Friday, December 30, 2011

Totally NOT Paintings...Sock Monkey and Sock Horse by Tahirih

So, I've been painting a bit,  a few commissions for Christmas and such, but I'm in a bit of a slump, so I thought I'd try my hand at a bit of a different type of creativity. My kids love stuffies, and we found the pattern for the horse in one of their library books and thought we'd give it a try. The horse is all hand-sewn...talk about time consuming! I think she took about six hours. But I picked up a nifty old vintage singer sewing machine at a garage sale, and not only does it look cool, it sews well. So the monkey took about three hours. It was fun! Now I want to make a whole menagerie of sock animals!

Jacob and Carlos the Monkey

Rhiannon and Sparkles the Horse

Sunday, December 4, 2011

New You Tube Slideshow

Hi all, 
I've been travelling, teaching a workshop and working on commissions for the past month, so I haven't got any new artwork to show you, but I have a little slideshow set to music that I made up today.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

BoldBrush Painting Competition Entry- Owl in the Mist

                                  Owl in the Mist ~ 18" X 36" oil on canvas  $1650.00

I've entered this one in the November Bold Brush Competition. If you like it, follow this link here and click on the LIKE button. (This only works if you're a facebook member) It'll help me get a bit more exposure, and possibly get in the FAV 15%...Thanks!

Monday, November 7, 2011

The Red Shawl -- BC2Africa Project

The Red Shawl - 9" x 12" oil on canvas $425.00

I painted this one a few weeks ago, but I didn't post it until now because I can't get a good picture. It still looks quite glarey...(is that a word;)?)
I was experimenting with painting really thick, like, slamming the paint on with a palette knife thick. It was a lot of fun, and the painting came together really quickly. I left some passages a little unfinished and clumsy looking (not at all like me) and tried to loosen up. I'm pretty happy with the result. It has a spontaneity to it that many of my paintings lack that I've been trying to achieve. Now to get edges, values, and accuracy...sigh...the learning never ends! Lol!
I can't take credit for the reference photo for this one. It comes from babasteve, or Steve Evans, a wonderful photographer of people, whom I found on Flickr. He graciously gave me permission to use his photos. 
30 percent of the proceeds of this painting will go to BC2Africa. BC2Africa was formed by a group based in Bella Coola, with support from across Canada, working closely with the people who run the C.R.I.B. (Children Rescued in Burundi) and Nyakabiga facilities in Bujumbura, Burundi. The Bella Coola 2 Africa Hope Society was formed in early 2006. Their website is here.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Monk's Fishing House, Cong, Ireland

Monk's Fishing House - Cong, Ireland

Today has been a blessed "stay-at-home" day, doing only what "I want to do" stuff...(I love those days!) I went for a nice long walk with Captain Jack and D.O.G., and once again marvelled at how beautiful it is here, and how lucky I am to live in a place where I can walk for forty five minutes and hardly pass another house. The mists were hanging low today, but it made everything a little more magical, with the orange of the autumn leaves contrasting with the greyness everywhere else. 

I'd meant to use this as a thumbnail (only slightly larger) to plan a painting that I have envisioned, but it ended up being more of a fully realized sketch, and a pretty good value study, as well. It seems I get a bit fascinated with detail, and can't just stop at a study.
Anyways, this is from a shot I took while in Ireland in 2009. It is near Cong Abbey, and it is the Monk's Fishing House.  It is equipped with a hole in the floor, so that the monks could drop their nets and fish in the warmth and comfort of their little cottage with the fire blazing in the hearth.  It is thought that a line was connected from the fishing house to the monastery kitchen to alert the cook to fresh fish. is very, very old, assumed to be 15th century. There is more info here if you're interested.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

The Old Time Hat -- Accepted!!

The Old Time Hat  8" x 10" oil on canvas panel

I just got news today that this painting was accepted into the Federation of Canadian Artists "Small, Smaller, Smallest" show! Yay!!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Daddy's Girl -- Father and Daughter

Daddy's Girl - 8" x 10" oil on canvas

I can't resist a picture like this! I love any picture that shows the interaction between people, but the love between a parent and a child is the best. This is my "big, tough, cousin", Corey. He looks mean, but has a heart of gold...sorry Corey! You're secret's out, lol! 
Also...I'm participating in a linking blog party at Kirsty girl...she's a great funny girl and clever blogger, who takes marvelous pictures, I especially like her kitty cats...
Kirsty Girl




