Baby Barn Swallows

All of my baby barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) are now out of the nest and learning to fly and it won't be long before they will be able to feed themselves and not have to rely on their parents.

From the four pair of swallows I had nesting in my barns; we ended up with eleven babies surviving.















I managed to get these photographs of the first two batches that left the nest a couple of days ago.

The other six, I was not able to get photographs of today as they wouldn't allow me to get close enough to take their picture.















But I look forward to be able to get some more photographs of them over the next couple of weeks before they start their long journey south for the winter.

Fife Cabin

Yesterday the Outdoor Painters' Group were at Lang Pioneer Village and Museum hanging their show in the MacKelvie Gallery and after lunch I returned to the Village and started to take a walk around and got as far as Fife Cabin.














With the temperature at 91F (31C) and the humidity making it feel like 95F (35C) I stopped there and blocked in a quick sketch of the cabin before leaving the Village and heading home.

Today I worked on completing the drawing of the cabin and added in the fire pit, a couple of pioneer women and a few free range chickens.

Exhibit at the MacKelvie Gallery

Today the Outdoor Painters' group went to Lang Pioneer Village Museum to hang our art in the MacKelvie Gallery and afterward to draw and paint in the Village.

Take in began at 9:30 a.m. and by 11:30 a.m. we had a total of 52 paintings.

It didn't take long to set the paintings out around the room, where they would eventually be placed on the walls.

With seven of us hanging the paintings, we had everything up and in place on the walls by just after 1:00 p.m. at which time we decided to go out into Keene to have our lunch.

But not before a couple of people in period costume came in to see the exhibit.















If you have a chance to come out and enjoy the show, you will also be able to see how people lived in Canada over 200 years ago; with many wonderful ongoing displays and people in period costumes.

The exhibit will be on display from today until 26 July 18.

Scenes of Magnetawan Art Show

Today we went up to Magnetawan to set up the Scenes of Magnetawan art show at the Knoepfli Inn.

It is located at 5484 Highway #124, Magnetawan, Ontario.

We had made arrangements with owner Bea Kolman, to arrive at noon in time for lunch and we would also be spending the night.

After a wonderful home cooked meal we unpacked all the paintings to see what we had available and would put them throughout the dining room and lounge.

First we hung the two larger paintings in between the windows on the east wall and on the north wall.

Next we placed three smaller paintings on the north wall between the window and the west wall.

On the south side of the window on the east wall we hung three paintings with similar colours together.

After sorting through the paintings that were remaining we picked out the two larger paintings and hung them on the west wall by the kitchen.

While Sheila and Vera worked on putting paintings on that wall, Norma and I started hanging paintings on the north and east corner walls over the hutch.

We started by hanging one of the larger remaining paintings on each wall first.

This was followed by adding two acrylic paintings to go with the pen and ink drawing on the north wall.

Lastly we added a couple of smaller watercolour paintings to go with the larger one on the east wall.















Once we had finished our part of the wall, we went to help the others finish putting the paintings onto the west wall and that completed the dining room.














Now we were ready to hang the remaining paintings in the lounge area and we started by putting three paintings on the stair wall which was just outside of the dining room.















Once again Sheila and Vera took one wall and Norma and I took the other wall and we hung paintings.















With Norma being the tallest of the four of us, I helped her to hang the paintings in the corner over the piano and then the remaining paintings were hung around the deer heads mounted on the walls and near the various trophy plaques.















When we were finished we asked Bea to come in and approve how they were hung and see if there were any changes she would like to have made. Her only request was that she would appreciate it if for next year we could have some drawings and paintings of the various cottages.













Later when we went back to the cottage we all picked up our cameras and sketch books and went back out to take reference photographs of the cottages and made quick sketches while we were waiting for the bell to ring calling us in to have supper.

