recent paintings and news

recent paintings and news

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Radio Flyer Ranger Wagon & plein air


It’s cloud’s illusion I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all..Joni Mitchell



 June afternoon, Niagara escarpment, oil on canvas, 12x24in, sold


We have had some absolutely beautiful June days here. Cool and clear with big billowy clouds playing in the wind.

 Yesterday it was too windy  to fight with my easel if I were to work standing up, yet I wanted to do some observational studies. I opted to work small-and sitting down-and have a radio flyer wagon just for such occasions. I load it up with my usual painting gear but also bring along bungie cords and rocks. I can sit my full box easel across the top without opening the legs, then I simply place weights behind it. The rest of the wagon is used as a table and I can just ‘enjoy the ride’ without worrying about my easel falling over and my canvas escaping. Obviously I can't take this set up off location but it works perfectly when painting close to home.















Having said that, when we went out for our evening  plein air class we did have larger canvases so because of the wind we tied our easels to trees and chairs –managing to avert a few potentially dangerous gusts. Nothing worse than laying in that perfect stroke and having the wind pushing in from behind to move that stroke where it is not welcome.







 








So, a few small sketches and above, last year’s June clouds. 

(and yes, those specks in the paintings are wee bugs)



June afternoon sketch 1, 8x10in, acrylic on canvas, 2012







                    June afternoon sketch 2, acrylic on gessoed card, 4x6in, 2012






June afternoon sketch 3, acrylic on gessoed card, 4x6in, 2012

4 comments:

  1. Merci pour ce très joli reportage... Quelle organisation dîtes-moi pour réussi r à peindre avec le vent !... j'aime beaucoup le ciel de votre première peinture... Vos nuages sont merveilleux avec de belles nuances de couleurs.
    Bravo !
    Gros bisous

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  2. Oh My! What beautiful paintings...and I especially love the photo with the large painting and the wagon...the photo looks so inviting. I want to be there! Just gorgeous work!

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  3. Love the bugs! Puts me in mind of bricking sacrificial victims into the walls of ancient buildings to ensure solidity. I especially like the energy in the June afternoon sketch above, though they are all lovely!

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  4. I can so feel the air in those clouds! Didn't realise Joni Mitchell had recorded the song. I remember Marianne Faithful in the sixties making it a hit (showing my age here) plus I could hear then but I can still hear her clear voice in my head.

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