Wildflower Bouquet

Today is the Lord's Day and I thought to celebrate with a wildflower bouquet done a couple of years ago during our anniversary week. It signifies the many blessings He has sent us over the days, months and years. "His mercies are new every morning."

Summer Bouquet

I sent this to a couple who can't handle the real thing.

One Hollyhock

We are very thankful for the rain, though one does start to take the sunny weather for granted! This is another in the series of hollyhock studies. They do have the most interesting leaves with many shapes and colours. The wilting flowers are also special. We miss so much if we only look for our idea of perfection.

Little Zinnias

I planted these little zinnias in a couple of planters and they've done very well. They don't mind the drought and fill out nicely and get taller and don't mind if you cut a few.

The Back Door"

I tried to work on this old painting last night and create more depth and interest.

Bay Window and Garden

Still haven't gotten enough of those burgundy hollyhocks and the contrasr of the Annabe,,e Hydrangeas. I tried to capture this yesterday afternoon. The garden is wild right now with lots of weeds and very dry. We seemed to have missed the occassional shower that has fallen elsewhere. I find the architecture fun and challenging. Should there be more detail etc. ?

Spring Reflections

I painted this a year ago last spring. The colours didn't photograph very well but the reflections are interesting. It's hanging on the wall across from the computer and catches my interest often when sitting here.

Spring Still Life

Here is another early painting done the first painting course at DVSA. It turned out very dark. I can remember wondering how to lighten the whole thing. Sure was an interesting still life!

Dundas Valley

This was also done many years ago at a "Plein Air" class in the spring-no date on this one.

Spring Blossom on Powerline Rd.

Painted in '97, at one of the first outdoor courses I tool at the "DVSA". This was done on a farm on Powerline Rd. with a beautiful view of the Dundas Valley. This is painted on an 18" saw blade.

Pink Peonies

We picked this painting up from the medical centre where it had been hanging for a year. Since peony season is just behind us I thought I would repost it as a last sigh of spring 2011.

Hollyhock Profusion

I saw this lovely row of hollyhocks at my brother's place last week and felt the need to paint some of them on this large canvas. It was sunny and hot so took the umbrella along but was able to sit in the shade of the white pines on their property. It was still hot! I found it very hard to limit what went on the canvas from the profusion of flowers, leaves and stems that were there. The large canvas needed some weights because it kept trying to get away in the wind and the paint was drying way to fast! It was still fun.

Pink Hollyhock on Barnboard

On Saturday, I was able to sit in the shade and paint the hollyhock that came up in the front of the border. Painting them gives a wonderful opportunity to examine the blossoms but also the interesting shape and position of the leaves.

Red Tulips

I thought to show some of my very first efforts in acrylic painting. I remember standing in front of the easel at the DVSA wondering how to attack this painting-where to put the first strokes of the brush and "shaking in my boots" Do I start on the background or foreground? Here was this beautiful still life and I was clueless. Then the instructor told me to stop when I was only just started. Have a wonderful Lord's Day!

Sycamore

Lovely patterns in the bark on this venerable old "Sycamore"

Hollyhock on Barnboard

Hollyhocks, because of their height are just perfect for the long narrow piece of barnboard. I sanded a few down, sealed them with water base varnish and went out and produced this painting. These hollyhocks have been so much fun!

Burgundy Hollyhocks

I had to get out and paint these yesterday morning. What a wonderful contrast-the white of the hydrangeas with the Burgundy of the hollyhocks! God is Great!

Holyhocks at Dusk

I painted this last night as the sun was sinking behind the house and lit up these blossoms -just fleetingly. Holly hocks occur serendipitously in the garden and this year they are particularly beautiful-thanks to all the spring rain?

Inverlochy Beach with Chair and Boat

This was another unfinished painting of the same holiday. We had a lot of fun enjoying the children and grandkids. It was the only good week, weatherwise of the whole summer.

Inverlochy Beach

One of my grandson's was sorting through a bunch of paintings stacked in my"Studio". He found this unfinished painting from a family holiday. Of course I can't give it to him like this. Will see what can be done with it now that a couple of years have passed.

Perennial Profusion

This painting was in response to the profusion of colour in the perennial border at the "Good Earth". I think it still needs some tweaking but this is the initial burst of energy from my brush. Have a great Lord's Day!

Peach tree lane

Yesterday I sat in the shade of a sycamore tree painting this laneway with it's alley of peach trees. Will have to try the sycamore tree some day because it has the most interesting bark!(as in tree, not dog) lol

A Day Painting in Beamsville

Had a lovely day paintig at the Good Earth". A winery and catering facility in Beamsville. There is a beautiful perennial border where some of us stationed ourselves and just too many vista to manage in a day. Kim, the instructor did a wonderful job and was also kind enough to bring a tent where some painted and you can see there are two of us painting under 0ne of the "Good Earth's" umbrellas. We had a great lunch with a glass of wine. Time just flew by!

Roses in Pewter Vase

The roses are blooming. What a beautiful flower!

Study of White Pines and Clouds

Painted the pines and clouds above our neighbours house one evening last week.

Escarpment-Governor's Road

This little painting was done at the end of last Tuesday's class. The sky was quite impressive and the sunset later that evening was even more so. I kept changing where the light was hitting as the sun sank lower on the horizon. Should have done a series but was getting tired and cold.

Governor's Road Sunlight and Trees

This was painted on a long, narrow piece of plywood which seemed to suit the subject matter.
The stone house in the background was just visible by the reflection on the windows.

Hills and Dells Binkley Rd.

I had a great evening painting last Tuesday! Certainly, for the artist, there is no better form of escapism. We are facing the departure of a beloved foster child and Tuesday was the day we heard the news! The weather was warm and the clouds in the sky, the light and the ambience were a gift from above! Some days are so wonderful that every corner has a possible painting and you end up feeling deprived when you can't try them all.