Woodland Nymph

Since we have an Executive meeting today I am picking up my paintings from the Elements of Nature Art Show which closed yesterday and will be dropping off my paintings for the upcoming Christmas Art Show and Sale at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio.

I doodled while there were some discussion going on about whether it was worth keeping the Gallery open late on Thursday nights.

When they asked if there were any other comments, I made mine which was "Those that want to sit from 4-7pm Thursday night can put their names down in that time slot and do it, since no one is coming out in the dark."

It seemed that those that wanted the Gallery to be open were not inclined to sit at night in the winter. Needless to say, the Gallery will no longer be open Thursdays from 4-7pm.

I continued working on my rough sketch until I pretty much knew how I wanted it be with the placement of the girl and the fawn.

It wasn't long before the meeting was over and we all headed home.

When I got home I did the barn chores, had supper, made myself a cup of tea and then started working on the outline drawing.

In the end I was pleased with the drawing of the girl. Since it is getting late, I will do the drawing of the fawn another day.

Thank you for looking at my artwork.

Snow Scenes

In less than a month and it will be Christmas and in keeping with the season I thought I would like to do a couple of landscape drawings with snow covering the ground.

On my first drawing I decided to do one of the snow covered trails on my property that ends at the Snelgrove Brook.















Cold and Calm 1

It is only during the winter after the ice has frozen that I can reach my property on the other side of the brook, otherwise I would have to drive over to the Buckhorn Road to access that section of my land.

For my second drawing I did this pathway from the concession road that runs along my south fence line and again ends at the Snelgrove Brook.















Snow Trail 1

I thought to create interest by leaving a trail of footprints in the snow.

Either of these drawings could be easily developed into beautiful paintings, which I may do at a later date.

Transitions show at Art on Kent

Today I am sitting the show all day at Art on Kent.

It should be a fairly busy day with taking in paintings for the upcoming Christmas Show called Affordibleism where all paintings are $400.00 and under.

Also the city of Lindsay is having their Yellow Bag Sale this weekend and everyone who comes into the Gallery gets a yellow bag for their purchases.

The only unfortunate part of the whole thing was that I has to wear a day glow, neon yellow scarf and yellow is just not my colour in any way, shape or form.











The day was very busy with a number of visitors coming in to see the exhibition as well as artists bringing in new artwork for the next show.











I didn't get very much time to paint, although I did work on two paintings and I should have them completed in the next couple of days.














But at the end of the day there were only eight of the yellow bags left to give away, so the day was productive.

Ontario Pinto Horse Association Logo

It is cooler this morning at 21F (-6.1C) and we have freezing fog this morning which makes the trees and grasses look lovely with their soft white coating of frost.

The horse trough in the barn yard had a thick coating of ice that I had to break through and remove, although Tai did help by putting his front feet into the trough to create the first hole in the ice.

Today, I wanted to go through a box of old sketches and ideas for paintings and see if I wanted to develop them further, file them away for the future or discard them as not something I was no longer interested in doing anymore.

I was very surprised to find the original outline sketches for the Ontario Pinto Horse Association logo that I did in 1979.

Around that time, the two Pinto Horse Groups in Ontario (Great Lakes Pinto Horse Association and the Maple Leaf Pinto Horse Association) joined together to have larger numbers of horses for shows and to remain financially solvent.

It was decided that we would use the name Ontario Pinto Horse Association, but I wanted to keep both groups in the logo, so I included the Great Lakes in the map and added the Maple Leaf with the Province of Ontario. 

Next, I did outline sketches of each of the four types of Pinto horses.

Stock type, which is a Western horse of predominately Quarter Horse or Paint breeding and conformation.

Pleasure type, which is of Arabian, Andalusian or Morgan breeding and conformation.

Hunter type, which is an English horse generally having some Thoroughbred breeding and conformation.

Saddle type, which is a gaited horse having American Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking Horse or Hackney breeding and conformation.


















From there I moved the outline drawing of each of the four types around on the map of Ontario until I was pleased with their location and transferred the images onto the map. 

