current forecast

In light of the current forecast, (first snow of the season) I thought I'd post this plein air study. It was painted last winter during a snow storm where I took cover in an old shed.

February, Niagara Escarpment

oil on canvas, plein air, 8x10in

                                

  available for auction :
http://openstudiolive.blogspot.ca/

art-making and tools

Tools are an important, and personal, part of making art. Our attachment to them is so interesting-we all have our favourite brush, knife etc. Any time that I introduce a new tool as part of my process I will try to use it -and only it- in the initial stages of a  painting's unfolding. I want to not only push it, but I want it to guide me in order to explore new possibilities. This is emphasized in my classes but I am planning to introduce a new workshop that will focus entirely on tools in making art. stay tuned.

 November, Niagara Escarpment, oil on canvas, 20x30in, 2012, available

 Other than laying in an initial  thin under wash with a large house painting brush, the image above was rendered with one brush- a number 12 bright.

Unfortunately I was too impatient to put another coat of gesso on the canvas before starting. It's been sucking up the thin layers of paint so there will be a few areas to be touched up, but I will stay with the same brush size.

October

"October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came- The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name. The Sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band."
 - George Cooper

 October, Niagara escarpment, plein air study, oil on canvas, 11x14in, available

 "Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."
-   Elizabeth Lawrence

between

Below is a wee study -am still entranced with edges, convergence and things in between.

October, Remains of the Day

plein air, oil/cold wax on panel

8x10in, 2012

available


 

the kind of September

      
Try to remember the kind of September

When life was slow and oh

so mellow.

Try to remember the kind of September

When grass was green and grain was yellow.

Try to remember the kind of September

When you were a tender and callow fellow.

Try to remember and if you remember

then follow, follow.

Try to remember when life was so tender

When no one wept except the willow.

Try to remember when life was so tender

When dreams were kept beside your pillow.

Try to remember when life was so tender

When love was an ember about to billow.

Try to remember and if you remember

then follow, follow.

 Deep in December it's nice to remember

Although you know the snow will follow.

Deep in December it's nice to remember

Without a hurt the heart will hollow.

Deep in December

it's nice to remember

The fire of September that made you mellow.

Deep in December our hearts should remember and follow, follow.

written by Tom Jones and Harvey Shmidt

September, remains of the day, Niagara Escarpment, plein air, oil on canvas, 11x14in, available

Ruby's pear (sold)

mmmm 

My dogs love pears and 'pick' them from the lower branches of the fruit trees we pass on daily walks. I was told that the core is harmful to them so must monitor their consumption. 

 One of the dogs, Ruby, is very sneaky and hides them in her mouth.

This is painted from a pear rescue reference-don't you think tooth marks enhance the overall feel of the work ?

Ruby's Pear, encaustic on panel, 6x10in, 2012, available

 Upon completion of the work Ruby did get her just deserts.

Food for Thought (sold)

 

More produce for next Saturday's Greenbelt Harvest Picnic

 

 

Bartlet Pear 1, encaustic on muslin/panel, 2x12x12in, 2012, available

 Food for Thought, encaustic on panel, 5x2x15in, 2012, sold