Beach Family

8 x 12

oil on dooskin

Karin Juricks bi-weekly challenge was a whopper this time and intimidating as she drew me out of my comfort zone into her arena. I moved the boy as I wanted the kids between the parents as they both are looking like sentries guarding the brood. I find I still battle between trying to be realistic and wanting to be painterly. I need to loosen up some more but am happy with this one as I learned so much. Thanks Karin.

Apple

6 x 6

oil on doorskin

I didn't have anything in mind so did an apple just to get the paints out and in doing so made several mistakes and should know better. Planning pays off - should have had more than one item in there and not centered and should have decided on the colors first. My lack of a game plan resulted in the foreground and background being redone many times but regardless it's still a good exercise to go thru and I'm farther ahead than if I'd done nothing.

Over The Edge

12 x 16

oil on doorskin

I have joined a local photography club as I wanted to learn how to make better use of my camera for collecting resource material and the club has turned out to be too much fun, the meetings dynamic with many experts attending and the 'walks' a great way to let loose and look for unusual angles and subject material. Here a fellow photographer and myself peer below a dock looking for interesting ice formations. We are caught in the act by another one of our group whose fabulous photos can be seen on the Penticton Photography Club Flicker group along with the photo that this painting was done from. Thanks Drew.

Sushi

Sushi

6 x 6

oil on doorskin
SOLD

What I love about these biweekly challenges from Karin Jurick is that I would never have otherwise considered painting this but found that I really enjoyed playing with the colors. I did a lot of experimenting with this one and in the end was happy with the results.

Foraging - in progress

16 x 20

oil on doorskin

Still lots to do on this project but time to put it aside for a while and then it will be more clear which direction to go. It's rare that I feel a painting is finished but I know that when I'm spinning my wheels it's time to take a break. My first attempt at wildlife this being a wild horse and one of many encountered on the drive the local ski hill. Every time I've gone by this delapitated cabin I've wanted to paint it and then wouldn't you know a friend got a photo of this horse grazing in front and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I still seem to be caught between an inclination to paint realistically and a desire to be more painterly. I will try this one again with a looser approach.

Wig Shop

5x6

oil on doorskin

Here is my final version of Karin Jurick's latest challenge - haven't managed to capture it properly yet with my camera and will try to get a brighter version without relflected light, something I've had trouble with since I started this blog. As for the painting it gave me great confidence to overcome my apprehension of painting faces and as I starting having fun with this I was thanking Karin for pushing me way out of my comfort zone. Decided at the same time to try something different and tone down the color but will go back to what i love which is bright beautiful bold color.