an August day

So here's an end of roaming
On eves when autumn nighs:  
The ear too fondly listens
For summer's parting sighs,  
And then the heart replies.   

-AE Housman

at the end an August day, absent voices accompany me

August

 remains of the day

 oil on canvas, plein air, 20x24in

copyright Jan Yates 2014

available

 

ever lasting

Laura and her two brothers grew up on a peach farm and last month she approached me about a commission. Her parents ‘sadly had to recently sell the farm because it is too much work now for my Dad. They have lived there for over 40 years and will be moving after this last harvest.'

  ‘My Dad has said numerous times how he will miss the view of the peach trees, escarpment and sky from their back porch.’

As some may know, Niagara farmland is close to my heart, as is the story of the family farm, so I welcomed the idea of making this painting. 

It was to be presented as a surprise for their parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary. 

It was held this past Sunday. I waited with baited breath, then, an email: ‘They Love It!’ 

 August

oil on panel

24x48in, 2014

peerie plein air painting

Wow!

I just checked the Kickstarter campaign and see more of you have backed me-THANK YOU!

It seems the peerie (meaning 'small,' in the Shetland dialect) plein air paintings are popular -now there are only 2 of those rewards left.

This painting was made during a residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Ireland.  Although a different land will evoke a different response, I think it represents my 'approach' when painting on location.

It might give you  idea of the type of paintings that I will make during this residency in Shetland, Scotland.

If you would like to back me  and own one of the paintings, just follow the link below, and please feel free to share.  I really do appreciate your support!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1701639334/wild-in-shetland-an-artist-residency-in-a-far-away

August

is bittersweet

August

cold wax & oil on canvas, plein air

16x20in, copyright Jan Yates 2014

Wild in Shetland

an artist residency in a far away land

 

I have officially launched a campaign to make art in a wildly remote place steeped in nature, culture and story.

 you can be with me every step of the way

If you'd like to own some of my work and help make a dream come true, please consider this Kickstarter campaign.

* even if my work doesn't appeal to you, perhaps you have a friend that might feel differently? 

thank you for taking a minute to read and share this story

photography by Anne Macdonald, copyright 2014

project info here

Earth laughs in flowers

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

With hollyhocks was kept ablaze;
In all my recollections they
In friendly columns nod and sway;
And when to-day their blooms I see,
Always the mother smiles at me;
The mind's bright chambers, life unlocks
Each summer with the hollyhocks.
-Edgar-Albert-Guest

Flowers don't worry about how they're going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful. ~Jim Carrey

August, the summer day

 oil on canvas, plein air

 30x30in, copyright Jan Yates 2014

available

got nuthin

nope, nothing to show you in regards to finished paintings.

that's not to say i haven't been busy with art related ventures.

one of them is a top secret comission with a looming deadline....

thought I'd share how I prepare

 

 

 

 

gesso surface, than acrylic under painting

 

 

 

 

 then oil

 

 

 

below  is the top third of a 24x48in work in progress. 

 

a long way to go..

 

 

I always chuckle when people mention how 'easy' painting must be-if they only knew what it takes to make it 'easy'-never mind the thought process and planning before even entering the studio!