Dry Island Buffalo Jump, Alberta

It’s been a while since I updated my blog but have been on a few painting adventures over the last few years including May 2018 to Dry Island Buffalo Jump. Beautiful area just outside of Drumheller, Alberta... the earthy smell of the sand and mud around me and the warm sun on my shoulders after a long cold winter...

Panther River, Ya Ha TInda - (Salt Licks) Alberta

There is something about the Alberta rivers that have this wonderful coolness that when you are near it, you can breathe it in and you feel so refreshed - without even a drink of water from it. We stayed at this camp site right near the Panther River. Apparently, the mountain goats come here to lick the rocks as they are full of natural sodium deposits. It was a warm wonderful summer day, the sky full of mostly cerulean blue but with a few fluffy clouds. The sound of the river was soothing and meditative. My daughter skipped rocks and chatted to me about all the colored pebbles she was finding. She wants to start painting with me next season! So I am looking forward to having a little painting buddy.

San Blas, Mexico - Painting Trip

I will need to add more pictures up here for this trip as soon as I can download them off my old iPhone... funny how technology can be so helpful sometimes but if you have photos that aren't backed up on the "cloud" they are floating somewhere in a digital purgatory. Enough of my phone rant! This was a wonderful painting trip that I got to go on with a wonderful group of ladies, an artist retreat in San Blas, Mexico about 3 hours away from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We ate like royalty, swam in the pool and painted during the coolest parts of the day! More pictures coming soon...

Nose Hill Park - Calgary, Alberta

Nose Hill in the fall is a beautiful sight! You can see the cadmium yellow leaves glow like little lit flames in the golden sunshine, spectacular against the green and straw tinted grass. I found a cozy spot to put my blanket down and paint watching out for those nasty ant hills that seemed to be everywhere! I noticed a lonely tree on it's own up at the top of the hill. It looked like a little character with a fluffy wild mane of sparkling leaves lightly moving in the slight breeze. The paths seemed to twist and wind up the hill in an interesting pattern. A wonderful fall day at Nose Hill.

Num Ti Jah Spring 2017

There was so much snow in May of 2017 at Bow Lakes! The show literally was as tall as the first floor of the Num Ti Jah hotel. I was there with a wonderful painter friend of mine. We each did snow paintings. We also made sure to drink plenty of tea to stay warm! It's amazing out there any season of the year. I love it there so very much with all it's wonderful historical charm and history. It's as if time stands still there and you are transported back to an era of rustic charm and survival in the wilderness. We were able to stay at the hotel before it opened to the public as we did a mini artist in residence there and got to eat with the staff for meals. The taxidermy heads of the animal watched us as we took each bite. I thought I saw the buffalo blink it's eyes and wink at me!

Num Ti Jah Lodge - Lake Louise, Alberta

The Historic and Beautiful - Num Ti Jah Lodge

This past fall in the last week of September I had the most amazing experience of being an Artist in Residence at the NTJ Lodge with my painting buddy Justin Beckett. The lodge is located on Hwy 93 about 30 min from Lake Louise on the most amazing stretch of highway from Banff National Park to Jasper. It's actually one of my favorite places to go visit. The charm and vintage feel of the Lodge and Jimmy Simpson cabin bring you back to a simpler time. Hot running water was not always available, and the furniture ranges between antique and weathered, things are not pristine and perfect. However, each evening when I sat down for dinner - there was a crisp clean table to greet me, fashioned with a fabric table cloth and nice quality wine glass for me to sip my Pinot Nior out of. A roaring fire place warmed the dining room each night and all the patrons flushed faces smiled from the fresh air and happy tired that coincides with spending the day outside. Rugged but refined in all the right ways. Paradise.

Over the last few years, I have got to stay a few times and each time I go back I am reminded of how much I appreciate the beautiful trees, mountains, and beauty all around me. How feeling in touch with nature as a human can remind us that we are so lucky to be a part of it, to see it and feel it, even though we are here visiting for barely a blip of time, that these old peaks have been here for many many lifetimes and will continue to be there to greet my great-great grandchildren or your great-great grandchildren... It actually blows my mind each time I get to sit there and paint quietly thinking of the profiles and shape of each peak and mountain face. What kinds of things have you seen Mr. Mountain? What kinds of people have you known?! How excited and amazed each person that appreciated you must have been... Oh beautiful mountain with the glorious pink granite or grey granite with scars of minerals dripping and weaving themselves into your beautiful skin and crevasses...

