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

The Fly Fishing River, Frankslide, Alberta

Did some painting out in Crow's nest area with a friend this summer. Seen a few fly fisherman walking about. It was nice just sitting on the edge of a gravel bar on the river. I could hear the water rushing around me and the leaves blowing around. It was a cloudy white light day.

9 x 12" oil on Birch Panel

Kate

Was trying to attempt a painting of my daughter Kate. This is the current version. I may keep working in it once it dries. It was fun to work with the bright colors of her bow in her hair and the bright blue background.

12 x 12" oil on Birch Panel

Pyramid Mountain, Japser, AB

Got to go stay at the beautiful Jasper Park Lodge this past weekend. Ventured out and sat at the bottom of the beautiful Pyramid Mountain. The colors were bright and beautiful. One cadmium yellow tree stood out on it's own. This one isn't quite done but once I finish it, I will post the completed version here... what a great day it was. Didn't have any run ins with any elk or wild life other than a couple dragon flies and a curious crow...

9x12" oil on Birch Panel

Have to go back to Jasper and finish this one: 

9x12 oil on Linen Panel

Lundbreck Falls, Crowsnest Pass

Went out on a beautiful drive with a dear friend to the Crow's Nest Area in Alberta and stopped at the falls for the day. Had a wonderful day hanging out under a bridge. Just barely missed getting rained on. Had great spots of sun that made the water sparkle with green and aqua tinges to the water... so pretty...

9x12" Oil on Birch Panel

Self Portrait

With it getting a lot colder outside, I have started working in doors. Thought I would get into some portrait work. I started with this Self Portrait and will do a few more this Fall of various friends and family... Doing this was a nice change from plein air - even though I still like painting outdoors the best. Considering it is winter here in Calgary for most of the year - I better develop some sort of studio practice if I want to keep busy painting...

Self Portrait - Oil on Birch Panel - 9x12

Painting in the Sheep River Area - Calgary

Had a great weekend out painting again. Went to this awesome place called Tiger Jaw Falls on the first day. I sat right on top of a ridge and looked down at the gorgeous view - with the sun shining on me and my head phones on. Tiger Jaw falls was actually behind me. I chose to look down the river valley with crazy rock ridges that stuck out like tiger teeth... grrrr - sooo beautiful:

 

Tiger Jaw - 9x12 Oil and Board

 

The next day my friend Sheila and I went to Elbow Falls. It was so pretty there too. I got a crazy farmer's tan (more like a sunburn) cause I wore socks and hiking boots. I could even feel the spray of the water fall on my face when the wind changed. The sun was shining bright and warm...

Elbow Falls - 9x12 Oil on Board

Painting in the Bugaboos

Had the most amazing experience ever! At the end of August I went painting with a group of amazing artists up to the Bugaboos just near Radium Hot Springs. The amazing Robert Genn and his beautiful daughter Sarah. They were amazing mentors. We were helicoptered around to some pretty cool and crazy spots... Stayed up at the Bugaboo Lodge and were treated like royalty by the staff at Canadian Mountain Holidays... this is the smile of a well fed and pampered artist:) I was so sad when it was all over - it went by way too fast! But I guess we all have to come back down to reality at some point. Darn it...

I met some amazing artists that were so inspiring and talented... My creative cup is full and I can't wait to get into painting a bit more (ha ha now work just has to die down a bit - fingers crossed).

We got to see some pretty amazing scenery. And it was so isolated... we were like the only ones there! I couldn't believe my eyes half of the time.

Here are a few of my paintings from the trip... I will never forget my time up in the Bugaboos:

  Bill's Pass - Pigeon Spire 9x12" Oil on Panel

Cobalt Lake 9x12" Oil on Panel

Tamarack Glen 9x12" Oil on Linen Panel

San Diego - The Del Coronado - Point Loma

I was lucky enough to go on a painting trip with a few wonderful friends and have a fabulous time painting on the beach this past weekend for a few days. I stayed at the Del Coronado which was like heaven on earth. An old Victorian hotel... you will not want for anything! The perfect location for inspiration, fun and relaxation.

 

Point Loma 9x12" Oil on Linen

I did a daytime painting of Point Loma in oils on 9x12 linen boards. I wasn't used to painting on Linen and was more used to my birch panels - but after I struggled a bit - the end result is a little bit more polished. I also did a sunset one of point Loma - and had to paint fast! It was exhilarating... the sunset disappeared in about 20 minutes... it was a race to catch the light!

 

Point Loma Sunset  9x12" Oil on Linen 

 

Broadmoor Red Rocks - Colorado Springs

Okay - so I lucked out and got an awesome balcony when I checked into the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. What a place - had a awesome view of a red rock mountain range right in front of the deck - I couldn't believe my luck! It was sunny with partial clouds -which was perfect because I am totally burnt to a crisp after painting outside for the last couple days...This range is what was right in front of the deck - ha ha ha - it might look a little abstract but this is how I see it! Still trying to learn to see... and pay attention to darks and lights... It's not my favourite painting - but it was a lot of fun to end my painting trip this way! Hello? Room Service...

Farmer's Field - Westcliffe Colorado

Painted in a farmers field overlooking the mountain range. Very hot out for a fall day! I got pretty burnt and now I have a farmer's tan - how appropriate... Not the greatest picture of the painting - took it with my iPhone and didn't notice the shadow from the easel. Anyhow met some great folks painting here... learned lots of good strategies and things to work on so I can be a better painter... fighting the fight! Every painting is like a puzzle that needs to be solved...

Finished it off once I got back... Warmed up the foreground and added a few more design details for fun... little dabs of tree colors and squiggles in the grass.

Farmer's Field in Colorado, 9x12 oil on birch panel

Red Rock Ranch Colorado

Here in Colorado painting with the Don Demers group. It's great to be here at the old western ranch - We are staying in this awesome house (more like a little mansion) with cooks that spoil us rotten with home made bread, awesome wine and delicious food. Got this paining done today of the wild west... love it here - the light is so bright and vibrant!

Here is a picture of the main saloon area at the Ranch  - very cool but a tiny bit spooky!
A big wood burning fire place is on the other side of the room...

Red Rock Ranch, 9x12 oil on birch

En Plein Air in Nanton

Nice weather - an awesome view - all your favorite tunes on your iPod and a paint brush in your hands! What the heck else does a person need? Well maybe... a Vanilla Vodka and Soda;) Recently I have switched back to oils - and have been doing my underpainting in indian red/orange...

Anyhow - a few weeks ago me and my painting friend Sheila (who is awesome) went out for the day together and painted. It was great - we packed a picnic lunch and painted for the whole afternoon. We are hoping to get out again soon! Painting is fun... but painting with a friend is better!

9x12 oil on linen board

Painting in Black Diamond Alberta

The artist retreat at 'Diamond Willow' (just outside Turner Valley) this weekend was amazing. I learned so much and had lots of fun painting with the all the other artists and creative spirits. I didn't quite finish the little oil sketch (shown above) of the little creek / river so will have to finish it in-studio or come back to Turner Valley and finish it plein air... My vote is to come back and finish it before the summer is out - fingers crossed. You cannot see the glass of wine sitting on the other side of my easel - but it was there and it was good...

I managed to finish this 12x12 acylic (above) while it was pouring rain - I found the best spot on an out door balcony over looking a ridge. I got rained on a little bit but was painting acrylic so it kept my paints wet!