For the Beauty of the Earth

Arrowhead Birches

2011-12-24T12:56:00.000-08:00

The day before Christmas and just one interested person. I wish all my followers a wonderful Christmas as you remember the birth of our Lord and Saviour. Rejoice with your family and friends!

New Grandson

2011-12-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we welcomed our little grandson to the world and our family! God is good!

Little Pointsettia Sled

2011-12-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

Sleds make wonderful surfaces for painting and there are lots of them around in second hand stores and garage sales! This little one has metal runners and was painted with a pointsettia.

Santa Grouping

2011-12-16T12:43:00.000-08:00

This is how the Santa's are displayed in the entrance of the front hall. Come and see for yourself on Saturday, December 17.

Lighthouse Santa Ornament

2011-12-13T10:14:00.000-08:00

One of the grandchildren requested an ornament with a lighthouse theme for her teacher. This is one of the results though it's a bit tall for a tree ornament.

Santa Choir

2011-12-12T06:57:00.000-08:00

The back Santa's are waiting for the inspiration to paint their bottoms. This is enough for this year! On to better things.

2011-12-10T20:13:00.000-08:00

This Santa spindle sold last week and the lady really liked the hoolyhock painting. She came back today with her husband and bought it-a pleasant surprise. The spindle is the last of the rope bed spindles.

I spent another day painting little Santa tree ornaments. That's enough for this year-need a change of pace. We had a gift exchange and was blessed with a little propane heater. Will have to work at making a set up for outside with a tarp and see if it will be warm enough to paint some snowscenes. Tomorrow is Sunday. Hope you have a good Lord's Day!

Sinterklaas

2011-12-09T06:59:00.000-08:00

Painting these spindles as Santas is what's keeping me busy this season of the year. It's a creative challenge to come up with new ideas for the bottom section of the post. Each one is unique and "one-of-a-kind". I have seen the most interesting wood turnings this way. The best were the first ones which were from the corner posts of old rope beds.

Ornament Santas

2011-12-08T07:20:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again! Last night, I spent the evening painting little Christmas tree Santas. What's a group of Santas called? -A bevy, a pod or just a bunch?

Barlow Creek (December)

2011-12-07T05:11:00.000-08:00

This is the second painting done yesterday afternoon. I touched it up a bit last night(the trees in the background) because there wasn't enough time to finish on site. They really had some interesting shapes!

Raging Barlow Creek

2011-12-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

Today was our last course for this year with Catharine Gibbon. We spent the afternoon in the little town of Troy down a muddy laneway, beside the creek which was swollen from the rain of the last two days. The sound of the water was wonderful and even on this dreary afternoon there was lots of colour in the water. It wasn't even that cold. This is a small piece on 1/4" plywood.

Colour: by Mal Austen- "What a gift colour is! God has blessed us with billions of colours for our use and pleasure-each as unique and special as we are. God recognizes the value of different."

Fall Mums and Squash

2011-12-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

Last night, I spent some time fiddling with this painting. I tried to brighten it up a bit and change the background. The turtle at the front(wooden) is still a questionable addition.

"Texture" by Mal Austin
"Smooth, rough scaly textures create interest in nature. Let time, choices and life's experience work to form beautiful patterns in us as well."

Painter's Potluck

2011-11-30T13:06:00.001-08:00

Yesterday afternoon, I had the privilege of hosting a last class potluck which, because of the rain, ended up just being a potluck. Lots of pleasant paint talk and paintings to admire and critique together. We come together and paint for so many hours but we are all so focused that we never have much time for socializing. This time we combined good food with good company. Thank you Catharine Gibbon for another wonderfully inspiring season.

Studio Sign

2011-11-28T13:28:00.000-08:00

I painted the other side of the crib footboard. I'm hoping to put it out front to advertise the studio. These things are fun to paint since they're big and detail seems not to be important.

Enviroment by Mal Austen: God's enviroment places dew, light, sun, food and life cycles necessary for each plant to grow . He not only meets our needs but shapes our lives in extra dimensions.

2011-11-25T07:01:00.000-08:00

"Aging: Plants have a life cycle, just as we do. Each stage brings beautiful new shapes and rich powerful colours. God loves and values life in all its glorious stages." Quote from Mal Austen

Lilies from "de Zwaan"

2011-11-24T05:05:00.000-08:00

I painted this piece on the back of an old crib the other night in order to make a" studio open" sign for outside, since I would like to have my studio open for the Christmas season.

