Innocence

My friend Linda, her husband Norm and their 2 children, Nicole and Steven went to Rwanda this past summer to volunteer their time with the widows and children that have been victims of the Rwandan Genocide. They spent weeks with the families helping them with their daily tasks but also spent some quality fun time with them. One day, Steven and Nicole were playing with some of the children and making faces and laughing and giggling and Nicole noticed this young boy peeking through a tiny hole in the wall. His name is Yvan and he is about 3 or 4 years old. He didn't smile much and didn't join in the fun. Nicole thinks he was too shy but when I look into his eyes I can tell that he really wanted to be part of the fun. I just wanted to capture that wistful look and wonder in his eyes. Maybe the next time they go back he'll be able to sing and laugh with the other children and Nicole can bring me back a picture of a smiling Yvan for me to paint!

Calla Lily for Brittany

My eldest daughter asked me to paint her a calla lily, her favorite flower for her new apartment. What's a mother to do? So I went through my own pictures and those that my photographer friends have so graciously given me but I couldn't quite find the one that I wanted. So I went to one of my favorite sites FLICKR and started searching for a good picture that could become a great painting for my daughter. I finally narrowed it down to 3 pictures, then 2 and then to the one that I felt was the right one for her. It had a very modern feel to it which I thought she would appreciate. I contacted the photographer and asked for his permission to use his photo for a painting, which he granted. I used a 12X24 canvas with a 45 degree angled edge, in keeping with the modern look.

I gave this painting to Brittany as her college graduation gift. She worked very hard and is now an amazing esthetician. She reminds me of this calla lily as she begins her adult life with her new career, just beginning to open up to all of the possibilities out there. I'm very proud of the woman she is becoming!

Cornflower Blue

Although my style of choice is realism, I have wondered what it would be like to paint in various other styles such as impressionism or abstract. This cornflower gave me the opportunity to integrate a little bit of an abstract feel to it. I absolutely loved working with these brilliant blues and purples...it feels rich and fresh all at once.

To Melina, Love Mom XO

Meet Melina. She is my youngest daughter and will be turning 18 this week! Where has the time gone? As a young child I remember her playing in the pool, learning to ride her bike, reading her first words, her multiple karate classes, birthday parties with icing on her nose and so so much more!! Where has the time gone??

I painted this picture of her as I don't get to see here everyday anymore as she is in Quebec and going to college. But now, this painting hangs on my wall and I see her smiling face everyday and I get to smile back and think back to those days and look forward to the future memories we will make together.

I almost signed it "Love Mom XO".

New Season - New Paintings - New Events

Well, as I said goodbye to "Bright Future" I embrassed some new challenges over the past couple of months. I have completed 4 new paintings and have 2 others on the go. Three of the 4 completed ones have been entered into the 2010 Gamblin Torrit Grey Competition so I will keep you posted on how that goes although the results aren't usually out until the new year.

I also have created a business card for myself so that I can feel and present myself as a truly professional artist. Exciting!

And I have also been jury selected to show 2 paintings at the Fall Art Gallery Walk by TU Gallery on 124th Street. It will be a group show of artists from the St-Albert Artists Colony. I am VERY excited about that opportunity! I hope to see many of my friends and co-workers there to show their support (hint hint!!)

So stay tuned for some more paintings in the next couple of weeks and don't forget to comment to let me know your thoughts and ideas!

The Evolution of a Painting - "Bright Future"

After many more hours of adding darker darks and lighter lights and continuous tweeking, this is the final result. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this piece and was very nervous about showing it to Gavin and Trisha. But their reactions were very rewarding and the butterflies went away quickly after they saw it. It will be leaving my hands and hanging on their wall by the end of next week.

I decided to call this painting "Bright Future" as I truly believe that Gavin and Trisha will have a very blessed and happy future together.

To Gavin and Trisha...thank you for letting me be part of your special day as well as part of your daily lives. Lots of love to both of you!

The Evolution of a Painting - Part Three

Finally, back to Gavin and Trisha after a long awaited break. After working on the background from Part Two, I started working on the skin tones. Trisha was so tanned after being in Punta Cana for almost 2 weeks that I actually had to tone down her coloring (pun intended!!) At this part of the process I was still struggling to capture Gavin's far away look. I tinkered with just about every facial feature right up until the end. Oh, and for those of you that don't know her, YES, Trisha's eyes are that blue!! Gorgeous, isn't she?