I also wanted to have the two pattern types represented as well, so I made the Hunter type at the top of the map an Overo. The pattern looks like a solid coloured horse with white markings and having jagged spots of white that usually starts on the horse's sides or underbelly spreading toward the back, legs, neck and tail. The white almost never crosses the back.


















The remaining three Pintos I did as Tobianos. In this pattern the coat appears to be white with large, flowing patches of colour often overlapping. The spots of colour usually originate from the head, neck, chest, flank and buttock, often including the tail.

When I was about to darken the Great Lakes, I realized that I had to move the Maple Leaf to give it a more prominent position. Lastly, I put a circle around the logo and in capital letters put the new name.

I looked online to see if the Ontario Pinto Horse Association was still around and I was pleased to see they are and my logo is still being used with a few changes.

Snow Covered Fields 1

We are starting to get snow and the ground is cold enough for it to stay. It will be interesting to see how much accumulates.

Since I live on top of a hill, I thought I would draw a barn near the top of a hill, with the fields divided by cedar rail fences.

In keeping with a farm similar to mine in the background I put in a stand of mixed trees.

In the foreground I indicated some of the grasses, weeds and growies poking up through the snow.

Lastly, I indicated a path leading from the barn doors down toward a house or other building.

Fire

Tonight we are having the first fire of the fall in the fireplace.















It will be the first of many as the temperature drops and we get snow on the ground.

OSWOA - Richard's Island Cedars I

Today I went to KAGS to paint with the Outdoor Painters' Group and would fill in for another member for the evening shift from 4-7p.m.

This is another of the sketches I did earlier this year (see post on 02 August 2015) and I decided to work on this on and get it completed.

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

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

The OSWOA shown here is an original pen and ink drawing using Staedtler archival, acid free pigment liners on 109 lb. Pentalic Paper for Pens, archival quality, acid free paper. It is priced at $25.00 and sold unframed.

ACEO - Snow Man 1 and Snow Lady and Child 1

Today I had a dentist appointment in the morning and for noon I had to be at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio for a meeting.

Since I wasn't going to go home just to come back down to Peterborough again I decided to wait at the Gallery and paint.

Since Christmas is just a little over a month away I thought I should finish these two paintings that I have been working on for quite a while (see posts on 23 February 2013, 12 and 18 February and 18 August 2014 and 25 August 2015).

The snowman painting didn't need a lot done to it in order for it to be completed.

I painted in the branch arms first with burnt sienna and French ultramarine blue.

Grasses and leaves were painted at the base of the snowman using mixtures of burnt sienna, raw sienna, and alizarin crimson.

Snow Man 1

Now it was time to work on the next piece with the two snow people.

I started with the bonnet and painted it with raw sienna and burnt sienna. The ribbon was various shades of raw sienna and Antwerp blue.

The toque and scarf on the snow child were painted in with mixes of French ultramarine blue and Antwerp blue.

Working back and forth between the two snow people I started by putting in the carrot noses with cadmium red and cadmium yellow.

The shadows were painted with French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna; then alizarin crimson was added to the mix and the eyes, mouth and buttons where painted with this dark mixture.

Snow Lady and Child 1

The grasses were painted with various mixes of raw sienna, burnt sienna and alizarin crimson.

Lastly the branch arms were painted in with burnt sienna and blue.


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

The ACEO shown here are all original watercolour paintings using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on 140lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. They are priced at $20.00 each and sold unframed.

Seahorse 6

Today, I wanted to do some drawing so I pulled out some small pieces of paper and started with a seahorse.

It didn't take very long to get the basic shape of the seahorse drawn slightly off centre of the paper.

Working from the left side of the paper across, I added a few strands of sea grass, one going away from the seahorse, the other going behind it.

Next, I put one blade running up behind the seahorse and I wrapped its tail around it.

This was followed by putting two more pieces of seaweed at another at an angle behind the seahorse. 

Late Fall

I wanted to finish this painting that I had started a number of years ago.

First I removed the masking fluid from the birch trees and the leaves in the foreground.

