Sunday, November 29, 2009

On Dasher, On Dancer


Yup, it's that time of year. I normally don't get too excited by decorating for Christmas (Halloween being my favorite holiday) but Bruce has been busy putting up lights and threatening to put up Santa and the reindeer that we inherited with the property. They are looking so sad that I am giving them a face lift and it's a job. Why do there have to be eight reindeer? Quick, can you rattle off their names (Did you grow up with Gene Autrey's "32 Feet and 8 Little tails, one of my favorite Christmas songs and infinitely superior to Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer?) Now that will date you!!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Dancer Series ?

This is a painting based on a photo of one of the lovely ballerinas that modeled for us during the Wiltzen workshop. I rather like the color blocking and want to pursue that effect in some of the other paintings that I hope will become a dancer series. Wish I could stay home and paint today instead of dragging into town for supplies. Still, better to shop on a thursday than enter the madhouse Christmas shopping on the weekend.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Troika---or having fun with paint


This little painting evolved in the Burridge workshops. I laid down a layer of juicy blue paint then pressed a paper towel into it and immediately lifted it up creating an interesting lacy pattern. The three figures seemed to appear like magic. I just colored in their outlines. I did a lot of folk dancing in college and the whirling energetic troika was one of my favorite dances. I like the look of the word "troika" so I put it in at the bottom.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Abstract in Progress

Headed somewhere with this. I wanted to make a yellow painting. Textured gesso, crackle paste and washes of fluid and heavy acrylic.

I need more crackle...I guess I need to put it on thicker.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

PLAY


After the pressure of accomplishing a couple of commissions, I am determined to loosen up and play. Honestly, I came to this conclusion after spending several hours yesterday trying to make a few paintings for an upcoming sale but all I achieved was crap, crap, crap.! Time to play. I find I choke up if I try to paint to sell (most times) It's better if I just paint and not worry so much about the outcome.

I am reading "the Creative Edge" by Mary Todd Beam. Love her work. Inspires me to try more abstracts.

This is a substrate composed of texturized molding paste, applied charcoal, and then a thin glaze of burnt umber rubbed on and off, to draw up the texture. I am happy with all the groovey bits, now I just have to develop this into something.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Juicy Pear #1

I made a number of these as a warm-up for the Burridge workshop. It's fun to use a big brush, get real loose and a little wild with color. I'd like to paint some big ones.

Goal this week: TAKE RISKS

Friday, November 13, 2009

One to Keep--Nymph

I made this painting a couple of years ago and have become more and more fond of it, so I think it will no longer be for sale. It reminds me of my Mom, not that it looks like her but there is something in her expression that makes me smile.

If anyone out there has prayers to spare, My cousin Charlene is gravely in need of them. She is not recovering from heart surgery as well as expected and we still need he, if possible.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Daimler

I think this might be done. It was a commission. It's a beautiful vehicle, but personally, I prefer the old rusty, battered ones.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Remembrance Day


Dashing Charles Cox WW1


I don't know how Grandma Laura dealt with this, but she had a strong christian faith. My Uncle Cloyd went down with his ship in the Bay of Pigs. We were extremely lucky that three came home.

Mike Cravens in Vietnam

Ray Woodbury, Canadian peacekeeper, Bosnia
Ben Woodbury, Canadian civilian military support, Afghanistan

Monday, November 9, 2009

Burridge Inspired

I am still wanting to play with some of the things I learned at the Burridge workshop. This is an acrylic painting on watercolor paper that has been treated with gesso. I will probably frame this like a watercolor but Burridge often mounts his paintings directly onto canvases and sells them like that--no frame. I like the approach and will experiment with it.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

HURRAY!

I am so excited! Brassica #1 has been short-listed for a national exhibition in Qualicum Beach B.C.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Re-do

This was "End of August" with a purple background. It had been bothering me for a long time, so I jumped in and changed things around. I think I like it better now.

I have two commissions on the dock that I have made a priority to attend to. No more commissions! (Well, never say never). They are so much harder to do than stuff from my own head.