The Farm

8 x 16

Acrylic on canvas

Well spring is on it's way and our plein air group had it's first paint out of the new year.  The location chosen was my favourite valley in the Okanagan between St. Andrews, Willowbrook and Twin Lakes.  It's also a favourite for birders and from now through the summer full of many species of birds but especially meadowlarks and bluebirds.  I did this painting the following day from a photograph as I had taken the wrong bag of assorted paints with me and only had some odd colors to work with.

Day 21 of 30

California Bighorn Sheep

8 x 8

Acrylic

This poor girl needs work both on canvas and in real life.  She had chunks of fur missing and what looked like dozens of tics gorging away.  She was standing beside my car and giving me a bit of an indirect stare.

Day 15 of 30

Snag

8 x 8

Acrylic

Up in the hills during our trail runs we are always coming across beautiful old snags standing tall and looking majestic despite the inevitable decline.  

Day 10 of 30

Lean-To

8 x 8

Acrylic

One day last summer my plein air group were painting trees in a local park and as I wandered around looking for something to catch my eye I came across this scene.  A beautiful little pasture on the other side of the park, something I would never have discovered without the motivation and companionship that being a member of a group of like minded individuals brings.  I always look forward to the outings whether they are fruitful or not.  Next time I paint this I'll include the horses that were grazing there.

Fresh and Organic

Saturday Market   SOLD

11 x 14

oil on canvas

There is no better way to eat than fresh and organic right from the garden and full of nutrients.  It's been a fabulous summer and I am sad to see the days of the Saturday Market in downtown Penticton come to a close till next year.  I will miss these brightly coloured stalls but was able to get a chance to take my paints and join a few other plein air painters and capture some scenes.  This vendor is Food of the Sun from nearby Cawston, BC.

Smoke in the Valley

The Pond

12 x 16

Oil on Canvas

One day in August I and a student from Vancouver went in search of a scene that wasn't obscured by smoke from the nearby forest fires.  Vistas were obviously out but fortunately there was a pond near our parking spot with a little dock and that was all we needed to have a wonderful morning of painting, birds singing and people strolling by taking a peak at our work.  It turned out to be one of my favorite outings in the summer.

Oh What to Paint

Apricot Tree

9 x 12

oil on canvas

On one of our plein air group paint outs I was having trouble settling down and choosing a scene to paint.  Suddenly spotted this tree below us and onto the canvas it flowed.  Enjoyed this one very much. 

Year of the Horse

Running Wild  SOLD

14 x 23

Acrylic on Doorskin

We see this herd every now and then up in the hills to the west usually when we are out running the trails.  My first painting done when I was a small child was of a riding stable with horses being walked and tack being cleaned and since then I have had a love for anything horsey.  I think this is a good year to focus on them.

Winter scenes

Waiting Out the Storm

12 x 9

Oil on Canvas Paper

On a walk last week I found this flicker tucked into a berry laden tree sheltered from some very strong and cold winds.  He blended in so well and the colors were gorgeous so I just had to paint him. 

Day 30 of 30

Inuksuk

6 x 6

Acrylic on Canvas Paper

The finale and none too soon.  Although there are great benefits to the discipline of painting daily there can be many drawbacks and some sort of balance must be found.  Having said that I truly enjoyed this final day of painting in the company of my much missed artist friends sharing stories and creations all the while working on this last piece, an inuksuk found at the top of McIntyre Bluff over looking the town of Oliver.

Day 29 of 30

Storm over Vaseau sketch

6 x 6

Acrylic on Canvas Paper

One of the things I like the most about the Okanagan is the volatile weather and the dramatic skies.  Many times I have pulled over and jumped out of the car with my camera to get some reference material to paint from. 

Day 28 of 30

Out to Pasture

6 x 6

Acrylic on Canvas Paper

Love old machinery and found this specimen at my favourite lunch and produce stop Covert Farms in Oliver.

Day 27 of 30

Up in the Bluffs

6 x 6

Acrylic on Canvas Paper

High above Skaha Lake and above the famous climbing bluffs is one of my favourite areas to trail run.  Some new growth amongst remnants of a long ago forest fire but the meadows still provide vistas of the mountains beyond and sometimes the lake below.

Day 25 of 30

The Pond

6 x 6

Acrylic on Canvas Paper

Another scene crying for a bigger format, this pond and pine tree will be a future project.  Situated along the shores of Skaha Lake it guards the entrance way to trails offering endless lake views and some wildlife if one is lucky. 

Day 23 of 30

North Vaseau

6 x 6

Acrylic on Canvas Paper

Here is a view of Vaseau looking north with some fall colours and the 'golden hour' lighting.  One of my favourite birding locations.

Day 22 of 30

Vaseau

6 x 6

Acrylic on Canvas Paper

Painted this one in my car while ferrying over to Vancouver Island.  Tough to get good straight horizon lines with the vibrations from the engines and no sadly it is not a plein air of my view but from a photo on my Ipad.  Could have had a view if I was 2 cars forward or 2 cars back.  

Day 11 of 30

High Water  SOLD

6 x 6

Acrylic on Canvas Paper

Heading south on a birding drive I came across the most remarkable scene - the valley floor was flooded and a herd of horses was out looking for exposed grasses to graze on.  The backdrop was stunning with layers of foothills and mountains.  Some day I will paint the whole scene.

Winter Plein Air

Looking South

11 x 14

oil

As I was looking south down this lake I couldn't help but think about how much warmer we were a month ago when we were down in Arizona.  It even looked warmer down at the far end!  And speaking of Arizona I was very fortunate to arrive in Sedona in time for their Plein Air Invitational week.  With limited transportation I was only able to attend the 90 minute quick draw but it was amazing and later in the week I went down to the Art Centre to see some of the works.  There is nothing quite like watching the pros paint.

But now I am back with some local pros and am enjoying getting out there even in the cold temperatures.  I throw some toe warmers in my boots and wool socks over my hands and am ready to go.

Paint out day at Skaha Lake

Gray Day in the Falls SOLD

12 x 16

oil on canvas board

June 1st was a paint out day organized by Glenn Clark and the Penticton Art Gallery and all local artists were invited to join in with the only rule being that Skaha Lake had to be in the painting.  This is an annual fundraiser for the local gallery so the artist is expected to donate the painting or one chosen by the gallery.  I decided to join a few artists that I know and really enjoyed the challenge of picking a scene to paint, dealing with the weather and of course enjoying the many conversations with curious onlookers.  The view that I chose was looking east across the lake at Okanagan Falls.  Those hills in the background are my favourite for trail running.

Trail Running

The Mice 1

20 x 16

oil on canvas panel

There are no words that can fully describe the joys of trail running.  And the painting opportunities are endless but...  Chances are that I'll never get my painting gear up into these woods and frankly I wouldn't go on my own so my trail running group is having to suffer for a while with my taking photos every now and then with my cell phone.  So back at the studio or my kitchen to be more precise I am not baking goodies but painting The Mice, an endless network of trails, great for mountain biking, running or just hiking.