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.

Toadstools 1-3 - Three Works in Progress

Today I was sitting at Art on Kent which is one of the art galleries in Lindsay.

What better way to spend my time at the Gallery on Hallowe'en day than to work on paintings of toadstools that I had started with a class earlier this month (see post on 20 October 2015).

Although we had a number of people come through the Gallery I started by adding the placement of the white scales on all of the toadstools.

Toadstool 1

On the second painting I thought the single toadstool could use a little company since Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) have a symbiotic relationship with the roots of various deciduous and coniferous trees and are found mainly in forested areas growing in groups in all stages of development.

Occasionally they form a naturally occurring ring with one or more trees in the center. These rings are considered to be tethered to the tree and this relationship prevents them from growing too far from the tree roots.

These rings have many names including: fairy rings, fairy circles, elf rings, elf circles, pixie rings, sorcerers' rings or witches' rings.

Toadstool 2

The names come from old European folk tales dating back to the 12th century when people once believed that mushrooms growing in a circle came from supernatural origins and marked the places where fairies, elves, pixies, sorcerers and witches would gather and dance.

These gatherings usually happened on moonlit nights and the rings would only become visible to people on the following morning in the light of day.

European superstitions routinely warn against entering a fairy ring as they are generally regarded as dangerous places and should be avoided due to the terrible consequences.

Toadstool 3

And to enter a fairy ring on May Eve or Hallowe'en night was especially hazardous.

While they are most often associated with doom and seen as dangerous places, some legends claim these circles are places of fertility and good fortune. One folk tale states that building a house on a fairy circle will bring prosperity to its owners.

I will post each painting as it is completed.

Thank you for looking at my artwork.