July 24, 2015

The Chicken Coop

The Chicken Coop, 8x10 oil
Chickens don't stand still!  They dart about all the time, running inside the barn every few minutes.  This was mostly painted on location, but I added a few more chickens afterwards.  There is so much to paint on a farm!

July 20, 2015

Farm to Table - Sold

Farm to Table 22x22 oil

This painting was inspired by the idea of buying local organic food.  They are onions that I received as part of my weekly share, (although I wouldn't serve onions like this),  I am impressed and inspired each time I pick up my food from the market.

I spent last Saturday at Manorun Organic Farm, (the farm where I get my weekly shares from).  It was probably the hottest day of the year!!!  A couple of other artists and I were invited to show and sell our art, as well as paint.  Trying to find a spot to paint in the shade as well as being able to catch a breeze (when there was one), was a tricky thing to do.  We ended up painting under a huge willow tree, while trying to stay as cool as possible.

July 17, 2015

Around the Block

Around the Block, 9x12
Everyone at the farm is extremely hard working, even the bikes. Whether it's raining outside, or a scorching hot day, the work must still be done. Bikes are left here and there, ready for whenever they are needed again.  

July 15, 2015

In Wait

In Wait, 12x9 oil
Painting almost anywhere in the summer is an exercise in painting the colour green.  Trying to figure out the differences between them can be quite tricky!

Lately I've been painting en plein air at the organic farm that I had mentioned in my last post, (Manorun).  My next few posts will be of paintings done at this farm.  This coming Saturday, July 18, during the Farm Crawl a couple of other artists and I, will be painting and selling a few of our recent works, weather permitting,  (farmcrawlhamilton.ca).

July 13, 2015

Kohlrabi - Sold

Kohlrabi, 6x12 oil

I started buying shares in a local farm, Manorun Organic Farm.  Each week I head over to the market to pick up my share.  I have never seen or tried this interesting looking vegetable, but couldn't wait to set up a still life and paint it.  Luckily the farm sends out emails to let you know what they'll be harvesting and even recipes for some of the more obscure items.  I love the way this vegetable looks.  I found that the flavour is fairly mild, sort of a cross between radishes and cabbage.  I ended up making vegetable fritters with grated kohlrabi and carrots, (a recipe I found on the internet).

If you're interested in checking out this farm, there will be a farm crawl coming up on Saturday, July 18, (farmcrawlhamilton.ca).

July 09, 2015

Today's Pick

Today's Pick, 24x30 oil
I picked these hydrangeas the other day with the intention of putting them in a vase and setting up a still life to paint.  Well they didn't get any further than the watering can.

July 07, 2015

Farm Fresh - Sold

Farm Fresh 12x6 oil

Unless you grow your own vegetables, you can't get fresher food than from your local farmer's market.  This year I decided to buy into a local organic farm.  Once a week I go to the market and pick up my share.  It makes shopping simple, I'm supporting a local farm, and I get some pretty amazing vegetables.

July 05, 2015

Staying for Lunch - Sold

Staying for Lunch, 16x12 oil

The simple things in life seem to get overlooked when we're busy with our daily lives.  As soon as the weather warms up though, one thing that I can't resist is having my meals outside.  Momentarily forgetting about things that need to be done, and deadlines to meet, just sitting outside, listening and watching as the world does it's thing.  It's clear that this is not just me, since patios open up in all the restaurants, and are the first places to fill up on beautiful sunny days.