The sun is shining today.

Today is the first time, in two weeks, that I've felt like painting.  It's so good to be back.  For the last couple of weeks I didn't have the stamina to sit at the easel for more than five to ten minutes and even then I found it hard to focus.  

Now it's Good Friday and I feel great.  I'm so grateful for the sacrifice that was made for me.

I've just started painting a 20" by 40" commission.  It's a beautiful landscape.  I hope to do it justice.

Unfortunately, I haven't been painting, thus I have nothing new to post.  

Happy Easter everyone.

My new "Splash of Colour" series:

Hi friends, I'm still feeling a bit rough with this virus but I am improving.

Today's blog post picture is of something new I started.  When I'm working on a big project, the paint spread all over my glass palette is scraped to the edge and mixed together to make a grey that goes with well the project I'm working on.  After the second day, I scrape it into a pile and then use my palette knife to spread it thickly on a small canvas I bought for this purpose. Right now I put it on in the shape of a daisy. After a few days when the paint is thick enough, I let it dry and then paint it.  It's a easy project that gives me a fun distraction after working hard on something big.

 I'm calling it my "Splash of Colour" series.

6" x6" on gallery wrapped canvas

the petals go down the edge of the painting as well

Have a great day everyone.

Junkyard Joe...

Hi everyone.  I've been down with a virus for the last couple of days so I haven't painted much.  I did however finish a March challenge put out by the New Moon Gallery.  We were told what size of canvas to use and the theme:  "Junkyard Joe".  

Here's my answer to the challenge:

The Big painting grew again...

Friday we went canoeing even though the ice has only been off the lake for a week or so.  When we got back we used the barbecue to make hamburgers.  It was so much fun pretending it was summer...

Yesterday, I had an open house for some neighbours who wanted to see my progress on the BIG painting. Today another couple are coming to see it as well.  Since it's four foot by four foot I can't leave it spread out on the living room floor anymore :).  The last row isn't quite finished but it's far enough along to show the scene.  I'll post another picture each time I finish another row of four panels.

Here it is at the Half done stage.  I will be adding the people at the end.

It's been a while.

Hi everyone. We had a great time with my son while he was here visiting.  We travelled all around our area and took a bunch of photos.  Nathan is a good photographer with lots of experience so I hope to paint several of his shots.  Unfortunately the sun only came out for short periods of time so the pictures do not have a lot of light and shadow play. I love the excitement they can bring to a painting.

Since I don't have any new paintings to show you, I'm just including one of Nathan's photos.

Duck Lake, Kelowna BC

BIG picture is getting bigger...

My son arrives tomorrow.  So I might not be back here for a week but I'll have time to check in on some of my favourite bloggers for a visit.

I've put in some extra time painting this past week so I'll be able to relax and maybe do some touring while Nathan is here. Below is a photo of my BIG painting. This shows three of the eight rows done. twenty squares to go.

The top right square is still wet and has a funny reflection that looks like a plumb of smoke...it doesn't really.

Have a great week dear friends.