Using various mixtures of raw sienna, new gamboge and alizarin crimson I painted in the remaining leaves on the trees in the foreground.

Next I made a grey of French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna and put it onto the shadowed side of all the birch tree trunks.

With a darker mix I added the markings.

This original 11" x 15" watercolour painting when framed will be available for $245.00. SOLD

Thank you for coming to look at my artwork.

Please Mom?

Today, I am doing a double shift at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio which is open from 1-7pm on Thursday.

While there, I thought I would spend my time working on a drawing of Christine holding a Poodle puppy.

My father had always wanted a white poodle and needless to say my parents ended up purchasing Teela.

Christine showed her in Junior Showmanship classes and in Conformation classes to earn her Canadian Championship, while I showed her in Obedience Trials at the same time and she earned her Companion Dog title.

After she earned her titles, she was bred to my male, Sootie and she produced a litter of five puppies; three males and two females.

I was given my choice of one of the puppies from that litter and I kept one of the females and called her Ariel.

All five puppies (Ariel, Crystal, Midnight, Skippy and Stormy), from that litter ended up earning their Canadian Championships, making both parents Top Producers.

Farm by the River I

Today I was driving along River Road and noticed a farm on the far side of the Otonabee River downstream from Lock 26 Lakefield.

The farm buildings were framed by a couple of large trees on this side of the river.














So I pulled over and did this little sketch before heading into Peterborough.

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

Elements of Nature Art Show

Today I was hanging the Elements of Nature show at KAGS which will open tomorrow.












I was able to get my eight feet of space in my favourite place on the alcove on the far wall.

This year I am donating the painting Northern Winter (see post on 11 April 2012) as the draw prize for the show. 















The show features paintings from twenty three members of KAGS Outdoor Painters' Group.

It also has a silent auction from the members  with 25% of the proceeds raised going for prizes for the Best of High School art held each year in May at KAGS to encourage our youth to enjoy creating their own original art.














I hope to see some of you on Sunday 15 November 15 for the opening of the show or that you are able to visit the show before it closes on 29 November 15 at 4p.m.

Display Case at the Peterborough Public Library

Today Norman, Cindy and I went to the Peterborough Public Library at 345 Aylmer St. N. in Peterborough, Ontario to set up an arrangement of art supplies, paintings and posters in the main display case by the main entrance to promote the Kawartha Artists' Gallery and Studio.

With having had a meeting last month about how we would set up the display it didn't take long to bring in everything we needed.
















The display case is 120' (936.6m) long and 4' (1.2m) wide. We rearranged the shelves first and then set up the two largest paintings and the KAGS banner.

From there we started working from the right side of the case to the left, beginning at the bottom.














We put one of Norma's oil paintings toward the back and placed a couple of canvases in front of it, then her paint box beside them followed by my wooden case of Prisma pencils with a couple of water colour sketches and a small block of watercolour paper.

To complete the right side we added a small painting to the shelf, a container with a set of small watercolour brushes, bottles of varnish and paint thinners, a couple of tins with watercolour pencils, a wooden box with various sponges, rulers, pencils and other basic tools.














Lastly we added the poster for the upcoming Elements of Nature Art Show which opens this Sunday 15 November 2015.

Now it was time to complete the left side of the display.














We started by putting two posters with information about KAGS, its beginnings and what its mandate is, complete with a map and all the ways of contacting us.

On the bottom shelf we continued with more art supplies and paintings including another container of brushes, a painter's apron and a water bowl; followed by my wooden case of pastels with pen and ink supplies and some scratch board tools on the lid.














This was finished with a couple of blank canvases and a small painting on an easel.

On the shelf we set up two easels one with a partially completed watercolour painting and the other with a small oil painting. Next to this was another collection of brushes, more little boxes of pastels, drafting tools, and a couple of metal boxes of water soluble pencils and a photograph on stretched canvas.















Lastly we scattered a few small arrangements of silk autumn leaves throughout the display and tossed some individual leaves randomly among the art supplies.

The total time to set up the display took us just over an hour and next week when we return to take the display down it will probably take about half that amount of time.