The Scenes of Magnetawan exhibit will run from 26 Jun - 03 Oct 18; if you have a chance to come out please contact Bea at the Knoepfli Inn to make arrangements to stay at the cottages for a vacation or to come out and view the show.

ACEO - Dusk 13

Today I thought I would finish this painting that I had started last year (see post on 07 July 2017).

I started by painting the pine trees on the hill using various greens made from Antwerp blue, French ultramarine blue, raw sienna, new gamboge and cadmium yellow.

With a dark made of French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna, I added the dead trees, the tree trunks and some of the branches.

Now that the pine trees were completely finished it was time to add in the ground beneath them.

Using various combinations of alizarin crimson, burnt sienna, both of the blues and raw sienna I put in the rocks that would show through the grasses and growies.

Lastly, I added the grasses and undergrowth beneath the trees and in and around the rocks.

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

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

The ACEO shown here is an original watercolour painting using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on 140lb. Fabriano 100% cotton, acid free watercolour paper. It is priced at $20.00 and sold unframed.

Blue-Spotted Salamander

Today is Saturday and with the weatherman calling for showers later in the day and continuing throughout tomorrow, Ron and I decided to get the yard work done early.

With me doing most of the lawn mowing today Ron decided to clean out the underbrush beneath the willow tree at the front of the property.

It wasn't long before he flagged me down and when I went over to him he handed me a small, seemingly lifeless body of a salamander.

I took it up to the house to see if it was dead or just stunned.

I examined and identified it as a Blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale). Fortunately, it didn't appear to be crushed or harmed in anyway.

I placed it in a terrarium and added some water and a few leaves which seemed to revive it.

The Blue-spotted salamander is a member of a group of subterranean amphibians known as mole salamanders.

They are native to the Great Lakes area, parts of Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec.

Their range extends as far to the north as James Bay and to south eastern Manitoba in the west.

Adult salamanders measure from 3-5.5” (7.6-14cm) in length and have dark bluish-black skin, with blue flecks on its back and tail, with bluish-white spots on the sides of its body.

These salamanders have large heads with protruding eyes and stocky bodies supported by sturdy limbs, with four long toes long toes on the front feet and five on the hind feet.















Blue-spotted salamanders usually live in moist, deciduous hardwood forests such as red maple swamps and oak/birch woodlands, although they can also be found in coniferous forests and fields.

They prefer spring pools that retain water into mid-summer, to ensure access to a suitable breeding habitat. The adult is found in mature woods where the ground is littered with rotting logs, underbrush, leaf litter and rocks below which the salamanders dwell within moist depressions or burrows.















This is why the front of the property is an ideal location for the Blue-spotted salamanders as the area is under water from the early spring when breeding occurs and their eggs are laid in small clutches of about a dozen eggs, attached to twigs, rocks or plants at the edge of a pond and remains wet through to the middle of the summer and remains fairly damp until late summer when the juveniles emerge and disperse to terrestrial locations.

Once the Blue-spotted salamander was moving around in the terrarium without difficulty, I returned him to where Ron found him under the willow tree and heaped some of the partially rotted leaves around him.

Interaction Show at KAGS

Today I am sitting at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio for the first day of the Interaction Exhibit.

There are a number of very interesting paintings displayed at the Gallery and we had a large number of people come through to view the art work.

The show runs from 20 June - 15 July 18, with the opening on Sunday, 24 June from 1-4 p.m. If you wish, please come out and meet the artists.

At the end of the show the Gallery will close for three weeks for routine maintenance to the Gallery and Studio.









The Gallery will reopen on 08 August 18 with the next show entitled "Figuratively Speaking".

Buckhorn Artists' Group Blog Emil Varga

I have posted the biography of another member of the Buckhorn Artists' Group Emil Varga, to the blog as well as some samples of his artwork.

I will try to get another of our new members posted next month.

ACEO - Peach Sky 2 and 3

While going through some small paintings, I pulled out these two pieces that I had started a couple of years ago (see post on December 2016).