Thursday, October 6, 2011

Down by the Sea

Down by the Sea 4" x 6" watercolor pen and ink

I liked my little sand dollar so much, that I decided to do a little series of seaside themed cards. I think I'll turn them into a set of notecards soon. (Did I mention that already? Probably, lol!) I'm suffering from dementia in my 30's!! Man...does the brain ever recover from bearing children?
Anyways...it's refreshing to go back to the basics every once in a while, and not take my art so damn seriously! I'm enjoying these little guys, and I love the ocean...so I'll keep ya posted.
Cheers!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

"At the seaside" -- sand dollars

Sand Dollar - 4" x 6" watercolor
©Tahirih Goffic, 2011


I was fiddling around with my new Windsor and Newton watercolors the other night, with an idea for a gift tag for a special order and I came up with this little image. I've always been fascinated with Sand Dollars and their simplicity and beauty and they remind me of playing with my daughter at the seaside, on our special trip to Tofino. This one looks better bigger, so please click away! 
I'm planning on doing a set of seaside/seashell themed gift cards for my shop, so keep your eyes peeled:)


Monday, October 3, 2011

West Coast Native American Dancer Portrait

"Light Dancer II"
9" x 12" oil on canvas
©2011 Tahirih Goffic

This is a commissioned piece that I finished recently, for a lovely German couple I met this summer. They saw and purchased another painting of mine, Light Dancer, at the Eagle Lodge, and were eager to meet me and see more of my work. They wanted another painting, to accompany the one they had bought, and gave me pretty much free rein. That is the kind of commission I love! I was able to come up with my own idea, and only had to keep to a certain color scheme. They are happy with the finished product and so am I. I don't really have a great name for it...any ideas?

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Bubble Time

Bubble Time 6" x 6" oil on canvas panel $150
Copyright 2011 Tahirih Goffic

Here's the painting I promised you yesterday:) I got a bit busy...I'm still finding it hard to adjust to going "to work" every day, and still having time to do all the other stuff, like cook and clean, post to my blog...
But it will come. I'm slowly learning how to be organized! It's not a normal state of being for me, to have to make lists, plan my day in advance, or be on any kind of schedule...but it's starting to come together. And I'm painting a lot! I haven't been posting very much, because a lot of my projects this summer have been private commissions, but that's okay, too. I might just have to rename my blog, "My Almost Monthly Painting Blog"! I do paint every day, honest! Except for the weekends, which I now dedicated to the kidlets and my exceptionally patient husband. 
Well, I do have a few more finished pieces to show you over the next few days, so stay posted!
In other news, I had my first meal at the "new" Eagle Lodge last night. It was exceptional!! My mouth is still watering, thinking about the Maple Glazed Steak with carmelized onions, and fresh blueberry pavlova...yum yum yum! If you are in the Bella Coola area, you absolutely MUST try their food...and if you need a place to stay, their rooms are beautiful, too. On Friday nights, they also have live music by local musicans, and Caley Watts enchanted us all with her angelic voice, and clever songwriting...she's gorgeous, inside and out, so look her up, she's on iTunes and CDbaby.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Ballycarbery Castle at Sunset, Ireland

Ballycarbery Castle at Sunset, Ireland 12" x 18" oil on canvas
$600.00

So...here's a new one I just put the finishing touches on today. It's something different for me, as I usually don't paint landscapes. But I was in love with this reference photo. I took it on my trip to Ireland, in 2009, and I still remember what the day smelled like! Warm sun on hay, horse manure, salt air from the ocean. I had so much anticipation of actually reaching the castle itself, so I could explore, and it was about a five mile walk...There was a little black and white kitty that was rubbing itself on my legs while I was taking photos, and the hedge on the right hand side was amazing. It was fuschia, which I didn't even know grew like a hedge! It was about five feet tall, and went for miles along the side of the road. Beautiful! 
Prints will be available from my etsy shop in the next few days...
Cheers!
Oh! I almost forgot!  Mojo377creations of etsy, featured my painting "Owl in the Mist" in her etsy treasury today...It's called "I met Alice Last Night", and is a clever and beautiful collection of Alice-in-Wonderland themed handmade items. Check it out HERE.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Owl in the Mist