Galloping

This afternoon we had the Annual General Meeting at the Kawartha Artists' Gallery and Studio.

While I was at the meeting and this year I didn't have to read the Annual Financial Statement since I made copies of it for any member who wanted go over it on their own.

While the other reports were being read I worked on a sketch of a horse galloping. Unfortunately, I had to stop a number of times to answer questions and vote to accept the reports as read.

With the interruptions I ended up making the body far too large for the head of the horse.















After all the reports were read we stopped to have a short break before the voting for the Executive Positions.

When it came to voting in a new Treasurer for KAGS, no one wanted to take my place as Treasurer.

So, I agreed to stand for another two year term, but this will be my last term as Treasurer as I want to do something different with less deadlines, responsibility and hassles.

I will post this drawing at a later date once I have corrected the size of the head to fit the body.

OSWOA - Moonlit Buildings 1

I see that deer hunting season has started and the hunters are running their dogs and they are on my property with the intent to hunt without my permission. So once again I will just have to take photographs of the hunters, their vehicles and plates as well as their dogs and continue to report them to the Ministry.

It is sad that some people have no respect for another person's property and I am sure they wouldn't like me trespassing on their property with a rifle and shooting at things without their permission.

This is a painting I started earlier this year with its companion piece Sunlit Buildings 1 (see posts on 07 May, 16 September and 18 October 2015).













I continued with adding more detail to the barn board using various mixtures of French ultramarine blue, burnt sienna and alizarin crimson.

Next came the roof; the raised tin was painted with the dark mix as were the eaves and fascia boards. Using pure burnt sienna the rust was added onto the tin roof.

A small piece of masking tape was added to the open door to keep it lighter.













Now it was time to be bold and glaze over the entire painting to darken it and change it into a night scene.

I mixed together a wash of French ultramarine blue and then added small amounts of burnt sienna, Antwerp blue and alizarin crimson until I was happy with the colour of the paint.

Setting it on a flat surface and using a large brush, I washed over the entire painting and set it aside to dry.














I removed the friskit and the masking tape from the door and the window.

I painted the light into the window and the door with raw sienna and a touch of cadmium yellow. The with more of the glazing colour I darkened the shadows behind the building.

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 priced at $40.00 and sold unframed.

ACEO - Rainy Day 2 and 3

Since we are having a rainy day today, it is fitting that I work on these paintings of rainy days that I have been working on for a while (see posts on 06 March 2013, 15 July and 08 August 2015).

With the wind warnings in effect our heat wave is coming to an end with the high today being 66F (18.9C) before the temperature drops to seasonal for tomorrow of 48F (8.3C).

Due to the high winds I was without power from 9:30a.m., when we returned from going out to have supper in Peterborough the power had been restored.

It didn't hurt that on the way home we purchased a new generator to replace the old one which had finally decided to give up the ghost.

I started with the birch trees and added the markings using mixtures of French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna.

Using new gamboge and Antwerp blue I filled in the rest of the grass area and added a little French ultramarine blue for the darker grasses in the foreground.

I set the painting aside thinking it was complete.

Rainy Day 2

Then I added a shadow down the side of the birch trees with French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna.

Adding new gamboge and Antwerp blue to the shadow colour I added leaves on the birch trees using a sponge.

I started by lightly drawing in the background and adding a birch tree.

Next I completed the old, dead tree and added the markings on the birch.

I painted in the background grass and trees using the same colours as in the previous painting.

Lastly I ran a pale wash of burnt sienna down the trunk on the birch.

Rainy Day 3

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

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

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.

Loon Call Lake VIII

While today brings us a mix of sun and cloud the temperature reached 74F (23.3C) and the humidity made it feel like 77F (25C). It is the fourth day of unexpectedly warm weather which seems to increase by two degrees each day where in other years we have had snow already on the ground.

I started thinking of a warmer days and being out in the canoe on one of the lakes in the area.

I pulled out the sketches I did from earlier this year when we were on Loon Call Lake (see post on 26 September 2015).

