Saturday, May 30, 2009

"Chevys at Timmys"


6" x 6"
Oil on Board
Another rainy night at Tims brings out the diehard coffee lovers.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Saturday Shopping, James North Hamilton On


11" x 14"
Oil on Canvas
James Street North is a street in transition. It is a mix of cultures with Portuguese shops and restaurants, a bit of China town, East Indian Restaurants, and a vibrant artist community that is slowly moving in. It is at the stage where it is still a real neighbourhood, with real people living and shopping, and real artists looking for affordable space to work and market their work. It is also in the North End of Hamilton, known as a tough community. That status is also in transition.
On Saturdays, many vendors put their wares out on the street.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Albacore, Drifting In



8" x 10"
Oil on canvas

Our sailboat "Owl"

I love watching Albacores sail in and out. With no engine as backup, they handle light air drifters or wild windy adventures. On this day, the setting sun brought light breezes with it, and a slow drift home. This Albacore is at the the Hamilton Sailing club, next to Macdonald marine where we keep our boat. Our boat is an old 30' raceboat that my husband and I saved from a certain death at the back of the boat yard. Filled with water, and rotting away, we learned fiber glass skills, and put her back together. I am including a small picture.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

"Laundry Day"


8" x 10"
Oil on Canvas
I love to paint urban scenes with lots of downtown activity, but sometimes a great scene is just around the corner. I haven't been getting out and about much, but walking the dog today was a treat. It seemed everywhere I looked, pictures were being created just for me. This is a scene in Dundas Ontario...just around the corner.

"Neither Rain nor Sleet"


sold
6" x 6 Oil on Panel
Like I said, we Canadians love our Tims. And as it turns out, many Americans are addicted as well. This rainy evening did nothing to dampen the spirits of these coffee lovers.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

White Magnolia, Ancaster Ontario





8" x 10"
Oil on Canvas
To all of you plein air painters out there, you have my respect and admiration. This is my first attempt at plein air painting in a long time. I had to take my Mom to a doctors appointment on a gorgeous sunny morning, and knowing the wait would be long, I decided to take along some supplies. Right across the street was this great house with a gorgeous magnolia in full bloom. At nine o'clock, the morning light was wonderful. With fear and trepidation, I began sketching, and then filling in. I have to say that I am kind of pleased, but there is so much to learn.
Ancaster is a pretty town, with wonderful houses and big yards and many historical buildings. Unfortunately, everyone has discovered it and it is now an upscale bedroom community with too much building, too much traffic and too many big box stores.

Friday, May 8, 2009

"Misty Movie night"


11" x 14"
Oil on Canvas
The Westdale theatre in Hamilton is one of those great older theatres that has managed to survive. I have heard that its days are numbered...I hope not. It will be a sad day when the doors close. Westdale is a neighbourhood in Hamilton that was its own community in the thirties and forties when it was built. It still offers a great small town experience.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

"Morning Business Meeting"



6" x 6"
Oil on board
A "Board Room" for many people as they get ready for the work day.

Monday, May 4, 2009

The Early Bird Gets the Coffee


6" x 6"
Oil on Board
The early morning crowd at Tim Hortons as the sun comes up. And yes, I spend a lot of time getting and drinking coffee!