ACEO - Cottage Country 1

We are supposed to get another up to another 2" (5cm) of snow today on top of all the other snow we have had this week.

After doing the barn chores and feeding the birds I decided to paint. I pulled out this piece that I had started quite a while ago (see posts on 05 June 2014 and 05 May 2019).

I started by putting in the distant shore on the horizon line with burnt sienna.

Next, I worked on the cottages, starting with the roof which I painted with various greys made of French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna.

With a wash of burnt sienna I painted both cottages, being careful to leave the windows without paint.

Darkening the burnt sienna slightly I indicated the logs on the cottages.

Next, I darkened the roof colour and added more details to the roof, the door jamb, and window sills on the cottage. At the same time, I indicated the tree trunks around the cottages.

To finish the cottages I used cadmium yellow for the lights shining through the windows.














Mixing various green using Antwerp blue, French ultramarine blue and raw sienna, I used a sponge and applied the green paint to the deciduous trees.

This was followed by painting in the pine trees around the buildings.

I added in the grasses and growies around the foreground cottage with mixtures of raw sienna, burnt sienna and new gamboge.

Lastly, I painted the rocks using various mixtures of burnt sienna, alizarin crimson and French ultramarine blue.

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. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. It is priced at $20.00 and sold unframed.

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

Long Lake Cottage XIII - A Work in Progress

Today it is snowing, with the temperature at 25F (-4C) and the winds blowing the 2" (5cm) of snow at a steady 12mph (20km/h) with gusts of 24mph (39km/h) making it feel like (-10C) 14F.

With living on the top of a hill there is nothing to stop the full force of the wind driving the snow into your face.

After doing the barn chores, filling all the bird feeders and having breakfast, I thought I would like to work on this drawing that I had started a couple of years ago while canoeing on Long Lake (see posts on 16 September 2019 and 20 July 2020).

Before I can finish inking in the drawing I need to do some work on the cottage to square it up and get the proportion correct.

I started on the main part of the cottage, straightening the walls, squaring up the windows, putting on the roof, adding the shingles and chimney.

Next, I started on the mud porch, trying to get its roof under the overhang of the main roof and making it looked like  it was an addition to the cottage.

Before I  could finish the porch I had friends drop in for a visit.

I will post this drawing again once I have the cottage and remaining landscape drawn.

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

Buckhorn Artists' Group - 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 February.

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

The Buckhorn Artists' Group wishes everyone good health and happiness during these challenging times.

Confirmed Shows for 2021 - February

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 or cancelled.

A Place For The Arts, 23 Bridge St. W., Bancroft, Ont.
DUE TO COVID-19, THE GALLERY WILL BE OPEN FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY AND HOLIDAY MONDAYS FROM 11AM-4PM AND SUNDAY FROM 12-4PM.

AS OF 26 DECEMBER 2020, THE GALLERY WILL BE CLOSED DUE TO A COVID-19 LOCKDOWN IN ONTARIO. THE GALLERY WILL REOPEN ON 12 FEBRUARY 2021.
11 Nov 20 - 07 Mar 21
11 Mar 21 - 11 Apr 21

Art Gallery of Bancroft, 10 Flint Ave, Bancroft, Ont.
AS OF 26 DECEMBER 2020, THE GALLERY WILL BE CLOSED DUE TO A COVID-19 LOCKDOWN IN ONTARIO. DURING FEBRUARY AND MARCH THE GALLERY WILL BE CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS AND REOPEN ON 06 APRIL 2021.
15 Dec 20 - 31 Jan 21
07 Apr - 01 May 21
05-29 May 21
02-26 Jun 21
30 Jun - 31 Jul 21
04-28 Aug 21
01-25 Sep 21
29 Sep - 30 Oct 21
03-27 Nov 21
01-24 Dec 21

The Douro-Dummer Library Art Gallery, 425 Douro Fourth Line Road, Hamlet of Douro, Ont.
05 May - 30 Jun 21 The Buckhorn Artists' Group
Opening Reception 07 May 21 from 7-8 p.m.
05 Jan - 30 Mar 22 The Art of Daniel Marlatt and Susan Sydney
Opening Reception 07 Jan 22 from 7-8 p.m.

Selwyn Public Library - Bridgenorth Branch, 836 Charles St., Bridgenorth, Ont.
02-30 Nov 21

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

As many of the current shows are cancelled due to COVID-19, I would like to wish everyone to be safe and enjoy good health.

Lovesick Lake XIII - A Work in Progress

I see that my goshawk is still around. Last year, he worked his way through almost 20 squirrels; this year with not as many squirrels available he did take out a blue jay.

I didn't see him do it but, the jay feathers and the imprint in the snow told the story.

With it being Ron's birthday today and the kids bringing Chinese food for supper I didn't have a lot of time to get into anything that was going to take a lot of set up to get working on a painting.

So I decided that I would work on some of the sketches I did last summer while we were out on the lakes in the canoe or on the pontoon boat.

I chose this one of  Lovesick Lake (see post on 08 June 2020) and started working on putting in the far shoreline.

From there, I put in some of the trees on the island and it wasn't long before Christine and Kyle arrived bring supper.













Christine had baked a "turtle" cake for him, as she felt that at age 65 he would slow down to turtle speed which, we both knew would never happen.

While Kyle went own to the barn to get Ron, we got everything set out for supper.

We had an enjoyable supper, followed by singing "Happy Birthday" to Ron , who managed to blow out the candles with no problem.

After dessert was finished, we decided to spend the rest of the evening playing Chinese checkers.

Time passes quickly when you're having fun and all too soon, they had to go home.

It won't be long before it is Christine's birthday.

Countryside Art Group Blog - Show Updates

On the first of each month I will update the Countryside Art Group's blog with a listing of shows where the various artists in the Group are exhibiting their work.

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

As many of the current shows are cancelled due to COVID-19, the Countryside Art Group would like to wish everyone to enjoy good health, peace and prosperity in the new year.

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.