Staying at the cabin called 'The Ram'.

Named after Jimmy Simpson's Passion for Ram Hunting. The peak behind the cabin was also named after Jimmy Simpson who was the orginal settler and builder of this cabin and the Num Ti Jah Lodge.

View of Jimmy Simposon through bed side cabin window

I could not believe my eyes when I would wake up in the morning and see this view! I was gobsmacked on a regular basis. The sun shown for us each day. Our hearts and creative cups were full.

The Ram - 9x12 oil on birch

St. Nicohlas Peak - 9x12 oil on linen

Jimmy Simpson & Bow Glacier - 9x12 oil on birch

The Ram & Num Ti Jah - 9x12 oil on birch

Side of the Road - 9x12 oil on birch

Painting at Bow Lake

Beautiful Morning Light at Num Ti Jah

Chatham, Massachusetts, United States

9x12 oil on linen

It rained a bit while I was in Chatham this past June... it rained and it rained! I did get a few days of sun tho and it was such a pretty place to paint. Reminded me so much of Nova Scotia and living in Halifax. Made me miss living there. I discovered this amazing pizza place a few blocks away that made these clay oven baked Margeritta Pizzas and a wine shop where I bought this awesome bottle of pinot nior. I was set! I was staying in this B&B called the Queen Anne Inn. Was such a nice place with amazing service - they treated me like royalty and I felt like a queen being served warm banana bread and tea after I came back all wet from the rain - they started my fire for me. I was so content enjoying the fire after painting for a bit.

Queen Anne Inn 9x12 oil on birch

I struck a deal with the inn keeper lady to trade this painting of the Queen Anne for a healthy discount on my room. I had the nicest room in the house. I happily left the painting behind, having the most wonderful stay. I will always think about how fun it was to be cozied up in my room full of neat old antique furniture and how at home I felt there. I will be back!

It started raining before I could finish this one!

Chester Lake - Elephant Rocks - Kananaskis, AB

Elephant Rocks - 9"x12" oil on birch

The summer goes by so quickly... A few weeks ago in mid July I got to go on this awesome hike near Chester Lake. I was with this crazy mountain hiking friend of mine who scrambles mountains as a hobby. Such a beautiful view of the mountains off in the distance. Was a 7km hike to get in here but so worth it. Although there were big patches of ground that had recently been dug up by the grizzly bears looking for plant blubs or truffles to eat just meters away from where I was sitting (yikes!)...

 

It was such a spectacularly weird place with all the rock piles poking up from the earth - so precisely arranged and stacked. I obsessively kept my bear spray handy and my blue tooth speaker playing the tunes. I was alone sitting there for about 4 hours so was really hoping that the bears were well fed that day!

Please Mr. Bear ... not me!

Rockbound Lake, Banff, AB

9x12 Oil on Linen Panel - I love my little paint box!

The spectacular view after a 10K hike - amazing!

Happiness...

A few days ago I was hanging out on the side of a mountain in a grassy meadow after my first amazing scramble. The wind would blow in bouts, I would have to put up my hood at times so my hat wouldn't blow off the side of the cliff... but then minutes later is was as calm as still as could be. During one of the still moments, not a breath of wind. I took a moment to just take it all in and decided to have a granola bar. As I was eating, I was joined by a few little marmots. They were so cute and had shiny little eyes, tiny little hands and pretty coloring on their furry coats - black racing stripes down their backs. They could move fast too! About as big as a small squirrel but with smaller and less bushy tails.

I set out 3 little pieces of the granola bar close enough that I could see them clearly, but far enough away that they might come join me for dinner. Only one was brave enough. The little guy came over,  he seemed unafraid and hopeful that what I put out was actually food. He picked it up with his tiny paw and smelled it. He started to chew on it and looked pleased. I could hear him chewing. We looked at each other carefully. I loved making eye contact with this little creature. We knew each other as friends for only for few seconds, feasting on our granola and all the beauty around us.

Pyramid Mountain, Jasper Alberta

Pyramid, 9"x 12" oil on Linen

Jasper is such a pretty spot. All the colors of nature from the green aqua waters, pinkish mountain granite, and vibrantly colored trees. Sitting on the waters edge to enjoy the still lake waters and smell the fresh air. Is there anything better? Oh yes! just wait... let me pour myself a vodka. Snuggle in. Let's look together. Would you like one too?

Finished this one today as it was sitting there waiting for me...

