Swing Band

Swing Band

24 x 24

Oil on Canvas

Well the year 2016 was a busy one filled with many fabulous days out and about either painting, running or riding the trails and getting used to retirement - well not for me actually but definitely a change.  We celebrated in Vancouver where the company had rented a ballroom and brought in a swing band and I immediately knew I had to take some photos and finish off the year with music themed paintings!  Such fun since my studio shares a building with the music academy and I get to listen to practice sessions while I paint.

I haven't decided yet whether to keep up this blog or not as Instagram for the moment seems to be the easiest method of posting so come visit me @barbhillierart or find me on my webpage barbhillier.ca.

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. 

Zion by Bike

Zion South

16 x 12

oil on canvas paper

Recently returned from a trip south and just had to paint my experience in Zion National Park.  As of April 1 it is closed to cars and the only way in are bus shuttle, cycling or by foot.  We decided to cycle with some friends and what a spectacular ride it was up the canyon.  Much more peaceful than our visit a few weeks previously when the route was crowded with vehicles parked or trying to squeeze by each other.  The colors here are very intense and the lighting very mystical.

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. 

Whistler in September

Whistler 

11 x 14

oil on canvas board

Last September I took a workshop in Whistler through the Federation of Canadian Artists.  It was a fantastic week with not only 4 instructors but many professional artists participating in some of the activities.  The weather overall was excellent but for the day I was scheduled to go up the mountain.  Windy and cloudy I was only able to catch momentary glimpses of the surrounding mountain peaks but  here is a scene I caught where the clouds opened up for about 15 minutes allowing me to get a study done and to be able to paint the above week from my photos and study.

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.

French villages

Village Water Tap

18 x 14 

oil on canvas

Rained out on our plein air outing but managed to come close to finishing this French scene today in the comfort of home.  Though I'd rather be out since it should be warm and summery I do have a huge backup of French and Italian resource photos from our cycling trips.  This village tap was a common and welcome sight on our travels through the Alps, Pyrenees and Dolomites enabling us to keep our bottles full.

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.

Benefits of Birding

Spring up at Anarchist Mountain

12 x 16

oil on wrapped canvas

There are few things I enjoy more than to get out into the bush with the family for a birding expedition. Exploring up old logging roads absorbing the sights and sounds and relishing in the signs of spring.  It is also a great opportunity to collect resource material for those days when the weather doesn't allow me to get outside and paint.  Oh and some day I'll pull all of those bird photos out and paint my favourites. 

Maui Plein Air

Palms study

10 x 10

oil on doorskin

Much has happened since the January 30 day challenge.  Not long after we were headed for Maui and after many fruitless searches for art supplies I gave up and took a break from painting.  However I was very lucky to be in Lahaina for the Maui Plein Air Invitational and was able to watch 25 very accomplished artists from across the United States paint outdoors all week long.  Every where I went I was coming across an easel set up and a painter catching the moment, sometimes several painters.  Much was learned about many aspects of the process and I really enjoyed chatting with those that would take the time and with other art lovers.  Any chance to purchase a favourite piece was minimal as even though I was lined up for the opening all my favourites had sold signs before I got to them.  One artist I was particularly impressed with and whose work I liked very much was Colin Page from Maine.  He showed up at the first paint out almost 2 hours into the 3 hour time limit with borrowed paints and a cardboard palette.  It seems his supplies didn't arrive but no worries he sat down on the sand to start painting the model but his palette was soon picked up by a wave.  Moving further up the beach and now with a borrowed easel he dealt with wind, spilled turps, inquisitive school children and us onlookers all the while cheerfully chatting away and actually stopping to answer questions.  And knocked off a great painting!  A truly great role model and one who I would consider taking a workshop from.  All the painters seemed to have their own style and approach and all worked in oils with the exception of a pastel artist or two.  I did find out too late that the local hardware store carries artists supplies so will remember that on our next trip there. 

A New Year Challenge

Lake Como in progress

18 x 36

oil on canvas

Leslie Saeta has generously started a New Year 30 Day Challenge and much as I tried to come up with excuses not to join it I finally realized this is probably just what I need.  Check it out.  I think there may be still time to join up!

The Lake Como painting above was a larger piece that I started before Christmas and isn't finished yet but I think I'll hang it for a while and maybe the issues areas will resolve themselves, ha ha.  If they haven't by the end of January I'll work on it later in the spring.  My how life gets busy...