"Owl in the Mist" 18" x 36" oil on canvas     $1,650.00

This was a really fun painting to do. I started out in acrylic, because I like that you can glaze lots of layers to make convincing mist, but I didn't take the size of the piece into consideration, and I couldn't get a smooth color in the background. The darn acrylic just dries too fast! I really hate painting in acrylic, but it does tend to be better for wildlife...it makes it easier to do all of the finicky detail without having to wait ten years for the paint to dry. Well, I threw up my hands in frustration and dove into this with oils...I mean, literally dove in. I mixed up about a tonne of the gray color and slammed it on with the palette knife, and then switched to big, gobby brushstrokes...it was really fun! So I switched my approach completely. The oil is quite loose instead of super detailed, and I actually love that about it...
Click on this one to make it big... it looks way better:)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Going Fishing

~Going Fishing~  6"x6" oil on Raymar panel  $150.00

Everybody around here is going fishing lately, and the river is thick with fish once again. I hear the Sockeye run is better than it's been in 40 years...unless that's just a "fish story", lol!
 Here's a little guy I whipped off a while ago, who's taking advantage of the surplus...I'll sell him to you in a gorgeous plein aire frame like the ones above for an extra $55...
Prints are available in my etsy shop...here


Friday, August 12, 2011

The Interruption

The Interruption  16" x 20" oil on panel

Well, I've finally posted something! It's been a really long time, and I've missed you:)  I am now volunteering five days a week, to keep our local gallery open. I use it for my studio, and I run a little cafe, so if you're in the area, please stop by for an organic, free trade, delicious espresso drink and biscotti.  Needless to say, I'm pretty busy.  I have been painting up a storm, but my time has been filled with commissions and failures.  Yup, there are definitely a few I'm too embarrassed to show you.  It seems like whenever I finish a really good one, it takes me a while to get my legs back under me so to speak. I guess I'm trying to live up to it, and the pressure is too great, so I screw up. Or something like that...anyways...I'm okay with this one, sort of.   I'm not sure if I like it, but I've learned that I have to let go, and let people decide for themselves before I use it for a frisbee.  
I did something this time that I hardly ever do, and totally messed with the lighting. I originally took the reference photo for this painting in the bright sunlight, it was filtering through the trees from the left, but I really wanted it to tell a story, so I changed the scene to night, and added the campfire.
Well, I hope to be back and posting more often now that my commissions are finished. Hopefully I work through this "sucky period"...The next one is coming along just smashingly, so cross your fingers for me that I don't screw it up!
I also want to give a great big huge thank you to Kirsty over at KirstyGirl for featuring my blog on her blog. She is a wonderfully energetic and creative blogger, with a heart of gold, and I enjoy each and every one of her posts, along with her gorgeous photographs, so go check her out.

Cheers!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

New frames and paintings



Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. I've been working on a "top secret" commission, lol! So painting lots, posting little.
These are two paintings I finished quite a while ago, but I was never quite happy with them. They are both on 12" x 16" panel and have been leaning backwards against my studio wall for quite some time. The African girl is fairly recent, but the Hula Girl is one I completed in Maui the winter before last. I couldn't ever put my finger on what was missing, but now I've figured it out! It was a frame! Opus had these great plein aire frames on sale so I bought a few, and they're just wonderful. Simple, but classy.
I couldn't get the greatest pics of either of them,  there's glare in some of the thicker areas, even though I shot them on an overcast day. The darks in the Hula girl are darker than they look, and the reflected light on the side of the African girl's face isn't that contrasty. I'm not sure how to correct this problem, as it happens a lot when I use thicker paint. I've heard about something called a polarizing gel, but can't seem to find where in Canada I can buy one. 

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Puppies and Pirate Ships

Captain Jack Sparrow

My Pirate Ship Cake

This past Sunday was my son, Jacob's 8th birthday. Captain Jack Sparrow is the name he picked for this precious new addition to our family. He's a darling, 10 week old, Hound/Border Collie/ Lab cross, with paws the size of tea saucers, and a gentle, sweet demeanor. He was Jacob's birthday present this year. 

Jacob decided on a pirate theme, and pirate party invitations. I was having a crazy, busy week, getting the Art House ready for the upcoming show, so he initially said, "Don't worry mom, you don't have to impress my friends with one of your fancy cakes, as long as it tastes good." What a sweetheart, I breathed a sigh of relief, planning on doing a flat sheet cake in the shape of a pirate ship, with maybe some piped designs or something. I literally had NO time. But the next day after school he sat down in front of the computer and googled "Pirate Ship Cakes." OH NO! When did my kids learn to use Google!? And sure enough, he says, "Mom, actually, I would really, really, really like something like this one...please,please, please..." pointing to a fantastic, three dimensional, carved, fondant covered beauty.
 Well, I baked the cakes at the Art House on Saturday, carved and crumb-coated it Saturday night after work, and spent from 8am-11:30 decorating on Sunday morning, the day of the party, which started at 12. But, I did it!! His friends were super amazed, and to be honest, so was I. 