These lilies were on the table for the whole week- starting as buds and coming into full glory by the end of the week and are from a foto taken on our barge and bike trip in the Netherlands and Belgium in September. They certainly perfumed the whole boat!

"Shape" by Mal Austen

"Every leaf and every petal is unique by design and is then changed by weather and time. But our changes are best coming from God's Spirit."

Troy End of Season Cornfield

2011-11-23T05:22:00.000-08:00

The painting from yesterday before the snow fell.

I found this lovely little book at "Value Village" which I bought for the stunning floral fotos. It's called "A Season of Possibilities" by an Australian Mal Austin. On the first page of his book he makes comments about some Artistic principles which are profound enough to pass on to you.

"CLOSE UP: God is a God of details. Look closely and you will see beauty in every feature. Don't be afraid to draw close to God . Beauty increases in closeness."

Quarry Water

2011-11-22T17:05:00.000-08:00

We painted today-believe it or not-outside. I had the back doors of the van open to give some protection from the wind. We were in Troy, on a little dead end laneway with a spectacular view. Mine was limited to what could be seen from and around the back doors. I will make a foto of the painting tomorrow. This was done in North Flamborough at the same time last year. The location was an old gravel quarry with crystal clear water. The enthusiasm gets to be a little dampened when frostbite sets in.

The Barn

2011-11-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

We're off to an all girls weekend(Mother and Daughters) in Thornbury.

Late Fall Sunlight

2011-11-16T06:40:00.000-08:00

This subject was on the other side of the road with the anemic winter sun shining through the trees making lovely shadows. There has been some lovely work painted here by other students in the class. The familiarity with the subject helps, I think, since this is the third time at this location. The location was changed because of hunting season.

Beverly Swamp Nov.

2011-11-15T15:38:00.000-08:00

We had another lovely afternoon painting along Middletown Road. Finally, I got to try the moving water-what a challenge! The quality of this photograph of the painting isn't very good. May have some time to improve on it tomorrow. The light was slipping through the trees and creating that special late fall atmosphere.

She can now see!

2011-11-14T08:13:00.000-08:00

Check this out. A Quechua women receiving new glasses. She commented:"Hey, I can see you!" One of the many pairs of glasses MMI sorts by prescription, donated by Americans and Canadians. You know, the boxes you see in Doctor's offices and at optometrists, where you put those old glasses. Yes, they provide better vision for thousands of poor around the world!

Waiting

2011-11-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

When we arrived at the clinic with the bus the people were lined up outside the building meant to be the clinic-some waited overnight to be first in line. Many would have to wait for hours to go through the process and most were very patient. A couple of women walked 7 hours through the mountains to have their eyes checked or see a doctor. They asked if they could jump the queue because they were afraid they would not be able to make it back home before dark. The patients were just like us North Americans in that they would get very annoyed if someone got ahead of them. But they were okay with this one exception.

Pictures from Peru

2011-11-12T11:06:00.000-08:00

Last week we flew to Cuzco, Peru and spent three days ministering to the poor in the slums of Cuzco and then two in the country where we saw many indigenous Andean people. Most of them spoke Spanish and Quechua but some of the older people could only speak Quechua. This meant that often we needed two interpreters to translate from English to Spanish and then from Spanish to Quechua. There were lots of eye problems. A couple of older women walked for 7 hours to get to the clinic. It was a humbling experience. Do we appreciate our blessings?

"Beverly Swamp # 2

2011-11-03T05:27:00.000-07:00

This is the second painting done last Tuesday. The other side of the road. I worked on it a bit in the evening while the feeling was still fresh in my mind, Now we're off to Peru for a week. Will try some sketcing in my spare time.

Beverly Swamp Willow

2011-11-02T05:26:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely afternoon painting on Middletown Road. This time we enjoyed sunshine and the colours are soooo different and the painting experience is much pleasanter! The old willows are all gnarled and tentacley(is that a word?) Initially, one really needs to decide what to edit with the myriad of branches and stumps that seem to pop up everywhere the eye roams. It's a bit overwhelming, but fun. I saw some beauttiful work done by fellow artists in the same location. We were standing along the road and got many curious looks from passers by!

First Frosty Morning

2011-11-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

This morning I experienced the beauty of the frost on every blade of grass and spent flower-until the sun warmed the world.

