Friday, February 19, 2010

After the Market

11x14 Oil on Canvas
Hamilton has a Farmer's market downtown that operates year round. This woman heads home in the late afternoon. The fresh snow has been cleared, leaving salty wet streets behind.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Clearing the Way for Coffee

8x10 Oil on Canvas
Back to reality! Sailing is a long way off...probably another three months. It is snowing again today. I noticed several blogsters have been a little "down" due to the lack of blue skies, warm sand, and beach umbrellas. (I won't mention any names, but one artist has a cat named Eddie :) Up here in Canada, we are thankful for the small yet important things in life...coffee!
$125.00 plus shipping. Email for info.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Busy Mark Rounding, Hamilton On

12x16 Oil on Canvas Board
From ice boats to sailboats! Every so often, I enter the International Artist Magazine competition. I haven't had any luck so far, but if you don't try, you can't win!  The present competition is "Seascapes, Rivers, and Lakes". I've had this picture partially started, sitting on the studio floor for about 2 years. There had been a regatta on the Bay and we weren't participating, so I found a great spot near the windward mark and took some photos. It was a wonderful blustery day. The dark boat is in the process of taking down the Spinnaker (the big colorful sail that flies at the front of the boat.)
I'm not sure if I will enter this one. It was a nice change from painting snow scenes, although the colors seem somewhat similar!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Ice Boats on the Bay, Hamilton

8x10 Oil on Canvas
Its rare that we get ice boats on the bay. Often, when the bay freezes, there is too much snow. Last weekend was perfect. We had cold temperatures after a thaw, and lots of wind. These boats were speeding up and down the bay at incredible speeds, dodging snow areas, and having a great time. I wanted to capture the moment, and not labor too much on details.
Also, I would like to thank everyone for their positive comments on my previous post. For us lonely artists, feedback goes a long way!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Heading Up the Mountain, Hamilton On

16x20 Oil on canvas
This was a difficult subject. There was a lot going on, and it was a challenge to portray the "mountain" in the background as well as include the TH&B Railway bridge that crosses James Street at Hunter.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Reminiscence of Summer

8x10 Oil on stretched canvas $125.00
This is a little deviation from what I normally paint. There are no cars or buildings. This photo was taken where I walk Bailey. It is a wonderful path in the woods above Dundas on the Niagara Escarpment. These picnic tables are on the edge of the escarpment, and you can look over the town of Dundas and city of Hamilton from here. This was one of those mornings where there was a fresh snowfall and the morning sun was casting beautiful shadows. If you paint from photos ALWAYS carry a camera. Even if it is just a small one you can tuck into a pocket.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Disappearing Sun, James Street, Hamilton

8x10 Oil on Canvas
I love this row of Victorian homes along James Street. This is still a wonderful neighbourhood, full of great old homes and some spectacular architecture. These homes are overshadowed by the large apartment building in the background. Hamilton is surrounded by the Niagara Escarpment, which we call "the mountain". These cars are headed up the mountain after work on a cold but sunny late afternoon.
Click on image for a larger view

Monday, February 1, 2010

Snow Bank, James Street South, Hamilton

11x14 Oil on Canvas
On Saturday, when I started this painting, it was brilliant sunshine outside and minus 14 Celsius (about 6 Fahrenheit) I liked the abstract quality of the snow bank and the buildings in light and shadow, but as I painted, I realized there were too many other things going on. I simplified it as much as possible, and I think I am happy with it now.
Click on image for a larger view