Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Buckhorn Artists' Group Blog - Show Updates

I have updated the Buckhorn Artists' Group blog with a listing of shows some of the various artists in the Group are exhibiting their work in during the month of April.

If you get a chance come out and visit them at one or all of the shows.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Aurora Borealis - A Work in Progress

This is a painting I started a number of years ago and I wanted to try and complete it in time to have it for the Hone and Cottage Show at the Evinrude Centre for next month.

I painted in the water and finished the rocks on the right side of the painting.














The painting doesn't need much to complete it. The distant shore needs to be blued slightly and a little of the sky colour should be added to the water on the left side and the rocks on the left side need to be painted.

I will post this painting once it has been completed.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Threatening Storm

While the sun may be shining, looming on the horizon is an approaching thunderstorm. You can hear the low rumble of thunder in the distance and see an occasional flash of lightning.













I enjoy watching the storms from my porch and seeing the lightning flash across the skies all around. That is one of the advantages of living on one of the highest hills in the area.

It is a 4-1/4" x 6-3/4" framed watercolour and is available for $145.00.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Buckhorn Artists' Group Blog - Irene Smith

I have just finished posting Irene Smith's page to the blog for the Buckhorn Artists' Group.

Irene is one of the original 10 founding members of the Group which has changed and grown over the years.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Morning Drive

An original 11" x 14” watercolour, framed available for $295.00.

This is another of my Horse Talk Magazine cover paintings that I have recently framed. This one appeared on the cover of the November/December 1999 issue.















This painting will be exhibited in the All Members' Faces and Figures Show at the Kawartha Artists' Gallery and Studio. The show opening will be held tomorrow from 1-4pm. The show runs from 28 March through to 18 April 2010.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and enjoy the artwork.

Friday, March 26, 2010

OSWOA - Blue Pine

One of the nice things about using the 4" x 6" paper for experimenting with sponges, different brushes, cheese cloth, plastic wrap and new colours of paint is that it doesn't take long to work up and you can see the results fairly quickly.

Then if it works you have a small painting as a reference piece for the future.

Using French ultramarine blue and a sponge I painted in shapes of pine needles in random patterns.

With a brush and the blue I added a tree trunk and some branches to connect the shapes.

To finish it I added a ground line and some growies.

If you would like more information about OSWOA please go to my post on 12 March 2010.

The OSWOA shown here is an original watercolour painting using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on 140lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. It is available for $20.00 and sold unframed.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

ACEO - Autumn Colours 1-3

I wanted to work on autumn colours today, but just couldn't get myself in the mood to work on a large piece.

Instead, I decided to work on smaller pieces and ACEO are an ideal way to put the idea down onto  paper and to complete a painting in a fairly short time.

These could be developed into full sized paintings.

Autumn Colours 2

I worked on all three paintings at the same time, putting the sky colour in first and by the time I had finished the sky on the third one, the paper was dry enough to let me go back and start to paint the background on the first one.

Once the background had been painted I worked from the back forward.

I added the furthest back tree trunks on each one, and gradually created larger, more detailed tree trunks as I came closer to the foreground.

By now the paper was almost dry and working in dry brush I painted the trunks and branches of the closest trees.

Autumn Colours 3

I can see the potential to do a large painting of an autumn woodland at a later date.

The ACEO shown here are all original watercolour paintings using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on 300lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper.

They are priced at $20.00 each and sold unframed.

If you would like more information about ACEO please go to my post on 11 March 2010.


Autumn Colours 1

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Signs of Spring

The snow is finally gone, and even though the air is still chilly, brave crocuses bloom to welcome spring.














Congratulations to new collector Joanna Stanton of Peterborough, Ontario on her selection of this original 5-1/2" x 7-1/2” framed watercolour. SOLD

Thank you for coming to look at my artwork and I hope you will return often.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Enchantment

I enjoy experimenting with watercolour paint and oriental papers. You never know what may appear.














This one reminds me of a waterfall at the turnaround point on one of the hiking trails in Petroglyph Park, although you may see something entirely different.