Pumpkin and turtle Still life

2011-10-31T07:17:00.000-07:00

I worked on this still life Saturday night with the remaining flowers in our garden-some faded looking mums and bright orange "goudsbloemen" which seemed to go with the pumpkin and gourds. I stuck the wooden turtle in the front but wonder about the success of that object. Am not too happy with the background either. What to do? It needs to be reworked but don't want to ruin the energy . I'll let it sit and look at it a while and see if the inspiration hits me again some time.

Algonquin Park

2011-10-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

On this beautiful but nippy Sunday morning, we can look back on the spring, summer and fall's beauty in God's Creation and give thanks for the change of seasons and the glory He lets us see in this fallen world. The frost on each blade of grass and the sad, broken dhalias in my garden, each speak of His glorious creative work. "Give Him the Glory!"

Soybeans from LaFarge

2011-10-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

This little painting was the first attempt at the drumlin from the viewpoint of the "LaFarge Trail".

Grapevines Revised

2011-10-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

I worked on this painting a whole evenimg and need some serious input. I think the middle grass part needs a different approach. The grapes probably look really interesting this morning with all the frot we had last night. Really should take the dog out and get a good look at the back field before the sun has burnt it all away.

View from LaFarge Trail

2011-10-27T06:15:00.000-07:00

This is one of the little paintings that got rained on Tuesday afternoon.

Middletown Road in the Rain

2011-10-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

Worked on this maze of trees, water and leaves yesterday in the rain. It worked when the paint drips weren't running down the canvas! There is a real depth of colour and a new perspective in the "dullness" of a gloomy day.

Grapes in a Row "Good Earth"

2011-10-25T15:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the start of a second painting of grapes at the "Good Earth" last Friday. Seeing as this is a larger canvas, I really had to hustle because there was not a lot of time left to paint. The vines were full of luscious looking purple grapes, which were for ice wine, I was told. I felt like the Israelites must have when they entered the land of Canaan.

Today was another painting day with Catharine. Started out early to, hopefully, take advantage of the dry weather. An hour later it started to rain which has an interesting effect on acrylic paint . Painted on the "Lafarge Trail" and then later moved to Middletown Rd. in order to paint under the protection of the back door of my van.

Plain Tree Impression

2011-10-24T06:04:00.000-07:00

Here is my impression of the plain tree from last Friday's paint day at "The Good Earth".

Sunday Blossom

2011-10-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

On this beautiful, bright Sunday morning I want to praise the Lord in His Creation. This late October day with frost on the grass and roofs this morning, these little beauties are bravely showing off their elegance. Have a good Sunday!

Plain Tree "Good Earth"

2011-10-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

This, most interesting tree, is situated on the parking lot of the Winery "Good Earth". Looking at this tree, you know why a short, little man, like Zacheus, in the Bible chose to climb a tree like it in order to get a better view of the Lord Jesus. The bark is a patchwork and looks like army camouflage and the seeds are little spiny balls. My son tells me that if the seed balls are double then it is a European Linden and if they are single , then it is a native tree. The European Hybrids are much hardier than the native species. I tried to paint this specimen and am sure I couldn't do it justice.

Sawmill in Deventer

2011-10-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely opportunity to paint with Kim Rempel today at "the Good Earth Vineyard". We had a great lunch and the company was superb! Who cared if it was cold. Will post my efforts tomorrow. Thanks Kim!

This is a pic of one of the windmills we saw on our trip in September. This mill was sawing logs while we were there-not (the sleeping kind).

Doc's Farm

2011-10-20T06:25:00.000-07:00

This is the second painting done on Tuesday, outdoors. The sky was telling us the rain is coming.

Doc's Farm Shed

2011-10-19T12:01:00.000-07:00

This was my warm-up piece yesterday afternoon. We had a lovely painting session at this great location. The weather cooperated even though the forecast had been rain and we enjoyed the beauty of late fall, with its subdued hues in the grasses and leaves. I wasn't terribly excited about this piece although the instuctor thought it was the better of the two done that afternoon. I might try and fiddle with it some evening.

Sunflowers at Doc R's

2011-10-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

I was enthralled by the movement and pathos in these old sunflowers in the class last week. They sure are fun to paint.

Girl with the Pearl

2011-10-15T05:41:00.000-07:00

This famous painting speaks for itself.

"Yippee"

2011-10-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

"Yippie" is the dog "mascot" on the boat we stayed on when we were on our bike trip. He would stay in this container if reprimanded-like a time out. The other place he would stay was in the saddlebags on the bike.

