Art Trip

I have just returned from a trip to the east coast for a family wedding and was able to see some wonderful artworks in some of the great museums there.

I have dreamed of seeing this Cezanne Bathers for many years. I was wonderful to finally see it in person. I had this experience with several other paintings but photographs were not allowed in those situations.

I confess that I am not a fan of cubist works of art however, I enjoyed this little exercise. Perhaps it will inspire me in my art playtime.

Nature's Decoration

The first flowers to bloom in my little flower garden are the Stardust daisies. I cut these three to enjoy in my kitchen (they match my cabinets and tile).

'Bloomin' Lovely' 6"x 6" Oil on panel.

The Low Down

Here is my latest painting. I have just realised that I don't have a title for it yet. It is of the jetty on the ocean side of Dana Point Harbour. It is at low tide which is why you can see a portion of the beach on the left-hand side. 

The Art of Travel

It always takes me longer to sort myself out after a trip than I would like or is even reasonable. But it is the way it is.

I have made very little progress on my seagull drawing mostly because I couldn't draw for a long time (and then not for very long) due to my accidents (yes there were two). So I am out of the habit.

I took my drawing with me when I went away and as I sat down to work on it I found my sharpener wasn't sharp enough to get the point on the pencil that I like for my drawings. A sharp point gives me more control on how and where I place my marks. The dull blade on the sharpener was ripping at the wood below the pigment. I didn't have a small screwdriver to change the blade so I thought I might try to do what I could.
Not a good idea. Every step I took just made matters worse.

Focus and looking at what is there (rather than what you think is there) is important when working on a drawing like this and for whatever reason, I jumped in and wasn't paying attention. So I made a mess of the legs by putting  yellow in the wrong place and not concentrating on the shape of the bird's legs. 

A combination of dull pencils, lack of focus and less than optimal lighting. 

What I need is one good positive session with this drawing to get back on track and feel motivated to continue on.

While I was away, I was lucky to catch an exhibition of religious art at Brigham Young University's Museum of Art called 'Sacred Gifts'. 

Some of the works are on loan from Churches in Denmark, Norway and New York. My two favourites can be seen on the flyer below. The first is 'Agony in the Garden' by Frans Schwartz (top far left) and the second 'Christ and the Rich Young Ruler' (bottom).

You can see all the paintings and learn about the artists here.

Abstract Inspiration

A couple of years ago I was given a Canson Montval art board when I attended a workshop. It won't accept oil paints so I decided to do a painting with my acrylics.

Probably because it was free, I decided to try something a little different and more abstract than usual. I also worked to be less slavish to my source photograph using it more for inspiration.

I am very happy with the result.

'Darkening Horizon' 8"x10" acrylic on board.

Cast of Colours

This is painted from a photograph I took in Hawaii two years ago. I lived in Hawaii many years ago and I love to travel there, when I can, to visit friends and enjoy the scenery. It was quite overcast during our trip last time which changes the depth of the colours without changing its beauty.

'Kona Clouds' 8" x 10" Oil on Canvas.

Setting to Work

Finally getting to do some painting again after my car accident last year. I can't paint for very long but just to be able to some is something to be grateful for.

Blooming Lovely

My painting of yellow Gerbera daisies sold the day after Christmas at the San Clemente Art Gallery.

Read All About It

It is frustrating not to be able to work on my art while I recoupurate from a car accident, but I have to think long term. 
Once thing I can do is read so I am catching up with some of the art books I have. 
One such book is a fun little book I received from a friend called 'Steal like an Artist'. I think it is meant for a younger audience but it was still interesting and had some good advice for artists of all ages.

I am currently reading 'Art as Therapy' which takes a thoughtful look at the various functions of art and the way in which it can make our lives better. One of my favourite portions so far is where the author says that paintings of people doing ordinary things (in the example given, drinking a cup of tea) can cause us to elevate our view of ordinary daily activities and therefore find greater happiness and satisfaction through them.

Remembering

Every so often I like to produce art that is quite different from what I usually do. To that end I entered and was accepted into the International Mail Art show at the Richmond Art Gallery in Richmond, British Columbia.
My work was done on a postcard and recalled various memories all sparked by a choice between two pieces of fruit.

The on-line portion of the show is not yet available but I will post the link as soon as I have it.

Although I am a little sad that I will not have my work returned, I am excited to see which artwork I will receive in the swap.

Treasured Scene

'Treasure Island' 5" x 7" Oil on Canvas.

This is the southern most beach in Laguna Beach and is named for the 1934 film 'Treasure Island' which was filmed here. 

Golden Blooms

This is one of my new favourite paintings. The colours of the sunflowers remind me of summer and point to the impending Autumn. There is definitely an Autumnal nip in the air this week.
'Sunny Bouquet' 5" x 7" Oil in Canvas.

Covert Action

'Sunny Cove' 6" x 8" Oil on Canvas. This is taken from a photograph by one of my cousins of a beach in Cornwall, England. Cornwall has beautiful, rugged coastline as well as some quaint harbours and towns. I always visit Cornwall when I visit England as I have friends and family there.

I wanted to keep the painting's complexity to a minimum to stress the simple forms of the cliffs and a sense of depth.

On a Knife Edge

I haven't painted with a palette knife for a while so it seemed a good time to take a workshop to brush up my skills and pick up some new ideas.

The painting above was done in the workshop from a photograph supplied by the teacher. It is from Point Lobos in northern California taken when she was there on a trip in May.

I had visited the same area in June, so, back home in my studio, I looked through my own photographs of the area and choose this scene to paint. 

'Rocky Cove' 8"x10" Oil on Canvas.

New Painting

My latest painting 'Sweet Spot at Main Beach' 5"x7" Oil on Canvas.

I've spent many occasions doing exactly what the subjects of my painting are doing, sitting in the sun on a bench watching the ocean and what is going on at Main Beach in Laguna Beach.