Monday, June 20, 2011

Barkerville Blacksmith

Barkerville Blacksmith 20" x 24" oil on canvas  $1400.00

I've been working on this painting on and off for ages, and I finally put the finishing touches (i think) on it a few minutes ago. I was so anxious to share, I photographed it right away, and came down to the studio to upload it for y'all! If there's anything that totally bugs you, or needs to be fixed...I appreciate and welcome constructive criticism, but for now, to me, I don't see any doozies. That might change in a few hours, though, lol!


Friday, June 17, 2011

What I drew today


Sketches: Friday, June 17, 2011

So, this is what I did today. I had every intention of painting "en plein aire" today, and even packed up my easel, paint, a canvas, snacks and water...I was ready to go. My intended destination was Clayton Falls, a gorgeous waterfall just past Bella Coola. I headed to town, leaving in the bright, warm sunshine, and the closer I got to the falls, the worse the weather was. I was dressed for hot sunny day, and by the time I got there it was cold and windy. Too cold to paint in what I was wearing. So, headed back up the valley towards home, and lo and behold, by the time I got back up here it was warm and sunny. (We have a few different eco-systems here in this valley) So I stopped by my friends, Holly and Fraser's hotel, The Bella Coola Mountain Lodge...formerly known as the Coast Mountain Lodge and also the Brockton Inn, and enjoyed sipping green tea, playing with their adorable cats, and sketching from their back deck in the glorious sunshine.

Monday, June 13, 2011

I Heart Rocks


Click on image for larger view.


I remember being five years old, sitting on the ground beside the school swings, and being in awe of the amazing variety of rocks to choose from...way more rocks here than at my house...WoW! Lol!
And things haven't changed much! I still collect rocks, and I've passed on the "rock nut gene" to both of my kids, too. Our window ledges are veritable streambeds! 
We went on a bit of a nature walk yesterday, to check out the "new river". It's completely blown out and changed it's course since the flood. It's quite a mess down there, but still beautiful, I guess. The kids and dogs had a blast. I kept my eyes scanning the ground for cool rocks, while my hubby clicked away with the camera. Above are a few of my finds for the day...I love the heart shaped ones...:) It's watercolor pencil with ballpoint pen, on my Robert Bateman bristol sketchbook. It's not really meant for watercolor and buckled a bit. I couldn't figure out how to photoshop the weird scan marks out without making it look over-photoshopped...Anyways...that's it for now. 
Ciao!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Custom Cakes by Me




So, I know...you're thinking. ?? This isn't a painting...but I've discovered something else I really like to do as a side thingy. Don't worry, I won't stop painting, I just wanted to show this off. It's so much fun. I started out making fun cakes for my kids' birthdays. They'd want Dora, or a car cake, and we don't have access to pre-made trays, or cakes here, so I would just do it myself. It caught on with some of the moms and they'd ask me to do cakes for their kids...so this is the result of the last few.
If anyone in the Bella Coola/Hagensborg area wants a fancy cake, give me a call.:)

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Bubble Time

Bubble Time  2.5" x 3.5 " oil on canvas paper ACEO
Active on ebay right now... up on Sunday, June 12, about 6PM, PST

A new aceo for ebay...it's my son, Jacob.  I just can't help painting my kids! This one was too hard to resist. I actually want to paint it bigger, but I was impatient so I did it card size first. It does double duty as a color study, lol!
I'm probably going do be doing a lot less for ebay from now on. I really want to spend more time getting bigger paintings done, and maybe do aceos just to provide a break in between. It's been fun, though.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

One for the Sketchbook

My Boy Reading the Star Wars Encyclopedia

Hi everyone,
I don't have a heck of a lot to share with you this week. I decided to take a week off of painting and do some much needed yard work and gardening, and the weather was nice, too, so I took advantage of that to get my quota of Vitamin D. But, I did do this little sketch of Jacob last night that I thought I'd share. It's been a while since I posted any sketches since I've been painting pretty much full time. 
It's been really nice to take a break, actually. I feel creatively re-charged, and I feel like painting now instead of sitting in front of the easel every morning with that feeling of dread, wondering when the creative juices that make painting fun, if not easy, are going to start flowing. It's been a while since it hasn't just felt like work. Anyways, back to the easel on Monday. I have a commission of a particularly complicated but beautiful tree I need to finish. I'll post pictures when it's done.
Cheers!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Serenity -- Mute Swan on pond