With Peach Sky 3 I had to turn it upside down and then the two of them when placed side by side matched at the edges and may be framed as a diptych.

I worked on both of them at the same time so that one ran across and would seem as a part of the other.

Peach Sky 2

First I lightly marked in the waterline on both pieces with a pencil so I had a base for the rocky shore.

Using various greens and greys, made from French ultramarine blue, Antwerp blue, raw sienna and new gamboge, I started at one side and worked across adding the pines trees being sure to leave a space between the waterline and the tops of the rocks.

To complete both pieces I used a mixture of burnt sienna and raw sienna to put in the rocks.














Peach Sky 3

Thank you for coming to look at my 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 140lb. Fabriano 100% cotton, acid free watercolour paper. They are priced at $20.00 each and sold unframed.

Blue Tea Cup

I arrived at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio a little late for the beginning of the Still Life class and had to wait until break to set up my table so I could draw some of the collection of cups, glasses and goblets.

I chose a blue Oriental tea cup with a white bamboo pattern running up the length of the cup.

The inside of the up was white with the bamboo pattern repeated in blue.

What I liked about this particular piece was the way the gold colour of the satin tablecloth was reflected at the base of the cup and part way up the side, changing the colour.

I may do this as a painting at a later date.

Northey's Barn Boutique Show

Last evening seven members of the Buckhorn Artists' Group were at the barn until around 7 p.m. setting up the art show in preparation for the opening today.

Today we are having a wonderful, sunny day, with the temperature reaching 79F (26C) and a gentle breeze blowing to keep away the humidity for the first day of the Northey's Barn Boutique Show.

We were pleased that a number of people arrived early to view the show and people continued to come and see the displays for most of the day.

My booth was located just inside the main barn doors and I had the added benefit of the breeze keeping things cool.

During the lunch time when things slowed down, we were kept entertained by the antics of the seven kittens that live in the barn.

By the late afternoon, all of them piled together in a heap on top of end of the drop cloth at the back my table displaying smaller paintings to have a sleep.

It didn't last for more than hour before they were up and about again.

Richard had his vintage tractors on display just outside the barn, which was an added attraction for many of the visitors.

Another feature for the visitors to our show were the wonderful gardens in full bloom with a wide variety of plants and a small pond complete with turtles, frogs and water lilies.

If you would like to view the various displays featured in this show by the other six members of the Buckhorn Artists’ Group that where here this weekend please click on the Group link.

The show continues tomorrow at the Northey's Barn Boutique, located at 1981 13th Line, in Selwyn, Ontario. It is open from 10a.m. - 4p.m. and if you are able to attend, we look forward to seeing you.

White Picket Fence I

While I was going through some of the drawings I had started a while ago, when I was on location with the KAGS Outdoor Painters' Group. I decided to complete this one that I had started on a farm out on Cameron Line (see posts on 20 December 2016, 25 ay 2017 and 03 January 2018).

I started in the background and completed the trees and fence on the edge of the pasture. I also at this point removed the one larger tree from the background as I didn't want it to become the focal point of the drawing.















From there I started adding more of the leaves onto the foreground tree being careful to leave some spaces for the larger tree branches to show through.

Lastly, I put in the tree branches and some of the shadows cast by the leaves.

This original 9" x 12” pen and ink drawing when framed will be available for $225.00.

Pinto News Illustration May 1981

Today is another hot, 91F (33C) and extremely humid 104F (40C) day. So, I thought I would stay inside in the air conditioning and sort through some old files to see which would be shredded, saved or recycled.

I came across a copy of the May 1981 Pinto News, which features on the cover the logo I designed for them (see post on 24 November 2015). It also had an illustration of a Pinto that I did for them.
















This was a head study of and overo Hunter type Pinto wearing an English snaffle bridle.

I don't remember how many of these illustrations I did for them over the years, so it is nice to come across these as I go through these old files.

