Ron's New Toy

After breakfast and doing the barn chores, it was time to unload the backhoe.















Ron went to get the tractor while I started to undo all the tie downs and chains holding the backhoe in place on the trailer.















It didn't take Ron long to return with the tractor and help me with getting the backhoe free.















Once Ron placed the boards in place to make the ramp to get the machine off the trailer and brought the tractor up and attached the ball to the backhoe hitch it was time to gently take it off the trailer. 















Everything went smoothly, and Ron was able start it up and move the arm and see the range of motion and get familiar with the controls.















He is quite pleased with his birthday present and took it up behind the barn and covered it with a tarp to protect it from the elements.

Ron's New Toy Home

Today we are going to Gownstown, Ontario to look at a backhoe that Ron had found looking through various heavy equipment advertisements.

This small town is north of Listowel, which under ideal conditions this 153 mile (246km), would be a 3-1/2 hour drive away, but it ended up being just under 5 hours.
















Once we arrived, we were able to see the backhoe and Ron was pleased and willing to wait until the owner returned from work to make sure there were no problems once it was started.

The sun was just starting to go dawn when the owner arrived and they got it started and went over moving the arm and seeing that everything worked.
















Ron, was pleased to deal with an honest man, who represented his machine as it was and stated all the problems that it had (which were minor). After that, it didn't take long for Ron to pay for it, get his bill of sale and with the owner's help, get it loaded onto the trailer.

Now comes the long drive home, but it was well worth spending the day to go and get something he has wanted for a long time. I told him it is his birthday present and he agrees.

Rusty Stuff 1 - A Work in Progress

After completing the barn chores and as I was leaving the barn I saw the hinge on the window ledge and decided to do some more work on the painting that I had started of it a couple of years ago (see post on 12 February 2015).

The first thing I did was make a wash of pure burnt sienna and painted the base coat on the hinge.

Using a pencil I straightened the top edge of the ledge board, followed by the facing edge.













Next I mixed a very dark grey, using French ultramarine blue, burnt sienna and a small amount of alizarin crimson for the shadow in the wood.

I painted the wood texture onto the vertical edge of the window and as I was working on the shelf board I had company drop by for a visit.

I will post this piece at a later date once I have completed the barn board and the concrete wall.

Barn VIII

I am looking forward to this afternoon as I will be able to go outside and enjoy sitting in the sun for the second time to since breaking my leg. With the temperature going up to 79F (26C)and the humidity making it feel like 86F(30C) and having a thunderstorm this evening, makes it a triple bonus day.

In the meantime I pulled out this drawing of a horse barn on Highway 134 that offered both hay and sleigh rides.

I started with the barn and added the tin roof, fascia boards and set the wall where the drive shed joined the side of the barn.

Next I added the barn doors, the windows, the concrete base and the barn board.













Then I started on the drive shed adding the tin roof, the doorway and the barn board.

I added the runners to the sleigh, built up the box and finished the sides.

Lastly, I put in the background, beginning with the horizon line, adding a tree behind the barn, the fence line and grasses and growies along the fence and around the barn and in the pasture.

This original 5-1/4" x 9” graphite pencil drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $40.00.

Barn I

My little North American Kestrels have returned. It is nice to hear then calling to each other and occasionally seeing them fly.

This is another sketch that I did a few years ago (see post on 25 September 2013) and thought I would work it up into a finished drawing.

I added the tin on the barn roofs and put a few lightning rods onto some of the roofs. Next I added the rest of the front facing of the far right barn.

I fixed up some of the doors and windows, as well as putting more detail on the barn boards.














I added and fixed up some of the doors and windows, and put more detail on the barn boards.

I decided to leave out the branch and leaves, coming in from the right side.

I know that if I want to turn this drawing into an interesting painting I will have to extend the left barn and perhaps include a few dairy cows into the barnyard.

This original 6" x 9” pencil drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $40.00.

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

Barn IX

I wanted finish a drawing today, so I pulled out this piece that I had worked on last year (see posts on 28 September 2013 and 15 May 2016).

First I put on the roof line and tin on the barn and then I put on the barn board.














Next I put in the horizon line and added some trees and a fence line in the distance.

Lastly, I added the round hay bales inside the barn and some long grasses around the entrance.

This original 5-1/2" x 9” original graphite pencil drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $40.00.

Garden Shed 2 - A Work in Progress

Even though the forecast called for warm temperatures 83F (27.8C), high humidity  94F (34.4C) and thunderstorms, today I went and painted with the KAGS Outdoor Painters' Group at a farm on Cameron Line that was known for its lilac bushes.

The first thing I saw as we turned into the driveway was a peacock walking across the road; needless to say I grabbed my camera and took a picture.

I later learned from the owners that they had eight peafowl on the property but the peahens had already gone to ground and wouldn't appear until after the eggs had hatched.














The farm was a treasure trove of opportunities for paintings and I spent most of the morning taking photographs and making a few quick sketches.

The original barn was built in 1813 and the original section of the stone house was built in 1821 and various additions were added at later times.

