Out again

There's a controversy about a natural area not far from here: there are plans to strip mine it for gravel. It a beautiful area with wetlands, access to the river and much wildlife. The Woodbend neighborhood is fundraising and has asked me to donate a painting which I am happy to do.

This is the long preamble to the reason I was standing in a field yesterday, bundled up and painting. I thought I would get some material for a painting of the area. April is not the best time for color but I found a few interesting places and chose this field (out of the wind) for these studies.

No Trespassing , 8x10 oil on board

No Trespassing 2 5x7 oil on canvas

The background trees are much better in the second smaller version; all that mucking around with the first one taught me something. Always experimenting and learning!

Getting OUT to paint...finally!

Today I thought I'd try a little plein air painting (inspired by Marc Hanson.)

I was going to paint outside; it was -3C, a little too cool. So I painted with the little easel I rigged up for my car. The difficulty with painting from the car is finding a good scene and a good parking spot! I painted this mighty mini in the parking lot at the local zoo. With the windows open I could still feel the breeze and hear the birds.
I must say that I really enjoyed myself! It was a needed distraction from the pressures of the last few weeks. ahhhhhhhhh!
There was no traffic except for one vehicle that sloooowwwed right down while the driver was trying to figure out what the heck I was doing!




Is That Green I See? 5x7" Oil on canvas

I changed my mind

Life's experiences often change the way we see our world.

A recent upheaval in my life,
the slow, painful death by cancer of my only brother,
has certainly changed the way I see the world.

This new view affects all areas of my life and, naturally, my art.

My new Art Philosophy is simple: Life is short. Too short for brown. (sorry, brown)

The painting below is one of my favourite subjects which I revisited in an oil sketch to illustrate my new philosophy.

I imagine that each holds appeal to someone.

The important aspect is that

the art changed because the artist changed.