Gallery shows

I know, I've been neglecting my blog and there is no excuse...just a few reasons! I have been busy with getting some paintings ready for various gallery shows happening right now and in the next couple of months. I'm showing 5 new pieces at Capital Ex from July 23 to August 1st including the final version of my last few posts showing the Evolution of a Painting. So if you can't wait for me to get my butt in gear and back to blogging, go check it out.
I also have some other paintings showing at the Spot Light Gallery in St-Albert. Come and see us do some live painting and great works of art Wednesday evenings from 6-9. I'll be there working hard on some new stuff. I've also been completing 2 other paintings which will be submitted as entries in the 2010 Gamblin Torrit Grey Competition and starting on a 3rd one as I write.
And I'm also REALLY excited about being one of the chosen few who will be showing 2 paintings at the TU Gallery in October during the Fall Art Gallery Walk. This is quite an honor and I'm so unbelievably stunned to have been jury selected. I need to start a list of invitees for the big VIP night. So let me know if you want to come and I'll add you to my list. It will be in mid October. More details to come!! So keep checking up on me. I will have part 3 of Evolution of a Painting next week.

The Evolution of a Painting - Part Two

I'm back from vacation and I'm starting back on my blog with a fresh new look and part two of my painting of Gavin and Trish, the newlyweds!

In part two I continued working the monochromatic portion of the painting being mindful of the various darks, lights and working the values to be as faithful to the picture as I could. I refined some of the details but not overly as I will paint more specifically in the later stages. I then proceeded to add the background using various blues and greens for the sky and the ocean. I wanted the clouds to be light so I worked with very little paint and higlighted them softly with some greys and purples. The beach was particulary fun to do as there were so many little footsteps and I really wanted to try to represent the depth and the softness of the sand.

I will be able to update more frequently in the next few weeks so stay linked! =D

The Evolution of a Painting

One of the first things that people say when they see my paintings is, "How do you do that?" Well, I truly believe that it's about 90% technique and 10% talent combined with a true passion about the process...well, at least most of the process. So I thought I would share with you the evolution of a painting.

Step One is to choose a subject that you absolutely love. Why? Because you will be stuck with it for many weeks or even months. Ok, "stuck" may not be the best word however, like your children, your paintings occasionally go through some "growing pains" so you better love them right from the start cause they can make you question your abilities (as a parent and/or as an artist)! For this painting I chose a wonderful couple who were gracious enough to invite us to their wedding in Punta Cana in January 2009. It was a simple, fun, touching, beautiful ceremony and a terrific vacation. Two days after the wedding a group of us convinced the newlyweds to get dressed up once again in their wedding attire and go for a "trash the dress" photo session on the beach. We had a blast and I managed to get a couple of really nice pics. This painting is a recreation of one of those pictures.

Once the subject has been chosen, I decide what size canvas I feel would be appropriate. I chose a 16 X 20 canvas which is a pretty standard size, not too big and not too small. I then draw the picture using a grid method to ensure that I have the appropriate perpective and proportions. This is the part that I like the least but it's one of the most important steps. It's so difficult to correct errors, add or delete here and there as you paint so I take my time and try to be as accurate as possible. Then the fun begins. I start with a monochromatic underpainting. This technique was used by the Old Masters such as DaVinci, Rembrandt and many others. So I'm thinking they must have known what they were doing! The colors chosen for this painting are black, grey and white. I block in shadows and highlights and some detail but most of the "nitty gritty" details will be done in future layers.

I'll keep you posted on the next steps soon! I hope you enjoy and don't be shy....post a comment or two =D

Break Time

So here it is in full color and framed. I really enjoyed capturing all of the different textures in this scene, from frigid water, to well worn boat, to all of the different stones on the walls and the path. To me it really feels like a sunny Sunday afternoon and the artist has just stepped away to get a mochaccino and a biscotti.

