Sunday, March 31, 2013

"Mount Baker from Cattle Point" pastel 9 x 11

In perfect weather Colleen and I (plus hundreds of local folks) took the air at Cattle Point this afternoon. I'm enjoying my newfound 'free range' pastels!
Click it for a bigger view.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Jazz, old bones and bravery medal

Bjorn the archeologist studies old bones

Bjorn happens to be my neighbour

and South African Don loves jazz - he's a sax man and journalist
 Tom received a medal for bravery from President Putin- (to add to Tom's many other medals)

These are my very recent quick portraits.
Click them for larger images.

Friday, March 08, 2013

"Gonzales Bay:" mixed media 8 x 11 on paper

I know, I'm also shocked. As children we drew with few inhibitions. Then as we got older we were told not to draw outside the lines and to make things look as they really are. It took a small measure of guts to regress to my childhood today, but I had to do it after first producing THIS tame and obedient pastel drawing at Gonzales Bay this morning (below):
It's nice but it's tame. My fellow artists were a bit reticent about both of my efforts but some of the braver ones opted for the mixed media one on top - pencil, pen, watercolour, pastels and soft-tipped felt pens. Which one would you choose?
Remember to click the images to see a bigger view. Leave a COMMENT if you like.

Thursday, March 07, 2013

"Catch the Wind" oils 11x14

Seagulls catch a free ride on the stormwind above the waves.  The sky is heavy with lead, but the sun still flashes through at the horizon.
I've been painting outside at Cattle Point on Vancouver Island for years and it has something to offer, in both good weather and foul.
I hope the mood of this one resonates with you too.

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

"Marylou" oils 12 x 16

Marylou sat for the Goward House Portrait Painters today. I have been concentrating on the likenesses these past few sessions and I wasn't always pleased with the results -- I must admit that I came pretty close this time.

Monday, March 04, 2013

"Red Boat, Oak Bay Marina" oil 11x14


Always popular,  this oil subject is well sought-after by my friends and collectors.
Here's my little pastel that I did afterwards - strokey and loose as I explore pastels.
I learn so much by using different media - oils, acrylic, watercolour, pencil and now pastels.
Convention says we artists CAN repeat our scenes as long as they are in another size (and medium).