shall try to do some daily painting 'en plein aire' or paint outside for awhile.  As you can see below my current attempt to get some paint down has been a struggle.
the UNDERPAINTING of the Burmis Tree large 36 x 48 canvas


OOOO the Pretty Fern Leaf peony in my garden just outside my window, has finally bloomed for the first time ever!!

Oh I just need to make some baskets for the front porch

What was I doing... oh yeah, OOOps, I think I need to repaint the sky and maybe that grass too.  Maybe I will just go outside for awhile for inspiration instead.

Thursday 17 May 2018

Full Marks

My graduation show for the 12 of us who completed our Fine Arts Certificate from the University is now showing until June 15th.  It is up in the back hallways of the U of A Faculty of Extension (the old Hudson's Bay Building downtown) near Room 2-640.  Check it out if you have some spare time.

I find that every year in spring, my painting output seriously slows down.  Work has been fairly busy, but I also have a ton of yard work and gardening to accomplish.  Most of my garden is now planted and the yard is almost complete so I hope to get more paintings started ASAP.  I need at least 25 good ones by August.  I will be taking part in 2, St. Albert Art Walks and the Art in Our Park Event in August and September.  I am also back to planning our community's Annual BBQ and Movie Night, which also occurs in September.  NO time to waste!!
The 4 paintings I chose to hang



Rick Bremness

Susan Diebel

Monday 7 May 2018

Graduation...finally

I have finally completed my Fine Arts Diploma with the U of A.  I had actually completed most of the courses in 2011 but due to 'life happening' I did not do the final mentorship part.  This year I managed to wrap it all up and 12 of us will be part of the graduation exhibit at the U of A's Faculty of Extension.  Our paintings are buried deep in the halls on the second floor, you can view them over the next month.  
While I was helping to hang the exhibition today I stopped downstairs on the main floor to view some FABULOUS FIBRE ART.  The topic was primarily climate change and there were some awesome pieces of Fibre Art on view.  Check it out - main floor of the old Hudson Bay building downtown.






Friday 4 May 2018

Spring Cleaning

Spring has finally sprung here!  I always find I have an urge to garden and do a bit of cleaning and organizing.  My garden is raked and ready for when it's safe for plants.  The cleaning / organizing urge has only gone as far as my art area.  I had been using some cardboard to divide and organize my paints - but I invested in some expandable spice racks from Bed Bath & Beyond to replace them.  They work and look better, and somehow make painting easier.


organization ...aaaah feels good.