Purcell mountain Lodge Artist in Residence Aug 12-16!!

I'm very excited and honoured to be going to the Purcell Mountain Lodge as artist in Residence on behalf of Mountain Galleries next week! I'll be painting non-stop for 5 days so hope to complete a number of plein air landscapes... and get lots of great photo references.  Big thanks to Wendy Wacko for giving me this opportunity!  http://purcellmountainlodge.com

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

I completed this painting and renamed it Eye on the Prize because of the intent predatory gaze. Thanks Brian for your suggestions .. I think there is more of a feeling of motion in the wings now. I tried a greater gradation in the background but didn't come up with anything that worked for me.. will try again on my next eagle painting.. I have tons of great images.
I think oyster catchers are going to be featured soon as well with their brilliant translucent red bills.
I've painted 5 or more hours every day for 2 weeks and have loads of 3/4 finished work lying around. I LOVE the starts but agonize over the finishes. Reminds me of when I was 8 or 9 and my parents would tell me "You're a good starter but a lousy finisher" .. referring to various projects or chores I'd undertaken.  Finishing without overworking ... hmm.

Memo to self .. Put Down the Brush.

Today I lost a sale because I overworked a desert painting and it lost its fresh look. The earlier version that the buyer wanted is on this blog. For some reason I fiddled with it.  It is so easy to kill a promising piece this way and I'm hereby resolving to stop sooner!
The eagle painting below (Eagle Dance) is one that I stopped working on a few weeks ago while I think about how to do the water background. How to gradate it colour and value wise. As the light is coming from the right, it would make sense for the water to be lighter and perhaps a bit golder/warmer on the right .. gradating to a slightly darker more muted semi-neutral greenish gray on the left..  haven't  figured it out yet. Advice/opinions welcomed.  We have a lot of eagles living near us on the coast!

AFCA Signature Status

I was extremely flattered and delighted to receive signature status from the FCA jury this week and I'd like to thank the jurors for dedicating their time to reviewing the submissions from many artists. It feels great to have that recognition and support from such an accomplished group of professionals! Now the really hard work begins in order to take it up a notch.

Exciting news! Today Jim and I delivered 8 paintings to Mountain Galleries  who are going to represent me for the next year or so .. we'll see how it goes. I'm very honoured to have my art in such a beautiful and popular gallery, one that we visit and admire frequently.  Liz Ash is the manager, you may call them at 604-935-1862 if you wish to purchase or inquire .. but my art won't be on their website until later this month.

Whistle Out-of-Bounds Artists Winter Exhibition

Last night our winter show opened at Essentia, 2144 West 4th Avenue in Vancouver. Fun evening,  lots of guests, and the show will be up until the end of January.  I also have art decorating the walls of Galileo Coffee Shop in Britannia (until Jan) , and Mix Bakery in Vancouver (until end of January).

WHISTLER OUT-OF-BOUNDS ARTISTS

from left:  Lianne Gulka, Andrea Moore,
  me, Susie Cipolla

an inspiring and supportive group of artist friends!

Coachella Valley Preserve and Indian Canyons

 Elaine Mathews, a Palm Springs artist, invited me to join her plein air painting in the desert. We started at 8am and it was already HOT. I found a bit of shade and had a great morning painting.. below are 2 unfinished views from my spot.
The photo below is from Indian Canyons, a gorgeous place to paint, hike, or photograph. I'll be making a painting of this scene for sure!

 Here are the completed paintings. Nicer without the sky, nest-ce pas? I'm pleased with the top one.