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.

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!

Two new paintings -- Lion portrait, and Equine Painting

   The King -- oil on canvas panel
bidding opens around 5:30 pm, May 22.

Bid Now

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

Bid Now

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.

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.

Bid Now

Bye for now.

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...

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!

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!

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!!!

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:)