Zorro

Zorro, 8x8 oil

Here is my final and favourite of the 8x8 horse paintings.  I couldn't resist painting this one.  I love the foreshortening of the neck and the huge nose of the horse.  I smile every time I look at it.

In the future, (sometime), I would love to do larger paintings of horses.  It would be a lot of fun to head out to a farm with my paints and camera and spend time with these amazing creatures.  It's really hard to do them justice on a small canvas like this. 

The Work Horse

The Work Horse, 8x8 oil

Seeing the strength and beauty of a horse hard at work, alongside a bustling street of shoppers and sightseers, makes me wonder why we chose the car over the horse.  The answer is obvious, but just imagine how life would be if all the garages were stables.  The air would certainly be cleaner and we would have beautiful gardens with all the fertilizer available...just a thought.        

Elsewhere

Elsewhere, 8x10 oil

This week's model was Norah.  She's an excellent model, whom I've had the pleasure of painting a few times.  This painting resembles her, but isn't an exact representation.  I really liked painting the beautiful red coat and the way her somber expression is in such contrast to it. 

It's officially spring now, yay!  It's been such a long, cold winter.  We even had rain instead of snow the other day.  I don't doubt that it will snow again, so my snow tires will stay a little longer on my car.  I am really, really looking forward to getting outside with my painting gear soon, without having to worry about frostbitten toes and fingers! Happy spring!

Kim - Sold

 

Once in a while, not quite often enough, I paint with a group on Tuesday evenings.  A model is hired and we paint portraits.  Painting people is something I enjoy probably the most out of all subject matter.  I can't say why, but I'm guessing it's because I really like a good challenge.  Kim Koren is a local singer/songwriter with an amazing voice and beautiful songs.  It was a pleasure to have her as a model.

Living in Paradise

Living in Paradise, 20x16 oil

A painting of one of the vast array of wildlife that I have been lucky to see while visiting Cootes Paradise.  I am thrilled to say that this painting has been selected to be in the upcoming juried show and auction at McMaster University called 'Naturally Connected'.   It's to create support and awareness for the Cootes to Escarpment Ecopark System. 

"Naturally Connected" McMaster Art Exhibit and Auction

March 21, 22 and 23

Togo Salmon Hall

McMaster University

for more information visit the 'upcoming events' page at:

www.cootestoescarpment.ca

Running Errands - Sold

Running Errands, 20x16 oil

I can't believe this winter!  All this snow!  In the past I've painted a few landscapes with snow, but this is my first cityscape with snow.  I chose to paint the pretty town of Dundas, although snow makes everything look nice.  The blanket of white hides everything below until a path is made.  The sound of the tires on the road becomes muted, at least until the heat from the cars melts the snow and turns it to a dirty slush, (that's the part I don't like).  My mind is starting to think about those beautiful warm days, when boots and warm jackets are a thing of the past; when the days are long, and all you have to worry about is ... sunscreen and mosquito repellent, (oh well, nothing is perfect).  Looking outside, the snow has been falling all afternoon, I'm wondering will spring arrive by the calendar date, or does 'mother nature' have another plan.  On the bright side, maybe I can get a few more snow paintings done before it all melts away.