detail, new work in progress

A section of a new piece I'm working on. I wish this was the entire painting because I like what's going on but the rest is seriously challenging me. Back at it tomorrow.

Plein Air (eat, drink and painting) THIS Saturday. Lots of room!

Just want to say that the plein air class this Saturday at The Good Earth in Beamsville, Ontario still has openings. In fact we need a couple more to make it a go, so if you've toyed around with the idea of wanting to give it a try, this would be a good day! And I wanted you to know that guys register too. Proof above : ) 10am-4pm. Feel free to message me with any questions or go to my website and get details there. 

Opening Reception: Beyond the Wall. Unpacking the Layers of St. Catharines' Walls.

Today was the opening reception of Beyond the Wall. Unpacking the Layers of St. Catharines' Walls (The City of St. Catharines' 9th Annual Juried Art Exhibition • April 22-August 16) I was honoured to have my painting "Stacked" (In the City series) selected (and I'm happy to report it sold this month : ). There were thirteen other pieces in the show - all beautifully done and thought-provoking - a very good exposition!  One of the other artists was Elizabeth Zapotoczny (shown below). I really loved her painting and found it so moving.

On another note, you know how I told you about my (mis)adventure with my plein air class the other day? Well, here's what I started. I really liked the composition but when I began painting...well, let's just say it needs a lot of work. But the bones are there so I will press on! Happy almost-weekend friends!

Some nights are like that...

and tonight was one. I went to meet up with my plein air group which was an hours drive away at a new location. Couldn't find them anywhere! Turned around, drove, called...no luck. So in my goings back-and-forth I crossed a beautiful spot with a woods on one side and houses on the other. I decided to park it and pull out my gear and begin painting. A while in, a nice couple who lived across the street came to talk and I told them my original plan had gone astray. When I explained to them where I was supposed to me (in my defence) they did kind of laugh and say that the road was fairly confusing as it stopped and started and had a few dead ends. Anyway...my painting was beyond un-postable so I will  work on it tomorrow and see if I can redeem myself. In the meantime I am showing you this, which I had fun doing today in my studio. Something a little different. I was experimenting. It reminds me of batik and I am calling it "Farmer's Fields".

The sunny side of the street

I had a few design problems that were taking me a while to solve but I figured them out. I find when something's not working I sometimes can solve it if I give myself over to the fact that I might have to completely destroy the painting in the hope of regaining it. And today it worked. This is a large acrylic painting (36"x48") on gallery wrapped canvas.
On another note, I've had a good month in sales of abstract and landscape paintings and I just wanted to say thank you, THANK YOU to my buyers! And to all the people that have purchased my art at one time or another - sincerely, it means a lot. Cheers everyone!

In the studio

So here's the latest work in progress and a detail below. It's 24"x36" on gallery wrapped canvas. I'm liking where it's going but the trick will be developing it without losing the freshness! The funny thing is my last thought before I began to paint this was that it was going to be primarily blues and greens. Ha! On another note I'm thinking it's time to paint my studio walls white. At least one of them.

Outdoor Painting at The Good Earth - Registration Open!

Can you believe it's that time again? Registration for Plein Air Days at The Good Earth (Beamsville, ON) is now open! For those that aren't sure, "plein air" is really just another term for painting the landscape outdoors. The first workshop is Saturday, May 4th. This year we are trying something new and offering a mix of Friday and Saturday classes. 

Information:

Please join us for our 3rd season of open air painting sessions with Kim Rempel. Gardens, vineyards, orchards, farm life and interesting architecture await you! Featuring individual instruction and lots of painting time, artists of all skill levels will relish this series. The days begins with a demo followed by a couple hours of work. Then you’ll break for a delightfully inspired lunch at The Good Earth Bistro. The session fee includes your entrée, a glass of wine, dessert and coffee or tea (in addition to instruction). Once you’ve recharged your batteries, you can head back to your painting with renewed enthusiasm. Please bring your own materials. 

TO REGISTER: Please call The Good Earth at 905-563-6333. Cost is $90 (includes HST and gratuity)

2013 DATES: Saturday May 4 • Saturday June 1 • Friday July 5 

Friday August 9 • Saturday September 7th

latest abstract

This is my latest painting. It is big: 3' square.  I'll snap a picture of it soon to show scale. It would look very sharp on an empty white wall! This is painted on gallery wrapped canvas.

Abstract Painting Workshop

A full house. I was impressed how everyone dived in and fearlessly got to work (okay - maybe there was a little fear here and there but they tamped it down and their creativity was flowing). Everyone worked hard and made some terrific pieces. I've posted one shot from each artist - although there were more great paintings. Thanks everyone - it was a very enjoyable, productive day!

Leisa

Merryn

Sandy

Iris

Katia

Carol

Anne

continuing...

Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, 

there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night. 

~Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters of Rainer Maria Rilke

And here's what it looks like today. Still developing, finding and refining shapes, layering.

detail, new work in progress

A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me 

company, comforts and inspires. ~ Hedy Lamarr

This is one corner on the current painting I'm working on. I really like where this is going but the rest has some major catching-up to do : ) Ah well, early days!

I'm happy to announce my abstract workshop for this Saturday is full. I can't wait to meet some new artists as well as catch-up with some that are already friends.

Artists I discovered in Arizona

We got home yesterday from our holiday in Arizona, USA and I must say it was deliciously sunny, hot, dry and relaxing! We hiked up a mountain, toured the Biosphere2, and saw "Da Vinci - The Genius" exhibit at the Arizona Science Center. And of course, we also saw some great art! Here are a few artists that really caught my eye. I saw their work at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg.

"Honest Day" by Maura Allan. This is not the piece I saw but I couldn't find an online image of the painting I saw. This paintings is from another gallery that represents her, Gallery Mar.

"Night Light" by Martha Pettigrew

Amy Ringholz I didn't see this piece but one that is similar. I couldn't find the one I saw on her website.

There were some stunning photographic pieces printed on aluminum that I was quite taken with. Especially the piece "Grace" by Bev Pettit.

Last but certainly not least I came across Andrew Carson's pieces at the Tempe Arts Festival. If I had a spare 10 grand I would snatch one of these up in a second. They would look fabulous on our yard. I saw photos of his sculptures in various parks and I must say they are out-of-this-world!