Three trees

Today, with happy anticipation,
I am leaving for Moose Jaw, SK.

Going to visit a few artist friends.

Last week, using charcoal,

I made three drawings of

one tree along the river.

in the blue book: 110lb paper, 6x9"

I like this last one the best :)

Exhibition: CHROMA at CKG

A few of my newest paintings will be included in this exhibition.

Click here for more info.

I'm feeling quite excited about my practice these days.  Feels like I've broken through some barriers, and the work is really beginning to flow.  It's so important to be persistent, even when it takes years to develop an idea.  Being able to teach children's art classes buys me the time I need to be patient with my studio practice.  I'm feeling grateful for the turns my life has taken.

Speaking of teaching, today I go with two Grade 3 classes to the Weaselhead Conservations Area, where we will go on a guided nature hike, and then do some sketching before heading back to the school.  I've got a couple of fun charcoal techniques up my sleeve :)

Looking forward!

Work in progress (1)

Working on this large painting yesterday and today:

drawn out and a bit of colour added

The process has got to feeling almost the same as working in my sketchbooks... a similar immediacy, although, of course, taking a bit longer to paint a large canvas than a wee page in a book.

background colour: everything left on my palette plus white

I worked until late last night, and was straight away this morning back at it.  My appreciation and love for my job is at a high point lately.

with a bit of darker patterning

This painting measures 31.5 x 62 inches, and I'm still composing them with my eyes closed.  Amazingly, this has not gotten boring yet.  At least, not for me ;-)

and then a bit more colour added

I'd say this is likely quite close to being finished.  It needs to sit awhile before the final bits.  Therefore I've just begun another, and had lunch while making this blog post, and now off I go back to the studio.

Bon voyage!