Whistler in September

Ladner Marsh

24 x 20

oil on canvas

I am so excited to be able to spend a week in Whistler next year having lived there years ago and rarely getting a chance to go back for visits.  The best part though is that I will be attending a workshop put on by the Federation of Canadian Artists and led by some really great painters.  Check out the website for details.

The above scene is a marshy nature reserve and is right across the street from our "city" home.  A great place to go birding or just for a walk to watch the sun go down.

Sorry France, I've fallen in love with Italy!

White Lake Trails

16 x 12

oil on canvas

I ran this trail yesterday, 13 kilometres of jaw dropping beauty and the above painting will be in a show at Leir House in Penticton starting Saturday.  As for Italy we had three weeks there in September travelling mostly by bicycle on my beloved Orbea Diva.  Injuries from my crash in June didn't hold me back much and I managed to climb many of the famous Giro d'Italia climbs including the Stelvio, Mortirolo and the Gavia.  We had three days in the Italian Alps and then three days in the Dolomites followed by a week and a half on the Adriatic coast.  After riding extensively in France through the Alps and the Pyrenees I have to say this was the best trip yet.  If you like cycling and want to read more there are two write ups of our trip on the Granfondoplus.com website, go to the travel section or search for Hillier Italy.  And if you live in the Okanagan come by and see the show, details on the poster below.  

Social side to painting out

Lower Town lakeside sketch

9 x 12

oil on canvas paper

One of the things I find about painting at home is the isolation that I feel from the world.  I may put on a radio talk show for background conversation but it doesn't help with the fact that most of the time it is a solitary activity.   A nice change is to take it outside and into the public.  It's amazing to see how many people walking by can take some enjoyment from watching the process and many have expressed interest in having a go at it themselves.  If you live in the central or southern Okanagan there is a group that meets Tuesday and Thursday for paint out sessions.  Check the Plein Air BC website for more info.  

Going Green

Ladner Harbour Boats

11 x 14

oil on canvas

My paintings reflect my life in some ways - constantly moving between the desert and the coast.  So here we are back on the coast in the little fishing village of Ladner.  I ventured out in my car on a cool winter morning, parked in the marina parking lot facing these boats and set up my paint box (pictured below) right on my lap never leaving the warmth and privacy of the vehicle.  It was so lovely and relaxing, listening to music and painting away - almost a timeless feel.   I used my plein air paper sketch as a guide for this larger canvas piece along with some photo reference, my usual process these days.

And this is my paint box, a summer project starting with a basic box, adding a hinged palette lined with glass and two hinged side pieces for holding brushes or medium and a piece of paper towel for wiping excess paint.  Paint tubes and brushes store underneath and two panels can store in the lid.  I can paint with the box on my lap or attach it to a tripod.  I'm 'going green' by using a glass palette which can be scraped with a blade and excess paint piled in a corner to use as an undercoat for the next painting and by pinning down a small square of paper towel which can hold an astounding amount more paint than a crumpled up piece in one's hand.  I  usually work with one brush rubbing off excess paint when changing colors and making sure I load up enough new paint on the brush to gently drop in the color without the old color seeping through.  This means no solvents necessary and again fewer paper towels.  Of course this works for now while painting small, we'll see when I start painting big outside!   

Out on the trails

Lone Tree in progress

40 x 30

oil on canvas

The last fews months have been busy with numerous trail runs and races both on the wet west coast and the dry desert in the interior.  The above painting would be a familiar sight out on the trails and often when I'm out there I'm wishing I could stop and paint.   I've been focussing on plein air painting studies, the last few from the comfort of the front seat of my car but now that the temperatures are dropping it's back to the studio to go big again and a little stylized.  

Strange Days

Storm on the way

18 x 24

oil on canvas

A couple of months ago I was driving up this road to a little bakery where I buy my rice bread and I saw a huge storm moving in from the south so back down I went to get my camera so I could get some resource photos.  This painting above was my attempt to capture the mood with the sun still shining in the foreground but far down the valley was a totally different scenario.   Today on the coast it was much like that.  We had ferocious winds, torrential rain and brilliant sunshine under deep blue skies.  Yesterday and the day before it felt like Hawaii.  Strange days...