Saturday 31 December 2016

KITTY CAT

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$85.00

I haven't painted a cat for some time, I was searching my photos and loved how the light was on part of the cats face.  I used indian yellow and transparent oxide brown for the underpainting.  I am trying to be even more loose with my style, this painting has very messy strokes and little dabs everywhere.


Friday 30 December 2016

Cow 154 ANGEL

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$75.00

 This cow lives up the street from me, what a beauty.  I started with a canvas I had under painted with indian yellow which has quite a punch.  I decided to continue with bright colours.  


Thursday 29 December 2016

cow153 BETTY BOOP

6  x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

I tend to stay away from black animals as I find them more difficult to paint, but when I got the photo of this cow I just had to paint her.


Wednesday 28 December 2016

cow 152 CRAZY CARLA

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch canvas board
SOLD

Yesterday my husband came home from his run with some great photos of the cows up the street. I reused a canvas and I love how some of the first painting peeks through, it makes the painting look a little abstract.

Tuesday 27 December 2016

THE PERCH

6 X6 inch
oil on 1/8th gesso board
$60.00

This was a bird day, while I was at the computer the bird feeder was getting so much action. I used a really large brush just for the background. I used cerulean blue instead of ultramarine blue to change things up a little.


Monday 26 December 2016

SISTER 1

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

I was asked to do a commission of two sisters for Christmas, I have not done people portraits so this was a challenge,  I had met both of the girls at my studio last summer and they were so very sweet. I really enjoyed doing the paintings. 

Sunday 25 December 2016

Cow 151 KING TUT

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

Another cow day, I have painted so many that I find them much easier to paint than anything else...it is all in the mind I guess. My husband named this guy.


Friday 23 December 2016

CHIRP

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

I tried to simplify this painting, sometimes I find myself just adding stroke after stroke when really I could just say to myself STOP...THIS PAINTING IS FINISHED

Thursday 22 December 2016

Cow 150 PONDERING THE DAY

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
ON HOLD
This is my first cow painting in awhile, I have missed painting them.  The more I paint cows the more I want to paint cows.

Tuesday 20 December 2016

LAZY DAYS

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD
 I just kept adding bits of colour and a landscape eventually appeared, I tried to keep my strokes really loose. I am pleased with the end result.

Friday 16 December 2016

WORM SIGHTING

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

I was away for a week and really missed painting...I just had to paint a bird when I got home, I used just primary colours and kept it simple.


Thursday 15 December 2016

CALMING THOUGHTS

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

I have painted this scene once before on a smaller canvas, I decided to do it again because I really enjoyed painting the water, it was a challenge...I am pleased with the results. 


Wednesday 7 December 2016

PERFECT PATH

6 x i inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$75.00

I borrowed a photo from a friend for this painting, it was so beautiful. I tried to keep the palette fairly light to show the sun streaming through the trees and onto the path.

Tuesday 6 December 2016

TALL TALES

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$75.00

Landscapes are fairly new to me and as it turns out I absolutely love doing them.  I find I paint more loosely for some reason, and choosing the palette is very exciting.

Monday 5 December 2016

Saturday 3 December 2016

SWAYING TULIPS

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$75.00

This painting is a mix of abstract and impressionist...I can't decide. I chose very warm colours, I just wanted to keep the painting soft and easy on the eye.

Thursday 1 December 2016

CAREFREE

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$75.00

I am working on using different palettes for my floral paintings, lots of red and gold...so warm, again I used the palette knife along with a brush.


Wednesday 30 November 2016

COLOUR DANCE

8 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD


I so enjoyed painting these tulips, it started out to be a very grey day here and the more I painted them the more the weather cleared.  I used a small palette knife for parts of the painting...very freeing.


Tuesday 29 November 2016

PARTY GIRL


6 x 6 inch

oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD


I decided to add a really vibrant back ground for this little bird. It always surprises me with how much you can pack into such a small painting.

Sunday 27 November 2016

GINGER SNAP

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

This was my second attempt at this little bird, yesterday after working for quite some time on it never being completely happy, the cloth came out and within a few seconds it was gone. Today I sat with my cup of tea examining the photo, there is much more detail on a little bird than what you first think, tiny little things like the small mark where the beak begins or the small curve at the end of the head where the body begins. These details give so much more character when you are painting.  