Then I put in the outline of the top of the rocks to give a ground for the tree and growies.

Next I put in the tree, which had a split trunk near to the top showing that it suffered some form of trauma in the past from the elements.

The growies and small bushes were added to the base of the tree.

I put in the dark water line at the bottom of the rocks and added some shadows onto the rocks.

Lastly I put the reflection of the tree into the water.

This original 6" x 11” pen and ink drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $50.00.

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 November.

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

Elements of Nature Poster

This morning I went to the Dancing Blueberries in Peterborough and met with Howard Berry to take down my paintings and help him hang his paintings.

It didn't take very long to exchange the paintings and I continued on my way to the printer's to pick up the posters and invitations for the upcoming KAGS Outdoor Painters' Group Show called "Elements of Nature" before heading to the Gallery.

I was pleased to see that one of my paintings was selected to appear on this year's poster.

The show runs from 11-29 November 15 with the opening being on 15 November 2015 from 1:00-4:00p.m.

I hope to see some of you at the opening of the show.

Lovesick Lake VI - Beaver Island Pine I

Today is the first day of unseasonably mild weather for the week before a cold front comes through and brings it back down to seasonal temperatures. To have 68F (20C) with sunshine in November is a bonus that I am going to enjoy.

I was looking through some of the sketches I did during the summer (see post on 02 August 2015) while canoeing on Lovesick Lake. I pulled this one out and decided to complete the pen and ink drawing.

I started with the pine tree which was not doing very well on its island home and its companion pine had already given up the ghost.

What I liked about the tree was the fact that it was still fighting to keep its place on the small island that was no longer able to support it and I wouldn't be surprised when next time we go back to Lovesick Lake to find the tree either dead or having been broken by the harsh winter winds.

Once both trees had been completed I started on the smaller bushes at their base and which were a rich yellow green.

Next I put in the reflections and lastly I did the rocks at the edge of the water which were pale pink granite.

This original 3-1/4" x 9" pen and ink when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $25.00.

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

Confirmed Shows for 2015-2016 - November

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

Dancing Blueberries, 360 George St. N., Peterborough, Ont.
02 Oct - 04 Nov 15
28 Sep - 03 Nov 16

Kawartha Arts Network - Art on Kent, Lindsay, Ont.
KAN
05-28 Nov 15 Transitions
Opening Reception 07 Nov 15 from 1-3pm.
03-31 Dec 15 and 07 Jan-16 Jan 16 Affordibleism
Opening Reception 05 Dec 15 from 1-3pm.

Kawartha Artists’ Gallery, Peterborough, Ont.
KAGS
11-29 Nov 15 Outdoor Painters' Show - Elements of Nature
Opening Reception 14 Nov 15 from 1-4pm.
02-20 Dec 15 and 06-17 Jan 16 Christmas Show and Sale
Opening Reception 05 Dec 15 from 1-4pm.
24 Feb - 24 Mar 16 The Abstract Show
Opening Reception 28 Feb 16 from 1-4pm.
13 Apr - 05 May 16 Floral and Still Life
Opening Reception 17 Apr 16 from 1-4pm.
15 Jun - 10 Jul 16 Figuratively Speaking
Opening Reception 19 Jun 16 from 1-4pm.
24 Aug - 11 Sep 16 Black and White Plus 1 Colour
Opening Reception 28 Aug 16 from 1-4pm.
28 Sep -23 Oct 16 Fall Show
Opening Reception 02 Oct 16 from 1-4pm.
26 Oct - 13 Nov 16 Outdoor Painters' Show
Opening Reception 30 Oct 16 from 1-4pm.
30 Nov -18 Dec 16 and 04-15 Jan 17 Christmas Show and Sale
Opening Reception 04 Dec 16 from 1-4pm.


The Evinrude Centre, 911 Monaghan Road, Peterborough Ont.
08-10 Apr 16 The 16th Annual Peterborough Garden Show

Extendicare, 860 Alexander Court, Peterborough, Ont.
07 Nov 16 - 02 Jan 17

Please come out and enjoy the artwork displayed at one or all of these shows.