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.