Wednesday 23 November 2016

TEDDY

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$75.00

I have had this photo for awhile and kept examining it to see how I would paint it. I would see more subtle detail the longer I looked and wanted to add all of them so the bear would have a personality.  

Tuesday 22 November 2016

BROGAN

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD
I am definitely on a doggy commission role, # 7 in the last couple of weeks.  My daughters Mom in law requested this one of her beloved pooch.    

Monday 21 November 2016

B.C. MOMENT

6 X 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

Today was just one of those days, absolutely perfect weather, crisp and bright...my inspiration for this painting.  I don't do many landscapes but I am always pleased when I decide to tackle one.  The tricky part for me is not going to crazy with my detail and paint strokes...I have to keep saying to myself "slow down" stay in the moment.


Sunday 20 November 2016

SPOT

size 6 x 8 inches
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

I was asked to paint a very beloved family pet from years age for a special Mom for Christmas.  I was sent one very old photo with not much detail but what truly defines the dog is his ball which was always with him. 

Friday 18 November 2016

FLIRTY

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

I played around with the background on this little bird, I like how it turned out. Gold and pink together are just the loveliest combination of colours....sooo warm.


Saturday 12 November 2016

GRACIE IN FLOWERS

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD


This is my dog Gracie, my friend Marisa took this photo when she was visiting the  island.  The background was of our wood floor but I decided to add some punch since Gracie is such a fan of the outdoors.  I am still find it surprising that you can fit so much onto such a small canvas.

Friday 11 November 2016

MASTER GARDENER

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

I borrowed the image of this bunny from my friend Ron who regularly travels around our area taking photos of wild life. I bought a new brush when I was in Calgary. The brush is very fine with long bristles, I have been dragging it around the last couple of paintings I have finished. There is an untidy look to the paintings which I am really enjoying.


Thursday 10 November 2016

FEATHERED FRIEND

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$60.00

This photo had a solid plain background, I decided to add a little more interest when I painted it...I do think birds are happier hanging out in trees, they just seem less vulnerable.


Wednesday 9 November 2016

BIRD ON A RHODO

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$60.00

I took this photo last week through my office window.  Every day the birds come and sit on the rhodo outside the window waiting their turn for a nibble at the bird feeder. I loved the beautiful colour of the maple with its red autumn glow against the bright rich green of the rhodo leaves. 


Tuesday 1 November 2016

BIRDIE NUM NUM

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

A couple of months ago we decided to introduce our son to the movie The Party starring Peter Sellers, while painting this bird all that kept running through my head was "birdie num num,birdie num num" hence the name of this little beauty . Last year we put up a bird feeder outside the window of our office, I have never seen so much action, below the bird feeder is a Rhodo which the birds sit on while waiting their turn to have a little peck at the food, while some birds are waiting others are just flying around trying to get in on the action. The odd time a wood pecker will end up swinging from the feeder, I never realized how big they are, anyway I have been wanting to paint more birds and every time I look out the window I get a big reminder.  

Wednesday 26 October 2016

MR. BIG

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

This is my first attempt at painting a bear. Last year when I was out running with my dogs in the bush I came face to face with a very large bear standing tall on his hind legs scoping out the area, though I was very nervous I was also filled with excitement. I definitely had the feeling of being one with nature.  Well luckily when I started running, the bear slowly lumbered into the bush the opposite way...and yes I know you are not supposed to run.  Anyway since then I have wanted to paint a bear, I found this lovely image on Pixabay and it reminded me of my bear encounter.


Monday 24 October 2016

LATE OCTOBER

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch canvas panel
SOLD

I borrowed this image from my good friend Corinne, hard to believe that this is a late October vision. I started the painting with a dark blue under colour, the greens just popped as did the single flower, I am always a little surprised at what you can pack onto a 6 x 6 inch canvas.

Saturday 22 October 2016

BENNY

6 X 6  INCH
OIL ON 1/8TH INCH GESSO BOARD
SOLD

My last of four commissions, this little ball of fur I found a little challenging...where to start.  Again I probably used 1000 brush strokes for this painting, every time I thought I was finished my brush just seemed to jump back on to the canvas for just a couple more strokes.

Thursday 20 October 2016

CASSIE

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

Another commission, this girl was so great to paint, her colouring was absolutely beautiful, and so very unique. I used red,yellow and blue to mix all of the browns.  I loved painting her snout and there was just so much interest on this face.