Thank you to Mr. Walter Myrka of Toronto, Ontario on his purchase of this original 5-1/2" x 7-1/2” framed collage to add to his collection. SOLD

Monday, March 22, 2010

Evening Sailor

After almost a week of unseasonably warm and sunny weather giving a tantalizing taste of spring the weather has turned back to the usual colder temperatures thanks in part to the wind.









The sound of the wind brings back memories of breezy and warm summer days when there is no better way than to spend it out on the lake sailing.

This is an original 6" x 14-3/4” framed watercolour available for $225.00.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Morning Call

After the high temperatures we have had for the last few days it certainly cooled down overnight.












Because of that the landscape was shrouded in fog. It won't be long before we will be hearing the haunting call of a pair of loons on the lake.

This 6-1/2" x 10” framed, original watercolour is available for $175.00.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Swamp

This is a 6-3/4" x 6-3/4" original, framed watercolour available for $145.00.

The Snelgrove Brook runs through the back part of my property and is home to a wide variety of wildlife.


















Many of the shore line trees have died with the land being on a flood plain and underwater much of the time. In the early morning, the fog gives it an air of mystery, as the soft breeze carries the muted sounds of animals moving unseen through the wetland.

Thank you for looking at my artwork.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Rising Mist

Early morning on the lake as the sun gradually brightens the sky and the rising mist shrouds the shoreline in a delicate, gently moving veil. This is a quiet time, silent except for the haunting melody of a loon's call.













This original 6-1/2" x 14-1/4" framed watercolour is available for $275.00 by contacting the artist. SOLD

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Spring Thaw

This is an original, 11" x 30” framed watercolour and is available for $670.00 by contacting the artist. SOLD









This was at sunset in late March just below the lock in Young's Point. What I liked about the scene was the strong contrast of the silhouetted shoreline trees and the reflections of the sky into the areas of open water.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Baskets and Jar

I have started two still life paintings using baskets and a limited palette of four colours: alizarin crimson, burnt sienna, raw sienna and French ultramarine blue.














I enjoyed working with the wood grain on the tabletop. The other I will post at a later time when it has been completed.

Thank you to new collector Mrs. Donna Yeomans of Lakefield, Ontario on her purchase of  this 9" x 12” framed watercolour painting. SOLD

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Buckhorn Artists' Group Blog

With this being the 22nd year since the Buckhorn Artists' Group started showing together I thought it was about time to start a blog about the Group and its members.

I will try to post something to the blog about a member of the Group or some of its history at least once a month.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Snow Thistle

I had noticed a number of Scotch thistles in bloom during the summer along my fence line that had attracted a flock of goldfinches to them looking for the seeds.

This is what it looks like now after one of our major winter snow storms has come through leaving just the top of the thistle to bravely peek its snow crowned head above the top of a snow drift.










This original 5" x 11” framed, watercolour is available for $225.00 by contacting the artist. SOLD

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and enjoy the artwork. I hope you will return often.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Stormy Skies

With all the rain we have been having lately I think it fitting to show a painting of the view from one of my kitchen windows showing a stormy sky. I hope we will soon get warmer temperatures and sunny days.








Thank you to new collectors Mr. and Mrs. Doug James of Atlantic City, New Jersey USA on their purchase of this original 11" x 30” framed watercolour. SOLD

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Snow Covered

The weatherman keeps saying that next we are going to get some unseasonably warm weather. But the latest snowstorm has left everything in shades of white looking much like this painting.















Congratulations to returning collector Mme. Cecile Desrochers of Ste-Ramon, Quebec on her purchase of this 11" x 15" framed, original, watercolour painting. SOLD

Friday, March 12, 2010

Information About OSWOA

The OSWOA art movement officially began with the launch of over 50 simultaneous auctions on Ebay by a dedicated group of self representing artists on the evening of 28 September 2006.

OSWOA is an acronym for “Original Small Work Of Art”.

All any art needs to do to be qualified to use the OSWOA acronym is to follow the guidelines listed below:

- Art must measure 4” x 6” within an eighth of an inch

- Art must be Original (No Reproductions)

- Art must be thin enough to easily fit into a 4”x 6” photo album sleeve, so collectors can create individual album galleries of OSWOA art.

