Photos from Home (where Winter really is)

Just decided to post some of the photos I took while visiting home (east of Ottawa) this past week for Christmas. Took the camera out for an early morning walk.

Countryside Holiday

Out in the country for a country Christmas. Lots of snow and quite nippy. Actually wearing boots here. Was forced outside to take the camera for a walk. Didn't seem natural, but I tried.


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Location:North Dundas,Canada

"the Arguement"

Little 5x5 canvas; thought I'd play with the leftover palette.



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Location:Don Valley Pkwy,Toronto,Canada

Painting Again

Have had the flu for a bit more than a week now, and am finally feeling better than mud. Just a bit of a cough left. I might even venture out downtown tomorrow, try and soak up some seasonal spirit. Painted a bit of a Christmas card image, I think. Its' kind of an everything and nothing image, can't really explain it more than that. I can't get a good photo though; it look so much better in person than any photo. Obviously I'm not a great photgrapher ... am trying, really. Sigh. Will have to take my word for it.

Raspberry Bush

Can't Sleep since 3:07am

Up watching the shadows on the wall again. Was painting for a bit, but am trying to sleep again. That alarms gonna ring and I just won't be ready for it. Again. Pretty much much finished my 'raspberries' piece now. Maybe can take pic tomorrow. Finished editting my brothers book now too, yay. Back to painting. Now if only I really had a clue where to go, other than to finish the two already started in the summer. Actually those don't entice me either.

I'm lost. Anniversary of 60 days today of life without a dog, and I still hate going home at night. No reason to be. Never go outside anymore.

Ok trying to sleep again.

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Location:Home

Sunday Afternoon Painting

A friend recently pointed out that I haven't posted anything in a long while, so I've chucked all the things I'm supposed to be doing and have just been dabbling in the studio this afternoon. Best day in weeks. Oh, I don't know whether or not its art, but having a wonderful time anyway.

So the world is a dry, busy place these past ten days. Mother is in the hospital for major back surgery, Georgie is off living with his father, the horrible condo where I live has added in two more fences with padlocks ensuring now that it would be impossible to ever walk a dog out of the building, and yeah, life pretty much sucks. Am making a serious effort to complete the editting of Roddy's book by the end of this week, and so won't be painting until after that is done. Not been a good year for painting in general. Completely lost on that one. But I do have a gallery interested in my chess show next year; bigger problem will be to actually be ready and have everything done the way I want it in time to even have a show.

Posting some scribbles in the meantime. Very difficult to drive and doodle, and everything lately is about going here and there, helping this and that.



Tossed Out of the Studio

So the property management is turning off the hydro today, so I'm off into the world with a bag of supplies, papers and canvas. Let's see what I can create whilst on the go.

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Beautiful Fall Afternoon, Interesting Conversations

Beautiful Fall 2010

Can you believe the fabulous colours this year? Incredibly inspiring. Too bad one can't paint and drive.

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Found Paper

Just posting a little oil on this great little piece of paper that I found in my sisters scrapbooking stuff. She has some really great papers hidden in those drawers, papers that might just get drawn and painted on. These are little tiny squares, no bigger than 3x5". Very pretty.

Little Sketches

In lieu of that little painting in progress, I'm posting a couple of sketches. Should be able to post the other tomorrow (or so). Sketches are from the weekend past, one from the badlands here in Ontario (so COOL you just can't imagine) and the other from late night doodling. Didn't get any painting done at the badlands cause there was just too many people around, and Georgie was being a little uncooperative. Only because he was excited too, really.

Zoo that Surrounds Me

Part I of II

Doodling in Oil Again

Tuesday Evening

Playing again tonight, although I've realized that painting doodles is probably not the best use of my time. It doesn't particularly help with finsihing the other two paintings that I have ongoing. And, just dawned on me as well, experimenting with techniques in oil on paper will likely not be of use on pieces that are oil on canvas. Ummm ... well, guess it's better to figure that out late than never.

So, what will I do with these? Haven't decided. But they're fun anyway. Not practical.

Blue Two

Just adding in my piece from last night, oil paint on this fabulous paper. Nothing seriously, just feeling the paint move around. Had a truly lousy evening otherwise. Certain I even screamed at some of these creatures.



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Location:Macdonald-Cartier Fwy,Brockville,Canada

If Wishes Were Dreams

Such is the world that it exacts more than one can imagine of the spirit.