There were many wondrous things hidden in and among the flower gardens surrounding the house which also had an enchanting natural stone slab set of stairs leading up to one of the additions.














After taking many reference photographs of the building, gardens, livestock and farm equipment I settled down to work on a painting.

Just before lunch time it started to cloud over and when I went back to do more work on my painting it wasn't long before the first few drops of rain started to fall.

I will post this painting at a later date once it has been completed.

Barn IX - A Work in Progress

After Ron left for work this morning I pulled out this sketch of a barn that I had started a number of years ago (see post on 28 September 2013).

I started with the big maple tree to the right of the barn and continued along the right side developing the two birch trees, another maple further in the background and three young birches.

On the right side I added two more birch trees and then added grasses and growies at the bases of the trees and in front of the barn.















The barn needed to be extended to the left side so there would be room for the panels on each side of the open doorway.

I had to stop work on this drawing as a couple of friends dropped by to visit me. I will post this drawing at a later date once I have completed the barn.

Thank you for coming to look at my artwork.

Uncle Albert's Farm - A Work in Progress

I am concerned about my Patch kitty. Ron saw her last weekend when he did the barn chores for me but so far he hasn't seen her and Christine hasn't seen her at all this week.

I am starting to walk a little without the crutches but I still need to use one when going up or down the stairs but things are improving every day.

I wanted to do some drawing today and I pulled out this sketch that I had started a couple of years ago (see post on 22 October 2013).














I added a horse on the other side of the fence, and then I brought in a few more branches from the right side of the drawing.

I want to add a couple more animals, such as a couple of cats, a dog and perhaps a few more chickens or pair of geese. I will post this painting at a later date once more work on it has been completed and I have added the other animals.

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

ACEO - Massey Ferguson 1

The continuing hot weather 85F (29.4C) seems to keep people away from the show and in the coolness of their homes, but fortunately for us there was a nice breeze blowing which kept things from becoming feeling the humidity 100F (37.8C).

I thought I would work on this painting that I had started a number of years ago (see posts on 02 July 2012 and 09 July 2015).

Using various greys made from mixtures of French ultramarine blue, Antwerp blue and burnt sienna I finished painting in the engine.

Then I finished the small areas of red on the tractor with a mixture of cadmium red and alizarin crimson.

Lastly, I put in a rail fence behind the tractor, with some of the grey mixtures I used on the engine.














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 300lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. It is priced at $65.00 and sold framed. SOLD

Small items were sold by Diane Collins.

The hours for our show are:
19 Aug 15 - 10:00am - 4:00pm
20 Aug 15 - 10:00am - 4:00pm
21 Aug 15 - 10:00am - 4:00pm
22 Aug 15 - 10:00am - 4:00pm
23 Aug 15 - 12:30pm - 4:00pm

Please come out and enjoy the artwork displayed at our show.

Massey Ferguson 1 - A Work in Progress

Today I went to Joanne Carlen's farm in Hastings, Ontario with the Outdoor Painters' Group. It is the first time in quite a while that I was able to go out on location and paint with them.

I took many photographs while I was there of things I would like to paint, but knew I didn't have enough time to do all of them.

I finally decided to do a painting of their Massey Ferguson tractor and in the not too distant future I will also do a painting to match it of our Allis Chalmers.

I had brought along some pieces that I had already started a few years ago (see post on 07 July 2012) with just the sky painted. I used the one called Blue Sky C and its name is now changed to Massey Ferguson 1.














I lightly sketched in the main parts of the tractor and with bright red put in the under paint for the red on the tractor.

With a mix of French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna I put in the tires and some of the dark parts of the tractor motor.

With a light wash of burnt sienna with a touch of the dark mix added, I dry brushed in the areas on tractor motor that had discolouration from oil stains.

I will post this painting at a later date once I have completed the tractor and added the background.

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

Barn IV

Today I was in not in the mood to paint but I still wanted to do something, so I went through one of my files of sketches and pulled out this one that I did a couple of years ago (see post on 25 September 2013).

I remember it well, the run in shed had a tree growing out through its roof and a small barn beside it looked as though it would fall over in a strong wind. I need to go back and see if the building is still standing and how big the tree has grown.

Beginning with the leaning barn, I used the higher roof line, ran the lifted pieces of tin on the roof keeping them bent and twisted, changed the windows to a barn door, added a door to the hay loft, and removed a number of barn boards from the building.














I proceeded to do some work on the run in shed, starting with the tree growing through the roof, then I twisted the tin around it and bent the edges. I set the side door partially off its hinges showed the old dirt inside the shed and indicated the barn board on the building.

The big barn didn't need a lot of work, I fixed the roof line, added another lightning rod, put in the barn boards, some stonework at the base of the building added a vent hole at the top of the front of the barn.

Lastly I added a fence behind the big barn and another in front of the trees at the back of the pasture. I put some grasses and growies along the path from the barn.

This is an original 6-1/2" x 9” graphite pencil drawing available when matted and shrink wrapped for $50.00.

Barn VII

I arrived late for the still life class at KAGS today and just took photographs of the display. I may or may not do a painting from them at a later date, but at least I have the reference.