Clear and Cold

The OSWOA group set a minimum advertised price policy on OSWOA art and should begin at $9.95 or higher.

Anyone is free to use OSWOA as long as the art being described with the acronym adheres to the guidelines for OSWOA as written above.

OSWOA are the perfect size to put into a standard 8” x 10” frame with a 2” mat and hang them on the wall as traditional art as individual pieces, or displayed as a group of four paintings within a 16 x 20” frame.

Many collectors prefer to keep their OSWOA in photograph albums and display them as a collection. There are photo albums in various styles and colours, having a wide variety of cover designs.

Dark Secret

Photo albums are available with photo-safe – acid, pvc and lignin free materials which will keep your OSWAO collection safe for many years.

The OSWOA shown here are all original watercolour paintings using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on either 140lb. or 300lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. They are priced at $30.00 each and sold unframed.

On the back of each original painting you will find its OSWOA inventory number, the title of the painting, the name of the artist, the year it was completed and the artist’s signature.

Thank you for your interest. I hope you enjoy the artwork.







Early Snow

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Information About ACEO

ACEO is an acronym for “Art Cards, Editions and Originals”.

There is only one rule for ACEO; the size must be 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”, which is the size of a standard sports trading card.

Every interest and subject is represented.

They are affordable, highly collectible works of art that can be traded, collected in an album as a unique coffee table book, displayed on an easel, framed individually or as a group within one frame and hung on the wall as traditional art.

The only limitation on ways to display ACEO is your imagination.

Pink Morning 2

ACEO are also sold as either originals or as limited edition prints or reproductions. Make sure you know which you are buying. If it is a print or reproduction it should be clearly stated, signed and numbered by the artist, usually on the back.

The original paintings can be created in a wide variety of media including, but not limited to: acrylic, charcoal, collage, coloured pencil, conte, gouache, graphite pencil, markers, mixed media, oil, pastel (both chalk and oil), pen and ink, pyrography, and watercolour.

Some are even made of clay, fabric, metal, plastic and wood.

Pink Morning 1

There are different kinds of prints and reproductions such as lino block, mono-prints, silk, screen, and other types of hand pulled prints. Other reproductions such as Giclee, laser, photographs and many more are represented.

The different styles are just as varied, everything from Abstract, Cubism, Expressionism, Impressionism, Pointillism, Pop Art, Postimpressionism, Primitivism, Realism and Surrealism, and we may even see the return of Fauvism.

The ACEO are all original watercolour paintings using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint.

Mauve Hills

These ones are painted on either 140lb., or 300lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. They are priced at $20.00 each and sold unframed.

They may be painted on either 90lb., 140lb., or 300lb. Lanaquarlle or Fabriano 100% cotton, acid free watercolour paper.

On the back of each painting you will find its ACEO number, the title of the painting, the name of the artist, the medium, the date it was completed and the artist’s signature.

Thank you for your interest. I hope you enjoy the artwork.

Lake View 2

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Canadian Kid

This is an original 18" x 24” framed conte drawing.

Having shown and trained pintos in a wide variety of events from halter and driving classes, through hunter over fence, reining and gaming classes. I admire their versatility. The head study is of a weanling foal who has unlimited potential.


















This painting is in the collection of Christine Connelly of Peterborough, Ontario. SOLD

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and look at the artwork.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Bend in the Road - A Work in Progress

I was working on this painting with the Buckhorn Tuesday Painters which meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month from September to the beginning of May.














I will post this painting at a later date when it is completed.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Poppies

This is an original, 1-1/2" x 4” framed watercolour.

With the unseasonable warm weather we have been having my poppies are just starting to come up out of the ground. They are one of my favourite flowers. It is such a shame that you can only enjoy their beauty for such a short time. I look forward to June when they are all in bloom.

Congratulations to Mrs. Dawn E. Cox of Peterborough, Ontario for adding this painting to her collection. SOLD

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Confirmed Shows for 2010 - March

This is a listing of confirmed shows that I will be exhibiting my artwork at this year. I will update the list as more shows are added.

Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio, Peterborough, Ont.
14 Feb – 04 Mar Winter Escapes
Opening Reception 14 Feb 10 from 1-4pm.
28 Mar – 15 Apr Faces and Figures
Opening Reception 28 Mar from 1-4pm.
06-24 Jun Spring into Summer
Opening Reception 06 Jun 10 from 1-4pm.
11 Jul - 05 Aug People, Places and Things
Opening Reception 11 Jul 10 from 1-4pm.
05-23 Sep Driven to Abstraction
Opening Reception 05 Sep 10 from 1-4pm.
24 Oct – 11 Nov Outdoor Painters Show
Opening Reception 24 Oct 10 from 1-4pm.
05-22 Dec & 04-13 Jan 11 Christmas Show
Opening Reception 05 Dec 10 from 1-4pm.

Above Loblaws, Lindsay, Ont.
05 Mar Women in Art

Showplace Performance Centre, Peterborough, Ont.
30 Mar - 04 May Solo Show

Envinrude Centre, Peterborough, Ont.
01-03 Apr Kawartha Home and Cottage Show

St Matthews Church, Buckhorn, Ont
Buckhorn Artists' Group
22-24 May 22nd Annual Among Friends Art Show
07-15 Aug 20th Annual Shades of Summer Art Show

Settlers' Village, Bobcaygeon, Ont.
09-11 Jul Bobcaygeon Fine Arts Festival

Kingston Kennel Club Show, Kingston, Ont.
24-25 Jul

The Lindsay Gallery, Lindsay, Ont.
23 Nov - 18 Dec Christmas Show
Opening Reception 25 Nov from 7-8:30pm.

If you get a chance please come out and visit one or all of the shows.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Maple and Fence

This is a framed, small work of 4-1/4" x 4-1/4” in watercolour, available for $85.00. SOLD

Winter is a good time of the year to study the way a tree looks without the leaves and to learn about the under laying structure.
















This is a study of a lone maple tree along a fence line.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my artwork and I hope you will return often.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Rosy Morn

Another beautiful day has dawned and this little 3-1/2" x 7" painting is what I worked on this morning. It shows the tranquil colours of early morning reflected into a calm lake.

When it is framed it will be available for $85.00.










Now I have to get my paintings ready and loaded into the car for the Women in Art Show this evening.

Hopefully we won't get the rain they are calling for later today, but it is better than more snow.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Kennel Clip

An original, 4-1/2" x 5-1/2” graphite pencil drawing, framed and is available for $125.00.

This is the fourth in a series of poodle clips.


















Most poodles are kept in a kennel clip for ease of grooming, having only their face feet and base of tail clipped right down and most of the coat clipped short, usually leaving a pom on the tail and the hair on the top of the head scissored back. Keeping the coat shorter also provides comfort in the hot weather.

This image is also available as a package of 10 cards complete with envelopes for $8.00.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

English Saddle Clip

This is an original 4-1/2" x 5-1/2” graphite pencil drawing, framed is available for $125.00 by contacting the artist.

This is the other acceptable clip for adult poodles competing in conformation classes in the show ring and is called the English Saddle clip.

















It differs from the Continental clip in that there is more of a pack left to protect the hind end than just hip poms and an additional bracelet on the upper hind leg.

This image is also available as a package of 10 cards complete with envelopes for $8.00.

Thank you for coming to look at my artwork.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Continental Clip

This is a framed 4-1/2" x 5-1/2” graphite pencil drawing for $125.00.

This is another in a series of Poodle clips and one of the two acceptable clips for an adult in the show ring.


















The origin of many of the poodle clips was for when they were used as retrievers. Some of the coat was clipped away so that the dog would not be pulled down by carrying the large amounts of coat that would become heavy when wet. The remaining areas of coat were to protect the vital areas such as the joints and the internal organs. Variations on the tail poms were so that a group of hunters could identify the individual dog when it was swimming in the water retrieving birds.

This image is also available as a package of 10 cards complete with envelopes for $8.00.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Puppy Clip

Original, framed, graphite pencil drawing, 4-1/2" x 5-1/2” $125.00.


















All poodles from the ages of six to twelve months can be exhibited in the conformation classes in either the puppy clip shown here or in either of the two adult patterns which will be shown in later postings.

This image is also available as a package of 10 cards complete with envelopes for $8.00.