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Escaping Bishop

Location:Oil on canvas

The Game

I'm quite sure words fail me lately, and surely there will be those that are more critical of my work in the studio than I would like. Just saddened of late; things change souch and I've naught where to go. Even George is out of sorts, possibly as I am.




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Working on new Chessboard

Was happily playing in a new media this weekend, better clay and this time for the entire chess board. I'm liking the results, although I only really only just started. It's more work than they say; my hands are getting a real workout, and boy does it smell right out of the container. Even the dog left the room. But it's great.

Started a new painting too, this one 60"x30", so now I'll have several things on the go at once. Now I really like this idea.

Will have to wait until next Saturday to get more clay to finish the chessboard, rather pooped about that. But I'm going to get to paint on this half right away anyway.

Last Day

Yup, another day older in just under an hour from now. And what have I learned this year? Hmm.

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Location:Toronto

NPCC now Showing

Now on display until Sept ....



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Location:Eglinton Ave E,Toronto,Canada

Exercising in Paint

Just spending some time tonight exercising my painting arms. Nothing special, nor even practical, I suppose. Thinking out loud. I was wondering why it is people ever gave up finger painting; you know, it's wonderful fun.

Copy of scribble pages

Just uploading a copy of my lateset scribble page for a chess show. Had a pile of these from way back related to different things, and now I can't seem to find them since I moved. Checked everywhere last night with no success. Mind you, they're not important to anyone else, and really just thinking notes, but i was pretty annoyed with myself for misplacing them. I know they were collected all in one spot at one point in my last studio, and certainly planned to follow me. Ok, perhaps I should've organized them better, but they made sense to me and I did used to know where they were.

Maybe they'll show up later. Anyway, was hoping not to lose this one so am uploading a copy. Now at least I'll know where to find it. The other pages are not so interesting but will try to scan them later. Just getting somewhat prepared for a show, working out visual details. Pretty boring to most people I presume. My dog isn't all that interested.

New Pieces Ready to Paint

Newly made pieces ready for paint. The way these are created, they're a little more fragile than their thicker cousins, so I'm working on something to fix this. Always got a plan .... doesn't always work, but I keep trying!




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Location:Toronto

Sunday Night

Spoke to Shirley today about several new sets of chessboards; quite exciting. Some new ideas, lots to do.




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Today's Pieces

So almost finished my first set of naturals, for the next landscape chessboard. Thinking ahead to what the colours need to be for the opposing side; hard to decide. Leaning towards a fall colouring, but feel might be difficult to appear natural. We'll see.



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Where Inspiration can come from ...

In the case that some wonder where inspiration strikes, sometimes it's as simple as the broccoli florets in the afternoon salad. Can't you see the chess piece in this??



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Morning Revamp

Playing with Oil Sticks Tonight

ecided tonight that just because I don't know what to paint, doesn't mean I shouldn't be working on something, so then started playing with my oil sticks. They are an unusual medium for me, and I rapidly put them aside after purchasing them. Tonight seemed optimal to play with them. Oil on paper.

The film that covers the sticks is kinda annoying, and the medium is blocky and rather hard to control, something which may or may not appeal to one. Suits my mood at the moment. Not sure that this is painting, but then what is anyway. Just playing around at the moment, trying to feel anything other than what I really feel. On paper.

Pretty Cacti

First iPhone ....


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Location:Office

Busy Day

It's.definitely a strange week.

Marineland Niagara Falls

Spent Saturday at Marineland with the family (well most of them) and 1500 families from my workplace. Was hot and sunny, and a really good turnout. The kids loved it; I even got in some sketching. I did sign up for the seasons pass (for an extra $5 CAD) so that I could back by myself and do some longer sketches. It is hard to concentrate with a niece or two working to get your attention.

But I did get in a few quick ones. I'm always amazed by the diversity of people here in urban centres; fascinating.

Impact Juried Artshow, NPCC

Very excited to haved received an Award of Merit at this afternoons Opening. It's a terrific show, curated by Lee Petrie and Astrid Ho. Two of my pieces were selected, with the chessboard and players singled out for merit. Very nice afternoon and some fabulous work on display. These are pics snapped at the show with my iPhone (love this little gadget). Go check it out!