Fall Anemones

2011-10-13T05:22:00.000-07:00

This is a painting I worked on just before we went on holidays and three weeks later the anemones are still putting on a lovely shoe in the garden. Every fall, the abundance of bloom from the coneflowers and echinacea have come to a brown halt and we still get a last,great show from these beautiful, delicate blossoms! They twist and twirl toward the light with stems, buds and flowers gently nodding in the wind. I frequently noticed an abundance of these plants in the dutch gardens we biked past last week.

2011-10-12T05:39:00.000-07:00

The painting in the back wall of the room is a "last Judgement" Scene. The women in the room is holding scales as if she is weighing her jewellry but there are other hidden meanings. The artist has the light source coming from an upper window. I just love the richness of the fabrics.

2011-10-11T04:48:00.000-07:00

February !st,1953, during high tide and a big storm, the dikes broke and the Province of Zeeland was inundated. This tower is all that is left of one little town. Biking on the dike, we realized how vulnerable the Netherlands is to the ocean.

Relief carving above a doorway

2011-10-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

When you look at old building and churches from a certain era, various artists and artisans were employed to decorate the towns and cities where they lived. Their work has lasted centuries for us to admire. The graffiti of another age?

2011-10-09T18:07:00.000-07:00

The day before we started the 'bike and barge" trip we biked to Delft and visited the "Vermeer" museum, which, though it contains no real works of his, shows how he developed his art and the intricate use of perspective. I love his use of colour as in this one "Women with Red Hat"

Top Birch #4

2011-10-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a wonderful two week holiday in the Netherlands and Belgium.. A"Bike and Barge Tour". We pedalled our hearts out, had fabulous weather and came home with information overload. So much history and art etc. Will post some pictures from our trip in the coming days. I was told that the last of the birch still had to be posted so here it is Gerrit! Here's a picture of our bikes, all ready to go.

Birch #3

2011-09-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

That birch again.

Birch #2

2011-09-16T05:24:00.000-07:00

The birches painted here were across from campsite # 253 at "Arrowhead".

Birch Up Close #1

2011-09-15T05:19:00.000-07:00

I had 4 8"X10" panels with me so I started at the bottom of the trunk and moved up, Kind of dizzying. This is the bottom of the trunk and there were actually three trees intertwining until they got closer to the sky.

Birch on the Beach

2011-09-14T04:22:00.000-07:00

I tried to do the whole painting with palette knives. Not an exact exercise but exacting! Think it needs some colour contrasts.

Arrowhead East River

2011-09-13T04:40:00.000-07:00

Today's painting highlights the many birches along the path running from Big Bend to East River campsites which is actually not an official path but a ski trail. This part is at the end of road three in East River campground and runs by an oxbow lake at this point.

Birches Across from #406

2011-09-12T05:32:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I lo0ked last week there were more birches showing off their lovely bark which contrasted with the dark hemlock and spruce beside them. Other years when we've been there, I would long for open spaces to paint but now was discovering the challenge and beauty of the mixed forest.

Birches on Sit #406

2011-09-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

I picked up three long, narrow canvasses at a sale and found the tall birches a perfect subject for them. These birches were on the campsite where our trailer was parked for the weekend. The light was faling on the left birch making it particularly bright. Have a blessed Sunday.

Pinting in the Woods

2011-09-10T07:37:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a wonderful holiday near Huntsville at Arrowhead Provincial Park. My husband made sure we got lots of exercise and the rest of the time I painted and enjoyed God's wonderful Creation. I was able to do lots of studies of birch trees and even though there was not much colour yet in the leaves, was able to appreciate the colour as the sunlight played on the white bark. Aaaaah Invigorating!

Studio

2011-09-01T06:01:00.000-07:00

The painted bookshelves which are part of my studio and will be used for displaying small paintings. Now the lighting! We're going on a week's holiday and will not be posting but hope to have some new material in a weeks time.

Picking Dhalias

2011-08-31T06:01:00.000-07:00

Last night, I worked on this large canvas and added the Dhalia farmer to the equation. His son is in the background pushing a wheelbarrow.

Large Pink Dhalia and Wild Carrot

2011-08-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

Spent the weekend in Quebec City. What a great place to go! Saw some inspiring work and had a great time except for the hurricane coming, hanging over our heads.

When I took the dog for a walk yesterday, I picked up this beautiful single dhalia which had been cut and discarded-too far gone to sell, I guess. Now, it's giving us a few days of pleasure. Actually painted in my studio instead of in the kitchen.