Wednesday 19 October 2016

Cow 149 FOREVER THE THESPIAN

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$75.00

This cow I have painted many times, she was full of character and did enjoy posing for the camera.  I started out painting really loose and messy dragging the brush to cover the canvas.


Tuesday 18 October 2016

MACK

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

I find commissions more challenging, just knowing that someone is waiting for what they want to be a likeness of their beloved animal.

Monday 17 October 2016

INDIANNA

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD

This is a commission, someone is already organized for Christmas.

Friday 14 October 2016

PRETTY IN GREEN

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD


I haven't painted a bunny for awhile...today was the day.  I started this painting extra loose and just dragged the brush every which way for the body.  I find if I get too detailed with fur it doesn't work well.


Thursday 13 October 2016

Cow 148 SLURP

6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD


I know I keep saying it, but I absolutely adore painting cows...talk about expression.  My husband took this photo and it is definitely one of my favourites.  I am also really enjoying the backgrounds, I have been adding just a little turquoise on the top of some of the paintings, it really pops and lets the eye travel more around these small art works.


Wednesday 12 October 2016

Cow 147 - DANGEROUSLY BEAUTIFUL

size 6 x 8 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
SOLD
I thoroughly enjoyed painting this cow, I had the Title before I finished...for some reason it just stuck in my mind. It is always enjoyable painting a great big nose, I love how it takes up most of the canvas, you have to make sure to give the same amount of painting attention to all the less defined parts of the cow or they will disappear.   I didn't use as many colours as I usually do but I am very pleased with the outcome.  

Sunday 9 October 2016

FLOWER FROLIC

16 x 20 inch
oil on 1 1/5 inch wrapped canvas
$250.00

Today is definitely fall, blue sky, crisp air and leaves  turning those wonderful colours.  I wonder why I just wanted to paint summer flowers. The flowers were pink in the reference photo I used, I don't use a lot of purple but today I made a conscious decision to make it the main colour of the flowers. I absolutely love purple and green together.


Friday 7 October 2016

WHERE TO NOW?

6 X 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$60.00

Lately I have been painting dogs, it has been so enjoyable. I enjoy their differences and capturing their personalities.

Thursday 6 October 2016

DIVINELY DEMURE

6 X 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$60.00

I was sitting on the couch yesterday and Gracie just kept gazing at me, I finally took her picture and had to paint her again today. I usually leave the background quite simple but decided to add our persian rug. Really loose strokes and limited palette.


Wednesday 5 October 2016

REFLECTING ON LIFE

6 x 8
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$75.00

This is my girl Gracie, she has been one of my best subjects. The older she gets the more character she has, Gracie is everyones dog.  I painted this with very messy strokes and at first wasn't sure about it, after stepping away for awhile I am very pleased with the outcome.


Tuesday 4 October 2016

Cow 146 IN THE CLOUDS

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch gesso board
$60.00

I have painted this cow several times, today I cropped him so I was really focusing just on his face using lots of messy broad strokes.

Thursday 29 September 2016

FOCUSED

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch primed panel
$60.00

I took the photo of this dog while we were away, he was sitting very contentedly with his owner, I was just getting ready to take the picture when he spotted another dog...so much for posing for the camera.


Wednesday 28 September 2016

PEACHY KEEN

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch premium canvas panel
$60.00

I started this painting with a midnight blue under painting.  I chose the purple background because I love purple and orange together.  I have been trying to make some of my brushstrokes smaller and finer for the subtle details. You wouldn't think it would make that much of a difference but it really does.


Tuesday 27 September 2016

WEIMARANER GAZE

6 x 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch premium canvas panel
SOLD

I took this photo last week, this dogs face was so full of expression. I started with a magenta canvas which was quite dark so I had to do a lot of lightening for the light on the dog. It is kind of like working backwards.


Monday 26 September 2016

CONTEMPLATING PERENNIALS

6 X 6 inch
oil on 1/8th inch premium canvas panel
$60.00

I started with a rust underpainting. The original photo had a much lighter background, I decided to darken it and add a little more interest. Though I see deer all the time where I live, I never tire of their innocent look...ok, maybe only after they have been  in my garden enjoying my flowers.


Thursday 22 September 2016

EVERYTHING WONDERFUL

8 x 8 inches
oil on 1/8th inch premium canvas board
SOLD
I started this painting with a rust underpainting, I love the warmth that it created as I added colour to the canvas.  It was so nice to get back to painting after not doing any for two weeks.