Summer Project: Eaton Hall

Have decided to make my summer painting project subject Eaton Hall. It is a wonderful spot just north of the city of Toronto, outside of Aurora. The idea is a compliation of sketching, painting and photography into a singular final piece, after creating a multitude of individual pieces over the course of a set period of time. We were up several weekends ago, and I'm headed there again this weekend for another excursion. Last weekend was sketching and sorting through the ideas, while this weekend I'm bringing along the paint box for some outdoor painting. It should be hot enough to scare away the bugs too; forecast, bright sunny skies.

Portrait

Finished a portrait for a friend of mine's parents this week past; it was something I'd been meaning to complete for some time now and I'm completing my past commitments as kind of a renewal thing. It was just a simple graphite piece, done in this case from an old photo as this gentlemen is long since left us. Sometimes memories are powerful drivers. Fortunately his son (grandfather to a friend) really did appreciate the portrait and it has since left the easel.

2010 Muskoka Chair: Storytelling

Lost

Just realized that I hadn't posted in ages. I'm lost right now, just lost. There is just so much going on around me ... and I feel lost in the middle of someplace I shouldn't be. Or at least it feels that way. And my friends are all leaving or left.

Have dug my way back to the easel, cleaned the brushes, changed the palette and adjusted the lighting. What's wrong with me? Dunno. So tonight I've cleaned off the desk and pulled out my sketchbooks. Even found two unfinished drawings that really need completing. And there is still the painting on the easel that needs me.

Painting and Musing

The sun is shining brightly today as the wind whistles eerily around the building. The news is full of reports of wind damage from yesterday into today, which we turned off early this morning. Georgie isn't feeling well again today, and we may have to take a trip to the vet as it appears more serious than the previous bout of infection. Where to find the money is always a question.

Another important question is where I am going to help my friends at La Muse Artist & Writers Retreat raise that $50K Euros they need to stay in business past 2010. This is a serious issue as they desperately need a benefactor; I want to help.

I'm painting this afternoon, although giving it some standing time for the moment. I'm undecided about brushstrokes and the importance of traditional focus. And then there is the issue of detail: when, where and ultimately why. It's not that I can't paint traditionally, as I did seriously consider painting that muskoka chair into a portrait of famous persons just so that it sells quickly - that is what NPCC would truly appreciate. Is that selling out? Alas, the chair still sits unpainted as personally I need this piece completed by the end of May as well (my self-imposed deadline).

If only I painted a piece a day like Kim. Always something to aspire too!

Working Again

I am having a bit of a love affair with texture it seems, perhaps that is part of my current painting quest. Artists of old painted to create the perfect image, and in turn created objects of great beauty for others to admire, acquire and aspire. I live in an age where one image is not enough, normacy is many images, moving images. Former generations call it information overload.

I am at home with this. How could I possibly paint anything else? I just need to express it.

Noting the absence of light

Small and fast was this one, working in oil, done last night. (4"x6") Series is loosely based on the ravine setting I've moved into and life in general at the moment.


No matter what i do, I cannot photograph this painting satisfactorly. I've given up by now. You simply must see this one in person to fully appreciate it. (30"x40")


Again, difficult to photograph, but here is the whole piece pretty much completed. As good a photo as I can take myself (which is not saying much). (20"x24")

Have made particular note of the essensial need for better lighting in my studio. As an artist who works predominantly in the evening or afterdark hours, when my works are taken out into the daylight this is noticabley evident. I have to find a way to either paint outside, at a minium surrounded by natural daylight, or drastically improve the interior situation at my easel. This will become a focus in the following week(s).

Have been continuing to paint without drawing with some success. Needless to say, I really miss drawing. Am not too sure that the directional flow created by the hand underpainting is really beneficial or detrimental to the essence of the final piece; I'm of two minds about this and thoroughly undecided. Perhaps this needs to be merged more in thought and practice with the presently unknown resulting image, to ensure a unity of both. This beyond a doubt would limit the organization of colours over form to something that is meticulously preplanned, which concurrently denies the freshness or spirit that needs to be captured in order to have a successful painting.

Working in both mediums for years, I can say that acheivement of this in practice would perhaps be easiest in acrylic, but that freshness and lustfulness of colour would come for using oils; and I want to use oils. It might not photograph well, but one needs to feel that lust when looking upon a painting.