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!

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.

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.

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!!

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...

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!

"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:)