After making a cup of tea, I sat down for lunch with both the Still Life Group and the Outdoor Painters' Group, which is interesting as some just come in for the still life class, others just come in for the outdoor painters' afternoon and some of us belong to both groups.

It was soon time for me to open the Gallery, put out the signs and set myself up at the front desk on the upper level to wait for visitors.









While I wait, I pulled out one of the many barn sketches I did last year (see post on 28 September 2013).

I worked on this drawing on and off during the afternoon until I was pleased with the building and the drawing.

This original 3-1/4" x 9” pencil drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $30.00.

It wasn't long before the evening shift arrived and it was time for me to go home. Since it rained all day and the temperature stayed just above the freezing mark, 31F (-0.5C) I will be careful driving home as you never know at these temperatures and conditions if a patch of black ice has formed on the road.

Barn VI

It is a very hot 90F (32.2C) and with the humidity it felt like 106F (41.1C)

Cindy and I went to Millennium Park, in Peterborough, Ontario to see what our area looked like for the Purple Onion Festival in September; afterward Cindy sketched, while I took photographs of some of the various gardens and waterfalls in the Park.

A little later we parted company and I headed to KAGS to sit the last day of the Figuratively Speaking exhibit.











While I was there I worked on this sketch that I had started last year (see post on 25 September 2013).

This original 4-1/4" x 9” graphite pencil drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $40.00.

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

Barn III

Today is another bright, sunny and hot 82F (28C) day and with the humidity it feels like 93F (34C).

I thought that I would develop this sketch that I did a few years ago (see post on 25 September 2013) into a more finished drawing.

Next I started on the barn by adding the tin onto the roof, windows on the long side of the barn and a sliding door and a door to the mow on the front of the barn.

I removed the fence that was in front of the barn and then worked on the large rocks in the foreground, filled out the pine tree and added a roadway to the barn.













I put grasses at the edges of the road and rocks and the added a fence along the edge of the field.

Lastly I added a farm house and some trees on top of the hill in the distance.

This original 5-1/4" x 9” graphite pencil drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $40.00.

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

Barn V

I sat on the porch and enjoyed last night's thunderstorms. The first one went on for over an hour and was often overhead and then the rain continued for a couple more hours before the second thunderstorm arrived. It was even more spectacular than the first one.

We are off to a good start this morning with the temperature at 56F (13C) and rising. I will take the welcome warmth even if rain is falling. However, I can already forecast that the summer is going to be unseasonably hot. There is no sense to complain, we will just have to take it as it comes.

Today I went to paint with the Lakefield Creative Art Guild at St. John the Baptiste Anglican Church.











I brought along a number of sketches of barns that I had started last year (see post on 25 September 2013). I decided on this one and began by fixing the barn roof, adding some windows on the long side of the building, adding doors onto the front of the building.

Next I added a fence line from the barn and along the roadway and another at the back of the pasture in front of the tree line. I added more details to the tree in the foreground.

This original 4-1/4" x 9” graphite pencil drawing will be available when matted and shrink wrapped for $40.00.

Barns VII-XI

I had such an enjoyable day earlier this week driving through the countryside and finding interesting barns to sketch, I thought I would do it again today, this time I will take Highway 134 and go toward Keene, Ontario. 









Barn VII

Just north of Lakefield, Ontario I came across this barn that was in a field, below the level of the highway.













Barn VIII

A little further along the highway was a farm offering hay rides and they had a small herd of Gypsy Vanners. I liked the big sleigh they had in the field by the barns.














Barn IX

Right on the corner of Highway 134 and County Road 8 there was a large barn and in a small overgrown field beside it there was this smaller barn in among the trees which was quite interesting and had many broken boards.














Barn X

Shortly after crossing Highway 7 there are pastures with sheep grazing up on the hilly land and this large barn is just off one of the side roads; it is in good shape and well maintained.















Barn XI

It was late in the afternoon and from the sheep farm I turned around and started heading home when I came across this barn just off the road on another side road. It is falling down and appears to not being maintained.

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

Barns I-VI

After painting with the Buckhorn Tuesday Painting Group yesterday on the way home I noticed a number of interesting barns on the drive home. So I decided to go out today and start on Highway 507 (County Road 23) and perhaps take some of the side roads.

As I traveled along Selwyn Road to get to the highway I found this barn on the corner and turned onto one of the side roads to get a better view.














Barn I

Back on Selwyn Road I saw this barn through the trees and as there was no access to a side road to be able to see the barn better I had to make due with what I was available.













Barn II

The next barn I found was on Highway 507and was fairly easy to see without having to get off the shoulder of the road.












Barn III

As I continued up the highway I remembered seeing another in barn when I cut across County Road 15 to get to Highway 28. It was easy to find and I took the time to get a detailed sketch.















Barn IV

I turned around and headed back toward Highway 507 and came across another barn just before the getting to the highway.











Barn V

A little further along the 507 I came across this L barn with an attached shed, near the highway and after completing the sketch I looked at the clock and decided it was time to turn around and head home.













Barn VI

I am pleased with the results of my day out and ended up with a number of drawings that could work into some very nice paintings.