Break Time Torrit Grey

Here is my entry to the 2009 Gamblin Torrit Grey Competition. Entries must be painted using only black, white and the Gamblin Colors Torrit Grey. I found this composition interesting mainly for the "painting within a painting" aspect of it. I also had quite a time creating the stone pavement. I wanted to be sure to accurately represent the "roughness" of the path. Please visit the Gamblin website for more details about the Torrit Grey Competition as well as to view some amazing artwork.
http://www.gamblincolors.com/torrit.grey/index.html

African Son

I have always dreamed of going to Africa. As a child, I wanted to see the wild elephants and lions and zebras. As a teen, I wanted to go on safari. As an adult, I want to learn more about the different cultures, get to know some of the people, experience their way of life. When a photographer friend of Laura's brought home some pictures of her trip I jumped on the album to see what I could find. I absolutely, head over heels, fell in love with this amazing little boy. His eyes kept staring at me as if to say, "Go ahead, I dare you to try to paint me!" I had so much fun painting him. His smile is infectious, his eyes are teasing and you can tell that he his absolutely and genuinely happy! He has stolen my heart just like when your own child is born and that is why this painting is called "African Son".

Spring Tulips

The inspiration for this painting is once again from my good friend Sonya Ann. Her thumb is brilliant green compared to my muddy brown one and has a way of capturing amazing color and light with her camera. So once again I went about the task of trying to portray these tulips as brightly as I could. I also had a great time with the vase and getting just the right colors and texture to show the stems in the water. It was really fun to do! Can't wait to see what wonderful pics my friend will take this summer!!

October Breeze

Here is another painting from my trip to Gatineau during their wonderful fall season. October Stroll and October Breeze were both part of the 2009 Mona Lisa Show which featured paintings in full color for that year. It is an 8X10 gallery wrap and is for sale for $125.00

Mustang

Ever since I was a teenager I have loved Mustangs...especially convertibles. One day, before I get too old and gray, I plan to get one!! In the meantime I just salivate as I see one drive by and my heart races as I hear the engine. One day!!

As a member of the Mona Lisa Club at the Hidden Talent Art School, the students get an assignment each year for our spring show. The show is to celebrate Leonardo Da Vinci's birthday and is held at the Spot Light Gallery adjacent to the school. Our 2008 show was called the Black and White show. We had to paint using only black and white and were allowed to use a "touch" of color. So I had fun with the Mustang logo!

October Stroll

In October 2008 I went back home to Gatineau, Quebec to celebrate my 40th birthday. While there, I took some time to take pictures of the beautiful Gatineau hills in all of their splendor and colorful glory. The vibrant reds, oranges and golds are just breathtaking at that time of year. I was lucky enough to get quite a few amazing shots and wanted to capture some of that amazing deep and rich color. This painting was made even more special when my Mom offered to buy it from me. My first sale!! I know that it's my Mom but it still counts! I have a copy of the cheque to prove it!! LOL

Sarah

This was my first venture in portraits which was also an entry into the 2008 Gamblin Torrit Grey competition. The competition rules indicate that you must use only Torrit Grey, Black and White to complete the paintings. I had never thought that I could do portraits but absolutely enjoyed the whole process. Please visit the Gamblin website to view incredible Torrit Grey paintings at the link below.
http://www.gamblincolors.com/torrit.grey/index.html

Yellow Zinnia

Now this one was and still is one of my favorites. I worked so hard to make each and every petal stand out. Those little "doo-dads" in the middle really tested my patience as well as my hand-eye coordination! It as also a picture courtesy of Sonya Ann. It also looks quite striking beside "Red Lily" in my living room. A giclee print is also available for sale for $250.00, if interested.

Red Lily

This was such an amazing journey for me as it was one of my first "originals". I chose a larger canvas (24 X 24) and used some glazing techniques so there is a bit of a shine on the petals. My inspiration was a picture taken by my girlfriend Sonya Ann (who has inspired me on many paintings). I loved working on this scale of painting as you will see with my next one as well. This hangs in my living room although it is for sale as a giclee (canvas quality copy) for $250.00.

Brittalina Reserve

This painting was my second "had to" oil painting. Although I struggled with the table cloth and that little bobble on the wine glass, I really learned a lot while painting this picture...mostly about patience and that I need to work on mine. I also got inspired with the name for the label and combined my two daughter's names...Brittany and Melina to create Brittalina Reserve. After seeing my teacher's recent Wine series I may try my hand at it again...any volunteers to empty a bottle or two for me?

The Rose

This is the first oil painting that I completed. It was a compulsory painting so I didn't have much artistic creativity with it including that blue background! But it taught me about colors, blending, soft and hard edges and so much more. So now it proudly hangs on my wall so that I can enjoy it and see my progression.