Bales-Late Evening

2011-08-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

Our computer was down and the last days have been painting in a different way. I have done a massive reorganization of my studio. These things just need to be done sometime and it does give some creative satisfaction. Was washing windows yesterday and refilling bookshelves. The whole room looks so much brighter with the shelves all decked in white. I will post some pictures or come and take a look!

The evening light is very challenging and beautiful because it changes so fast!

Bales,Evening Light

2011-08-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

After supper, I took some time to paint and this was the warm-up-just a little 8X10 . There isn't near as uch time as in June before the sun is down. The changes in the light on the field are absolutely gorgeous!

Straw Bales on the Back forty

2011-08-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

This painting was great in taking the mind off our little one leaving! She left this morning and now I can paint all day and night if I want-silly. It tells us to be careful what you wish for! This was an absolutely wonderful scene and the shape of the bales is fun to do but challenging. The field does glow in the sun. When you look closely at the earth there are cracks in the soil because it's so dry!

The Barn and the Back forty

2011-08-18T06:26:00.000-07:00

Jack baled the straw and yesterday was another beautiful day to drown my sorrows with painting. My husband told me to see the view from the hill at the back and he is right, it truly is something! This smaller painting was looking towards the barn. The field was just glowing in the sunlight. Tried a larger painting later. There was a great breeze which doesn't always work with a larger canvas.

Straw Field and Sky

2011-08-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

I was waiting for Jack to bale the straw before painting this scene but the sky on Tuesday beckoned and challenged. This painting was done on a thin piece of plywood and the wind was drying the paint quickly and I found it very difficult to pull the paint across the board.

Dhalia Farm

2011-08-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

The second painting done on Monday morning. The sky was overcast at first but later it cleared and cast lovely shadows on the dry earth.

Orange Dhalias

2011-08-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

This Monday morning I had to go out and paint in order to take my mind off the imminent departure of the little sweetheart we've looked after for almost two years. Just four more nights and this one she's staying overnight at her home.
Our neighbour has a Dhalia operation-cut flowers and he let me know last week which days there would be the most flower. Everything cooperated and the time flew by! This was the practise painting to get a feel for the subject matter and the light reflection this morning.

Sunflower

2011-08-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

I had to paint this sunflower this morning before the squirrels, chipmunks and birds finish it off or it falls over. Very interesting leaves and stem!

Hydrangea on Lid

2011-08-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

This was painted on the lid of a memory box.

Single Sunflower

2011-08-09T06:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a bit of sunshine on a gloomy day. The rain is sure welcome! We seemed to have missed out on many a shower that other areas received but now we're having a beautiful shower. Thank you!

Vase #3

2011-08-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

This is the last attempt for now. The sunflowers do last in a vase!

Vase #2

2011-08-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

This was the second attempt at the vase. Have a wonderful Sunday! Praise the Lord!

Sunflowers and Hydrangeas

2011-08-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

This is the first of a series of sunflower paintings(lol). The painting surface hasn't changed but the vase has. Found the transparent flat glass to be very challenging and have tweaked it several times. See tomorrow's post.

Red Hollyhocks

2011-08-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

This is a large hollyhock painting done as a commission. Rather than do the hollyhocks lengthwise, was asked to do a horizontal painting because that would suit the location on the wall.

Garden Rudbeckias

2011-08-04T05:52:00.000-07:00

Painted these in the garden after our little one went to bed. They are always such a pleasing splash of bright colour that draws your eye-ahh "eyecatching" is the word!

Rudbeckia Bouquet

2011-08-03T05:33:00.000-07:00

Seeing as it's too hot to paint outside, I gathered some flowers and a vase and "Voila!" more painting material and I can keep going after dark too. The flowers are fun to paint but find the vases a challenge!

Echinacea summer '11 brush

2011-08-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

This is the same flower done with a brush and usually the second one is done with more confidence. Found myself getting frustrated with the lack of control with the knife and therefore breathing a sigh of relief when I had a brush in hand again. I found a florescent orange to tip the top of the cone.

Echinacea summer '11

2011-08-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

I tried this little painting with a palette knife. Should have bought the really large jars of paint!

Wildflower Bouquet

2011-07-31T05:21:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-30T04:53:00.000-07:00

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

One Hollyhock

2011-07-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

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"

2011-07-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

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

Bay Window and Garden

2011-07-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-22T05:46:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-07-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-19T05:22:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-18T05:40:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-17T05:17:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-16T06:54:00.000-07:00

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

Hollyhock on Barnboard

2011-07-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-14T04:44:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-13T05:25:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

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