Holiday sketches + Goodbye Mr. Colville

My Hopewell Cape painting is *almost* finished. Just a little left on the sky. I will show you tomorrow! In the meantime, I thought I'd share a couple quick sketches I did when we were camping. The operative word being quick. I left all my paints at home but brought a sketch pad and a medium black marker. Below are my favourite two.
Also - when we were away I got news of Alex Colville's passing. He lived in Nova Scotia (where we were when I heard). The local paper ran a good story on his career. His work is breathtaking and his was the first art book I ever owned! Please check out his website here. Another thing I greatly admire about him... he had a deep love affair with his wife and muse of 70 years, Rhoda Colville. She passed away about 6 1/2 months ago. Rest in peace ♥

The rocks by the sea in Port Joli, Nova Scotia. My favourite sketch. My husband and kids were playing in the water, examining jellyfish and other marvels while I drew.

This sketch is a little wonky, but I like it because a) it's a box of Corn Pops on the picnic table (the one time a year the kids get to pick their poison...lol) and
b) there was a big tree right behind the table which is part of the joy/charm of camping, oui?

Hopewell Cape: work in progress

Isn't it a wonderful name? Hopewell Cape. This is a new piece I began today. It is derived from a photo I took at Hopewell Cape, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick. The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tides in the world. It's quite a stunning landscape.
I also worked on the abstract I posted yesterday... getting there...getting there....

Work in progress

Hi everyone! I'm back from holidays. We went camping in the Canadian east coast (New Brunswick & Nova Scotia) and then came home through the States, spending a few days in the Adirondack mountains. I'm happy, rested and refreshed : ) The outdoors: wood smoke, pine air....mmm!
Anyway, it's back to work. Today I began this painting. Right now I'm at the point where I need to stare at it a bit and I'm not sure which direction I'm going to take it. There are a couple chunks of this piece I'm really interested in - not sure if I should paint out what's around them or not? Decisions!

Cedar clump study and Mount Baker WIP

This is a study I did on location. The mosquitoes were nasty so I painted through my bug jacket hood screen. I had to slather my hands with bug spray and they still got bit. Not one of the finer bits I enjoy about plein air painting but I can still say it was a beautiful spot.
"Cedar clump" 9"x12" / acrylic on gessoed masonite / $165
Below is a painting my son did yesterday. It is from a photo his aunt took of Mount Baker in Washington at sunset. He is still toying with the colour of the sun hitting the mountain but personally I wouldn't change it! We all have to follow our own vision though.
Mount Baker Sunset / 6"x8" / acrylic on archival canvas board

Closer

When I am with you, the only place I want to be is closer. ~ author unknown

So, romance is alive and well : ) My daughter went to Paris last week and her boyfriend brought her this beautiful bouquet of roses. It's a beautiful thing to treat people with tenderness and care!

"Romance" / acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas / 10"x10" / $185

(detail)

The Alberta Flood Rose Project

As many of you will be sadly aware, Alberta has suffered some disastrous floods. The devastation is overwhelming. I painted this rose for the Alberta Flood Rose Project with all proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross.

4"x4" / oil on panel