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 June.

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

ACEO - Along the Shore 1-3

Today I am back at the Douro Spring Automotive Flea Market and Car Show held at the Douro Community Centre and Arena, located at 2893 Highway 28 and County Road 4, in Douro, Ontario.














Along the Shore 1

When I first arrived, there were already four of the old cars lined up along one side of the parking lot and after taking a few things inside I came back out to take photographs.

With wanting to go back outside to take photographs as more cars arrive I decided I would work on these three paintings that I had started a number of years ago (see posts on 16 September 2013, 27 August 2016, 16 January and 22 December 2017).















Along the Shore 2

In between taking photographs of the cars, I completed each of these three paintings.

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














Along the Shore 3

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. Fabriano 100% cotton, acid free watercolour paper. They are priced at $20.00 each and sold unframed.

2018 Spring Automotive Flea Market and Douro Car Show

Today is the first day of the weekend Douro Spring Automotive Flea Market and Car Show.

It is being held at the Douro Community Centre and Arena, located at 2893 Highway 28 and County Road 4, in Douro, Ontario.

On both days there is the automotive flea market which is held both outside and inside in the arena.

There is also a book sale in the arena and music performed by two saxophone players known as "Golden Wings", located just outside the arena.

The art show is held inside the community centre in the Harvest Room which featured seven artists and artisans.

The hours are from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tomorrow there will be an antique car show, to which I am looking forward and plan to take many reference photographs for future paintings.

Hopefully, I will be able to match some of them with the antique "wrecks" that I already reference photographs and sketches.

I would like to thank Mr. Ken Currie of Douro, Ontario on his purchase of the 1950 Ford Custom V8 Convertible pencil drawing (see post on 10 February 2010).

If you have a chance, please come out and enjoy the exhibit.

Confirmed Shows for 2018 - June

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.

Academy Theatre, 2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay, Ont.
Guild Room
24 Mar - 25 Aug 18

The Douro-Dummer Library Art Gallery, 425 Douro Fourth Line Road, Hamlet of Douro, Ont.
04 May - 04 Ju1 18 Countryside Art Group
Opening Reception 11 May 18 from 7-8p.m.

Automotive Flea Market and Car Show
Douro Community Centre and Arena - The Harvest Room
2893 Highway 28 and County Road 4, Douro, Ont.
02-03 Jun 18 9a.m.- 4p.m.
15-16 Sep 18 9a.m.- 4p.m.

Northey's Barn Boutique
1981 13th Line, Selwyn, Ont.
09-10 Jun 18 10a.m. - 4p.m.

Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio, Peterborough, Ont.
KAGS
20 Jun - 15 Jul 18 Interactions
Opening Reception 24 Jun 18 from 1-4p.m.
08 Aug -09 Sep 18 Figuratively Speaking
Opening Reception 12 Aug 18 from 1-4p.m.
26 Sep -21 Oct 18 Driven to Abstraction
Opening Reception 30 Sep 18 from 1-4p.m.
24 Oct - 11 Nov 18 Outdoor Painters' Show- Nature's Splendour
Opening Reception 28 Oct 18 from 1-4p.m.
28 Nov - 21 Dec 18 and 02-20 Jan 19 On the Move - A History of Transportation
Opening Reception 03 Dec 18 from 1-4p.m.

Lang Pioneer Village and Museum, Keene, Ontario
28 Jun - 26 Jul 18 MacKelvie Gallery

Miskwaa Art Studio and Outdoor Gallery, 250 Edwina Drive,Trent Lakes, Ont.
14 July -12 Aug 18

St. Matthews Church, Buckhorn, Ont.
Buckhorn Artists' Group
16-19 Aug 18 28th Annual Shades of Summer Art Show

Fenelon Falls Fair Grounds, Fenelon Falls, Ont.
Kawartha Arts Festival
01-02 Sep 18 Kawartha Arts Festival

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