Serenity -- 6" x 8" oil on canvas  
for sale on ebay tomorrow (Sun, May 29, 6:00pm PST)

Here's a new daily painting I finished yesterday. I have to graciously thank "scalespeeder" on flickr for his generous permission to use his photo. I was very attracted to the drama of the backlight glistening through the wings of the swan, and the perfect reflection.  I saw many mute swans in my travels in Ireland, but none of my photos were this "painting worthy."  
It was a fun little painting to do. I have limited edition, archival giclee prints on museum quality paper for sale as well. Drop me a line if you're interested.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Grizzly Bear Portrait

Grizzly Portrait -- 18" x 18" oil on canvas  $1400.00 SOLD
Click on the image to see it bigger.


                                           Proof that I painted it!! LOL!!

I'm really so happy with this one...that happens so rarely. I haven't even posted the last three large paintings I've finished, because I'm disgusted with them.  I got sick of painting wildlife a few years ago, and I also switched from acrylics to oils, loving the "juiciness" of oil paint. I've since attempted a few grizzly paintings in oil, and they were never quite successful. Grizzly pictures are in high demand here, in Bella Coola, since, other than Alaska, we are their playground, literally. It's not uncommon to see them crossing the road, eating the apples from my tree, or fishing on the river bank, making it easy to get good reference photos. They're fairly used to people and aren't generally much of a threat.
At any rate, I sell every grizzly I paint, so I decided to attempt another, and this time, in acrylic. Now I know why most wildlife painters use it. It's so much easier to get the detail, in a much shorter time. I just don't have the patience to wait for oils to dry to do glazing.
Anyways, I'll have archival, limited edition prints available in a 12" x 12" size, so if you're interested, drop me a line.
Cheers!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Two new paintings -- Lion portrait, and Equine Painting

   The King -- oil on canvas panel
bidding opens around 5:30 pm, May 22.
Bidding starts at $39.99

My newest painting today...and my second newest, below...

I'll Come Running 5" x 7" oil on canvas
bidding opens around 5:30 pm, May 22.
 starts at $39.99

I've been having a lot of fun painting smaller canvases lately. I don't seem to have a heck of a lot of time, with spring gardening and stuff coming on, so it's the easiest way to get some productive painting time in.


Friday, May 20, 2011

Another Magnolia

My Magnolia 6" x 6" oil on canvas panel

I know...another magnolia, but my tree is blooming, and I'm completely enamoured with it it right now. I love magnolia trees. I'm baffled by the huge blossoms, like some tropical flower. Their smell, so much like the sweetest tulips, and how the petals litter the ground like fragrant snow. I remember clearly the first time I saw one...I was probably already 12 or so, and had never seen anything like it. I don't think they grow in Quesnel.  I was in Kelowna, walking down my grandpa's street, and the neighbour had one that was blooming. I remember standing and staring...the neighbour probably thought I was off my rocker. :)
This one will be going on ebay Sunday, May 22, at around 6.
Bye for now.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Magnolia Flower

Magnolia in my sketchbook

Hi everyone. I finally felt like sketching today! The sun is out and brilliant, and it's hot and it finally feels like spring. I'm smiling!! Our magnolia tree looks absolutely magnificent right now, so I thought I'd take advantage of the sunny day to go outside and sketch it. 
It's black ballpoint and colored pencil, softened up with a bit of mineral spirits...

Monday, May 16, 2011

Coffee break- original horse oil painting

Coffee Break 6"x6" oil on canvas panel
 $150.00



Here's my newest daily painting.
I love horses. I've always loved horses. I started drawing them when I was about five and the obsession hasn't ended. And workhorses speak to me of a time when life was simpler...more real...more in touch. I miss it in a way.
Anyways, you can now purchase it straight from me with paypal, using your bank account or credit card. It's totally secure. Isn't technology wonderful?, Lol!

Friday, May 13, 2011

back to a painting a day!

Leo 6 x6 oil on canvas  SOLD

I decided to do a close up of a lion for some reason yesterday...not really sure, I just liked the pose.  Maybe that's the way I should work, lol! Just paint whatever strikes me at any given minute. It might work. I would probably have about 90% of my paintings be ones of my children, but you know...the odd lion, or swan or dumptruck might get thrown in there...I suppose it would give me a good lesson on what inspires me.
Odd questions on an odd day. I just finished a big painting today. I'm pleased with it today, but might not be tomorrow...The day before yesterday I liked it, yesterday I scraped the face off...so by tomorrow, I'll either be satisfied and post it for you all, or I might scrape the whole thing down and start all over!



Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Queen Kitty

2.5" x 3.5" oil on canvas paper

This is just one of the many, many aceo's I painted from last week. I paint about two a day to sell on ebay, and I do fairly well. The problem is that it takes so much time away from the art that I want to paint.
How does one reconcile the need to paint what one is passionate about, and the need to make a living? Anyone have any suggestions?
 I don't want to go back to being a restauranteur, I don't want a receptionist job...I want to paint...but right now, these cards are my only income, and I certainly don't want to spend the rest of my life painting pint size kitties and horses. Grrrr!!!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Flamenco 2

"Flamenco" 6" x 6" oil on canvas panel
NFS

This is the final painting in my flamenco series. It was fun, other than I don't really know what to name them all. I finally got some good pictures...I stuck them in the scanner, and they all worked, whaddya know! So I replaced all the pictures in my previous posts with the new ones. Enjoy! Now, on to bigger and better things:)

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Ole`! Flamenco Dancer

Ole!!  6" x 6" oil on canvas panel
For sale on ebay starting Sunday, 6 pm PST

The fourth in the Flamenco dancer series. I had fun with this one, especially on the hands...I'm proud of them! lol!
Ole!! 6 x 6 oil on canvas panel (New photo!:))
Again, the quality of the photo really doesn't do justice to the original at all. There's glare on it that I couldn't get rid of in photoshop, and the background is lacking the richness in color that's really there. You'll just have to take my word for it! I can't wait to get my frames for these. I found a great company in Kelowna that makes beautiful plein air frames that will fit these perfect. www.classicgalleryframing.com. Their prices are reasonable, and they ship to my teeny tiny nowhere town.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Flamenco dancer

"Bonita" 6 x 6 oil on canvas (New photo)

This has been a fun little series for me. It's neat to explore a set color scheme and subject matter, and see how many ways you can find to fill it. I have to thank Aline Salazar on Flickr for her wonderful reference photos. I have changed it to suit my own tastes, but I got the idea from her.
This photo is horrible, unfortunately. I can't seem to photograph anything with dark backgrounds successfully, and the contrast is a bit off. It hasn't picked up the richness of the colors of her flesh, either, but oh well. I've tried to tweak it in photoshop, to no avail. We do what we can with what we have! At least the expressiveness is there. This will be up for sale on ebay on Sunday night, 6 pm PST.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Senorita - painting a day

"Senorita" 6" x 6" oil on canvas (new photo)

I'm working on a series of 6" x 6" dancers, this is the second in the series. 
Thanks for looking, now I have to go paint, Cheers!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

The Dancer

The Dancer (new photo)
6" x 6" oil on canvas panel $49.99
A new daily painting for ebay
I loved the drama of this piece. I added the earring because I thought she looked like a flamenco dancer.
Thanks very much to Megyarsh on Flickr for the use of her fabulous reference photo.
Cheers, all

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Work Buddies painting a day

"Work Buddies" 6" x 6" oil on canvas

A new painting I did today. I've been working on a large one for the last week, and it's giving me some trouble, (as usual...sigh...) so I decided to turn it to face the wall for a week or so, and do some tiny little one-off's to make myself feel better!
This one will be active on ebay on Sunday at 6 or so...
Cheers! G'night:)

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen--12" x 16" oil on canvas

I'm so excited! I entered this painting which some of you have probably already seen, in the regional juried arts competition, and it was accepted! Yay! So it will travel around B.C. for a while, visiting other galleries, and hopefully gaining me a bit of exposure. 
Also, I've entered it into the BoldBrush painting competition, too, and I know that this is a bit of a shameless plug, but, if you do like it, would you be so kind as to follow this link:
and click on the little thumbs up symbol that says "like" on it? Thanks, oh, and here's a new painting for you, too. I had some fun with cadmium yellow medium, really thick paint and a palette knife. Click on it to make it bigger:)

Sunset Cows - "11 x 14"oil on masonite panel $550.00 

I found it different to paint on such a hard, slick surface. It was kind of an exercise for myself in thick paint, and painting fast. I was trying to catch that elusive inspiration by not allowing myself time to think. It turned out okay, but I think the drawing is off a bit. Anyways, it was fun, and I'm mostly happy with it.