 In the Field, 9x12" Oil on Birch Board

I was sitting on a rock in the middle of a field when I started this. When I finished it in the studio I felt like I was in the field sitting there again, with the curious birds and squirrels coming to investigate me. There was no wind but the air was crisp like a perfect Autumn day.

Gentleman at Starbucks

 16"x16" oil on Birch Panel

Working from a photograph that I took of a gentleman business guy reading the paper. I wonder if he would recognize himself here? I guess we will never know! Since seeing this picture it reminded somehow as an Edward Hopper type of subject matter. It's fun to work on portraits and still lifes in the winter. However! I am excited to get out and do some plein air... going a bit stir crazy in doors and need to get out into the trees and sunshine soon. 

18" x 24" Oil on Birch Panel

Hwy 93 - Num Ti Jah to Jasper - September 2014

Went on a painting adventure down beautiful Hwy 93 from Banff to Jasper Alberta. Justin (my best Plein Air painting buddy) and I were in for a great treat... Painting for 5 days all the way down the hwy! Whaat?! It was soooo great and we got to see so much beauty. We can't wait to do it all again next Summer or Fall... 5 days was not enough - next year we need at least 10 days! The autumn colours and massive mountains were amazing...

 Peyto Glacier 9x12 oil on Birch

 Crowfoot Glacier 9x12 oil on Birch

 Edit Cavell 9x12 oil on Birch

Water Fowl Lakes 9x12 oil on Birch

Tekerra Mnt from Tekerra Lodge - Jasper Alberta

Staying at Tekerra Lodge this summer was great. I loved looking into the valley from the ridge. I was with a group of painters taking a workshop from Jerry Markham who was an amazing instructor. We were paining until as late as we could, most of us were out there until 9:30pm. The light was so yellow and warm that night. When I painted this I was standing underneath a beautiful Tamarack tree.

Victoria, British Columbia - Yellowpoint - July 2014

Had a great opportunity to paint with my good pal Justin Beckett near Victoria B.C. It poured rain the day that we painted but we stuck it out... both hiding under trees to find refuge. We could hear the down pour at times, a few birds in the distance making sounds... but we stayed dry. It was quite surprising how much coverage you can find under a tree! It was a wonderful couple of days of painting...

The Del Coronado 

Went on a trip recently to one of my favorite places on earth... Coronado (off coast of San Diego in California). I just love it there so much. The beach is so beautiful and it just gives me a sense of peace... when I arrive to the Hotel Del, I am in my happy place. I try and go a couple times a year. This time I took my nephew and we hung out and had a great time enjoying beach fires and chatting. Anyhow, I was able to take an afternoon and set up on the balcony and just paint... Yes this work needs to be resolved a little more, but I wasn't trying to create a masterpiece, I was just happy to be there and wanted to try and catch a little feel of the place. Maybe drink a few of their special Lavender Vodka's on the patio...

Del Coronado Patio View, 9x12, Oil on Board

Nude Study

Wanted to try something new. Was looking at this art book and came across some of Edwin H. Holgate's nude painting. I was instantly intrigued and wanted to play too! It's not easy to find a nude model to sit there for you... so I guess my option was to stage it myself. I got out the camera, set up the self timer (yes a bit like a selfie! ha ha but I figured for the sake of art I am allowed...) I waited for the lighting to be right with a bit of sun shining in the window, and got a few picts as my source material. I  know it's not the same as having a live model but sometimes you just gotta wing it...

Anyhow here is what I ended up with. It was fun and challenging to be working with the human form again. I used to do it more in art school, but somehow outside of that venue, it's harder to allow yourself to use it as a subject matter. I used lots of paint here! Trying to be a little braver with that...

Nude Study, 9x12 Oil on Birch Panel

Shoes

It's cold outside so decided to paint some still life paintings... shoes are the topic of the day... Men's shoes have a certain character in them that make them seem like they have personalities. I love the worn leather and tied laces that have walked for miles...

Shoes, 16x12" Oil on Birch Panel

Here are a few more shoe studies that I have completed this Winter:

Walk to Work, 9x12 Oil Sketch on Birch Panel

I should have used more paint... I was a little skimpy with getting the paint on the board... It's hard to paint like a millionaire I guess... ha ha. For the still life below I used more paint and it turned out a little more rich. Once I got it varnished it was fun. I love that part... The colors are all fresh and vibrant again...

Shoe and Teacup, 9x12 Oil on Birch Panel